Tint front windows or entire vehicle?

[imtheant]

Headed to the tint shop and I've been reading the threads on here about tint matching. Looks like around 15-20% is the go-to for matching the front windows to the rear, but how many have gone ahead and tinted the entire vehicle (rear windows, back tailgate window, etc) and why?

[P1]

Mine is tinted all the way around. Front windows are 25%, rest is 15%.

[iconoclast]

front only. matched to rears with light meter. no complaints except if i had to do it again i would go slightly darker to offset the light coming in from the windshield other than that front alone is just fine. (IMO)

[Almaretto]

It depends on with which tint film you are thinking and if you are going for look or also heat/ glare reduction. You can do a quality ceramic film with high vlt on factory tinted for improved IR block with needing to go as dark. It is simple multiplication of existing times added film factors for final stats. Even untinted front will have a 78-82% vlt.

I also tint front windshields with 70-80% vlt and it is amazing how much heat is blocked from large front.

[Stinkyxy]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

It depends on with which tint film you are thinking and if you are going for look or also heat/ glare reduction. You can do a quality ceramic film with high vlt on factory tinted for improved IR block with needing to go as dark. It is simple multiplication of existing times added film factors for final stats. Even untinted front will have a 78-82% vlt.

I also tint front windshields with 70-80% vlt and it is amazing how much heat is blocked from large front.

I was thinking about tinting the front as well to block the heat but haven't been able to convince myself to do it yet. I am worried about retuning the car off lease and having issues. I really need to block heat from the front windshield.

Would the dealer notice a front 80-85% front windshield like llumar air blue or 3M crystalline.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by Stinkyxy

I was thinking about tinting the front as well to block the heat but haven't been able to convince myself to do it yet. I am worried about retuning the car off lease and having issues. I really need to block heat from the front windshield.

Would the dealer notice a front 80-85% front windshield like llumar air blue or 3M crystalline.

Definitely do it, especially if you are thinking 80-85%. It makes a huge difference. I have Suntek. The 80% is basically clear. The 70% has a very slight greyish tint but still very light on the windshield. Others can have a bluish color. Those high percentages are so close to actual window VLT that dealer will not complain about something that light. And, unlike the rear window and some side windows, the dot matrix is not raised so you will not see any white outlines. I have not come across anyone yet that could tell my front was tinted and everyone is impressed by the A/C settings (higher thermostat target and lower fan speed). I wish I could go 50%, but then you could easily tell. Most installers will put a sample film on window if you ask and I know some shops or manufacturers that will send no to low cost samples.

[mynameisplayer]

Said it before, and I'll say it again. What country allows you to tint a front screen?! Do you wear sunglasses to drive at night? If so, good work Corey Hart......

[P1]

Originally Posted by mynameisplayer

Said it before, and I'll say it again. What country allows you to tint a front screen?! Do you wear sunglasses to drive at night? If so, good work Corey Hart......

A tint does not equal limo tint. You can get a tint that does not make the windows darker but simply helps keep the interior cooler.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by mynameisplayer

Said it before, and I'll say it again. What country allows you to tint a front screen?!

i thought the OP was referring to the two front occupant windows on the side of the vehicle not the windshield.

[Nonopr01]

I have doors at 42% and Windshield at 55%
Law here is nasty...

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by mynameisplayer

Said it before, and I'll say it again. What country allows you to tint a front screen?! Do you wear sunglasses to drive at night? If so, good work Corey Hart......

It is not technically legal but tint just means film not necessarily mean colored. I am not talking about doing common 55, 35, or 20% VLT side; I am talking about doing it same percentage that window already is. I am very photosensitive and do still always wear sunglasses. I have 30% on sides and back with 70% on front.

Originally Posted by iconoclast

i thought the OP was referring to the two front occupant windows on the side of the vehicle not the windshield.

OP is, but many do not realize you can tint get front done and it makes a big difference.

[googoomas]

I went with 35% up front, a little lighter than the factory rears. I think 20% would probably match the factory tint perfectly.

[m5 guy]

What I did on my X5M was 85% on windsheild, moon roof, and all oem tinted glass. Then had 35% put on the driver and passenger window. Used huper optik ceramic. Plan is to do the exact same to my F15 when I get it later this year. It looks clear on the windsheild and all the other glass has a perfect 35% look to it. Can't go wrong this way and the cabin is a much cooler place to be.

[Stinkyxy]

Laws in Toronto are as follows:

"the surface of the windshield or any side window to the left or right of the driver cannot be coated with any colour spray or other colour coating in such a manner as to obstruct the driver's view of the roadway, or obscure the view from outside to the interior of the motor vehicle.

Based on the above, I can technically tint the front window if it doesn't interfere with my view at night. I think 85% let's more than enough light in and stops all of not most of the uv rays.


Had to look that one up - thanks.

[alphaod]

I only tinted my front and windshield. I also didn't match. All I wanted was heat rejection, not a tint ticket.

[Almaretto]

Picture only shows so much so best to check out in person, but attached is 70% up front.

Also included various tint specs comparison.

[SMC23]

We just recently did 3m color stable 35 for the front and crystalline90 for the front windshield on the 40e. The front windows are a great match to the factory in colour with slightly more transparency. Not sure though if I'm too impressed with the crystalline90 yet. Under fluorescent lighting in my garage you can see some form of purple circle hazing. The tint is not 100% clear. Not sure if it's because the tint still has to cure. Will see in a few more days...but because of this I cannot recommend the front windshield at this point.

[samguan]

I think front 30/25, rear 15/20 is a good setup. Anything darker makes it harder to park when there is no street light

[stewy604]

Originally Posted by m5 guy

What I did on my X5M was 85% on windsheild, moon roof, and all oem tinted glass. Then had 35% put on the driver and passenger window. Used huper optik ceramic. Plan is to do the exact same to my F15 when I get it later this year. It looks clear on the windsheild and all the other glass has a perfect 35% look to it. Can't go wrong this way and the cabin is a much cooler place to be.

+1 for Huper Optik nano-ceramic tint. I've got it on my Audi, excellent product.

[toxic_bimmer]

X6 (perfect color matching)
W 70%
FD&FP 50%
RD&RP 70%
R 50%

4er
W 70%
D&P 50%
R 50%

This setup is quite neutral and not too dark to attract the attention of the police, but still provides you with decent level of privacy and heat/UV protection if you opt for a good film.

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by toxic_bimmer

X6 (perfect color matching)
W 70%
FD&FP 50%
RD&RP 70%
R 50%

This setup is quite neutral and not too dark to attract the attention of the police, but still provides you with decent level of privacy and heat/UV protection if you opt for a good film.

I am surprised a 50/70% would color match. Are you saying FD/FP & RD/RP all look the same? Which film do you have this setup on X6?

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by toxic_bimmer

X6 (perfect color matching)
W 70%
FD&FP 50%
RD&RP 70%
R 50%

4er
W 70%
D&P 50%
R 50%

not sure if x6 has different window tint and hue but when the meter was placed on my rear windows to match the front i believe it read 25% and i installed 20% 3M. on the e70 (iirc) it was 38% and i asked them to install 35%

50% on the front would not even be close to matching especially if you're tinting the rear windows over the factory tint they come with.