Tinted Windows - I need your opinions!

Haylo75 · 10-25-01, 04:56

Hey everyone, I need a favor. I just had my windows tinted 2 days ago. I purchased what I was told was 35% Llumar metallic (not dyed) tint. Now, I've had a number of my cars tinted over the years, and this sure looks about 50% (or even lighter) tint to me. I checked my work order and it shows 35%, but I'm not convinced. I called over to the tint shop today and they insisted that 35% tint was applied. Before I drive 30 miles to dispute the actual tint that was installed, I'd like to get everyone's opinion. Take a look at the attached pic and tell me how dark you think the tint is.

TIA,
Kerr

Brad · 10-25-01, 06:48

Boy, I gotta believe that is 50%. It's just too light to be 35%. Certainly lighter than my 35%.

BW · 10-25-01, 07:05

Looks really light too! Is it me, or is the front tint darker?

luvmymax · 10-25-01, 07:21

I don't know. It looks light, but it all depends on the lighting - sometimes the tint on mine looks like 5%, but it is 35% (unfortunately). I've attached two of mine - that look very different.

My advice would be to stop by another tint shop and they can tell you.

Haylo75 · 10-25-01, 08:29

Quote:

Originally posted by BW
Looks really light too! Is it me, or is the front tint darker?

The tint is the same darkness all the way around. The front windows may look darker because the sun is shining from the left into the back window.

DETAILKING · 10-26-01, 07:21

First of all, do you have a moonroof in that maxima....and if so is the shade open? This makes a difference, if you close the shade the tint will look darker as less light will enter the interior.

I think the tint looks perfect, but I don't think it is 35%. If you want it darker, I would take it back and complain. You should be able to find a car with 35% on it to compare.....that would be your best bet and proof......

grandprix · 10-26-01, 07:25

I have 35% all the way around and even in the sun it looks darker than yours.

TLTypeS · 10-26-01, 07:53

The tint shop where you had it done or any other tint shop should be able to measure the light transmission using a light meter. Because many cars come with some tint on the windows, they should have used it prior to applying the tint in order to stay within the legal limits of your state.

bigboyhf · 10-26-01, 08:32

I don't know what percent tint that is, but it looks dark enough. I have had both really dark, and medium dark tint. The really dark stuff, at least for me, makes night driving a lot more difficult. The medium tint, is much better. I did spend a bit more for the higher quality medium (30%) tint, which supposedly gives much better heat and UV protection even though it seems to transmit the same visible light. I live in South Florida and I can tell that it makes a huge difference, tint to no tint.

Now there is also limo tint, which is good if you don't want to be seen at all. That is legal in florida only on the rear windows and rear windshield. The best you can do for the front sides is medium, legally. And they do check.... A friend got a ticket for dark tint, not even limo dark.

H

jimwh · 10-26-01, 11:24

BigBoyHF - Where in South Florida??

Haylo75 · 10-26-01, 12:19

BigBoyHF,

I too spent a premium for the added UV and heat blocking. I've had anywhere from 5% to 50% on previous vehicles, and from previous experience, this tint just looks lighter to me.

Detailking,

I do have a sunroof and the shade was closed at the time I took the picture. Another factor is that I have a light colored interior. I've had 50% on a black car with charcoal interior and it looked darker than my current car.

Grandprix,

Any chance you could post up a pic of your car for comparison sake? The law in my state was only recently changed to allow tinting of driver and passenger door windows. As a result, most people around here don't have tint. The individuals that do are mostly teenagers that have 5% all the way around.

Now, the darkness of the tint job is somewhat growing on me. I still don' t like the feeling when I'm sitting in the car, looking out the windshield and side glass and not seeing much of a difference in terms of darkness. The tint shop couldn't get me in today, so I will be taking it in on Monday.

gs3_4me · 10-26-01, 07:09

Well, I got my GS done with metallic tint, 35% as well-- come to think of it, it may have been Llumar (or maybe Johnson).

Anyhow, what I've found interesting is that anything 35% and above with these tints versus the die film is that it appears lighter, but more reflective from angles. When you drop to 20%, it makes a huge difference. While yours do look light, I wouldn't be suprised if they come back and confirm it's 35%. Mine sometimes look light like that, other times not.

BTW, I think the tint looks good.