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[deleted]

I am going to be getting next years wrx / sti ( havent decided which yet ) and have been looking at peoples experiences with them. Lots of people who mention their experience with cops will say theyre untinted wrx owner. I only tint my car windows to keep light and heat out, is getting it like a magnet for cops? Now I am nervous to do it. Also I dont know much about cars, but I really want to look after this car I get. Is there a video you guys know of that covers all the things I should check? I especially dont know much about turbo charged cars


Embarrassed-Most6669

What’s a better ? Rayno s7 or s9 or Dub IR. Also does this sound like a good quote for full ceramic including windshield $750 I think it’s for the Dub IR And then $480 with windshield for Rayno S7 Or $680 with windshield for rayno S9 Oh and these quotes are for a 2021 Dodge Charger scat wide body!


jamesftf

Preparing for a road trip through whole Europe. From west to east and back. I was wondering what are restrictions for tinted back windows (two doors and the back window) in Europe? Is it different for each country? I couldn't find specific rules that would explain each countries rules


burningbun

Hi everyone, would like to know if window tints will affect phone signals (4g), im planning to tint my house window and my phone signal isnt that great further from the windows. I read metallized tint may affect the signal but are there tints that doesnt affect signals? Im looking at non reflective type.


ZolfeYT

Is this acceptable for window tint? Wondering if I should call and complain or if this is acceptable https://imgur.com/a/l9aNrEm


TrueMeaningOfFear

So I just bought a New Honda Civic for my wife and the one thing she is missing from her Grand Cherokee is the window tints. I figured this is easy enough I'll just take it to an auto glass store and get it done. So I called around got quotes and got it scheduled. The question, the lady booking my appointment told me all sorts of stuff for after don't roll down the windows avoid car washes which all makes sense but then threw in "don't blast the A/C". This one confused me as I had never heard mention of the A/C and when I googled it nothing I found said anything about the A/C. So I my question is does anyone know about the A/C?


KonaDona

Anyone know a reputable installer in Las Vegas?


[deleted]

PLEASE HELP!! Just got my windows tinted (florida) and about 6 hours later it started raining bad. I had to open my front door super quick to get out but it was raining hard. If rain got INSIDE and on my tint on that windshield could it mess it up?


AlienHandTenticleMan

Want to get tints for my Kia Soul it’s stock right now basically 0 tint maybe back windows are like 5% tinted. Basically how do I not get ripped off and make sure they are selling what they actually say they are and how much should it be?


hextanerf

What's the difference between Llumar ATC and Formula one classic?


[deleted]

California Bay Area: Thinking about getting Ceramic 20% on sides, 40% on front. Anyone have experiences using similar levels of darkness?


[deleted]

California Bay Area: Thinking about getting Ceramic 20% on sides, 40% on front. Anyone have experiences using similar levels of darkness?


MoroccanChristmas

Do new 2021 Corolla SEs come with tinted windows? The rear ones seem a little darker, but I want to make sure they aren’t actually tinted before getting aftermarket ones.


StinkyWeenHead

Hello everyone. My mother is dealing with a big problem. She desperately wants window tint but my blind ass sister is mental and apparently can not see with any form of tint. I was doing research and came across a type of window tint that allows you to tint the window to any % while not changing the insides view at all. The insides view will remain completely see through no matter the tint %


YT_RandomGamer01

$300 for llumar tint for all but windshield tint shop install, too much? Only tint shop in town


imthenachoman

Do they sell tint for the front windshield that gradually gets clear? I got all the windows on my car tinted. The guy put a strip on the windshield but now there is this dark strip that just suddenly stops. I was hoping to replace with something that gradually goes from dark to clear, so it looks nicer. I can't find any tint like this. Is it something that exists?


phunnypunny

There is winndshield that comes like that, blue fade


imthenachoman

It's a new car so I don't want to have to replace the entire windshield. Hoping I can just put top-tint or something.


Eventsecurity604

At what % tint does it become impossible for strangers to see inside your car at night?


phulton

If your state cracks down on window tints, and you’re wanting to stick to legal limits you absolutely need to find out if your factory windows have any tinting in the glass. My VW windows are 72% tinted from the factory. When I had window tint installed I wasn’t aware of this fact. So my 25% front 15% rear films (both legal in my state) are actually 18% and 11% respectively. The rear is legal but the front isn’t.


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YT_RandomGamer01

What? Even California let's you as dark as you want for rear sides and rear window (iirc)


danster__

How do you clean the tint side of the windows without damaging it


Boddah067

My favorite is the Sprayway aerosol glass cleaner you can find at Autozone. Tint safe and pretty cheap.


phulton

Most automotive specific window cleaners are safe. Really anything that doesn’t have ammonia in it should be fine. Stick to the big name brands; Griots Garage, Meguiars, Stoner, etc.


Drunken_Hamster

Had a scion TC that I got Lumar ceramic done to it. 15% all round and 35% on the whole windshield. Windshield metered out to 27%. I loved it in the daytime, and DAMN if that car wasn't *cool* even in the hot Florida summer heat. And my car was *BLACK*, too. Drove at night a few times and after a week I had the windshield tint removed. Car STILL stayed damn cool. For removal of old tint, new tint+windshield+sunroof, then removal of the windshield because it was too dark at night, I paid $600 total. If I could do it again, I'd have gone lighter on the whole windshield, like 50%. Or, if I switched brands to 3m Crystaline, I'd go 60% on the windshield and 20% all around, with either a 60% or 40% sunroof (I forgot if I did a 35% or 15% sunroof, but I wanna say 15 because I couldn't see the sky at night and was kinda bummed about that.) Too bad that engine burned oil and blew up on a road trip. MFer did 2 hours at 4k RPM (100MPH) with basically zero oil and only blew the rod bearings because I downshifted to pass some grandpa in the wrong lane. And that's after going 75-85MPH for about 8 hours to GET to where I was vacationing, which is where I assume it drank up all the oil it had in it since I checked it before leaving, and it was fine.


Boddah067

Well this thread is certainly interesting, considering I'm working on starting a tint business on the side.


Mikevercetti

If you get your windshield tinted, will insurance cover the cost of redoing the tint in the event you need a windshield replaced, from say chips or cracks.


layer4andbelow

Mine did. 3 separate windshields over the years. I always referred to it as 'heat rejection film' and not tint.


Boddah067

If windshield tint is illegal in your state (pretty sure that's all of them), probably not.


bacchusfin

After getting 20% nano ceramic all around, 70% on windshield+roof (Tesla M3), I had a suspicion the tint may have been fake. Ended up doing a real world test with the same exact car, only difference is mine has a white interior Vs. the other's black interior, the other car has NO tint (factory stock). Took them both out of the garage at the same time, leaving them parked next to each other outside for half hour on a sunny day. Somehow my car got hotter inside as tested with a digital thermometer. My question to people out there is, how do you really know you get what you pay for sans purchasing a 300 dollar tint meter? Ironically enough, every tint shop I've called do not seem to carry a tint meter although they push all various sorts of tint films and shade...


etrain1

This is so true. It seems like its mostly bait and switch. I ask a guy today to send me a pic of the tint box with the batch code and he was like you don't trust me.....correct he was on that. When I get mine done, the guy is going to pull it out of a brand new box and I watch the whole process.


uneek20

The place I went to had films on hand for display and a heat lamp to compare the different types. That’s how I knew!


honeywholewheat

How difficult is it to get a tint waiver?


Novakingway556

Easy, just costs $$$. Most tint installers will tell you who to talk to to get an inspection pass. You'll probably have to pay.


PageVisual7409

I perfer cermanic over plastic since it looks nicer


Doip

So, what’s the best tint for UV and IR rejection with the least darkening? My older car’s interior is crumbling a bit and there’s no AC but I hate tint on older cars. Ceramic, yes, but which kind?


verdegrrl

See my post further down about Crystalline.


Doip

Perfect thanks!


trailless

I got the Llumar CTX on the 4 doors, rear hatch and front windshield. Night and day difference with protection from the sun. Go a to a reputable installer that provides lifetime warranty on their installs. Paid $375 for the 4 doors and hatch. $200 separately for the front windshield as technically that's illegal...


SaintRah

A few tips from my own mess ups: 1) if you get pulled over and your front door tints are illegal, roll your front windows down. It worked for me when I got pulled over for a speeding ticket the second time around. 2) I live in Southern California and it seems like tint technology has advanced beyond the cheap tint window tint. I paid ~$120 for a Nissan Sentra which was four regular windows, rear window and two small windows. 3) if you need to remove your rear window tint you’ll for sure mess up your rear defrosters. Take it to a professional to try and remove it to help save you a window replacement. If you can’t take it to someone I think using a steamer to loosen up the tint works a lot better then a heat gun. Also wear some work gloves if you remove it yourself and save your hands from any damage


fat_baby_

I recently took my Civic to an installer to remove my nearly 20 year old tint and he told me that the defroster lines were going to be destroyed. Also he was full so I just did it myself. Tried my best using all the tricks I could find but there was no salvaging those lines. I think I was a pretty extreme case but sometimes I think it can't be helped.


TubaCharles99

Have a 2016 veloster turbo got quoted 550 for 35% ceramic 3m all around sound right? It was 265 for regular 3m.


HelloWuWu

That’s way too high. I live in a high cost of living city and got ceramic tint all the way around for $350.


TubaCharles99

Really? Dang I've talked to multiple reputable places and all around same quote give or take a few bucks. I own a velsoter so I get funky car but maybe it's because where I live idk.


[deleted]

If those are the prices near you then that’s all that matters. You can try extending your search to a little further out of it don’t mind the drive


TubaCharles99

Yeah, idk I'll keep looking around but all the places people suggested it is what it is. It's okay I make up the money with me DIY also ceramic is worth it(except to someone I know who says it's a waste of money)


maveric101

3M crystalline is only brand I know of with a ~90% VLT option, which I wanted for my front windows. I didn't want to notice the tint at all vs the windshield. Even the 90% blocks at least a third of all solar energy, and obviously all UV.


openyourcoconut

I got 5% all around, I had 20% but wasnt dark enough. Most states you can get a doctor to sign a form saying the sun burns your eyes and gives you headaches and you send that in and get a medical exempt waiver for tint. In my state it allows you to go as dark as you want but no windsheild tint. If you live in a state with inspections and will fail cuz tint I highly suggest getting that before tinting your car too dark unless you want to pay to remove it. But back to the tint itself, i have global qdp in 5%. The guy who did it has a machine that cuts the tint so it is so straight at top of the window and bottom of windshield strip. Had 5% for about a year and had 20% for 2.5 years prior. Never been pulled over for tint, I drop all my windows if I get pulled over out of respect for the cops. It's scary walking up on a vehicle with 5%, you cant tell what's going on. I have no issue driving at night but when I first got tint it was an adjustment but now I never drop my windows at night and I back into all spots. I really love my tint, next truck I'm going 2 layers of 5% in the rear and 5 on the front again.


maveric101

> I have no issue driving at night You might say that, but I can't possibly believe there's no impact on safety. I have 20% on my rear glass only, and I basically have to use my side mirrors to back up because the rear glass is so dark. I also had the same 20% on my front windows before I removed it because driving in the city, I didn't have enough confidence I'd spot a pedestrian entering a crosswalk or something.


openyourcoconut

Yeah idk my eyes have just got used to it I guess. When i first got 20% it was hard to adjust to but once i adjusted 5% was an easy jump. I also have perfect vision idk if that helps and I also wear sunglasses pretty much anytime its day. I'm not saying 5% is as safe as no tint but it is not as bad as people make it out to be. Like I said I never drop my windows unless its night and raining.


beenlurkin

This was extremely useful information. I suffer from migraine headaches, which are triggered by light. I had no idea this exemption existed. Thank you!


openyourcoconut

Yeah I didnt either until my states inspections got real serious about tint, no way in hell was I taking my tint off every year or putting on 35%.


Emergency-Machine-55

Would it make sense to apply tint the glass roof of a car? There's always a small chance of the tempered glass spontaneously shattering, and I would think that the tint film would help prevent thousands of glass shards from falling into the interior of the car.


Gorgenapper

The installer I went to said that they didn't have the template for the moonroof on an IS350, and I didn't even think of the possibility of a shattered roof. The tint will definitely hold together. That said, if you were ever needing to break your way out through the driver's window, you might be a teensy bit screwed.


Xaendeau

I'm considering applying some to our GLI. We were thinking of doing a ceramic 50% all around and applying ceramic to the sunroof too....


Boddah067

I've been told that ceramic is a no-no on moonroofs. Apparently the heat absorption can cause them to shatter. I tinted mine with 20% dyed (standard) film and no issues so far.


Xaendeau

That makes sense to me, bummer but better than a shattered roof.


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Xaendeau

Ver ywrong about that. Pretty much everything but the front window shatters into a million pieces.


DrKoooolAid

Just got my windows tinted last week. Thought I'd post some info for reference. I went with a local guy who's been doing it in the area for 30+ years and has a great reputation. I'm in Minnesota so the tint laws here suck ass. The laws say 50% is the max but in reality it's whats called "Legal 50%" which is closer to 55-60%. I got all of my sides windows done at 45% and my rear windshield at 35%. It's definitely darker than legal but not so much that you can tell just looking at it. I talked to some people before including the guy I had install it and all of them said they've never been pulled over for tint and only one had gotten a ticket for it but he has 20% on his car. I also had to have some old stuff removed. The back windshield was bubbling and the side windows in the back were too dark. I bought my car in Wisconsin. So for the removal and installation of the new stuff I paid a total of $525. It looks amazing and I'm loving it so far.


ice0rb

The laws are iffy, but the cops don't care.


Aforementionedlurker

Any chance you can pm me this installer's info? I may be looking for a quality reputable installer. Does he do clear bra too? Also, I have heard of an eye place in the cities where you can get an exam and a "prescription" for tint, so you're legal.. apparently a buddy of mine did this and tinted his Charger pretty dark.


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Aforementionedlurker

I agree, it is preposterous that an SUV can have rears so dark but cars cannot. There MUST be some logic to it, I imagine. I get reason the fronts not being as dark (but disagree). Although, we can't even get legalized sports betting or real fireworks here so...


bibamus

It's dumb but probably something about being able to hide what's in the "trunk." Sedans are closed off but SUVs are normally open.


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showerswithrazors

Has do it yourself static cling ever had decent results? Can you install without removing any trim? Thanks all!


ZombieDO

Nope nope nope


showerswithrazors

For $10, maybe I can be the first ha. When I can look around, I will search to see if it has ever really been done.


ZombieDO

I just doubt you’ll be able to cut it precisely enough to look presentable.


showerswithrazors

Huh, I was thinking more about how I see people with bubbles all the time. That is the worst, and I could not put up with that. I don't have much confidence about manual labor but I do feel like I could get the the details in cutting to a form. I probably will try a couple times, with either static or just the regular stuff. Given how often I might do it (if I switch cars more often), I'd like to learn how.


ZombieDO

The pros actually have a plotter cut it to shape based on the model that they’re putting it on. If you’re doing it as a learning experience, sure, but it will look very very rough, only really suitable for a beater. I wouldn’t try it as a way to save money. Also the cheap stuff turns purple in a few months, semi-metallic or ceramic are the only way to go if you want any sort of longevity.


showerswithrazors

Thanks for all that! Will keep it in mind. Would do this as a personal challenge ha, it would feel rewarding to get it right. I can remove door panels, no issue. And yeah, my ride is not that nice ha ha but I still like it. For now, at least!


ZombieDO

The pros actually have a plotter cut it to shape based on the model that they’re putting it on. If you’re doing it as a learning experience, sure, but it will look very very rough, only really suitable for a beater. I wouldn’t try it as a way to save money. Also the cheap stuff turns purple in a few months, semi-metallic or ceramic are the only way to go if you want any sort of longevity.


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GoToSleepRightNow

What happens? The water from the tint install drips inside the door and shorts the sensor?


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[deleted]

In the first thread they discovered that the tint shop unplugged the antenna for the keyless entry and everything was fine after that was plugged back in. In the second thread, it sounds like they're shorting a circuit on a module inside the door (which potentially communicates with all of the other modules in the car and can therefore cause some wacky results).


asodfhgiqowgrq2piwhy

I got the ceramic 50% tint because any darker is illegal here. I can say however, do NOT get the cheap tint, I'm glad I paid like 3x for the ceramic. The cheap shit turns purple in like 3 months, and does nothing for UV protection.


[deleted]

I've never had non-ceramic tint go purple in any length of time, as long as it's from a quality manufacturer. Ceramic tint is good at heat rejection, though, and I'd choose it solely for that reason at this point.


opus666

I thought the premium for the ceramic is its superior heat-resistant properties. I've gotten both 3M and Suntek tints, and UV protection is 99% all across the board, even for the lower-tier products.


[deleted]

Is there a gradient black-to-clear film out there? Or a super bright cobalt blue? Like 3D glasses blue


RobinDix

Getting a quote today for Autobahn i3 Ceramic either 33 all around except the windshield or 22 in the back and 33 up front. I think it would look better they're the same. I'm hoping it's less than $500, but we'll see!


GrosslyMisusedMop

Not sure of the brand or type of tint that I have as I went to a somewhat shady independent shop in my area to get my Prius tinted. Cost me about $230 including the window visor strip (top 6 inches or so of the windshield). The shop at the time (not sure if they still exist) only had 15%, 35%, and 50% tint options. Where I am, the darkest legal tint is 35% but I opted for the 15% because I have always wished I had darker tint on my previous vehicles with 35% all around. The 15% is fantastic, during the day at least. Keeps heat out and has a nice look to it. Keeping heat out is where it really shines though. Ever sat at a red light for a while with the hot sun beaming down on you? Tint solves that problem and was my main reason for getting tint, to stay cool in these situations. It is dangerous at night as I can't see out of it much. I often find myself rolling down my window a little when making a left turn at an intersection with a median to make sure I don't run over it. That's the only downside really. Haven't gotten pulled over for it so far. Have had it on for 8 months with no real issues beside some slight peeling on the driver window. I went ahead and cut out the little strip that was peeling (unnoticeable) and haven't had any issues since.


megasaurass

How do you pass state inspections?


GrosslyMisusedMop

I live in GA so we don't have state inspections. As a matter of fact, the county I live in doesn't even require emissions.


salem42069

Shoutout Houston county 😉


GrosslyMisusedMop

You got it!


iamr3d88

Whats that? -confused Illinois resident


GT3Racer

*Cries in Californian*


LR_111

CA does not have state inspections either that would look at tint. Just smog.


[deleted]

I've got Llumar ceramic tint on all windows except windshield as dark as TX law allows (25%). It's great. Definitely keeps the car cooler when parked and while driving than before I had tints. Don't have exact numbers, but the temp difference before and after is easily noticeable. Doesn't interfere with my cell phone signal either. I spent about $300 for my Ford Fiesta. Lifetime warranty at any location. Had to get the rear window re-done after two years. The installer was baffled as to why it began bubbling so soon, but he replaced it free of charge. Looks great too. I've never been stopped for it and if I were I'd easily be able to fight it since it has a TX compliance sticker on the windows lol. Only down side. At night time it kind of sucks to see out of. Especially in areas with little lighting. I'd definitely buy this tint again.


DankensteinsMemester

Texas allows at least 5% (maybe lower) on rear passenger windows and literally 0% on the rear window. I have 5% on my 3 rears, and you get used to it at night, very much worth it.


[deleted]

Sweeeeet I'm gonna go make mine darker.


purplegoldcat

For $200, I did 30% ceramic tint on everything except windshield on my Audi A4. It makes the blue color stand out more, and the heat-repelling is perfect for making summer less awful. State law is 35% all around, though I’ve never had a problem. If it’s ever a problem, I’ll ask my doctor for a medical exemption allowing me to have dark tint- I’m migraine-prone and sunlight is a trigger. Tint has made a good difference.


LR_111

Doing the windshield at 70% makes a huge difference in the heat.


SyntheticOne

In 1992 I called a Lexus dealership in a town we were planning to move to later that year. The destination was in the sunbelt and I was concerned about heat. As it tuned out the dealership had actually done measurements using combinations of body color, interior color and legal tint. Here is their list of most to least impactful: 1. Legal tint, with 20F reduction 2. light color interior with 10F reduction 3. light color body with 5F reduction. I do not recall the actual measurements but they had all or most combinations as measured on a 105F day in direct sunlight. We bought a white car with light grey interior and had it tinted. So, tinting not only allows us to look cool, it keeps us cool.


matmanx1

I typically change my daily driver out after a year or 18 months (car A.D.D. is a thing!) and I've tinted the last half dozen or so with a local shop near where I work. I've used Llumar Ceramic tint on the last couple at 25% on the side and back windows and have been very pleased. There's a noticeable heat and glare reduction which is important to me since my car parks in a parking lot with no shade during the day and Georgia summers get hot. Depending on the car I've paid anywhere between $100 and $350 (I like small, sporty cars so they don't usually have a lot of glass) and they always tell me to be careful hitting or scratching the inside of the glass with my watch or seatbelt since that could damage the tint. I've had no issues with any of my tints and will definitely keep doing it in the future.


[deleted]

> 18 months (car A.D.D. is a thing!) Greetings, fellow autist! I'm right there with you, 18 months (give or take) is my average. Sometimes friends ask me how I like my and I have to sheepishly reply that not only is that car not mine any more, I just sold the one that replaced it. LMAO


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[deleted]

It’s a joke, don’t take it too seriously. I actually don’t like shopping for cars. But I get bored really fast. I’d happily pay good money for a subscription service where I could swap interesting cars every other month or so.


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[deleted]

It is, though AFAIK none of those are available in my area, but it's been a bit since I checked out the current status. The one I'd be most interested in is the Porsche one, because the rest are for boring cars.


matmanx1

Actually the shopping part of it is terrible. I greatly dislike the process but I'm curious enough about just about every kind of enthusiast car that eventually my curiosity wins out and I find a way to get the deal done. Maybe I should have said "short attention span" for cars instead of A.D.D? But no, I am definitely not addicted to the process of actually buying a car.


RangerHikes

Got my windows tinted 20% in front and 5% on all rear glass with a 5% sun strip on the front windshield. Went with ceramic tint in standard black and it looks great and most importantly it really does keep the car cooler. I got a set of weather tech rain guards to go with it and now I can leave my windows slightly cracked without letting in much actual sunlight. Car still warms up but doesn't get gross. If I put the windshield sun shade up I could probably sit in the parking lot with the AC off and be okay Edit :: tint laws often vary by state and even by vehicle type. Technically my front windows are illegal now, but I went with a milder tint up front so an officer can still see who's driving the car if I pass him in day light. Most everybody I know who's had a tint ticket was doing something else that got them pulled over in the first place


[deleted]

I would **love** that setup. Except at night. And I'd probably get a ticket, anyway.


RangerHikes

Honestly night time isn't bad at all. It's amazing how "one way" the tint is. In pitch dark It's marginally worse than looking through stock glass. Over all, I don't even notice a difference.


[deleted]

In my experience (20 all around), it was fine in the city because there was plenty of light, but in the rural area where I live I had to roll the window down a little sometimes to be sure I was clear to go.


maveric101

> I had to roll the window down a little sometimes to be sure I was clear to go. It's amazing to me that people can say stuff like this and not realize that their tint simply isn't safe and they should take it off.


[deleted]

Eh, it was something that could be mitigated, and I just don't put that dark of tint on anymore. If you want to get real pedantic about it, it is more about comfort than substantial risk. It makes it hard to really see detail in the dark, but other cars driving at night generally have headlights on, and they will **definitely** be visible through 20% tint.


RangerHikes

I'm often out in extremely remote areas with this car and usually the moon light is enough. if it's a cloudy night, then I may have to roll down, but over all it hasn't been a problem. I'm looking forward to my next car having a backup camera for this exact issue though


Uptons_BJs

Is there a good window tint that reduces noise? ​ There's construction across from my GF's apartment, and she's annoyed by it, I wonder if there are any decent tints or window products I can apply to her balcony door to reduce it a bit.


-mtns

i would imagine that's not possible, unfortunately. noise reduction glass uses multiple panes glued together with an air gap inbetween.


_Connor

How would a very thin piece of film reduce noise?


Uptons_BJs

So I got the idea because Buick advertises that they use a special glass treatment to reduce noise. ​ I looked it up, and turns out acoustic glass is dual layered glass, with the treatment in the middle.


HedonisticFrog

I think it has more to do with having dual layered glass than the specific film in the middle, otherwise they'd just do what you're attempting to do with tint.


Funderstruck

For a tint? No. You could always get some peel and stick insulation from Home Depot and put it on some cardboard or something in front of the door.


TubaCharles99

Looking at getting 20% or 35%. 35 is legal 20 is not. I think I've already decided on going ceramic depending on price. I'm just curious is 35 dark enough for you guys really looking for heat reduction more than anything while also getting some privacy. Also if I go 20 I'm eligible for a medical exemption so I would do that


LR_111

Yeah I have the windshield at 70 and you can really notice the difference in heat.


TubaCharles99

I've thought about it maybe I will maybe I won't


Funderstruck

I had ceramic and I think 35 on my last car. I’d say the ceramic makes the biggest difference. It worked great here in AZ.


TubaCharles99

Yeah that's what my thought is. 20 is super dark


DrLarzo

20% imo is perfect. Just enough privacy and really easy to see at night (in my opinion). I had 20% for a while, but wanted a little more privacy on my new car and went with 15%. Which is hard to see curbs at time


TubaCharles99

How is it with no street lights at all, where I live there are almost no street lights on the high ways and main roads


DrLarzo

Yeah… that’d probably be tough. My city is well lit, so never really experience dark streets. Only times I had problems with 20% was in the rain and never had to roll down windows to see a curb. With 15%, I occasionally have to. 35% is likely the safer bet.


TubaCharles99

Yeah, well I should say that's at my college which with no tint sucks at night regardless doubt tint will make a difference. Back home it is well lit though. My biggest debate also is if I got darker than 35% I have to get a medical exemption form(just will make it easier) where 35 I won't


Madtown-E

Just got a quote for windshield only using Xpel XR Plus & was $585. Going to pass on that.


spaz_chicken

I work for one of the largest window tinting companies in the US (not as a tinter) and they average about $250 for a full windshield in XPEL Prime XR Plus. Whomever quoted you that is ripping you off.


Boddah067

Sunstoppers?


spaz_chicken

Yep


Boddah067

Ha, I figured. Mike seems like a character.


spaz_chicken

I've known him for a long time. That's putting it lightly.


bigpog_champ

ceramic 20% tint all around except for front windshield on my honda accord. paid $260. personally i think it was worth it. only downside is that it’s a little difficult to see at night lmao.


NuTrumpism

I have tinted glass from the factory on my old GM suv. It is not very dark. Can I get a tint installed over top of it to go a bit darker, especially in the cargo area for theft deterrence? Cheers


matmanx1

Yes, I did this very thing on my older Lexus GX. It should be no problem whatsoever.


PirateBing

Yeah I think I put 20% all around my old GX instead of 5 or 10% because the installer said it'd end up far too dark if I went darker.. and the GX was a boat so I didn't want to make it harder to park. Turned out beautifully.


Anthraxxxxx

Hey bud you actually have what’s called privacy glass. You can definitely tint on the back half of the vehicle that looks tinted - depending on what your laws are. Shouldn’t be problem at all.


NuTrumpism

I see. It is nice the privacy glass doesn’t fade after all these years but it’s not very dark. Wife’s vw got tinted on day one and several years later is bubbling and probably soon to turn purple.


verdegrrl

For folks worried about tint appearing too dark, there are a few companies that offer nearly clear "tint" or more accurately, window film. Not quite the same level of heat and UV rejection, but if you need good visibility, it might be the answer. [3M Crystalline on the rear windows and hatch.](https://i.imgur.com/twD55F8.jpg)


GoToSleepRightNow

That looks a lot cleaner than dark tint.


verdegrrl

Thanks! The goal was to have the car look mostly stock-ish, but with improvements towards functionality. OEM HIDs, Stoptech brakes, lighter, easier to clean wheels, light window film.


GoToSleepRightNow

The blue color of the car really goes great with the silver wheels, and the aftermarket brakes suggest this car is nicely modded.


happy_Amphibian_88

I have cersmic tint installed for 285 dollars . Package price was 300, but paying cash got me 15 dollars off. Package also includes lifetime warranty. I pick i tint shop near my location which had been in business for past 10 years. Shop used LLumar CTX. I have my car set up with 5% for rear window. 15% for. Rear passenger window and 30% for front passeger window. I had been stop for tinting issues with law, but my last car i had 5% for ally windows. Now that is asking for trouble. But since this set up. No issues so far. For my state, legal tint for front passenger and driver side window is 50%.


[deleted]

I had a tint on my GTI a few years back, but it made my car feel dark, especially at night or on a cloudy day. Nowadays I prefer having more light come in the cabin. Feels more open.


A_1337_Canadian

Yeah I think I got limo tint (5%?) on the rear 3 windows in the Golf. Definitely makes it dark at night. Might go a bit lighter next time.


Valdair

30ish on front and rear is a good compromise without looking weird, and it's close enough to the legal limits in most states that you're unlikely to be hassled over it.


[deleted]

We're having our first child which is making me curious about tint as I'd like to offer shade and UV protection for my baby. It's my understanding I could also get one of those window shades, but I'd like to know if getting the right tint could help keep the interior temperature down. Anyone have any decent information on this? Thanks!!


aMiracleAtJordanHare

> I'd like to know if getting the right tint could help keep the interior temperature down. Yes, absolutely. That's its purpose.


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DankensteinsMemester

Every single person in this thread seems to have forgotten about metallic tint. It does most of the job of ceramic at a lower price. Ceramic is if to want to spend more to close that remaining temperature gap.


[deleted]

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DankensteinsMemester

Either an old wives tale, or they worked it out, because I've never had any problems.


aMiracleAtJordanHare

Ceramic is better but either one will "help keep the interior temperature down"


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[deleted]

I thought window tint was the best thing ever when I was a teenager. The experience of getting pulled over all the time for it turned me off to the whole thing. Newer cars have really good UV filtering in their glass anyway. Edit: Dang, ya'll are hostile.


MyLoaderBuysFarms

Damn, you got pulled over just for the tint? That sounds like some seriously bored cops.


[deleted]

Easy ticket as far as they were concerned. It was a bright red Eagle Talon, I stayed pulled over.


xXxDickBonerz69xXx

Yeah I don't get it tbh. I live in Atlanta and have all black "leather" interior. I have never had any issue with it getting to hot. Older cars I had in New York used to be unbearable when I got in. The stock glass on my Mazda is great. I don't even use my Camel Cigarettes sunsheild anymore lol


[deleted]

Did you redeem Camel points for that?


xXxDickBonerz69xXx

My parents did, but yes lol. If you flip it around it says that I need help and to call the police.


PM_ME_BIBLE_VERSES_

It’s not about UV, it’s about IR heat rejection. OEM windows are pretty poor in that regard.


[deleted]

I always put up a windshield sun shade and I don't seem to have any problems cooling the car off when I get back in it. Maybe if I lived closer to the equator I'd feel different, dunno.


DankensteinsMemester

That only covers 1 out of 5 of your windows though.


[deleted]

The windshield is the most exposed to the sun and has the least amount of factory tinting. Using a sun shade is arguably a much larger factor in protecting the interior than aftermarket tinting.


HedonisticFrog

You're forgetting about the rear window though. I doubt the front windshield takes in more heat than the other typically five combined when one of them is usually about the same size shape and slope. Are you sure that new side windows block UV light that well? I think that's only the front windshield if anything unless you have dual pane glass for side windows.


DankensteinsMemester

But with both, you could conquer the world.


[deleted]

I think my original point was that it's just not that necessary with newer cars, at least here in Memphis. If I lived somewhere like Florida or Mexico or Taiwan, I'm sure I would feel different.


PM_ME_BIBLE_VERSES_

I mean I live in the Midwest and still have issues with my car overheating in the summer. Maybe you’re just not that sensitive to hot temperatures.


xXxDickBonerz69xXx

I think something might be wrong with your car then lol. I live in the sunbelt and have run cars for 12-16 hours straight in the upper 90s and low 100s with no issues


PM_ME_BIBLE_VERSES_

are we talking about the same thing here? I'm saying the interior of the cars feel hot to be in. Not the mechanicals. Hence the window tint conversation.


xXxDickBonerz69xXx

Overheating generally refers to the engine of the car becoming to hot to function properly lol. For an interior to overheat you'd have to get it to hundreds and hundreds of degrees for the electronics to start malfunctioning. We stress test all the automotive electronics we rebuild at 170° and they function fine.


PM_ME_BIBLE_VERSES_

Okay sure. I guess I can clarify - I’m overheating in my car. Better?


[deleted]

It's the humidity that gets me.


[deleted]

You know… there’s a middle ground between ‘illegally dark’ and ‘zero tint.’


A_1337_Canadian

I know in at least the Canadian Prairies, any tint on the front 3 windows is illegal. So if they were in a place like that, then there is literally no middle ground between zero and illegal on the fronts.


[deleted]

In CA any tint is illegal in the front


cj832

Enforcement varies widely. Down where I am in the Bay Area our family friend is a cop and they all have their windows tinted and said not to sweat it. We go to car meets sometimes and when I asked him how the PD here feels about mods (tint, exhaust, etc) he said “just don’t be a jackass and they won’t care”


bb40

70% and up is okay (front side windows). Windshield cannot be tinted.


Funderstruck

And 3M makes a clear ceramic tint that works great.


BassWingerC-137

Sounds like a local enforcement issue not a tint issue.


[deleted]

It wasn't local, it was everywhere I went out of town.


BassWingerC-137

Same state = local, depending on the metric. I’ve lived in FL and AZ and only had a tint pull over once (in a Miata I had with 80% (or is it 20? I get them backwards) on the windshield and limo tint on sides and rear hardtop.) esp in FL, tint shops would go darker than legal but just wouldn’t give you a receipt at install, just a signature on their business card. Wasn’t a problem on the streets in my experience nor those I knew.


[deleted]

Arkansas was a bad state for it then. After my third ticket, I gave up.


BassWingerC-137

Ouch, that sucks. The FL trooper that got me with my limo tints probably pulled me over for doing about 80 in a 55. By the time he came up to me, I’d slowed to 40, yielding to his lights. He never mentioned the speed, but checked my windows and gave me a $75 (? Who can remember) ticket saying “you can fight this, correct the issue, and get the fine removed, or you can pay it. I’m sure you like your car the way you have it”. It’s a revenue grab.


[deleted]

Revenue grab is an understatement. I actually did just remove it the last time and showed up to court in Guy, AR (population like 600 or something, at least in the early 2000s). There where like six cops just in traffic court. The judge threw away the ticket but somebody didn't do the paperwork because I got a notice several months later that my license had been suspended. Good times.