Window Tint Advice

I have Air Blue 80 on my windshield and I forget it's there. It is challenging to install on a Prius windshield and flaws are more noticeable. It is not reflective. I would take a picture but I do not think you could see it. I should have taken a before picture to compare to an after shot. There is a picture here somewhere of somebody who Air Blued all there windows. I have Llumar ceramic 40 on all the other windows except the lower rear hatch glass.


Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.

 

Thanks for the insight, dustoff.

I had my windows done so long ago I didn't have the Air Blue choice. I just used the regular Llumar carbon tint. It looks good and is holding up well but I'm curious what the Air Blue looks like. I'll have to check out the critic's car when he is done.

 

I have never been pulled over for anything and am afraid that tinting would do that since I travel to a lot of states and cities that might have different laws than where I live.

 

Anything behind the drivers seat is legal so just keep your front windows rolled down if you see an officer. Or do like I did and got very light in the front and you'll be fine.

 

Personally....I gave up on the limo-tint a long time ago. Makes you too easy a mark for LEO. Same with 24's, loud exhausts, those goofy fake blue lights, etc.
However (comma) window tinting does have its advantages in triple digit heat.
Be careful where you drive after you have the windows tinted. Every state has their own laws about what's legal and what's not. If you’re an out-of-state driver, you’re already an easy revenue source for ticket fines.
Google will find you sites that track window tint laws for states that you regularly travel in. Look in several of these sites to ensure that you're not getting bum-doped.
If you get pulled over, and you have tinted windows, it is a really good idea to roll all four windows down before the LEO gets to your car. Simple things like this, and pulling far enough off of the road for him/her to be able to approach your window without walking in the street, and not giving them attitude might cause them not to notice your tint if you’re coloring outside the lines. There are bent cops everywhere, but they’re a statistical anomaly. 99.44% of the LEO’s that I’ve served with (many reservists are cops) HATE to do traffic! So….if you’re getting pulled over, you’re already on their poo-poo list for something, and it’s usually not the tint.

My state says this:

(a) Each window of the vehicle upon which tinted or darkening material has been applied has affixed to it a label approved under subsection (6) of this section certifying that the window:
(i) Has a luminous reflectance not exceeding twenty percent (20%); and
(ii) Has a light transmittance of thirty-five percent (35%) or more; or
(b) The person has a certificate of compliance for the vehicle issued by a law enforcement officer of the Department of Public Safety, as hereinafter provided.
<snip!>

TIFWIW....

 

Amazing The difference with just 50% on the sides and 40% on the rear hatch window!Car stays cooler AC works better? Great mod! What ever you do Just do it! Not a fan of the lighter front/dark rear sides!

 

Don't worry man, it happens to the best of us. I thought about doing it myself too. I ended up paying 180 for a very reputable guy here to do it for me. 1.2 years later, no problems and still loving it to death. Pics are a must once you get it tinted "right"!

 

It's a lesson a lot of us have to learn.

 

I had my new 10 Prius done with 25% ceramic tint & I'm very happy with the results.

 

Sent you a PM Critic.

If anyone who cares is worried as well, CXP having a greenish tint is false. In fact, CXP is known to be a true black film. If you go to Suntek's website, it specifically lists it as "black" vs "charcoal" or "neutral" or "blue" that it calls some of its other products:

http://www.suntekfilms.com/common/files/SunTek-Window-Films-automotive-specsheet.pdf

 

I just got ours done today. 45% Carbon XP up front regular carbon back:

 

Here is our very green car with the same tint, same percentage:

 

Both look great. Tint makes such a huge difference in appearance.

 

While the manufacturer may say that, I'd rather trust the opinion of an installer who's actually seen the film. Customers don't count, as they typically only see the finished product and the factory glass is tinted green (in the glass) anyway. For example, an installer informed me that the 3M Crystalline has a yellowish charcoalish tint to it and the CS series has a smokish color to it. You'd never know that from reading the manufacturer's website.

 

^what if I told you my installer vouched it was "black," which is was, which is what the manufacturer claimed.

 

What's up with that pink color?

 

So a guy got a bad roll and that is what it is?

If that's the case there have been people with problems with their cars...the Prius must be a lemon then eh?

 

It happens to all his batches, so someone suggested it's the harsh environment where he operates that's causing the pink color.

Anyway, I don't mean to put it down. I do believe all of you when you say it's black.