Tinting

[mky]

hey Guys,

Need some recommendations about tinting. Here are my questions:

1. What is a good amount tint percentage?
2. Do you tint the same percentage on all windows?
3. Is tinting required for front windshield?
4. How about for the moon roof?
5. Which tint brand is the best?
7. Is tinting done from outside or inside or both?

 

[penga25]

hey Guys,

Need some recommendations about tinting. Here are my questions:

1. What is a good amount tint percentage?
i like 30% rears and did 50% fronts on my current car
2. Do you tint the same percentage on all windows?
it depends on your state laws, for instance front tint is illegal in my state of NJ which is why i went light with the front tint
3. Is tinting required for front windshield?
no, and i wouldnt recommend it
4. How about for the moon roof?

5. Which tint brand is the best?
i used 3M with the shop i had it done at
7. Is tinting done from outside or inside or both?

Inside

 

[dareckibmw]

First...check your local tint law and go from there http://tintlaws.com/

You saw my car, right? I have SunTek's Carbon 35% all around except front windshield (illegal in most states, probably all) and I like it.
Had the same product on my Rspec and after 2 years it looked as good as new when they put it.

 

[nofaithineli]

1. Depends on your personal preference and the legality in your state. 35 is the sweetspot for for me.
2. It is fairly common to go darker on the backs than fronts. I prefer uniformity all around. When I want it darker in the rears I just leave up the sunshades.
3. No and in most cases it is illegal. A massive amount of heat comes from the windshield so you may want to consider a clear film if heat reduction is your thing. I use llumar air 80.
4. Some would recommend against it, some swear by it, I treat it exactly like the windshield in #3. Less heat comes in from the top but I've found the difference after covering noticeable.
5. I'm a big fan of spectra photosync. It is not cheap but there may not be a better quality tint available. One thing to note is that it darkens and lightens depending on solar intensity. It's UV/IR protection is unsurpassed.

 

[Mark_888]

If you live in intense sun light (like Colorado) or in the south, you will want maximum heat/sun protection. That means a ceramic tint film (sometimes called nano-ceramic). Metallic film is also good at heat rejection, but interferes with cell phone and some radio signals, so is not used much anymore.

If you live in the north and just want darker windows, then a carbon tint film is OK. Stay away from a dyed film, which tends to fade or change color over time.

Formula One Pinnacle is an excellent ceramic tint film. Their parent company is Llumar, which also has a good ceramic film. Be sure to use a quality installer.

If your state law allows, I would use same on all windows except the windshield. Technically it is illegal to tint the windshield in every state (unless you have a Dr. letter saying you need it), but the 80% films are a good choice since no law enforcement will be able to detect it if the other windows are tinted. But be weary if you have any inspection or license stickers required to be on the inside of your windshield.

 

[Munch520]

Formula One Pinnacle is an excellent ceramic tint film. Their parent company is Llumar, which also has a good ceramic film. Be sure to use a quality installer.

I've used F1 on two cars, great stuff. I would budget at $300 or so for rear window and all 4 doors.

 

[Jaeger]

hey Guys,

Need some recommendations about tinting. Here are my questions:

1. What is a good amount tint percentage?
2. Do you tint the same percentage on all windows?
3. Is tinting required for front windshield?
4. How about for the moon roof?
5. Which tint brand is the best?
7. Is tinting done from outside or inside or both?

1. A good tint percentage is the one YOU like so long as it is legal where you live. My night vision isn't great so I went with a light 50%. Have done 35% on just about all my previous cars.
2. I do. I don't like the look of super-dark rear windows and lightly tinted fronts. It looks - and is - mismatched.
3. Tinting is widely PROHIBITED for the front windshield.
4. Moonroof is already tinted and can be problematic to add film tint to it.
5. No idea.
6. Where's 6? I gotta know!
7. Inside.

 

[GenesisAWD]

I went 30% on all of the side windows and 15% on the back window. I'm ok with what I went with but if I had to do it all over again I would probably go with just a bit darker (20% or so) on all the side widows.

My state doesn't enforce tint laws so it's pretty much whatever you want. There's a Tahoe in my neighborhood that I see once in a while that I swear has 5% all the way around including windshield. I've seen it parked and in any lighting conditions you can't tell if there's anyone in the vehicle or not. No idea how that dude sees very well out of his windshield at night (he probably doesn't).

 

[shredx44]

20% all around.
Nothing on sunroof. (I just close the shade if the sun is high in the sky)
50% full windshield. I've had 6 cars with full windshields in 2 states. Never had a problem. The heat reduction is very noticeable.

 

[danygenesis]

Ceramic 30% all around, no sunroof, no windshield here.

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[cane2025]

5% in all windows except windshield. I have a 3" strip on the top for sun protection. Nothing in the roof like the post before me I just keep the shade close. Couldn't be happier with how cool the interior stays in Texas heat. No matter what you put on it, if you park your car in the sun for hours then the interior will stay HOT for a while until the AC cools down the interior. Whatever you put on your make sure YOU will be happy with it and like post before me check your local law on the tints. I have gotten two warnings about my tints mostly at night. Once the tint is on then to remove the rear window will cost you because the tint will take the defroster segments with it.

 

[parisgrey]

I have Huper Optik 40% on all sides and rear, and 70% on the windshield. I was going to tint the roof with the 70% but decided against it. i just close the shade when I park in the sun.

 

[Florida Alan]

35 in front windows, 18 in all others.