Window tinting front window

I'm looking at 70% on the front window and 35% on the side windows, leaving the back untouched. After doing some research, these seem like good numbers for blocking sun but not hindering night time visibility. There's a 5-star on yelp tinting place right by my house and they're doing a special for all 4 side windows for $235 (cheapest film). Toyota quoted me ~350

 

Make sure you go through their contracted folks since some of those windows have antennas as part of them and/or rain sensors. Keep in mind how over ridiculously advanced the most simplest assemblies are now these days.

 

Get what's legal in your state. I think most states is 35%. I'm actually at a tint shop now getting Suntek CXP 35% 20% 35% and on the front windshield. $350 in North Texas.

 

In many (most?) areas, it is illegal to tint the front windshield farther down than the top 4 inches or so (don't remember the exact number) with anything except "clear" solar film. Because of that, many reputable businesses won't touch the windshield at all.....for any price.

 

I just got a quote of $280 with regular film (any darkness) on all 4 doors and hatch or $480 for their ultimate performance (ceramic) tint any darkness.


iPad ?

 

Look up your state regulations. In some states you can go quite dark, others not very. I personally think the sweet spot for tints is in the 30-40 range. Darker than this looks ghetto, lighter tints usually aren't very effective at reducing heat.

In most states you can legally do a very light tint to the front windshield, usually 70-100. Here only the more expensive tints make sense.

Also, if you don't mind the small difference in color, you can get really good bang for your buck doing the rear (and front) windshield in the more expensive ceramic tint, and the rest of the car in less expensive tint. The front and rear windshield see most of the sun during the day.

Prii and electric cars are the most important cars to tint. The tint will keep the car interior cooler, which means the battery stays cooler, which means a longer battery lifespan. Must do mod for our cars!

 

Absolutely agree that ceramic tint is the way to go. Even the lightest shades have very high heat rejection, and 99% UV protection for that 'new looking' dash. Not cheap, but worth it. Classic 'Cost vs. Value' equation. If you cheap out, you WILL regret it in the long run.

 

You could have tinted the top 5” of the windshield.

I really don’t like cars with tinted front passenger windows, as a bicyclist, if I’m going by an auto pulling onto the road, if I can’t see the drivers eyes, I’m going to hold my position until I see the drivers eyes, a two ton auto and a 20 lb bicycle shouldn’t engage, it ends badly.

 

That's not good enough. Eye contact is not mind contact. Watch the car's front wheels. Pay attention to what the car does, not whether you think the driver notices what you're doing. Seeing is with the eyes. Noticing is with the brain. They are not always the same.

‘You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.’


Sherlock Holmes Quote

 

Good to know. Will have to do some research. Thanks for the knowledge.

 

+1 on the ceramic tint, it is truely amazing.
I parked the car outside for couple hours under the So Cal harsh sun and the interior would only get moderately warm when I come back on the third hour.
The shop I went to didn't carry the top end Huper Optik ceramic tint, but the closest equivalent they had was the 3M Crystalline. I had every piece of glass on my Prime tinted, the damage was $850 out the door.

Here is a quick Youtube Video of what the 3M Crystalline is capable of.

 

Until I see what the driver is doing, and that the driver sees me, I’m not getting into an area I can get hit in, after I make eye contact....if the driver does anything, I react, making eye contact is good enough..to proceed to be on my way, again if then the driver does anything I react.

 

Can you post a pic of the car after the tinting. Thanks. A pre-tint photo would be helpful as well. If you have one.

 

Here you go for the pictures. Unfortunately I don’t have a pre-tint picture of the vehicle. I got it done on day 2 since I picked it up.

I got 60% on the front windshield and 20% on the rest of the windows/glass. The sun is shooting straight into the driver side, so the tint seems lighter than it is.

 

Very nice! That white exterior looks pretty slick too!

 

Thank you

 

70% Huper-Optik Autobahn ceramic tinting on the front glass. As I've stated in previous posts, the ceramic tint makes a HUGE difference on interior temps and heat absorption rates. I can run the A/C at 75F in 110F degree weather and the interior fan only runs at the #2 setting in AUTO. (Did this with my 2017 Prime on an ill-fated 300 mile trip to San Jose this past summer - that is a completely different story where I ended up with a 2018 Prime after an unfortunate mishap).

Tinting cost me about $900 total including tax. The front window by itself ran $300 and is absolutely worth it.

The 70% windshield tinting doesn't seem to affect night time driving at all.

 

In AZ it used to be illegal ( don't know if legal now) to tint front window due to safety concerns, but side and back you could tint up to 80%.