Window Tinting

[vikkybear]

Hey there,

I am going to get my windows tinted, and I had a few questions :

1. Is there anything I need to know before I go to have it done, like the laws of my state? Or will the place I go know that?

2. I want to get a mirror type, but I was hoping they came in colors. Anyone know?

3. Is there anything I need to watch out for? Any tips?

Thanks!!Vikky

[Ever Victorious]

Hey there,

I am going to get my windows tinted, and I had a few questions :

1. Is there anything I need to know before I go to have it done, like the laws of my state? Or will the place I go know that?

It's always good to know the laws of your state beforehand. A tint shop will know them, but will not always abide by them. And if they don't, YOU are on the hook for it.

We used to have a page that listed the legal tint percentages by state, but can't seem to find it anymore.

Quote »2. I want to get a mirror type, but I was hoping they came in colors. Anyone know?[/quote]In most areas, mirror tints are illegal, as are tints in colors other than black or charcoal.

Quote »3. Is there anything I need to watch out for? Any tips? [/quote]Make sure the shop is reputable and offers a lifetime warranty at LEAST on the film. This means they're using a good quality film such as 3M or Llumar. Ask what type of film it is if you have to.

[Gr8dave37]

Vikky.....just cuz I was bored I looked up your question on the web site for the WV state police and this is what there website says about window tinting.

Effective June 9, 1991, the requirements for sun screening devices shall be as follows. These paragraphs are excerpts from Senate Bill 90 which was passed March 9, 1991. No person may operate a motor vehicle that is registered or required to be registered in the state on any public highway, road or street that has a sun screening device on the windshield, the front side wings and side windows adjacent to the right and left of the driver and windows adjacent to the rear of the driver that do not meet the requirements of this section.

A sun screening device when used in conjunction with the windshield must be nonreflective and may not be red, yellow or amber in color. A sun screening device may be used only along the top of the windshield and may not extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or more than five (5) inches from the top of the windshield whichever is closer to the top of the windshield.

A sun screening device when used in conjunction with the automotive safety glazing materials of the side wings or side windows located at the immediate right and left of the driver shall be a nonreflective type with the reflectivity of not more than twenty percent (20%) and have a light transmission of not less than thirty-five percent (35%). The side windows behind the driver and the rear most windows may have a sun screening device that is designed to be used on automotive safety glazing materials that has a light transmission of not less than thirty-five percent and a reflectivity of not more than twenty percent. If a sun screening device is used on glazing behind the driver, one right and one left outside rearview mirror is required.

Provide a label not to exceed one and one-half square inches in size, with a means for the permanent and legible installations between the sun screening material and each glazing surface to which it is applied that contains the manufacturer's name and its percentage of light transmission.

Include instructions with the product or material for proper installation, including the affixing of the label specified in this section. The labeling or marking must be placed in the left, lower corner of each glazing surface when facing the vehicle from the outside.

The provisions of this section do not apply to a motor vehicle registered in this state in the name of a person, or the person's legal guardian, who has an affidavit signed by a physician or an optometrist licensed to practice in this state that states that the person has a physical condition that makes it necessary to equip the motor vehicle with sun screening material which would be of a light transmittance or luminous reflectance in violation of this section. The affidavit must be in the possession of the person so afflicted, or the person's legal guardian, at all times while being transported in the motor vehicle.

The light transmittance requirement of this section does not apply to windows behind the driver on trucks, buses, trailers, mobile homes and multi-purpose passenger vehicles.

Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor; and upon conviction thereof, may be fined not more than two hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

[Ever Victorious]

OK... translation of all that legalese:

Front windshield may have an AS-1 or 5" tint strip along the top.

All other windows may have up to 35% tint (note... lower numbers are darker, so 20% and 5% tints are illegal) and the tint may not be reflective (mirror), red, yellow, or amber.

It looks like the tint shop also has to put a sticker on one of your windows with the tint percentage.

[vikkybear]

Thanks everyone for all of your help! I will certainly share pics when the job is done!

[Bubs daddy]

http://www.tintlaws.com/

[Gr8dave37]

I went to that site and compared it with what the law is in California and unfortunately that website is inaccurate, at least for California...So...even though I looked at it, I wouldn't call it reliable.

[t19uz]

Make sure the shop is reputable and offers a lifetime warranty at LEAST on the film. This means they're using a good quality film such as 3M or Llumar. Ask what type of film it is if you have to.

Yup agrree with u EV!! 3m or vkool. both r good.

[Bubs daddy]

Quote »I went to that site and compared it with what the law is in California and unfortunately that website is inaccurate, at least for California...So...even though I looked at it, I wouldn't call it reliable.[/quote]What is different from current CA law and what the site states?

I've checked tinting company sites from CA and they all say 70% front windows and unlimited in the rear as long as there are two side mirrors.

The tintlaws site I posted states the very same thing.

-------------------------

California Window Tint Law

California Tint Law Enacted: 1999 HOW DARK CAN WINDOW TINT BE IN CALIFORNIA?

Darkness of tint is measured by Visible Light Transmission percentage (VLT%). In California, this percentage refers to percentage of visible light allowed in through the combination of film and the window. Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield. Front Side Windows Must allow more than 70% of light in. Back Side Windows Any darkness can be used. Rear Window Any darkness can be used. HOW REFLECTIVE CAN THE TINT BE IN CALIFORNIA?

Similar to sunglass lenses, some tinting film contain metallic elements that help in reflecting incoming light and reducing the glare and heat generated by visible light. Front Side Windows Must not be more reflective than a standard window. Back Side Windows Must not be more reflective than a standard window. OTHER CALIFORNIA RULES AND REGULATIONS

Restricted Colors The tint color(s) of RED are not legal by state law. Side Mirrors Dual side mirrors are required if back window is tinted. Certificate Requirements Manufacturers of film do NOT need to certify the film they sell in the state. Sticker Requirements No sticker to identify legal tinting is required. Medical Exemption State law does NOT allow medical exemptions that would allow you use special tint. http://www.ashadedarker.com/content/view/10/30/

[Gr8dave37]

Fine...don't believe me...however I have checked AND called the CHP for the law. I can post you the web link but the chp website will not let me cut and paste So here is the link, the difference mainly being on the front windows. http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

As there is a discrepancy, I'm gonna go by the CHP and not some 3rd party. As such I wouldn't trust the site for any other state without verifying it per the specific enforcement agency themselves.

[Bubs daddy]

That's one of the sites I went to first, California Highway Patrol to look up state statutes.

But even revised in 1999, it's pretty easy to read that front tinting must be clear, transaparent.

It looks like dark tint on the front and passenger windows are forbidden.

[hanthetiger]

Hey I'm sorry to bump a really old thread but I somehow came across it and that site metioned above has tons of inaccurate or obsolete information. (I will tint my windows soon, California) so I am going through a lot of information now.. I don´t want to rely on the info provided by shop/service as - yes - it will be me who will pay the fine at the end. So regarging the local law it´s better to check out http://windowtintlaws.org