Some of you asked me to take some day vs. night photos of the Blue Slate. I only have my camera phone on my right now. I'll take some hi-res photos this weekend (maybe my Zaino kit will arrive then!). Just to reiterate, the Blue Slate is such a deep, rich metallic blue when it's indoors or under artificial lighting. But when it's outside, it definitely looks gray -- in between the Platinum and Black.

The tint job was done at www.automalltintfactory.com, where I got my last Mazda6 tinted. They have the best service. It's a Suntek HP, 50 front, 30 back, 20 rear windshield.









My Zaino kit is coming next monday, so I got impatient and took those hi-res photos I promised some of you. Still looks good even though my car is a bit dirty. Click on the thumbs to see the bigger version (1280x960).

 

Looks awesome! Do the tint laws in Cali prevent you from going darker than 50% on the front?

 

Tinting in the front is actually illegal in CA. So on my warranty card, it doesn't mention the front (because the manufacturer won't cover it). On the tint company's invoice, of course, it lists the front windows.

 

Looks great Goofy.

 

Goofy, fantastic. Can't wait for those high res pics!!!

 

Not a fan of uneven tint on the side windows.
Gives it a very unbalanced look.

 

You should have gotten atleast 35% on the fronts.

I live in SoCal, and havent gotten stopped for 35% and 20%

50% imo is almost a complete waste of money.

Good looking G by the way

.

 

Great Thanks! Exactly what I needed - a reassurance with this unique color before I place my order this coming Saturday.

The Blue Slate is definitely a unique color that I can't recall seeing on any other car.

 

Sweet ride, Goofy, Love the colour.......congrats.
C.

 

Speedoholic: Yes, it's true, it's unique. Everyone who looks at it can never pinpoint what color it is right away. At the tint shop, the tint guy as well as another customer loved it, too. It just turned gray/gunmetal when the car was moved outside. It's almost like a mischievous blue. You won't regret it.

skaterbasist: Up in Nor Cal, it's not as common to tint the front, and I've heard many stories of CHP pulling people over. Remember, we're not as sunny and hot as you lucky So Calers are. Otherwise, I would've gotten something like 35/20/15.

For me, it's all about visibility -- to other drivers. I absolutely hate dark front tint, because there's a lot of communication between drivers, and 35% would be too dark at night. My Integra had 5% on the rear windshield. Then, I lowered it to 15% on my Mazda6. When I drive, I like to look few cars ahead, which helps me anticipate braking. So I won't want my tint to block anyone else behind me. Now, with 20%, it makes the car look darker overall, but it gives you just enough transparency to peek at the light, stone leather seats.

 

Even a 50% tint blocks about 98% of the UV radiation and blocks a good amount of solar energy.
So I wouldn't say its "a complete waste of money" -- this will protect your interiors better than no tint.

you just can't risk going darker than that in the bay area (esp. when it is clearly against the law) - you are just asking for trouble. Yes - they pull over just for 35% in the front there.

 

Nice tint job Goofy .... makes the blue slate even more attractive

 

I don't know if this is legal, but I had a friend's friend who, when got pulled over, was forced to rip the tint off in front of the CHP! Even if that's legal, it's not THAT easy to remove tint if it's really caked on.

 

Not sure either -- usually they give you a fixit ticket for it (which means you have to get it ripped out - which costs $$)

Never heard of a case where they had to rip out then and there ..... but again maybe he was running with limo tints or some such - who knows !!??

I wish CA allowed for a 35 tint all over at least --I mean there is enough sunlight all year long to use as an excuse

 

Thank you...I'm always watching a few cars ahead of me for the same reason, so I hate when people have really dark tints the rear winshield. It's also the same reason I hate driving behind SUVs...can't see crap in front of them.