I know....Another window tint question

I went with 35 and wish I went a tad darker. Go with the 30%, 20% is too dark.

 

If it is any concern, WA law is 35%

Washington Window Tint Law - TintCenter.com

 

Definitely stay within your state law. Troopers carry "Tint Meters" now that measure the percentage.

Also, be aware that if you travel to another state you must comply with that states law as well. I find it best not to go below 35%.

 

I've said this before and I'll say it again. The Prius is a 'glass house' so a lot of light get into the interior. Even with dark charcoal interior in my car, a 20% tint will look like a 35% tint on another car (like a Camry or my BMW coupe). On the Prius, you pretty much need to go 1 shade darker to get the actual darkness that you want.

I originally had 35% on my Prius but was way too light looking for my tastes. Seriously looked like my other cars if they had 50% tint on them. So I double layered it up (more heat rejection) and got it down to approx 24% darkness, which was a tad lighther than 20% but relatively the same thing. The end result, now my car looks exactly like my BMW coupe with 35% (dark, but still visible enough from the outside).

 

Wow, I had no idea you could double up tint.

 

I went with my usual.
35% for the front
20% in the rear.

There is a big difference in 35 and 20. 20% is much darker.

 

I live across the border from you in Idaho and the law states that we can have up to 30% in darkness, but I've never had any problems with it being 20%. Plus with the oversized windows and excessive number of them getting it done 20% would actually look closer to 30% during a hot sunny day. In Seattle, where there's usually an overcast and tall buildings, your 20% may appear like 20% or darker.

Here's what mine looks like during an overcast day...

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-accessories-modifications/78082-prius-window-tint-2.html#post1090979

 

I'll add my 2 cents. The prius is much different than my Corolla. The prius is full of windows, so whatever shade you decide, don't be surprised if it winds up being 'lighter' than you expect. IMO, with the prius at least 20%. I had 35% of my Corolla and it was ok, but with the Prius, I cant imagine it looking very dark at all.

 

Nice pictures, 20% all the way!!!!!!

 

I would have preferred 25 or 30 but went with the darkness the shop had in stock. So, 35% on rear and hatch and I'm happy with the result. Used a semi-metallic (aluminum) Johnson Films product called Silhouette. Cuts down heat transmission and glare and adds a privacy element, at least when next to the vehicle. With 35% I haven't had any issue with night driving.
The Silhouette was available in a bronze or charcoal, the charcoal was a good match with the Winter Gray paint on this Gen III.

 

I just did 20% all around and think it looks perfect. I also did the front windshield in AirBlue and it really makes a difference. I feel as if I'm driving in the shade all the time now.

AirBlue from Llumar is a 78% transparent film that rejects 46% heat... so it doesn't look like tint but gives you all the protection of 35% or darker tint. Love it so far!

 

I just got LLumar 15% tint installed all around and it looks marvelous! The car is blizzard pearl and misty gray. It is dark enough during the day but almost too dark for me at night in areas without street lamps but I'll adjust.

Next spot is the windshield. I cannot decide on 50% or 78% tint but I am leaning towards 78%.

 

I have the blizzard white also and want to tint my window, can you provide some pictures?

 

Sorry, I have no access to a camera (phone or otherwise) so no pictures. The best way I found is to go to the tint shop and see several examples of their work and judge for yourself. I found that photos of tint jobs vary with sunlight, photo-shooting skills and camera angles. The biggest advantage is to see, in person, how dark and "see thru" the different tint shades were; sitting in the car and looking out helps the decision process too. Good luck.

 

Just had mine done, 20% on all windows.

 

I have airblue all around incl. the windshield, but i've been considering going darker for privacy.....trouble is, i can't stand the look of dark tint on black cars (cars that have no chrome trim). it makes the car look like a ford-focus. on white, dark tint is amazing since it provides contrast. oh aesthetics, you win again.

 

20% charcoal tint all around (only a 7" strip on the windshield) - And I LOVE it!

 

Deltron, I completely agree with you.
aaron