Window Tinting
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 635
Likes: 14
From: Huntington Beach / Fountain Valley California
I have 5% on the Rear Window of my Camaro and I hate it - Way too dark and at night you can't even see thru it. Wish I wouldn't have done it so dark.
I won't tint the Vette at all in the back due to the Rear Defroster and antenna. So I won't tint the sides either at all because of this. My windows are virgin clean
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
From: New York
I have 5% on the Rear Window of my Camaro and I hate it - Way too dark and at night you can't even see thru it. Wish I wouldn't have done it so dark.
I won't tint the Vette at all in the back due to the Rear Defroster and antenna. So I won't tint the sides either at all because of this. My windows are virgin clean
I won't tint the Vette at all in the back due to the Rear Defroster and antenna. So I won't tint the sides either at all because of this. My windows are virgin clean
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
From: New York
I'll try some pics from the inside to show what 20% looks like.
This was about 2pm on a partly sunny day (last Sunday).
No problems driving at night, dark enough in the day to see in slightly on the sides, and back is ok to see in due to the light from the windshield.
This was about 2pm on a partly sunny day (last Sunday).
No problems driving at night, dark enough in the day to see in slightly on the sides, and back is ok to see in due to the light from the windshield.
Andy, Thanks for the pictures. looks good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 945
Likes: 8
From: Olympia WA
No problem. It was trying to get you real world pics to help you understand the inside visual impacts at 20%.
I guess I am getting a little older.
Cool regardless of safety concerns don't cut it for me anymore.
I like to take a middle ground.
It can be cool, but its also got to be practical and safe.
Backing up this morning at my house (530am and dark), I could still see out the back window safely (currently no tint on the back up lights).
I think 20% is on the edge of backing up the car safely without outside lighting.
20% has also worked for me when looking right or left at a intersection.
My last car had tint too dark on the side windows,
I had to roll the windows down at night to safely survey the roads at a intersection.
Have fun.
Andy
I guess I am getting a little older.
Cool regardless of safety concerns don't cut it for me anymore.
I like to take a middle ground.
It can be cool, but its also got to be practical and safe.
Backing up this morning at my house (530am and dark), I could still see out the back window safely (currently no tint on the back up lights).
I think 20% is on the edge of backing up the car safely without outside lighting.
20% has also worked for me when looking right or left at a intersection.
My last car had tint too dark on the side windows,
I had to roll the windows down at night to safely survey the roads at a intersection.
Have fun.
Andy
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
When you are
talking about tint for example 35%, are you referring to the spec on the film or the finished product on the glass (taking into consideration the factory tint of 75%)
With a factory tint of 75% If I a wrong tell me but, if you were using film of 35% it would really be .75 x .35 = 26%
With a factory tint of 75% If I a wrong tell me but, if you were using film of 35% it would really be .75 x .35 = 26%
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 945
Likes: 8
From: Olympia WA
talking about tint for example 35%, are you referring to the spec on the film or the finished product on the glass (taking into consideration the factory tint of 75%)
With a factory tint of 75% If I a wrong tell me but, if you were using film of 35% it would really be .75 x .35 = 26%
With a factory tint of 75% If I a wrong tell me but, if you were using film of 35% it would really be .75 x .35 = 26%
yes you are correct.
To truly be accurate you need to combine the factory tint rating with the aftermarket rating in series to get a combined tint rating. But that would be too complicated to keep track of with everyone.
Most likely it is appropriate to not take into account the factory tint, since everyone probably has the same factory tint level as a base. But I could be wrong.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 635
Likes: 14
From: Huntington Beach / Fountain Valley California
..... Second - if it is not a perfect tint job, you can sometimes see un-clear 
areas on the dot-matrix and around the defroster wires as the tint does not adhere flat to these bumps thus causing an air void even though it is a very tiny void.I love the way tint looks on the outside of the car but I have to be VERY Sure I am not going to want to ever take it off - So I just keep my windows virgin clean for now.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 635
Likes: 14
From: Huntington Beach / Fountain Valley California
In California, any tint that is not applied IN THE GLASS at the factory is illeagal on the drivers side window and on the passenger side window.
You can tint rear windows with film and on a 4 door car you can tint the rear side windows with film tint.
You can tint rear windows with film and on a 4 door car you can tint the rear side windows with film tint.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Gurnee IL
Note that tint meters are cheap (at least for law enforcement) so many departments carry them in car and it's a simple slide over your window and take a reading if they want to press the issue... It's an overall reading through the glass that they will measure...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 489
From: South Florida
[QUOTE=JPM@AutoBuffs;1573033947]35% is the lowest you can go in NY. your not to far from us ..give me a call if you decide to do it and we can hook you up.
Here's an old pic of our shop c5 with 5% all around..
[QUOTE]
When did you tint the car?
Here's an old pic of our shop c5 with 5% all around..
[QUOTE]
When did you tint the car?
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2006
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[QUOTE=slowtealz28;1573057680][QUOTE=JPM@AutoBuffs;1573033947]35% is the lowest you can go in NY. your not to far from us ..give me a call if you decide to do it and we can hook you up.
Here's an old pic of our shop c5 with 5% all around..
When did you tint the car?
Before it got ripped apart.
John@autobuffs
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Here's an old pic of our shop c5 with 5% all around..
When did you tint the car?
Before it got ripped apart.
John@autobuffs
Auto Buffs LLC.
2 Kerry Ct,; Suite E
Southampton, NJ 08088
OFFICE_609-859-0900
CELL_856-776-3079
www.autobuffs.net
Custom Painting & Airbrushing
Pinstriping
Custom Detailing
Car Audio
Mobile Electronics & Video
Remote Car Starters / Alarms
Authorized HRE / IFORGED Dealer
Authorized East Coast Supercharging Dealer
Authorized TireRack Dealer
Authorized Carravaggio Dealer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 945
Likes: 8
From: Olympia WA
Most shops will take into consideration the factory tint if they are complying with the law and aiming for a certain level... They will meter the glass and tint and work up numbers to get a desired overall percent... Now if you just request 35% film and the shop doesn't care about staying within the law or there is no law then the numbers probably don't take the factory tint into consideration...
Note that tint meters are cheap (at least for law enforcement) so many departments carry them in car and it's a simple slide over your window and take a reading if they want to press the issue... It's an overall reading through the glass that they will measure...
Note that tint meters are cheap (at least for law enforcement) so many departments carry them in car and it's a simple slide over your window and take a reading if they want to press the issue... It's an overall reading through the glass that they will measure...
Andy
