Tinting Front windshield with HUD
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Benvenidos!!
yo go Ryan, I have heard of it and it actually doesn't sound like a bad idea, and to test the water first, just go to the tint shop, have them cut a piece for you and tape it here or apply it and see what the deal is.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,599
Likes: 1,353
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
the question is how can you look out at night ? 
We all push the envelope every once and a while modding the cars 
, but hardly at the expense of safety .
Would you take out your air bags if it made the car look " cooler " ?
can't even imagine you would find a legal tint shop that wuld do it . they would be just as liable as you are in a crash . a good lawyer will swallow you whole if you cause a crash and your windshield was tinted .
We all push the envelope every once and a while modding the cars , but hardly at the expense of safety .Would you take out your air bags if it made the car look " cooler " ?
can't even imagine you would find a legal tint shop that wuld do it . they would be just as liable as you are in a crash . a good lawyer will swallow you whole if you cause a crash and your windshield was tinted .
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Damn, LAPD and the CHP must really be slacking if you get away driving that on public roads. That is a cop magnet if I ever saw one.
Regarding the issue of officer safety and tinted windows, I use to have my off duty weapon in my jacket pocket pointed at the driver's window until I knew the situation was safe. I tell you it is not a comforting feeling walking up to a vehicle where you cannot see the driver's actions or what he may have in his hands.
Regarding the issue of officer safety and tinted windows, I use to have my off duty weapon in my jacket pocket pointed at the driver's window until I knew the situation was safe. I tell you it is not a comforting feeling walking up to a vehicle where you cannot see the driver's actions or what he may have in his hands.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,683
Likes: 3
From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
Wouldn't side tinted windows also present a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists, etc?
Some women like tinted windows b/c guys/truckers are constantly eyeballin' em...
What about the bikers with tinted visors? Are they not considered a hazard b/c they can't really plow over anyone?
Anyone remember the song: "I wear my sunglasses at night?"
Some women like tinted windows b/c guys/truckers are constantly eyeballin' em...
What about the bikers with tinted visors? Are they not considered a hazard b/c they can't really plow over anyone?
Anyone remember the song: "I wear my sunglasses at night?"
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 6
From: Arroyo Grande CA
it is leagal in WA to tint your whole front window up to 35%. i have 5%back 15% sides and 35% front windsheild. looks awsome you cant even tell its tinted ( one peice of tint) unless your realy paying attention when the windows are down.also hold out the heat very well. no prob. with the hud
RCW 46.37.430(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.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.430
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 6
From: Louisville Kentucky
Many, many, valid points that should probably be adressed by someone more responsible and law-abiding?? than myself.
Windshield tint makes the HUD brighter in my estimation. I have severe sensitivity to lights at night. My car has been lowered, which seems to put me at an even greater disadvantage with oncoming traffic. I have installed brighter bulbs, but not the HID "blind others" style.
My tint is 50% in the windshield. My eyebrow is set at 13"/5% ("limo") just above my view so that I do not have to use my visors.
Yes, to me, it looks "cool"...
I had various reasons for doing it, and I have not been ticketed in 2 years. The woman that installed mine was the "Corvette specialist" and did a fantastic job.
The concern about night-vision (positive AND negative) is a valid concern. Nonetheless; I am directly answering your question and I don't really want to get into a 'pissing-match' with everyone else.
In my estimation, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and the law officers are entitled to write you a ticket.
I DO AT TIMES have problems at night in unfamiliar territory. Not only because of the tint, but also b/c of the long front end AND my preference to having the seat as low as possible and back as far as possible.
If I were driving in an autocross course at night, I would be screwed. I would have to change the tint, and move my seat up and forward.
My car is a DD, but I don't drive it much at night. The tint REALLY helps me in the summer months, but it is a hinderance in these dark winter months.
I have considered changing it many times, and maybe a ticket would do just that. I would not just pay the fine, I would remove it.
There are so many issues with these cars. They are natural trouble-makers. It takes a very responsible individual to handle these cars properly and to deal with all of the issues that are created not only by just owning/driving them; but also issues within yourself. This car makes my heart pound. It always has and it never seems to stop.
In summary: I would opt NOT to tint the windshield if I had to do it over again.
Regarding the issue of officer safety and tinted windows, I use to have my off duty weapon in my jacket pocket pointed at the driver's window until I knew the situation was safe. I tell you it is not a comforting feeling walking up to a vehicle where you cannot see the driver's actions or what he may have in his hands.
Last edited by Junkman2008; Dec 23, 2007 at 03:53 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 2
From: fort hood tx
It's not leagal[sic] as I read it.
RCW 46.37.430(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.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.430
RCW 46.37.430(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.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.37.430
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,725
Likes: 5
From: Colesville MD
My DD has 5% on the back and side windows and 50% on the windshield. I have no problem driving it at night. My wife does have issues with it, so she doesn't drive it at night. If you do it, I wouldn't go darker than 50%.
Guest
Posts: n/a
It's not a great idea. Most of us don't have great accuity in our peripheral vision. It'll work fine during the day. No different to wearing sunglasses. At night you'll be missing definition. The things which are harder to spot in low light conditions will be even harder to see. Lecture over
In terms of the HUD it will reduce the transmissivity of the windscreen so the symbology will actually display brighter. You just see less beyond the symbology as you'll be more focussed on the closer image unless you wind it back.
I used to fly fighters so I've used HUDs in the past. We didn't tint the front screen
In terms of the HUD it will reduce the transmissivity of the windscreen so the symbology will actually display brighter. You just see less beyond the symbology as you'll be more focussed on the closer image unless you wind it back.
I used to fly fighters so I've used HUDs in the past. We didn't tint the front screen
Don't do it unless you are only going to drive in the daylight!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
Some vehicles came from the factory with windshield "tint". My 1990 ZR1 is one of them. You really can't tell it is there until you look at it when the sun is going down and you can see the blue tint. As far as looking out the windshield, can't see any difference. But this is a special tint. Personally I wouldn't tint a windshield. Isn't that why they came out with windshield covers you can put in your car when you are parked to keep the heat out. Never noticed it being an issue while driving the car. But then that is what AC is used for. I don't get it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,407
Likes: 1
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Some vehicles came from the factory with windshield "tint". My 1990 ZR1 is one of them. You really can't tell it is there until you look at it when the sun is going down and you can see the blue tint. As far as looking out the windshield, can't see any difference. But this is a special tint. Personally I wouldn't tint a windshield. Isn't that why they came out with windshield covers you can put in your car when you are parked to keep the heat out. Never noticed it being an issue while driving the car. But then that is what AC is used for. I don't get it.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: GREENVILLE SC
AWSOME you just answered my question! gonna get 45% on my front like i have on my other 2 cars just wanted to make sure it wouldnt mess with the hud. if you have ever had a car with a tinted front window you would never want to go back to a car without it has so many advantages.
