Side Window Tint
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1,858
From: Oregon
Side Window Tint
When I pick up my C8 soon, I am considering tint on side windows. My C6 had the back glass tinted, and that was perfect, but I have never had side windows tinted.
My question for people that have side window tint: Is it ever too dark at night?
We went for a drive to Mt St Helens in Washington yesterday and the scenery was fantastic. There is a lot of beautiful scenery to look at thru the side windows when driving up 50 miles of mountain roads.
If your windows are tinted, do you miss any scenery on the side, or is it like wearing dark sunglasses?
My question for people that have side window tint: Is it ever too dark at night?
We went for a drive to Mt St Helens in Washington yesterday and the scenery was fantastic. There is a lot of beautiful scenery to look at thru the side windows when driving up 50 miles of mountain roads.
If your windows are tinted, do you miss any scenery on the side, or is it like wearing dark sunglasses?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
When deciding upon the amount of tint, if one intends to stay "legal" you must check your state laws. You also need to take into account that the OEM glass is lightly tinted.
In my case 50% tint, plus OEM tint measured out to just over 35%, which is the legal limit in my state on driver and passenger windows. It does not materially affect night vision.
Another thing to consider with tint is that you don't have to go dark to get the benefit of UV and IR reduction, which produces heat in the cabin. There are many nearly optically clear ceramic films, such as XPEL Pro Plus XR, which provides 96% UV and 99% IR rejection, which keeps the cabin dramatically cooler.
In my case 50% tint, plus OEM tint measured out to just over 35%, which is the legal limit in my state on driver and passenger windows. It does not materially affect night vision.
Another thing to consider with tint is that you don't have to go dark to get the benefit of UV and IR reduction, which produces heat in the cabin. There are many nearly optically clear ceramic films, such as XPEL Pro Plus XR, which provides 96% UV and 99% IR rejection, which keeps the cabin dramatically cooler.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 26
From: Jacksonville, FL
I live in Florida, lots of sun and heat.... I had my C8 HTC tinted with Solar Gard film - on the windshield with a clear tint that reduces glare, blocks most UV rays and reduces heat radiation. On the sides and rear I had a mid-level tint installed that doesn't interfere with night vision or daytime vision. By tinting all the way around, the interior is protected from UV and excessive heat and my vision is aided by reducing glare. I'm sure there is a tint dealer near you that can guide you in your selection.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 656
Likes: 474
I tend to do 35% tint and I generally find it is perfect for both day and night visibility, while reducing the sun intensity to a level which is perfect. The stuff I use is XPEL Prime XR Plus. It is an amazing film. Preserves a natural look out the window. One of the issues I have with some tints is they distort colors which ruins the scenery.
https://www.xpel.com/web-assets/down...t-USA-V2-1.pdf
https://www.xpel.com/web-assets/down...t-USA-V2-1.pdf
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Here in Missouri the side windows can be no more than a 35% tint. The back and rear side windows can be darker. I have 18% tint on my back and side windows on my DD and 35% front. I can see just fine at night with those percentages.
