Window Tinting
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Window Tinting
I want to tint the windows of my RX. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what brand of tint to look for or avoid? Obviously I am going to have it professionally installed, I am just looking for a brand that will look good.
I am thinking about going to 10% all the way around, maybe 15%.
I am thinking about going to 10% all the way around, maybe 15%.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: NJ
3M is a good brand. It resist discoloration and lasts for a long time.
Some time back they manufactured a type of tint that would darken as the sun heats up. I however can't find one sold online or in my area.
In NJ it is Illegal to have the front windows tinted. I hope it is legal in your state otherwise they will pull you over and ask you to have them removed.
Some time back they manufactured a type of tint that would darken as the sun heats up. I however can't find one sold online or in my area.
In NJ it is Illegal to have the front windows tinted. I hope it is legal in your state otherwise they will pull you over and ask you to have them removed.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 335
Likes: 1
From: CO
http://www.huperoptikusa.com/consumer_auto.cfm
Huper Optik Drei tint. Blocks out UV and IR. Live in AZ and it's definitely worth the money.
Huper Optik Drei tint. Blocks out UV and IR. Live in AZ and it's definitely worth the money.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: None
3M is a good brand. It resist discoloration and lasts for a long time.
Some time back they manufactured a type of tint that would darken as the sun heats up. I however can't find one sold online or in my area.
In NJ it is Illegal to have the front windows tinted. I hope it is legal in your state otherwise they will pull you over and ask you to have them removed.
Some time back they manufactured a type of tint that would darken as the sun heats up. I however can't find one sold online or in my area.
In NJ it is Illegal to have the front windows tinted. I hope it is legal in your state otherwise they will pull you over and ask you to have them removed.
I had tinted fronts on my 2005 Acura MDX for about 3 years, and I have been commuting from NY to NJ 5 days a week, and I never had a problem. I wonder, if NJ trooper can pull an out-of-state car and request the driver to remove the tint (again, with NJ laws, anything is possible)
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: ny
NJ law is wierd. No tint allowed on the fronts, but you can put a limo tint on the rear and back. Makes no sense. In NY, you can put tint on both, as long as it allows 70% of light. To me, this means as long as you do not put limo tint on all windows, you can get away with this.
I had tinted fronts on my 2005 Acura MDX for about 3 years, and I have been commuting from NY to NJ 5 days a week, and I never had a problem. I wonder, if NJ trooper can pull an out-of-state car and request the driver to remove the tint (again, with NJ laws, anything is possible)
I had tinted fronts on my 2005 Acura MDX for about 3 years, and I have been commuting from NY to NJ 5 days a week, and I never had a problem. I wonder, if NJ trooper can pull an out-of-state car and request the driver to remove the tint (again, with NJ laws, anything is possible)
NJ troopers should do nothing to you. Even though non-NJ dark-tint car is pulled over by other issues, they cannot ticket for violating NJ law of tinting.
New York Window Tint Law
New York Tint Law Enacted: 1991
Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In New York, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.
Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield.
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 70% of light in.
Back Side Windows Must allow more than 70% of light in.
Rear Window Any darkness can be used.
The back and rear windows "might" not apply to those SUV/VAN or vehicles which have 3rd or 4th back windows. Unfortunately, I can't find this law/regulations now. For example, most of SUV/VAN have the factory-installed privacy windows in the back and rear, which are usually lower than 70%.
However, I do see some states law counts an "SUV" as a passenger vehicle, so the tint laws are applied to "SUV". I don't know how dealers in those states sell their SUV/VAN.
IMO, the best way to do the tinting and worry nothing is to get the permit from your medical doctors and dept. of motor vehicle, who can issue the tinting permit to categories of "patients".
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Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: None
In the end, with about 90% of all minivans and suvs having rear privacy glass as standard equipment, I think it'd take a really PITA policeman or trooper to stop you and issue a ticket (or make you remove the tint), as long as windows remain 'a see through'.
I'd think the major reason these laws exist is to protect the law inforcers from taking needless risks when uproaching the vehicle they pulled over from behind, and not seeing what's happening inside (at the same time, the part where the back window can be any tint makes no sense in this regard).
I'd think the major reason these laws exist is to protect the law inforcers from taking needless risks when uproaching the vehicle they pulled over from behind, and not seeing what's happening inside (at the same time, the part where the back window can be any tint makes no sense in this regard).
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Great point Data. My IS250 have 20% and I never even got a second look. I think if you look like your not up to something and they can atleast see you, I think the trropers will leave you alone.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
We just purchased our Starfire pearl last week. First thing I did was get the front windows tinted.
Washington law is 35% on the front windows. I went with a Madico Charcool 35% and it matches up very nicely from the outside while staying legal.
The interesting part is the solar-green front glass gives the windows an greenish tint on the inside looking out. The wife loves it with the cashmere interior though!
Came out very nicely... Used a high quality, local shop. Could have used 3M material, but it was significantly thinner and just appeared lower quality than the Madico.
Lifetime warranty on everything.
Washington law is 35% on the front windows. I went with a Madico Charcool 35% and it matches up very nicely from the outside while staying legal.
The interesting part is the solar-green front glass gives the windows an greenish tint on the inside looking out. The wife loves it with the cashmere interior though!
Came out very nicely... Used a high quality, local shop. Could have used 3M material, but it was significantly thinner and just appeared lower quality than the Madico.
Lifetime warranty on everything.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Hey Cougs,
Looks great. Love the color choice. Maybe someday Lexus will pull their head out and do Starfire with Black Int. If they did, that is what I would have. Instead I have my second choice, Obsidian Black, and THE HARDEST COLOR to keep looking sharp. I swear I am going to wash the paint off.
As far as tint goes, the 35% does match well. I am really debating to just do matching on front or darken the back and go dark on the front. Yes illegal but my 20% IS never got stopped, not sure this family wagon would.
I'll post pics once I decide.
Looks great. Love the color choice. Maybe someday Lexus will pull their head out and do Starfire with Black Int. If they did, that is what I would have. Instead I have my second choice, Obsidian Black, and THE HARDEST COLOR to keep looking sharp. I swear I am going to wash the paint off.
As far as tint goes, the 35% does match well. I am really debating to just do matching on front or darken the back and go dark on the front. Yes illegal but my 20% IS never got stopped, not sure this family wagon would.
I'll post pics once I decide.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
The back windows are a 20%ish tint. We held up a 20% before I went with 35%. Here's my thoughts on the 20
Pro's
-- 20% looks awesome. Hands down the best 'looking' to have a complete match.
Con's
-- It's illegal in Washington. Although you don't typically get messed with, with the budget shortfalls - I can't imagine that they wouldn't start ticketing more to increase revenue and this just opens the door for them to pull me over.
-- 20% is DARK for Washington gray skiies. If I were in Cali, AZ, Florida -- I would seriously consider it - but it was just so dark with our gray skiies.
-- The wife has enough problems backing up (day or night). Could you just imagine her trying to back up and parallel park in downtown Seattle at night when it's so dark she can barely see out the window to begin with (This was the tipping point). Parking sensors AND back up camera aside... cause I've got both ' em!
Con's won. Especially on the 3rd point. It's 'her' car, and I'd get yelled at every time she felt like she couldn't see out the windows.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: ny
Yes, you can be pulled over and ticketed.
The back windows are a 20%ish tint. We held up a 20% before I went with 35%. Here's my thoughts on the 20
Pro's
-- 20% looks awesome. Hands down the best 'looking' to have a complete match.
Con's
-- It's illegal in Washington. Although you don't typically get messed with, with the budget shortfalls - I can't imagine that they wouldn't start ticketing more to increase revenue and this just opens the door for them to pull me over.
-- 20% is DARK for Washington gray skiies. If I were in Cali, AZ, Florida -- I would seriously consider it - but it was just so dark with our gray skiies.
-- The wife has enough problems backing up (day or night). Could you just imagine her trying to back up and parallel park in downtown Seattle at night when it's so dark she can barely see out the window to begin with (This was the tipping point). Parking sensors AND back up camera aside... cause I've got both ' em!
Con's won. Especially on the 3rd point. It's 'her' car, and I'd get yelled at every time she felt like she couldn't see out the windows.
The back windows are a 20%ish tint. We held up a 20% before I went with 35%. Here's my thoughts on the 20
Pro's
-- 20% looks awesome. Hands down the best 'looking' to have a complete match.
Con's
-- It's illegal in Washington. Although you don't typically get messed with, with the budget shortfalls - I can't imagine that they wouldn't start ticketing more to increase revenue and this just opens the door for them to pull me over.
-- 20% is DARK for Washington gray skiies. If I were in Cali, AZ, Florida -- I would seriously consider it - but it was just so dark with our gray skiies.
-- The wife has enough problems backing up (day or night). Could you just imagine her trying to back up and parallel park in downtown Seattle at night when it's so dark she can barely see out the window to begin with (This was the tipping point). Parking sensors AND back up camera aside... cause I've got both ' em!
Con's won. Especially on the 3rd point. It's 'her' car, and I'd get yelled at every time she felt like she couldn't see out the windows.
I'd suggest to get the permissions from your specialty doctors and dept. of motor vehicles, this is the best way to get no tickets.