I recently got my first car, a black Y2k SE, with a 5 spd. I have been looking around this forum for the past few weeks and have seen many posts talking about different percent window tints. I want to get mine tinted and was just wondering what these numbers designate; I am assuming that it is the darkness

-Matt

 

The lower the percentage (the tint number), the darker the tint. Mine is at 20%, so it only lets through 20% of the sun - check my homepage link under my name.

 

best thing to do is just go to your local tint shop. they should have samples of all tint percentages.

and of course there are many different kinds of tint: standard black/charcol, reflective, etc, etc. they will have samples of those as well.

when picking your tint shop: make sure they offers a lifetime warranty on materials AND workmanship. also make sure they do one piece rear windows (instead of doing the rear window with multiple pieces of film - you can often see the seem and it just looks cheaper).

oh, and check your state laws...i just got 30% put on mine, which is the darkest you can legally go here in North Carolina. you can go darker, of course, but you just have to figure out someway to cheat to make it pass state inspection! the tint shop will advise you of those legal % details when you talk to them as well.

30% is not really all that dark..i wish i could of done more - but i was trying to keep it legal. it would suck to spend $100-200 for a lower % tint job only to have to rip it off to pass inspection.

 

Anything below 35% tints is fine. Keep in mind that even though a tint is darker, doesn't really mean that it will block out the heat more. 35% tints will block out 99% of the uv and reject 40% of the heat, depending on what brand of tints you get.
A $75 tint job is NOT the same as a $250 tint job. Never get dyed tints. You always want to get metallic. Don't want your tints to turn purple or clear after 2 years do you? Do a search on "formula one tints" and check it out.

 

i just got mine tinted this morning. i just got the 20 percent all the way around. i thought it was going to be too dark but it is not at the least bit. i couldnt imagine geting anything higher than 20. the legal limit here is 35 in the front but you gotta think that some of the new F 150's that come off the line already have tint darker than 35 and thats factory. my new tint sure makes a big difference for the better, cant believe i waited this long to do it.

 

Prices really depend on your area. I got a 30% tint job done last friday, all 4 doors, back glass, and sunroof and paid $165.00. I watched the guy do it and he did a kickass job.

Labor and tint is warrantied not to change colors or get bubbles or anything for life of the car..

 

I paid about $200 for mine. It's 5% all around and 20% on front.

 

$160 for mine. 30% (legal limit in NC) all around. but do some price checking in your area. i called one place that wanted $265. then, i called this place that only wanted $160...not a tuff decision! just make sure they offer the warranty and all.

 

By the way (I haven't been able to find this info anywhere), but does anyone know what the legal limit on tint is in Virginia? Thanks in advance.

 

just call any of your local tint shops and ask!!!

 

another FYI for you to consider
when i went to get my tints done, the guy suggested that i do my rear windshield 1 level darker than the rest of the windows. reason is if you look at a side window, the backdrop is the other window (also tinte) and so the window looks darker. looking at the back windwhield, your backdrop is the front windshield, UNTINTED, so it will look lightr than most others. i have 20% on the windows and 15% on the rear windshield. it looks even to me and i'm pretty happy with it. anywayz, just a suggestion for you.good luck.

 

I like my 20% Madico Onyx black reflective tint, but I wish I had gone full mirror...oh well

 

What do you guys think of Madic cool chrome? Trying to get that done next week on my sheer silver car.

Thanx

 

What a great time this tint came up.

I am getting my car tinted in 2 weeks when I receive my paycheck.

We talked about %'s and all but lets talk about brands. I hear llumar is really good. Is it worth the extra money for llumar? How about 3m?

 

My appointment is next week- most places here in Jersey are about
$25-$35 a window for lifetime guarantee- the really good shyt
getting as close to $40per window- i think I'm going with the classic 30% all over exept back window-20%- A new law just passed out here that any car bought year 2001 and up- the inpection is stretched to four years
Go McGreevy!

 

yes i know! i love that law! Now I can keep my tints on for another 3 years without removing them. We still aren't safe from the cops

 

My choice at the time I got my windows done were either Madico Onyx 20% or Madico cool chrome 35%...

the tint guy showed me both on two separate cars and to tell you the truth, the cool chrome looks type it's not chrome, it's not very reflective, but it is very rainbow looking, which is totally unacceptable to me...I chose the Onyx which is nice, I have no complaints but now I think I might invest in a layer of 20% full mirror behind it..

 

Wow, 20% mirror behind your 20% tint? Can you do that...2 layers? You must really want privacy!

 

I can answer your question like this:

Suge Knight came through a local tint shop a few years ago and had TRIPLE layer LIMO tint put on his S class benzino.... thats three layers dude!!!

So I figure I can get away with two...now in so far as privacy; IMO 20% is too light to me now, but then again ask me the same question on a rainy or cloudy day and I can tell you otherwise...

I wanted full mirror from the get-go, problem being cops....If I go full mirror BEHIND charcoal tint, I figure it won't be so reflective and it might look good...

of course this is all up in the air right now..we'll see

 

I found this great site where they tell you whats legal in what state and it gives you a demo of the different %s on front and back.

http://www.autowindowtinting.com

 

You dont necesarilly have to remove them - just pay for an inspection
at a your local mecanic- I did in the past with my Mazda, they
only care about emmisions, and I'd give him a few oil changes
here and there and bring my difficult mods to him- i look after him, he looks after me U can do anything with $$$ Ask Suge Knight

 

Well, the thing is, I don't currently live in Virginia, but I'll be moving there in the future. Just wondering if anyone from VA knows?