Hey...I want to get my windows tinted and the place that I am going to offers 20%, 30%, and 50% tints. I have a 2003.5 Black on Black Sedan and was debating whether to put 30% on all five windows, 50% on all five windows, or 30% on the back three and 50% on the front. I don't want any of my windoes to have the 20% because I don't like dark tints. What do you guys suggest? Does anyone have pictures of their tints? Thanks.

 

A lot will depend on your perceptions of what looks good. Tints are not made equal, that includes the composition of the tint, and more importantly, the shade (color) of the tint. Some metallics look green, silver, black and grey. Dye tints look black but will fade to purple over time. Ceramic look dark grey and will not fade.

First find the right shade you're looking for, then hold samples of that shade under all windows to get the effect. Go with your best judgement. If you're looking for recommendations, I got the Huper Optik and could not be happier (Stark 30 [34%]all around except front windshield).

Also keep in mind what your tinting laws are, since you shouldn't attract thier attention.

-Rick
G35C 6MT Ivory Pearl

 

Form what I've seen, metallic tints appear lighter from the inside looking out, allowing better visibility, but appears as dark as dye tints when viewed from the outside looking in.

My last car, a TL, I had done with 30% all around, which is what my shop called medium. Even with my tan interior, the windows were very dark from the outside. So on my DP G I went for 38% on the sides and 30% on the rear glass.

But like rstark said, different brands may have the same percentage but will appear either lighter or darker than each other. The percentage measures light/heat penetration so a highly reflective tint has a lighter shade than another with lower reflective properties.

My suggestion is to park your butt at the tint shop for a few hours and look at the work they're doing... when you see a car with the shade you like...get that... that's what I did.

(It was an overcast day, when it's sunny, the tint looks quite a bit lighter).


<font color=red>chinee</font color=red>
2003.5 G35s

 

Thanks guys for the suggestions. The place that I am going to uses 3M tint film. I don't know if that is metallic or not because they only had one line of gray films. Has anyone had 3M tint film put on their car? How dark does it appear?

Kolohe
--2003.5 6MT Sedan, Black/Black, Sports Package

 

My car’s a Black on Black Sedan and I have 20% on the front windows and 6% on the back. In all honestly, it’s difficult to tell the difference between the 20% and the 6% unless you’re looking through to a white background, or it’s at night with my interior lights on. On my last car I had 30% on the front and I really thought that it was too light. I’m very happy with the 20% on the front. I agree with Rick too, in AZ if your tint’s too dark they’ll make you pull it off, so you may want to check that out before you spend your money.