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New owner of a CPO 2015 RX350 and looking into tinting the driver and passenger front windows. I've used 3M Color Stable 35 on my other vehicle and thought it would also be a good match on the RX350. I was wondering what others may have used that has a good match with the rear windows. Thanks
If the factory privacy tint on your rear door windows is the same as documented to be on Toyota SUV's, trucks and vans - which is likely - then it's 20%. Since the maximum total tint you can legally have on front side windows in California is 70%, there is no way you can come close to matching the rear door windows and stay legal. Plenty of people seem to be getting away with a lot lower than 70% VLT on the the front side windows in California so obviously there's not all that much enforcement. 20% on the front side windows, however, is awfully dark for being able to see out at night. I'd like a little darker than 35% on our cars - maybe 28% - but none of the tint shops where I live will go lower VLT than our 35% state maximum.
I don't think it looks bad at all to not have all the tint match. In fact, I've more than once left the very back window of a vehicle untinted and had only the side windows tinted. I've also used a completely different kind and shade of tint on the very back window due to antennas being imprinted on the window. I've never had anyone comment about the tint amounts on the different windows not matching - nobody cares.
Here's a photo of one of our current vehicles taken on a sunny summer day in Kansas. It has the standard factory 20% privacy glass on the rear side windows and 35% aftermarket tint on the front door windows - it's either 3M or Llumar tint but I forgot which. The rear side window privacy glass looks a little darker than it really is due to all the roller blinds being up.
A good shop will easily match the tint and I prefer it and like a bit more privacy and keep the sun out. I'd also recommend tinting the sunroof glass too since I like driving around with the rear raised for ventilation but without tint the heat is just too much so a little extra tint will still let some light in without the heat. I also do a bit darker on the rear window to cut down on rear driver headlight glare.
On our Focus it had no tint so I went 20% all around and did 15% on the sunroof and rear window,
If the factory privacy tint on your rear door windows is the same as documented to be on Toyota SUV's, trucks and vans - which is likely - then it's 20%. Since the maximum total tint you can legally have on front side windows in California is 70%, there is no way you can come close to matching the rear door windows and stay legal. Plenty of people seem to be getting away with a lot lower than 70% VLT on the the front side windows in California so obviously there's not all that much enforcement. 20% on the front side windows, however, is awfully dark for being able to see out at night. I'd like a little darker than 35% on our cars - maybe 28% - but none of the tint shops where I live will go lower VLT than our 35% state maximum.
I don't think it looks bad at all to not have all the tint match. In fact, I've more than once left the very back window of a vehicle untinted and had only the side windows tinted. I've also used a completely different kind and shade of tint on the very back window due to antennas being imprinted on the window. I've never had anyone comment about the tint amounts on the different windows not matching - nobody cares.
Here's a photo of one of our current vehicles taken on a sunny summer day in Kansas. It has the standard factory 20% privacy glass on the rear side windows and 35% aftermarket tint on the front door windows - it's either 3M or Llumar tint but I forgot which. The rear side window privacy glass looks a little darker than it really is due to all the roller blinds being up.
Thanks Kansas, especially for posting the photo. I wouldn't go darker than 35, the last thing I need is a fix it ticket.
A good shop will easily match the tint and I prefer it and like a bit more privacy and keep the sun out. I'd also recommend tinting the sunroof glass too since I like driving around with the rear raised for ventilation but without tint the heat is just too much so a little extra tint will still let some light in without the heat. I also do a bit darker on the rear window to cut down on rear driver headlight glare.
On our Focus it had no tint so I went 20% all around and did 15% on the sunroof and rear window,
I was thinking about that sunroof, maybe I should put some 3M Crystalline up there which has better heat rejection properties than the Colorstable. Thanks
Yeah,traffic ***** rule in Cali and are picky about tint on the front side windows and while they allow any level of tint on the rears and back window they get touchy even if it's slightly dark.
For comparison in Colorado legal tint is limited to 27% for side front windows but I rarely ever see that enforced and I've never had an issue with any tint in almost 30 years here.
Yeah,traffic ***** rule in Cali and are picky about tint on the front side windows and while they allow any level of tint on the rears and back window they get touchy even if it's slightly dark.
For comparison in Colorado legal tint is limited to 27% for side front windows but I rarely ever see that enforced and I've never had an issue with any tint in almost 30 years here.
Yeah they can be a PITA out here in Cali. Since this is the wife's car I may go a little lighter just to be safe.
Window Tint
