To Tint, or not to Tint?
February-12th-2003, 02:42 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: WA
Posts: 383
To Tint, or not to Tint?
I have been thinking about tinting 25% my side windows for a long long time.
I think the P5 will look so much better after tinting the windows.
However, I worry about not being able to pay full attention to the outside when driving at night.
I hate not being able to see traffic or anything happening on my sides clearly when driving.
What do you guys think?
I think the P5 will look so much better after tinting the windows.
However, I worry about not being able to pay full attention to the outside when driving at night.
I hate not being able to see traffic or anything happening on my sides clearly when driving.
What do you guys think?
February-12th-2003, 03:52 PM
#3
WAZZU
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Seattle,WA
Posts: 613
The legal limit in WA (or washington state) is 35% for driver and front passenger and 20% for the rear passenger and trunk (if you do not have side mirrors on both sides that is bumped to 35%), this is for a protege5.
February-12th-2003, 04:16 PM
#4
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Festus, MO
Posts: 69
Tinted windows do add to the appearance of your car. Personally I think a car with tinted windows looks a whole lot better. I wouldn't worry about it. I had 35% on my last car and after awhile I couldn't even really tell that they were tinted. That is until I would get into a car without tint.
February-12th-2003, 07:26 PM
#6
Clean-Up Crew
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Pleasure Point, Ca.
Posts: 2,360
Ya know the tint that's on Lexus RXs,etc? The stuff that looks as if it's some kind of oil or liquid IN the glass?
That stuff would be pretty cool.
I wonder if it's available "aftermarket".
That stuff would be pretty cool.
I wonder if it's available "aftermarket".
February-12th-2003, 09:23 PM
#8
Mark the Spark
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 590
Originally posted by eggynatey
Ya know the tint that's on Lexus RXs,etc? The stuff that looks as if it's some kind of oil or liquid IN the glass?
That stuff would be pretty cool.
I wonder if it's available "aftermarket".
Ya know the tint that's on Lexus RXs,etc? The stuff that looks as if it's some kind of oil or liquid IN the glass?
That stuff would be pretty cool.
I wonder if it's available "aftermarket".
February-13th-2003, 12:05 AM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Pembroke Pines, South Florida
Posts: 345
are there shops that cut tint with a computer. i.e. not by hand.
no way am i giving them my car so they can cut tint by hand on the outside. don't want to see any cuts on my glass.
no way am i giving them my car so they can cut tint by hand on the outside. don't want to see any cuts on my glass.
February-13th-2003, 12:10 AM
#11
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Renton, WA
Posts: 34
Originally posted by MarkSpark
I've always thought about something like that. Like at the push of a button a dark liquid will fill up in the windows and would be tinted...then press the button again..and it drain back into the system origin.
I've always thought about something like that. Like at the push of a button a dark liquid will fill up in the windows and would be tinted...then press the button again..and it drain back into the system origin.
but if you get 25% that be just right
February-13th-2003, 02:16 AM
#13
Clean-Up Crew
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Pleasure Point, Ca.
Posts: 2,360
Anyone know what the oily-looking tint on a lot of luxury cars is? Such as the rear windows on a Lexus? Is it IN the glass? or just a coating?
Whatever it is, I like how reflective it is. Silver (mirrored) tint on a silver P5 would look pretty nice, IMO.
I think i've seen a picture of one...
Whatever it is, I like how reflective it is. Silver (mirrored) tint on a silver P5 would look pretty nice, IMO.
I think i've seen a picture of one...
February-13th-2003, 10:52 AM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Washington State
Posts: 48
Hey just yesterday i went to a tint shop to see about tinting my 1st gen. I'm getting Quantum (kinda silvery, very reflective) black, 28% all around. $159. There is a film that looks like a mirror (like on the lexus SUVs), so the glass doesn't need to be treated (thought it might be in the case of the lexus). Lastly, the guy at the shop (in Spokane, WA) said that the legal limit was 28% (i'm guessing in Washington). And only on SUVs and wagons can you go as dark as you want in the back... So i went for the 28%. It's gonna look goooooood 
February-13th-2003, 04:07 PM
#15
WAZZU
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Seattle,WA
Posts: 613
The reg. in WA...
Your tint shop should read this before they suggest 28% for your front driver and front passenger.
Rules in Washington State concerning tint
excerpt from the reg.
(5) No film sunscreening or coloring material that reduces light transmittance to any degree may be applied to the surface of the safety glazing material in a motor vehicle unless it meets the following standards for such material:
(a) The maximum level of film sunscreening material to be applied to any window, except the windshield, shall have a total reflectance of thirty-five percent or less, plus or minus three percent, and a light transmission of thirty-five percent or more, plus or minus three percent, when measured against clear glass resulting in a minimum of twenty-four percent light transmission on AS-2 glazing where the vehicle is equipped with outside rearview mirrors on both the right and left. Installation of more than a single sheet of film sunscreening material to any window is prohibited. The same maximum levels of film sunscreen material may be applied to windows to the immediate right and left of the driver on limousines and passenger buses used to transport persons for compensation and vehicles identified by the manufacturer as multi-use, multipurpose, or other similar designation. All windows to the rear of the driver on such vehicles may have film sunscreening material applied that has less than thirty-five percent light transmittance, if the light reflectance is thirty-five percent or less and the vehicle is equipped with outside rearview mirrors on both the right and left. A person or business tinting windows for profit who tints windows within restricted areas of the glazing system shall supply a sticker to be affixed to the driver's door post, in the area adjacent to the manufacturer's identification tag. Installation of this sticker certifies that the glazing application meets this chapter's standards for light transmission, reflectance, and placement requirements. Stickers must be no smaller than three-quarters of an inch by one and one-half inches, and no larger than two inches by two and one-half inches. The stickers must be of sufficient quality to endure exposure to harsh climate conditions. The business name and state tax identification number of the installer must be clearly visible on the sticker.
(b) A greater degree of light reduction is permitted on all windows and the top six inches of windshields of a vehicle operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who possesses a written verification from a licensed physician that the operator or passenger must be protected from exposure to sunlight for physical or medical reasons.
(c) Windshield application. A greater degree of light reduction is permitted on the top six-inch area of a vehicle's windshield. Clear film sunscreening material that reduces or eliminates ultraviolet light may be applied to windshields.
(d) When film sunscreening material is applied to any window except the windshield, outside mirrors on both the left and right sides shall be located so as to reflect to the driver a view of the roadway, through each mirror, a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle.
(e) The following types of film sunscreening material are not permitted:
(i) Mirror finish products;
(ii) Red, gold, yellow, or black material; or
(iii) Film sunscreening material that is in liquid preapplication form and brushed or sprayed on.
Your tint shop should read this before they suggest 28% for your front driver and front passenger.
Rules in Washington State concerning tint
excerpt from the reg.
(5) No film sunscreening or coloring material that reduces light transmittance to any degree may be applied to the surface of the safety glazing material in a motor vehicle unless it meets the following standards for such material:
(a) The maximum level of film sunscreening material to be applied to any window, except the windshield, shall have a total reflectance of thirty-five percent or less, plus or minus three percent, and a light transmission of thirty-five percent or more, plus or minus three percent, when measured against clear glass resulting in a minimum of twenty-four percent light transmission on AS-2 glazing where the vehicle is equipped with outside rearview mirrors on both the right and left. Installation of more than a single sheet of film sunscreening material to any window is prohibited. The same maximum levels of film sunscreen material may be applied to windows to the immediate right and left of the driver on limousines and passenger buses used to transport persons for compensation and vehicles identified by the manufacturer as multi-use, multipurpose, or other similar designation. All windows to the rear of the driver on such vehicles may have film sunscreening material applied that has less than thirty-five percent light transmittance, if the light reflectance is thirty-five percent or less and the vehicle is equipped with outside rearview mirrors on both the right and left. A person or business tinting windows for profit who tints windows within restricted areas of the glazing system shall supply a sticker to be affixed to the driver's door post, in the area adjacent to the manufacturer's identification tag. Installation of this sticker certifies that the glazing application meets this chapter's standards for light transmission, reflectance, and placement requirements. Stickers must be no smaller than three-quarters of an inch by one and one-half inches, and no larger than two inches by two and one-half inches. The stickers must be of sufficient quality to endure exposure to harsh climate conditions. The business name and state tax identification number of the installer must be clearly visible on the sticker.
(b) A greater degree of light reduction is permitted on all windows and the top six inches of windshields of a vehicle operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who possesses a written verification from a licensed physician that the operator or passenger must be protected from exposure to sunlight for physical or medical reasons.
(c) Windshield application. A greater degree of light reduction is permitted on the top six-inch area of a vehicle's windshield. Clear film sunscreening material that reduces or eliminates ultraviolet light may be applied to windshields.
(d) When film sunscreening material is applied to any window except the windshield, outside mirrors on both the left and right sides shall be located so as to reflect to the driver a view of the roadway, through each mirror, a distance of at least two hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle.
(e) The following types of film sunscreening material are not permitted:
(i) Mirror finish products;
(ii) Red, gold, yellow, or black material; or
(iii) Film sunscreening material that is in liquid preapplication form and brushed or sprayed on.