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Window Tint Advice

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by The Critic, Jun 25, 2011.

?

Which shade of window tint should I go with?

  1. 30% on all side roll-up windows and rear hatch

    23 vote(s)
    59.0%

  2. 40% on all side roll-up windows and rear hatch

    6 vote(s)
    15.4%

  3. 50% on front roll-up windows, 30% on rear roll-up windows and rear hatch

    10 vote(s)
    25.6%
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  1. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I am going to get the Prius tinted because I really dislike getting reflections through the rear windows when driving at night. The plan is to use Llumar CTX film since it is a ceramic blend that will not interfere with the smart key system. There is a site online that will sell the pre-cut kit for about $110 and I have a somewhat local installer who can install it for $70, so the price is affordable at ~$180.

    I am trying to decide between three different options and would appreciate input:

    1) 30% for all side roll-up windows and the rear hatch window.
    2) 40% for all side roll-up windows and the rear hatch window
    3) 50% for the front roll-up windows, 30% for the rear roll-up windows and the rear hatch window.

    Here is a picture of the 30%:
    http://www.shadestint.com/images/04-01-10_037.jpg

    Here is a picture of the 40%:

    Help with Llumar CTX film !! - Window Tint Forum

    Tinting the front roll-ups is technically illegal in CA, so any tint is a risk. However, like speeding, there is some "wiggle room" and some shades will obviously make your chances of getting pulled over far higher. The 30% on that C6 Corvette looks pretty good, but I don't know if it's too dark in person. The 40% on the Camaro looks significantly lighter than the 40% for some reason.

    Which option do you guys think I should go with?
     
    #1 The Critic, Jun 25, 2011
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #2 JimboPalmer, Jun 25, 2011
  3. Teakwood

    Teakwood Member

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    Hmm ... ya think?
    Nahhh. "The Critic" is obviously one of those Californians who considers himself above the law ... until he goes to jail.
     
    #3 Teakwood, Jun 25, 2011
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I cannot vote in the poll as I like non of those options.

    I would suggest either 5% or 15% or 25% on the rear hatch, then you can either:

    A: 5% on all rear windows and 70-75%% on the fronts (maximum shading yet legal) This is what I did after getting tickets for having 35% on my fronts

    B: 35%-50% rear windows then 70%-75% on the fronts (slow fade to lighter tint which makes the tint look less drastic)

    C: 5%-25% on the rear hatch and rear windows and 50% on the front. It is illegal but you are likely to get away with it if your interior colors are light.
     
    #4 F8L, Jun 25, 2011
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    F8L, I'm confused by your numbers.

    OP: $180 is a really good price. IIRC I paid close to $300 in 2004 for Llumar ceramic installation.
     
    #5 SageBrush, Jun 25, 2011
  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    How so, my friend?
     
    #6 F8L, Jun 25, 2011
  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    There wasn't a slot for "D" none of the above...so I don't have a say.

    Just make sure that you have it professionally installed and use a good quality tint, or it will look like a lot of the other tinted windows a few years from now.

    Try not to get pulled over. ;)
     
    #7 ETC(SS), Jun 25, 2011
  8. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Are the percentages block or transmittance ? I think your different choices mix the two.
     
    #8 SageBrush, Jun 25, 2011
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The numbers are based on transmittance. All tint is rated the same such that the lower the number the less transmittance. So 5% (limo tint) is basically black and blocks the most light from entering the vehicle. Most people do 5% on the back half of the car and 35%-50% on the front windows. Unfortunately California law stats you must have at least 70% transmitance through the front windows so I went with 70% after getting two tickets for having 35% on the front. In theory a GenIII is already at or near to the limit so even going with 70% but it is still so light that you likely won't be hassled.

    This was the car with 35% front and 5% rear.
    [​IMG]

    Car with 70% front, 5% rear
     

    Attached Files:

    #9 F8L, Jun 25, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  10. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I definitely agree w/ F8L and would pick his C. option - 5% rear + hatch and 50% front, because 50% blends better. Also 70% is still technically illegal since its aggregate tint is somewhere below 70%. Finally, the darker you do the back (5%) the lighter the front looks (50%), and the less likely you're going to be pulled over.
     
    #10 macmaster05, Jun 25, 2011
  11. samsprius1

    samsprius1 Active Member

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    DSCN0062.jpg

    This is why I went with 50% It's not I don't like cops I just don't want anything to do with them especially at 3am!Ya know what I mean.The 50 does what I want and looks good!
     
    #11 samsprius1, Jun 25, 2011
  12. roverguy78

    roverguy78 Elite Lurking Member

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    I had mine done 30% on all the side windows, and 25% on the hatch. I have been very happy with it.
     
    #12 roverguy78, Jun 25, 2011
  13. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    To keep things in perspective and more helpful to everyone, I think people should say what their state law is, and then what they actually got....you know what I mean...
     
    #13 macmaster05, Jun 25, 2011
  14. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Go as dark as you can, you'll regret it if you don't. Trust me.
     
    #14 LulzChicken, Jun 25, 2011
  15. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    #15 The Critic, Jun 25, 2011
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I think it's borderline with dark interior but you may get lucky. :)
     
    #16 F8L, Jun 25, 2011
  17. Troyroy

    Troyroy Member

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    I had mine done with 35% all around......then a 35% strip on the top of the windshield.

    Get the windshield top done......that's the best !!!!!!!!

    PS: I'm not sure which brand my pro used. But it's light blockage is 35%...and heat blockage is 75%
     
    #17 Troyroy, Jun 25, 2011
  18. robertk328

    robertk328 Member

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    Tinted mine with the mid-grade stuff (pretty sure it wasn't ceramic) and have had no issues with the smart key at all.
     
    #18 robertk328, Jun 26, 2011
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  19. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I just remembered that Llumar makes the Air Blue 80 and I had that installed on my friend's Mazda 3 last year.

    Apparently the Air Blue 80 has a 43% solar heat rejection, which is equal to the Llumar CTX 40% film. The Air Blue 80 film has a slight blueish hue to it, and is barely noticeable. So I figure, why bother with the CTX 40% and risk getting hassled by the cops, when the near-invisible film will give you the same functional benefits and nearly eliminate your chances of being pulled over?

    I think I will tint the back roll-ups and hatch with the CTX 15% film for privacy and to prevent glare from headlights during nighttime driving. I will tint the front roll-up windows, the quarters and the windshield with the Air Blue 80. By covering the windshield, I think this will eliminate most of the heat source.

    What do you think, F8L?
     
    #19 The Critic, Jun 27, 2011
  20. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I've never seen the Air Blue tint but as long as it is not reflective you should be fined. Reflective tint is illegal around here. Make sure to post pictures when you get it done. I'd like to check it out. Maybe i'll get my front redone. :)
     
    #20 F8L, Jun 27, 2011
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