Tinted Windows...a couple questions

[Metroyed]

Over the next couple weeks i plan on tinting my windows, my main concern is for the interior of my car(J's are notorious for having the higher arm rest rot away from the sun). Another reason for tinting is because it makes the car look SO much classier.

My questions are: 1. I have concerns about the rear defroster on my car, i have heard that tinting the rear window incorrectly can ruin the tint VERY quickly. What sort of questions should i ask before i get my windows tinted to avoid this and make the right decision?

2. How concerned should i be with my windows being too dark? (I've been pulled over for some pretty lame reasons on late friday or saturday nights).

Any input or opinions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Rex]

The only issue I've ever heard of regarding tint and defroster, is sometimes removing tint can pull the defroster off the window.

As far as "being too dark", I jacked this link from a post about reflective tint...

http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/Law_C...t.htm

[j30t]

the only problem with the rear window is that the top section of the window has the dot-matrix area which will cause regular tint to bubble up. Ask the people there right when you get in about doing the top dot-matrix area with vinyl as vinyl wont bubble up. I had mine tinted without the vinyl on the top and it looked like crap even from far away since you could see through the top, with the vinyl over the dot-matrix it will blend perfectly from about 10-15 feet away.

2. Ask the guys at the tint shop about how strict the police are concerning too dark of tint...they should know. If youre really concerned get the front windows tinted lighter.

[PalmerWMD]

In my expereince 20% is too darkI would go no darker than 50%.

Fred...

[j30t]

i think its different % in different areas. The guys at the shop in FLA told me 15% was the stock tint for vans and suvs. So 50% would be like adding nothing.

[Eswift]

mine is about 50%, and it is dark enough so you cant see the inside of the car at night at all, and driving at night is just at the brink of becoming tedious, in terms of double checking for cars through the side windows.

[Rex]

I think I have 35%, buddy who owns a shop in GA did it for material costs. I dropped the car off and we never discussed how dark, he said he started to go "limo", but thought that might be too much for a family car.

I have to agree with Eswift, at night with a light source in front of you it makes backing somewhat tedious.

[j30t]

i did the limo since the tint guy said that 15% was stock for vans and SUVs. Its dark but after a month or so you get used to it at night and its not that difficult to drive with it on. Backingup sucks but you can always go slowly or stick your head out the window and look. ill try and get some pics of it in a day.

[R4v3n]

I read that chart and it seems kinda of lame that in IL you can tint every window other than the front side to any extent. Imagine limo tinting everything other than the front sides. Stupid laws... :icon18

[nuQ]

i'm in the same boat with the tint. will be getting mine done soon. i don't think i'll go any darker than 35%. the 15% just seems too dark, don't get me wrong i like it, worried about the po-lice, always seem to pull you over at the worst time!!!! all i hear are conflicting reports from the installers, to friends, to the cops. as far as the cops are concerned, i'm sure it's a matter of what kind of mood they're in whether they'll pull you over (and how loud the stereo is!!!!). personally, i'd rather er on the side of caution and go with the 35%. jeff

[j30t]

i guess the police are slack around here as ive never heard of anyone getting pulled over for their tint being too dark. Also in FL if you do by chance get pulled over they will just make you remove the tint usually not a ticket.

[Metroyed]

It's funny, up until recently i thought for sure that cops would never waist their time pulling people over for tinted windows. However, i saw on the news just a couple weeks ago that cops in the western washington area are starting to crack down on window tinting and seatbelts. I guess i'll talk to the installer and see about anywhere from 35% to 50%. And thanks to J30t for the info on the rear defroster i'll defenetly make sure to look into that.