Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

Who has had windshield tint

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2018 | 11:11 AM
  #1  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Thread Starter
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default Who has had windshield tint

I am getting my windshield tinted tomorow, and the tint shop recommended 50% is this safe to drive with at night? If not what is a safe %.
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 11:14 AM
  #2  
LexBob2's Avatar
LexBob2
Lexus Champion
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,543
Likes: 275
From: Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by 05ls430518
I am getting my windshield tinted tomorow, and the tint shop recommended 50% is this safe to drive with at night? If not what is a safe %.
It's just my opinion but 50% on the windshield is too dark and could draw unwanted attention from local police, but many drivers do it. Whether it's safe or not is up to you - You could ask the tint shop their thoughts since they not doubt see it a lot.
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 12:44 PM
  #3  
GSteg's Avatar
GSteg
Rookie
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 16,018
Likes: 81
From: CA
Default

I personally did 70% and it's hardly noticeable, but I also have saddle interior.
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 01:32 PM
  #4  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Thread Starter
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by GSteg
I personally did 70% and it's hardly noticeable, but I also have saddle interior.
Is night driving different at all also is your wife/gf ok driving it at night? My wife is worried that since men see better at night than women do she wont be able to drive it.
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 02:06 PM
  #5  
scooky's Avatar
scooky
Pit Crew
 
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 222
Likes: 55
From: WA
Default

I did 80%. I'm not sure if even that is legal where I'm at. Definitely not too dark for safe use.
I know 50% isn't legal here. But, from my reading, many people risk it successfully.

Keep in mind, if you tint windshield, you will need to be extra careful with things like parking stickers, toll passes, stuff like that. There are products that help with it, just need to be aware.
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 05:49 PM
  #6  
97-SC300's Avatar
97-SC300
Lexus Test Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 133
From: Earth
Default

I have 50% on the windshield of my LS430 and honestly barely even notice it's tinted. I don't have an issue night driving at all.
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 06:43 PM
  #7  
4TehNguyen's Avatar
4TehNguyen
Lexus Fanatic
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 26,219
Likes: 79
From: Houston, Texas
Default

3M makes Crystalline tint that is 90% and looks clear but it rejects infrared and UV
Reply
Old May 28, 2018 | 07:15 PM
  #8  
bagwell's Avatar
bagwell
Lexus Champion
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
Default

Originally Posted by 4TehNguyen
3M makes Crystalline tint that is 90% and looks clear but it rejects infrared and UV
^^^^^ best option!
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 10:10 AM
  #9  
jwong77's Avatar
jwong77
Pole Position
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 40
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by 4TehNguyen
3M makes Crystalline tint that is 90% and looks clear but it rejects infrared and UV
I'm thinking of doing exactly this, but my installer recommends 70% for the significantly better heat rejection. Any thoughts on his advice?

Would 70% make a big difference such that I wouldn't be able to see at night? I want to have a nice balance between being able to see, and have some decent heat rejection.

Last edited by jwong77; May 29, 2018 at 10:22 AM.
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 12:39 PM
  #10  
Zmon's Avatar
Zmon
Racer
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 224
From: Illinois
Default

I've got 3M crystalline on my IS's windshield (I think 90%), along with a 5-10% brow up top. I'd be a bit wary though if you live in a location that puts inspection/city stickers on the windshield as they're a PITA to remove and not scratch the tint. IIRC, it's just about illegal to do everywhere and typically with good reason if you're ever in a car crash and they need to bust your windshield to get you out (and obviously for sight issues). When I go in for my yearly inspection, I have to remove my sticker prior to visiting otherwise they'll fail it as it'll be obvious when they're going to remove it and they start scratching tint with the scraper. Honestly, I thought about doing the 70%, but I really didn't want to darken the windshield that much for nighttime driving (considering there's already a minor tint to glass).

Check the 3M crystalline site if you want #'s on rejection percentages. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Automotive-Window-Film-Crystalline-Series/?N=5002385+3292716668&rt=rud

Last edited by Zmon; May 30, 2018 at 09:53 AM.
Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 02:25 PM
  #11  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Thread Starter
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

These are the results, I am a huge fan.



Reply
Old May 29, 2018 | 10:05 PM
  #12  
Aron9000's Avatar
Aron9000
Lexus Champion
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4,592
Likes: 31
From: TN
Default

Originally Posted by xBROKER
Sounds like a recipe for a happy marriage. Go for it. Until the advent of the automatic transmission, most women couldn't drive. Guess what the divorce rate was back then...
Oh man, that's so sexist lol. Reminds me of that scene from Mad Men where Don was talking to Betty's therapist and the therapist was telling him every damn thing she said to him along with his clinical opinion, because they were men and knew better than her.


Sorry to get us off topic, but windshield tint is freaking dumb. Its like wearing your sunglasses at night. I already have bad enough eyes and have a hard time seeing at night, especially when its raining. Something about it raining at night makes it 10x darker IMO. Although that 90% 3M tint that just blocks heat/uv rays, that sounds intriguing. Just make sure you have it installed correctly by a pro shop. My first car I had cheap tint done by a bunch of ameatures. It turned purple within 2 years and started to peel off.
Reply
Old May 30, 2018 | 04:42 AM
  #13  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Thread Starter
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by Aron9000
Oh man, that's so sexist lol. Reminds me of that scene from Mad Men where Don was talking to Betty's therapist and the therapist was telling him every damn thing she said to him along with his clinical opinion, because they were men and knew better than her.


Sorry to get us off topic, but windshield tint is freaking dumb. Its like wearing your sunglasses at night. I already have bad enough eyes and have a hard time seeing at night, especially when its raining. Something about it raining at night makes it 10x darker IMO. Although that 90% 3M tint that just blocks heat/uv rays, that sounds intriguing. Just make sure you have it installed correctly by a pro shop. My first car I had cheap tint done by a bunch of ameatures. It turned purple within 2 years and started to peel off.
It was a pro shop it was $484 for the tint, also I have tint for medical reasons 50% is fine for the windshield it has 0 effect on visibility in my observations.
Reply
Old May 30, 2018 | 04:44 AM
  #14  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Thread Starter
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

Originally Posted by jwong77
I'm thinking of doing exactly this, but my installer recommends 70% for the significantly better heat rejection. Any thoughts on his advice?

Would 70% make a big difference such that I wouldn't be able to see at night? I want to have a nice balance between being able to see, and have some decent heat rejection.
Honestly 50% is great medium between the two, 70% is like plastic wrap over your window it doesnt really do anything.
Reply
Old May 30, 2018 | 07:56 AM
  #15  
bagwell's Avatar
bagwell
Lexus Champion
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
Default

Originally Posted by Zmon
I've got 3M crystalline on my IS's windshield (I think 90%), along with a 5-10% brow up top. I'd be a bit wary though if you live in a location that puts inspection/city stickers on the windshield as they're a PITA to remove and not scratch the tint.
so how would you get the sticker off the tint without using a razor blade?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:21 AM.