Window Tint Options...Pros/Cons, Etc.

[Pic-N-Stick]

I received a gift certificate to get the front windows tinted on my SGM RR. Really don't want anything dark, probably more to cut down on glare and summertime heat. If I just match the rear window's tint will that help quite a bit? Does a ceramic film make much of a difference? Think I saw somewhere that the back windows are 35%. Is that what they are? Please share your knowledge/thoughts! Thanks!

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[Ron Quixote]

35% will be legal in most (all?) states. Ceramic tint will cut the heat quite a bit. The problem is that the tint on the rears doesn't cut heat nearly as well.

If you can get the fronts done for free, I'd still do it. I run 25% all around on mine. Technically the fronts are illegal at that tint, but in my state it's just a 'fix it' ticket so I'm OK with the risk. I like the privacy that 25% provides.

 

[stuartmunto]

The privacy glass that comes standard on the rear windows doesn’t do much to block out UV or heat - it’s just tinted glass and doesn’t have any heat rejection or UV rejection properties

Highly recommend using a high quality ceramic tint film on both front and rear windows. Any good tint shop will be able to measure percentage and pick the right shade to produce 35% all round (even a clear ceramic tint will block heat and UV)

ceramic tints make a huge difference in heat rejection and also UV (UV blockage is the main reason you want ceramic tints, this helps with protecting the interior to sun damage as well as sun exposure on your skin)

 

[Onceaneagle]

Just had this done so lots of information. Per my last truck experience, It does reduce heat, IF you do all the windows including the windshield.

There is a difference between tint and film. Tint darkens the glass for privacy but does not protect against UV or reflect heat. Film does.

I went with XPEL XR nano ceramic film. Less money than XPEL Prime and the amount of heat reflection is close. Other quality brands include 3M, LLumar.

States typically have a website that has the legal percentage of blocked light for tint or film. The percentage number, for example 35% visible light transfer (VLT), is the amount of light that gets through the film or tint.
Nano ceramic film blocks 99% of UV, regardless of film cost or VLT.

I had the installer film match the Ranger side and rear window factory tint so it is identical. I had them put 70% VLT on the windshield. I find 50% or more too dark at night or in bad weather. Having film on the windshield also reduces oncoming headlight glare.

Cost was $300 for the windshield, $600 for all four doors and rear slider.

You can get an "eyebrow" at the top of the windshield. I had that down to the AS1 line at 5% VLT on my F150 on top of the 70% VLT but the Ranger's windshield is a sharper angle to me so passed on it as probably distracting.

Took two days for the film to cure completely so no opening windows.

One last bit is that for some reason when my wife looks through the windshield with her prescription sunglasses she sees a bluish tint. My prescription sunglasses are polarized like hers and I don't see it. Everything just looks sharper to me.

My 6G Forum Avatar picture shows my Ranger in full sun with the window film.

 

[noswttea4u]

The privacy glass that comes standard on the rear windows doesn’t do much to block out UV or heat - it’s just tinted glass and doesn’t have any heat rejection or UV rejection properties

Highly recommend using a high quality ceramic tint film on both front and rear windows. Any good tint shop will be able to measure percentage and pick the right shade to produce 35% all round (even a clear ceramic tint will block heat and UV)

ceramic tints make a huge difference in heat rejection and also UV (UV blockage is the main reason you want ceramic tints, this helps with protecting the interior to sun damage as well as sun exposure on your skin)

You can put a 70 or 90% on the rears as well if you want the heat rejection but don't want them to be much darker than factory.

I always do 3M Crystalline 70% on the windshield as well. Not legal in Georgia, but you can't tell visually and makes a huge difference. I do ceramic on the sides as that matches better.

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

Just had this done so lots of information. Per my last truck experience, It does reduce heat, IF you do all the windows including the windshield.

There is a difference between tint and film. Tint darkens the glass for privacy but does not protect against UV and reflect heat. Film does.

I went with XPEL XR nano ceramic film. Less money than XPEL Prime and the amount of heat reflection is close. Other quality brands include 3M, Llumar.

States typically have a website that has the legal percentage of blocked light for tint or film. The percentage number, for example 35% visible light transfer (VLT), is the amount of light that gets through the film or tint.
Nano ceramic film blocks 99% of UV, regardless of film cost or VLT.

I had the installer film match the Ranger side and rear window factory tint so it is identical. I had them put 70% VLT on the windshield. I find 50% or more too dark at night or in bad weather. Having film on the windshield also reduces oncoming headlight glare.

Cost was $300 for the windshield, $600 for all four doors and rear slider.

You can get an "eyebrow" at the top of the windshield. I had that down to the AS1 line at 5% VLT on my F150 on top of the 70% VLT but the Ranger's windshield is a sharper angle to me so passed on it as probably distracting.

Took two days for the film to cure completely so no opening windows.

One last bit is that for some reason when my wife looks through the windshield with her prescription sunglasses she sees a bluish tint. My prescription sunglasses are polarized like hers and I don't see it. Everything just looks sharper to me.

My 6G Forum Avatar picture shows my Ranger in full sun with the window film.

Wow! That is just perfect info and exactly what I needed! Thank you!!

 

[2wheelfish]

I used XPEL Prime ceramic, 70% on the windshield and over the rear privacy glass to add heat rejection without making them darker, and 35% on the side windows. I like it, it’s not too dark at night or on cloudy days and keeps the car a bit cooler in hot SoCal summers. My wife has llumar ceramic on her car and while I like the tint color on hers better (it’s not as grey and a little more natural feeling), her windshield-specific 80% film is a little bluish, and I didn’t want that.

 

[jordantii]

So I dd Llumar Formula 1 which is just below their top film Stratos. Half the cost and very close in UV and heat rejection. I went 50% on the windshield which I was hesitant about. But it's totally fine at night so far. I went 25% on the fonts and the rears i belive are 5%. I did not tint the back glass. It's so small and I don't like super dark rear glass for backing up. The benefit is that when looking through the windshield you can see through the rear glass so it's harded to tell that the windshield is tinted.

Yes, it's not legal to have the windshield tinted and the front windows at 25%. But this is Florida and it's not really an issue down here with the LEO's.

I'll know more when summer hits.

 

[huskyfargo]

I got stopped a couple years ago for my tint. Funny thing is, I was just leaving a parking lot but a Sheriff Deputy had been watching for drug activity next door. He thought I was coming from that house, and he used my tint for the excuse to stop me.
After he figured out I wasn’t a threat we became friends. He advised me to get a letter from my eye doctor for my tint. It also helps keep the temperature down for my therapy dog who travels nearly everywhere with me.
20% ceramic on the sides and back
50% ceramic on the windshield

 

[ericsmr]

I got stopped a couple years ago for my tint. Funny thing is, I was just leaving a parking lot but a Sheriff Deputy had been watching for drug activity next door. He thought I was coming from that house, and he used my tint for the excuse to stop me.
After he figured out I wasn’t a threat we became friends. He advised me to get a letter from my eye doctor for my tint. It also helps keep the temperature down for my therapy dog who travels nearly everywhere with me.
20% ceramic on the sides and back
50% ceramic on the windshield

How do you like 50% on the windshield? My last car was 5% sides and back and I had a little trouble at night so will likely tint this weekend at 20%

Was originally thinking 70% on front windshield but curious how 50% is

 

[jordantii]

How do you like 50% on the windshield? My last car was 5% sides and back and I had a little trouble at night so will likely tint this weekend at 20%

Was originally thinking 70% on front windshield but curious how 50% is

I have 50% on mine and so far it's fine. First time I have tinted the windshield and was skeptical that it would be too dark. But the film quality is really good so...

 

[Ron Quixote]

I got stopped a couple years ago for my tint. Funny thing is, I was just leaving a parking lot but a Sheriff Deputy had been watching for drug activity next door. He thought I was coming from that house, and he used my tint for the excuse to stop me.

Bored Cops are trouble.

 

[waffleso_0]

My two cents. I put 15% all around which makes the back window and passenger back windows ~3-5% with front being 15%. I also did 3.5 inch bar on windshield across top and think its a perfect mix. Top bar is a must for if you live in sunny/hot area.

I have never had issues with tint in the Bay Area or all around cali or pacific north west...Never been pulled over either for it. Grated Oakland is the wild west when it comes to traffic enforcement.

 

[spazzyfry123]

What percent are the factory rear windows? I want to keep effectively that same darkness, but up front as well. As I want to put an effectively clear film on the rear (90%?) for UV protection, I imagine it will make the rears just a tiny bit darker? I don't want to be able to tell any difference in tint front to back. Would that land me at maybe 30% all around?

 

[Pic-N-Stick]

Bored Cops are trouble.

A couple decades ago one of my coworkers had window tint (way too dark) installed at the fire station we worked at. Heading home at the end of that same shift a state trooper pulled him over and made my coworker scrape it off!! Didn't even make it 24 hours.

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