Window tinting
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 176
Likes: 2
From: Gilberts Illinois
I also only did the back window and glad I did!!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
I don't remeber the %'s but I went with light on the sides and medium on the back and with the black interior it is dark from the outside but not too dark as you can't see out of them. All vettes look better with tinted windows. It just recently became legal in Illinois to tint the side windows, but I have had mine done for a lot longer than that. I figured the look was worth the risk of getting pulled over. I drive with the windows down most of the time anyways.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 190
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Ohio
I don't remeber the %'s but I went with light on the sides and medium on the back and with the black interior it is dark from the outside but not too dark as you can't see out of them. All vettes look better with tinted windows. It just recently became legal in Illinois to tint the side windows, but I have had mine done for a lot longer than that. I figured the look was worth the risk of getting pulled over. I drive with the windows down most of the time anyways.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 606
Likes: 3
From: Long Island
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Last edited by callie454; Feb 27, 2013 at 04:22 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I don't remeber the %'s but I went with light on the sides and medium on the back and with the black interior it is dark from the outside but not too dark as you can't see out of them. All vettes look better with tinted windows. It just recently became legal in Illinois to tint the side windows, but I have had mine done for a lot longer than that. I figured the look was worth the risk of getting pulled over. I drive with the windows down most of the time anyways.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
What percentage do they now allow in Illinois on the side windows and when did they change the law? I got a ticket back in the 90s for tinting my T-Bird SC and had to remove the tint off of the side windows.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 4
From: Bedford MA
Some tinters just don't have the skill to get the matrix right. It does take some patience, and follow up after the initial install, but it's worth it in the end. When I bought mine, it had 35% on the sides and rear, and the matrix was left un-tinted. I replaced it all with 20%. couldn't be happier.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
20% here all the way around... Dark tint + Electron Blue = AWESOME The Massachusetts limit is 34%
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
A ways back, I posted a link to all of the states laws on tinting.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 4
From: Bedford MA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 4
From: Bedford MA
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,767
Likes: 3,695
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 804
Likes: 4
According to the link California allows 30% (70% light transmitting) tint on front glass just not the windshield. Any Leo's from Cali can confirm this? I was under impression you could not tint front side glass here. On the flip side I have 30% tint on side and back and love it. Never had an issue with the law 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Now we just got to get the front plate law removed.
Found this on the web:
How dark can automobile window tint be in Illinois?
Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%), which essentially means the percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window.
Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 6 inches of the windshield.
Front side windows Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Back side windows Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Rear window Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Combinations 1. 30-35% in the rear / up to 50% in front.
2. If you have below 30% tint in the rear, you can not tint the front.
3. If you have an MPV, which includes but is not limited to SUVs, station wagons, minivans, etc. and said MPV has factory-installed privacy glass (smoked), you are allowed to have up to 50% tint in front.
Last edited by MG RED 99; Feb 28, 2013 at 04:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 1
From: Port Charlotte FL
I've had mine done for about 6 years now with Lumar 5% film here in FL, and only got pulled over once for it. It tested back at 4% but just got a warning. You really can't see much out at night, but it looks great and is good during the daytime.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 633
Likes: 19
From: Richmond VA
St. Jude Donor '11, '14,’19
I got a VA state police issued ticket for mine :
They have a box with a slot they slip over the window. Otherwise, I love tint. Protect and cool the car; shut down unsolicited feedback from other drivers.
They have a box with a slot they slip over the window. Otherwise, I love tint. Protect and cool the car; shut down unsolicited feedback from other drivers.