Tint question

[Buzzsaw]

I'm hearing about different tint %. What is best just for a nice look and protection.

I want to stay legal

and not look like a gangsta.

 

[EdP]

I'm hearing about different tint %. What is best just for a nice look and protection.

I want to stay legal

and not look like a gangsta.

Legal varies by state.

Here in Florida the most popular is 35% but for me, it is too dark. I'm happy with 50%. If you go too dark at night it may be difficult to see mirrors. When I lived in CT I never bothered with it.

Vehicle Window Tint Laws By State [Updated 2021]

If you’re looking to get your car windows tinted (or even tinting them yourself), you might want to double check the window tinting laws in your state.

tint360az.com

 

[JCtx]

Definitely not over 35% at the front side windows, which is the maximum allowed in most states, and for a reason. I wouldn't go any lighter than that here in TX, even with ceramic, but it's a matter of personal preference. It reduces a bit of visibility at night, like if you need to read a street sign, but how often do you need that? And I hardly ever drive at night anyway, so not an issue for me. I typically go for 20% (which is darker) for the rear and back windows, but might do 35% all around on the upcoming G70 with the best ceramic. We'll see .

 

[Charlie1982]

Also, at least in some states, tinting the entire windshield at any level is illegal (unless it's just a strip at the top and/or bottom), but if you use a very light tint, you MIGHT get a way with it. I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for a tinted windshield, but that doesn't mean it doesn't/won't happen. This is not a recommendation/you assume all risks/caveat emptor, etc.

 

[JCtx]

I'd never do that, especially where I live (questionable installers). And it's not really necessary, except on my ex-2021 Tesla M3, which had a HUUUGE windscreen, and I was seriously thinking about it, because the HVAC system was absolute crap on that car, and of course no ventilated seats. But we decided to sell it, since we were offered $3,500 over what I had on it, including all taxes, accessories, and even the installation of a 240V outlet in my garage, so we used it for free (+$3,500) for 1.5 years and 10K miles. Not a bad experiment. Ha ha. But never a Tesla again; it's not for us. Next might be a Hyundai, or any other main-stream car, once infrastructure is up to par, and EVs more reliable.

 

[Ace Deprave]

I went 15% all around. Llumar CTX ceramic tint.

 

[Volfy]

These days, you need to consider % Visible Light Transmission (VLT) and Total Solar Energy Rejection (TSER). In you live the warm South, TSER is far more important. There are high-TSER ceramic films that still allow good VLT. Vice versa, a very low VLT (limo dark) film doesn't automatically mean less heat energy transmission.

Personally, I'd much rathe have 35%VLT side and rear with a good ceramic film that has high TSER rating to block out solar heat. You still keep good night time visibility.

I have not done front windshield tinting, but if I were to try one, there are 70-80%VLT ceramic film that have close to 50% TSER. That'll cut the amount of heat transmission by 1/2, while being so light it's almost imperceptible.

 

[JCtx]

The Ceramics I've tried help, but they're nowhere where they need to be. Ha ha. The sun here is just brutal. I have to get extra help with those cloth blockers with suction cups when traveling (leaving a 'hole' to see the mirror). But ceramic films are getting better, so we'll see when I tint both the SF and G.

I'd never ever do the windshield here, just because even the smallest imperfection in your line of sight could cause headaches over a long trip, due to optical distortion. I just don't trust any installer to do a perfect job on the windshield, since even the best jobs I've seen are not perfect, but it doesn't really matter, since I rarely have to look thru a side window anyway. But when you have to look over the windshield over 99% of the time, any optical imperfection can be annoying as hell. So rather not run the risk. And like I said, except with the Tesla, which had the freaking windshield basically over my head, most cars are smaller, and much more upright, and have good HVACs, so not really needed. And I always use an excellent HeatShield sunshield the few times my vehicles get parked outside.