DARKEST tint for the rear window that isn't frustrating to see out of?

[rob_dixon]

I can only legally tint the front to 35%.

But for the sides and back I want full on limo. However, for the REAR window, I want to tint it so I can see out but people cant see in very well (i will park in in the city on occasion)

BUT I don't want to basically be blind in the rear because its TOO dark!!! Where at night, headlights appear as dimmed out lights.

What tints have you guys been running that has either frustrated you or you deemed perfect?

 

[the_fornicator]

I went 18% in the rear windows and love it. I couldnt go any darker from a comfort standpoint -any darker and i think night time driving would be a lot more stressful/unsafe.

 

[AINOMOATACO]

20% front, black out rears and back, 35% is too light. as for the back, thats what we have rear cameras for

 

[gakattack]

I went 18% in the rear windows and love it. I couldnt go any darker from a comfort standpoint -any darker and i think night time driving would be a lot more stressful/unsafe.

This is what we did. Looks great.

 

[zw470]

I had 18% all around on my Charger, looked perfect and wasn't a problem to see out of.

 

[rob_dixon]

Thanks all, it sounds like 18% is the way to go for the rear. I might get darker up front too and apparently these guys can tint the front windshield (clear) even to keep heat out.

 

[Jemplyr77]

I had 20% installed on all wi does and it looks great. Even hides the green front tint really well also.

 

[Hans Moleman]

I used 3M Crystalline 50 mainly for UV and heat rejection so my arms and face don’t get burned.

 

[redneckj]

I used Xpel XR+ 20% on the front 2 windows and Xpel XR+ 55% on the rear of the 4Runner. Looks great and heat rejection is incredible.

YouTube

 

[Knuckledragger]

I put 20% on my front two windows to match the factory rear 20%. It still isn’t dark enough for me. On sunny days, especially in the winter when the sun is low, you can see everything in my vehicle. I also don’t like the fact that the factory tint has a purple hue to it compared to the aftermarket tint with a green hue. It drives me crazy. When I get the time I’m going to run up to my tint guy to darken the rears.

Not sure what I’m going to do yet. I’m leaning towards 35% over 20% on the rears.

50% over 20% = 10%
35% over 20% = 7%
20% over 20% = 4%
5% over 20% = 1%

 

[dirtydurley]

I have 15% on all except windshield. It’s dark but not dark enough where I can’t see. I had limo on a car and it was super dark and exactly what i wanted. It was nice at the time but after that i stuck with 15% on my other vehicles.


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[mr.walleye]

I went full limo tint on the back 5 windows, didn't touch the 3 front and I LOVE IT!! you cant see anything in the back standing outside. doesn't bother me for night time driving either, I can see the headlight behind me, if they are closer than that, I just slow down, a lot.... till they back off and I can see their headlights...:dance:

 

[kyle13]

I retinted my 4runner twice before I got the perfect combo. I used 3M color stable on all windows except the windshield, which is 3M crystalline. Here is in my opinion the best percentages to do.

Driver and passenger = 5% (if u like dark)

Rear doors + small windows on doors = 20% over the factory 20%

Rear cargo area windows and rear windshield = 5% over factory 20%

Windshield = 60%

I had 5% over the factory 20% on the rear doors and it was to tough to look over your shoulder and see cars. Even during the day it was too dark, so I retinted it with 20% and it perfect. All the windows look uniform on the outside.


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[zw470]

Are you guys sure the factory rear windows are 20%? Mine don't look anywhere near that dark :nono:

 

[a47chuck]

Are you guys sure the factory rear windows are 20%? Mine don't look anywhere near that dark :nono:

Had mine done In 20% and they match pretty close. Did the moon roof in 5%.

 

[shdw03]

10% rear and no issues with seeing night time

 

[Knuckledragger]

Here’s 20% on the front. Factory rear.

 

[kyle13]

Are you guys sure the factory rear windows are 20%? Mine don't look anywhere near that dark :nono:

It metered out at like 23-24%


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[CLO T4R]

I did 20% front and 35% on the rear. It all ended up matching. Also did 70% windshield for UV protection and to keep the heat out on sunny days.

I put 20% on my front two windows to match the factory rear 20%. It still isn’t dark enough for me. On sunny days, especially in the winter when the sun is low, you can see everything in my vehicle. I also don’t like the fact that the factory tint has a purple hue to it compared to the aftermarket tint with a green hue. It drives me crazy. When I get the time I’m going to run up to my tint guy to darken the rears.

Not sure what I’m going to do yet. I’m leaning towards 35% over 20% on the rears.

50% over 20% = 10%
35% over 20% = 7%
20% over 20% = 4%
5% over 20% = 1%

 

[rob_dixon]

Original poster here. So i went with 20% all around, but my decision was easier in that the pro tint shop i used had 20% as the lowest tint for 3M Crystalline, which is what i went with. They had 4 "brands/levels" with Crystalline being the 2nd to the most expensive. I picked it for heat rejection, and even did the windshield with 70%, although learned immediately that heat rejection is a load of marketing crap. Might make a separate post on this entirely.

Anyway, 20% over factory is NOT too dark on the rears, I can see fine at night. I would have even gone darker, so 18% is indeed a sweet spot, and I can even see 10% doable! 20% in the FRONT is perfect, albeit illegal where i am. But tint decisions are not just willy nilly, there is a safety aspect....you don't want to be driving in your suburban neighborhood and not be able to see around you. I also took the guy's advice as he has been tinting for 30 years: if you go too dark in the back (limo) it feels you are driving around in a closet. All that said, I guess I can't complain.

Last point is it was definitely not cheap. I took it to the best reviewed Tint shop in Phoenix and indeed they were great but it came to $1050 (3M Crystalline) for those pricing out. (4/19) including front windshield.