Window tint
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
Window tint
I'm getting my 82 tinted pretty soon but not sure what darkness to go with. I'm in Texas so the back can be as dark as I want. But I don't want to have too much difficulty at night. I want them to look pretty dark on the outside though. If you have tinted windows please post a pic and tell what darkness they are and if it causes any problems. Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I've had tinted windows in several vehicles over the years, and having learned by experience I highly recommend no darker than 35% on the sides and either 35% or 20% rear. Any darker (lower %) than those transmission ratings and you will not only draw additional attention form LEO's, but at night it's just too difficult to see out, especially when backing up. Also, make sure you find someone who can show their previous work on rear windows such as our late C3's, as another thing I've learned (the hard way) is that very few tint techs are truly professionals. My $.02
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Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Mar 12, 2013 at 12:06 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
I own a tint shop and have done a few C3 vettes... A few things to note. The smaller the interior, the darker the tint will seem. Color of the interior also plays a roll in how dark the tint looks from the outside (black interior will make the tint look darker from the outside) The more light let into the car, the lighter the tint will be (ie: glass t-tops)
Before you get it done, clean the inside of your car! Any dust in the car becomes airborne with people moving in and out of the car. The cleaner your car is, the less dust will be in your tint. Its also a good idea to clear out the stuff in your cargo area. It is extremely difficult to get a huge piece of tint on the back glass (assuming you dont have a CE with the opening rear glass) without having the tint touch anything. It is not fun to work in that back area!
Lastly, do not expect perfection. The car and glass is 30 years old. There is probably a TON of dirt/dust in the rubber gasket that seals the back glass.
As for my recommendation, 20% is the standard for 90% of cars with factory rear tinted glass. 5% is very dark and very difficult to see out of at night. 35% happens to be my favorite if the entire car is done with it. I like to use the same % all around if I can. That being said, 20% is going to be pretty dark on a small black interior car but I think you will like it if you want it dark.
Heres mine, black interior, everything tinted 35% including windshield. It looks very dark from the outside in certain light. Most of the time you can still see in ok. Seeing out is no problem though. I love it.
Before you get it done, clean the inside of your car! Any dust in the car becomes airborne with people moving in and out of the car. The cleaner your car is, the less dust will be in your tint. Its also a good idea to clear out the stuff in your cargo area. It is extremely difficult to get a huge piece of tint on the back glass (assuming you dont have a CE with the opening rear glass) without having the tint touch anything. It is not fun to work in that back area!
Lastly, do not expect perfection. The car and glass is 30 years old. There is probably a TON of dirt/dust in the rubber gasket that seals the back glass.
As for my recommendation, 20% is the standard for 90% of cars with factory rear tinted glass. 5% is very dark and very difficult to see out of at night. 35% happens to be my favorite if the entire car is done with it. I like to use the same % all around if I can. That being said, 20% is going to be pretty dark on a small black interior car but I think you will like it if you want it dark.
Heres mine, black interior, everything tinted 35% including windshield. It looks very dark from the outside in certain light. Most of the time you can still see in ok. Seeing out is no problem though. I love it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Burbank, Ca
Thats what Ive been doing for a living for 35 years. I personaly like the 5% on the rear 35% side doors, Minimum of 15 % rear if you have a black interior. But i do understand about the visibility thing. The lighter your interior the lighter the film will look.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
I've had tinted windows in several vehicles over the years, and having learned by experience I highly recommend no darker than 35% on the sides and either 35% or 20% rear. Any darker (lower %) than those transmission ratings and you will not only draw additional attention form LEO's, but at night it's just too difficult to see out, especially when backing up. Also, make sure you find someone who can show their previous work on rear windows such as our late C3's, as another thing I've learned (the hard way) is that very few tint techs are truly professionals. My $.02
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
My interior is the camel color and I do have the glass t tops. And I don't have the collector's edition so it would be more difficult. My car is white and that's one of the reasons I want to go with dark tint. I love the contrast. I also have black stripes on the fender and mostly black wheels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
...I neglected to add that with the late C3's big greenhouse of a rear window and no AC, 2I'd go for the 20% back there in lieu of the 35%.
Chris, that shark is looking good man!
Chris, that shark is looking good man!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Something to remember is that Texas limits how dark that you can tint your side windows. You can get a citation or have an inspection failed if it's too dark. Check with the tint shop on the regulations. Some will go ahead and tint too dark and then your at the mercy of LEO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 415
From: N J
I own a tint shop and have done a few C3 vettes... A few things to note. The smaller the interior, the darker the tint will seem. Color of the interior also plays a roll in how dark the tint looks from the outside (black interior will make the tint look darker from the outside) The more light let into the car, the lighter the tint will be (ie: glass t-tops)
Before you get it done, clean the inside of your car! Any dust in the car becomes airborne with people moving in and out of the car. The cleaner your car is, the less dust will be in your tint. Its also a good idea to clear out the stuff in your cargo area. It is extremely difficult to get a huge piece of tint on the back glass (assuming you dont have a CE with the opening rear glass) without having the tint touch anything. It is not fun to work in that back area!
Lastly, do not expect perfection. The car and glass is 30 years old. There is probably a TON of dirt/dust in the rubber gasket that seals the back glass.
As for my recommendation, 20% is the standard for 90% of cars with factory rear tinted glass. 5% is very dark and very difficult to see out of at night. 35% happens to be my favorite if the entire car is done with it. I like to use the same % all around if I can. That being said, 20% is going to be pretty dark on a small black interior car but I think you will like it if you want it dark.
Heres mine, black interior, everything tinted 35% including windshield. It looks very dark from the outside in certain light. Most of the time you can still see in ok. Seeing out is no problem though. I love it.
Before you get it done, clean the inside of your car! Any dust in the car becomes airborne with people moving in and out of the car. The cleaner your car is, the less dust will be in your tint. Its also a good idea to clear out the stuff in your cargo area. It is extremely difficult to get a huge piece of tint on the back glass (assuming you dont have a CE with the opening rear glass) without having the tint touch anything. It is not fun to work in that back area!
Lastly, do not expect perfection. The car and glass is 30 years old. There is probably a TON of dirt/dust in the rubber gasket that seals the back glass.
As for my recommendation, 20% is the standard for 90% of cars with factory rear tinted glass. 5% is very dark and very difficult to see out of at night. 35% happens to be my favorite if the entire car is done with it. I like to use the same % all around if I can. That being said, 20% is going to be pretty dark on a small black interior car but I think you will like it if you want it dark.
Heres mine, black interior, everything tinted 35% including windshield. It looks very dark from the outside in certain light. Most of the time you can still see in ok. Seeing out is no problem though. I love it.
