I was told that 3M CS 35% is the best match for OEM tint!?
- Thread starter jicko
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FactoryRide
New member
I think it has a lot to do with who you talk to. I had my windows done with 15% because the guy told me it would be closest to the factory tint. It looks very close, but it's not perfect. From the inside it's visibly different, but I would have gone any light or darker had I have done it again.
Yea I don't think you will ever get an exact match because the factory tint is actually tinted glass not a film. And yes it depends who you talk to because even my 25% is lighter. 15% probably would be closer but any darker than what I have and these eyes would have trouble seeing out at night.
hearno
Senior Member
Why would he "guess?" He didn't have a meter?
I didn't ask because I didn't care. We were BSing for 5 min and it's just a comment he made. I have no interest in going darker.
Boyds4Runner
New member
I did 35 on my two fronts. The original front windows have a bit more green built in so the 3M tint at 35% has a green hue to it. On a black vehicle at first glance it matches nicely. Looked at more closely and it does have more green on the front two also from the inside there is always going to be a bit more "haze" when direct sunlight is coming at it from the outside. Apparently that's just something one has to live with when getting after-market tint film put on glass.
I think it is something to do with the colors too, not just how much light transmission that make up how the glass matches. Before any film, the rear glasses ate greyish smoke, while the front already have a greenish tint. The rear glasses never had any greenish tint to start with. So there is probably no film color that can undo that green-ness. So, theoretically the only way to get 100% match from inside and from outside would be to apply a greenish film (something similar to unfilm front) to the rear and then a smoky film (something similar to the rear) to the front. I dont think any one will actually fo that, thetefore, I dont think there exist a "front only" exact match (in or out).
some of you guys seem extremely anal about these things. i did 20% on the driver and passenger side, 35% on the back and 5% on all the rest. its dark enough that it looks pretty much the same from all angles except perfectly straight on a side view where you can kinda see through the drives/passenger and you can't through the rest of the sides.
flyinhawaiian01
New member
:withstupid:
LOL! Seriously though, all you have to do is head over to your local tint shop, have them cut a small square off their roll (or dig in their scrap box!) and have them install it on your front door in the parking lot! You can then see what tint will look the closest to the stock film.
The three brands I've worked with over the past 20+ years (good god I'm gettin' old!) are Llumar, 3M and Suntek. These are all good brands that have warranties and are the least prone to turning purple or blistering.
Currently I have Suntek's CF series at 18% on the fronts, and its dark! Darker than the stock tint on the rears, and its a bit on the reddish hue, which knocks all of the green hue from the stock glass out. I like it, but think I would probably go one step lighter if tint laws are an issue where you live. For me, it seems people in Idaho would be able to get away with black enamel spray paint over all their windows, judging by how many blacked out cars I see, but in Oregon (where I used to live), if you have anything that looks like it might be close to illegal (even by 1%), they'll pull your ass over!
Also, if the shop you use only has one brand, have them leave their sample on, drive over to another shop or two, and see what comes up being the closest to stock, tint is easy to be removed and it shouldn't cost you a penny to do this. I know I did this many times for customers when I was installing 3M back in Des Moines (don't ask!)!!!
LOL! Seriously though, all you have to do is head over to your local tint shop, have them cut a small square off their roll (or dig in their scrap box!) and have them install it on your front door in the parking lot! You can then see what tint will look the closest to the stock film.
The three brands I've worked with over the past 20+ years (good god I'm gettin' old!) are Llumar, 3M and Suntek. These are all good brands that have warranties and are the least prone to turning purple or blistering.
Currently I have Suntek's CF series at 18% on the fronts, and its dark! Darker than the stock tint on the rears, and its a bit on the reddish hue, which knocks all of the green hue from the stock glass out. I like it, but think I would probably go one step lighter if tint laws are an issue where you live. For me, it seems people in Idaho would be able to get away with black enamel spray paint over all their windows, judging by how many blacked out cars I see, but in Oregon (where I used to live), if you have anything that looks like it might be close to illegal (even by 1%), they'll pull your ass over!
Also, if the shop you use only has one brand, have them leave their sample on, drive over to another shop or two, and see what comes up being the closest to stock, tint is easy to be removed and it shouldn't cost you a penny to do this. I know I did this many times for customers when I was installing 3M back in Des Moines (don't ask!)!!!
