Window Tint
July-30th-2003, 10:59 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Vienna, VA
Posts: 128
Window Tint
hey all, just curious about window tinting....
1) when the "rate" is 30%, does that mean it blocks out 30% of light coming in, or blocks out 70% of light coming in?
2a) how much did it cost you all to get yours done?
2b) what "rate" is your tint at?
* i use the word "rate" for lack of a better word.
thx l8r
1) when the "rate" is 30%, does that mean it blocks out 30% of light coming in, or blocks out 70% of light coming in?
2a) how much did it cost you all to get yours done?
2b) what "rate" is your tint at?
* i use the word "rate" for lack of a better word.
thx l8r
July-30th-2003, 11:38 PM
#2
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 416
The percentage refers to the amount of light transmittance, that is, the amount of light that can pass through it.
In CA, you aren't technically allowed to tint front and front side windows, so I did 50% front and 15% rear side and rear. With the darker rear tint, the front window tint is less noticeable.
Most shops will charge $100-120 for the rear windows, and about $50-60 for the front two windows.
And while 15% seems pretty dark, it really isn't that bad.
Do a search for "tint" and you should find all sorts of useful info.
In CA, you aren't technically allowed to tint front and front side windows, so I did 50% front and 15% rear side and rear. With the darker rear tint, the front window tint is less noticeable.
Most shops will charge $100-120 for the rear windows, and about $50-60 for the front two windows.
And while 15% seems pretty dark, it really isn't that bad.
Do a search for "tint" and you should find all sorts of useful info.
July-31st-2003, 12:59 AM
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Huntington Beach, CA Uhhh Surfs up Dude
Posts: 2,367
Exactly, 30% of the light is allowed in, while 70% is blocked out. Seems like alot, but there are MANY factors involved. light angle, amount of light, angle your looking at it, etc etc...
Actually, when the rear windows are really dark, even a light tint on the front windows will seem darker. Of course, interior and exterior color has an effect. A darker INT color will make even a light tint seem darker, while (like Davard's car) a car with dark INT and light EXT can balance it out.
I prefer a single shade all around. I used to have 18% all around with a 45% full windshield. Since CA (expecially in my city) are tint *****, i got fix-it ticket after fix-it ticket. Didn't bother me since i owned a tint shop at the time. So my tint was always free
(and i knew some local officers who felt the same as i did) so the tint never actually left my windows. But i grew tired of it and went to 35% all around and kept the 45% windshield. A great look for any vehicle IMHO.
While probaly illegal in every state, i would never own a car without tinting the windshield. I absolutely love it.
I have pics of both tint jobs on my site if you need visual aids
www.mazdaracer.com
Also, be sure to get "matallized" film. Not "charcoal". Metallized film has a lifetime warranty and will have a shine or reflective look to it. Charcoal film has no reflectivity, it's a dull smoke and WILL turn purple and bubble in a few years.
Llumar, Johnson and Madico are good brands. I suggest to stay away from any Sungard product.
If the shop can't do the rear window in one peice, find a shop that can.
Actually, when the rear windows are really dark, even a light tint on the front windows will seem darker. Of course, interior and exterior color has an effect. A darker INT color will make even a light tint seem darker, while (like Davard's car) a car with dark INT and light EXT can balance it out.
I prefer a single shade all around. I used to have 18% all around with a 45% full windshield. Since CA (expecially in my city) are tint *****, i got fix-it ticket after fix-it ticket. Didn't bother me since i owned a tint shop at the time. So my tint was always free
(and i knew some local officers who felt the same as i did) so the tint never actually left my windows. But i grew tired of it and went to 35% all around and kept the 45% windshield. A great look for any vehicle IMHO.While probaly illegal in every state, i would never own a car without tinting the windshield. I absolutely love it.
I have pics of both tint jobs on my site if you need visual aids
www.mazdaracer.com
Also, be sure to get "matallized" film. Not "charcoal". Metallized film has a lifetime warranty and will have a shine or reflective look to it. Charcoal film has no reflectivity, it's a dull smoke and WILL turn purple and bubble in a few years.
Llumar, Johnson and Madico are good brands. I suggest to stay away from any Sungard product.
If the shop can't do the rear window in one peice, find a shop that can.
August-21st-2003, 04:01 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Vienna, VA
Posts: 128
done some homework! looks like legal tint here in VA is 50% for driver/front pass and 35% for rear doors/rear windshield.
i want consistency with all the windows so i was thinking of doing 35% all around and disregarding the law.
how do they "measure" what tint you have if you get pulled over??
i want consistency with all the windows so i was thinking of doing 35% all around and disregarding the law.
how do they "measure" what tint you have if you get pulled over??
August-21st-2003, 07:59 PM
#6
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Huntington Beach, CA Uhhh Surfs up Dude
Posts: 2,367
I agree, the 35% will look very nice...
but man, 35% being the limit is pretty weak...at least here in CA we could paint the rear section if we wanted
...IIRC in Calif., 70% is legal on the 2 front windows and full windsheild. (w/s is only under special circumstances)
They have light meters that measure the tint.
but man, 35% being the limit is pretty weak...at least here in CA we could paint the rear section if we wanted
...IIRC in Calif., 70% is legal on the 2 front windows and full windsheild. (w/s is only under special circumstances)They have light meters that measure the tint.
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