Tint Questions

[pull4adv]

I'm planning to get my 4runner tinted soon, but I found mixed information and want to clarify before getting them done.

1. Are rear windows factory tinted or stained glass?
For example, if I wanted 20% all around, does the tint shop remove the tint and add 20% or is some math involve where you put tint over the factory glass to equal close to 20%?

2. Is ceramic the way to go with its UV and IR properties to reject heat and keep the cabin cooler?

3. Anyone have pictures of this setup on their rig? I cant decide if I want 20% on the front and rear passenger windows and 5% rears OR 20% fronts and 5% rear passenger and rear windows.

Thanks in advance! :banana:

 

[choochoo]

I'm planning to get my 4runner tinted soon, but I found mixed information and want to clarify before getting them done.

1. Are rear windows factory tinted or stained glass?
For example, if I wanted 20% all around, does the tint shop remove the tint and add 20% or is some math involve where you put tint over the factory glass to equal close to 20%?

2. Is ceramic the way to go with its UV and IR properties to reject heat and keep the cabin cooler?

3. Anyone have pictures of this setup on their rig? I cant decide if I want 20% on the front and rear passenger windows and 5% rears OR 20% fronts and 5% rear passenger and rear windows.

Thanks in advance! :banana:

1. Factory rears windows are dyed/tinted glass. Tint shop cannot remove "tint" from rear windows - only add on to it.

2. Ceramic is pretty much the way to go for ultimate heat rejection properties. I opted to only do regular carbon tint in the front, which still helped a ton with heat rejection (no hot hands/faces while driving).

3. Have 35% up front so no photos for you. 35% is a shade lighter than the factory tinted rear windows. 20% is about the right darkness, I think - based on the sample I saw.

It looks like you are in Santa Ana. The tint guy I found provided the cheapest service, and was a mobile tinter at the the time. Believe he recently opened up his own shop in Fullerton.. OC Tintz (not OC Tint)


It was $99 for two front windows using regular carbon film (with nation-wide lifetime warranty regardless of installer). He quoted $159 to do the two fronts in ceramic. Other quotes I got ranged from $150 for basic carbon to $175- $200 for ceramic. His prices may have changed slightly now that he is in a shop - but it was at the time much cheaper than any other tint shop I looked at in OC.

Additionally he charged $179 to tint 3 rear windows (sides and trunk) on one of our compact cars. Hopefully that adds some perspective.

 

[ElectroBoy]

I'm planning to get my 4runner tinted soon, but I found mixed information and want to clarify before getting them done.

1. Are rear windows factory tinted or stained glass?
For example, if I wanted 20% all around, does the tint shop remove the tint and add 20% or is some math involve where you put tint over the factory glass to equal close to 20%?

2. Is ceramic the way to go with its UV and IR properties to reject heat and keep the cabin cooler?

3. Anyone have pictures of this setup on their rig? I cant decide if I want 20% on the front and rear passenger windows and 5% rears OR 20% fronts and 5% rear passenger and rear windows.

Thanks in advance! :banana:

Factory glass is stained/dyed glass.

There are different manufactures with various products and various properties. Ceramic is the top quality and price. Some folks like a very dark (5%) rear, others complain they can’t see out very well.

I’d suggest going to a reputable tinting company and talk to them. They can work the numbers and show you samples of different products and how they look against your existing windows and make suggestions. They know what is legal in your state for the front windows and windshield (you also can look that up yourself). And the max tint level you’re likely to get away with.

I found this post in this thread helpful. The stock fronts measured 77 VLT, rears 32, back 29. I tinted my fronts by 50% to approximately match the rears.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3277966-post57.html

 

[MyanRagahis]

I have 18% ceramic tint all the way around. I love it and I definitely feel a difference with it. I did have a factory tint I believe and the shop did remove it. It wasn't a big deal to me but I did wonder a few days later why they couldn't just put it over it.

Before I got my roof rack and tent on, when I would open the shade, the sun would be blaring down on me and I could feel the heat very much. But through my side windows, it's night and day. I say get it.

 

[Rack]

Here is the 3M crystalline CR 60
It cuts the heat but not the glare, early mornings on the north bound I-15 can be bright, My wife has a pull down shade that solves this.
I had to removed my pervious tint on the DS &PS Thanks to the CHP looking for an excuse to pull me over. It was just a fix-it ticket.
Rather than risk another ticket ( which would have been a fine) I reduced the percentage. It doesn't look as cool.
Sorry the Phot is upside down

 

[Saker]

A quality tinter can match your windows.
As others have said. Your state law will dictate what you can do.

I have ceramic. Measured 11%. (Window tint exempted documents)
I also have LED Back up lights to aid me when backing because of the dark tint.
That’s another option depending on how dark you go.

 

[ElectroBoy]

A quality tinter can match your windows.
As others have said. Your state law will dictate what you can do.

I have ceramic. Measured 11%. (Window tint exempted documents)
I also have LED Back up lights to aid me when backing because of the dark tint.
That’s another option depending on how dark you go.

It’s good you got your exemption, it’s too bad you have to jump through so many hoops to get it.
Do you have to display a window decal also?

 

[Saker]

It’s good you got your exemption, it’s too bad you have to jump through so many hoops to get it.
Do you have to display a window decal also?

Yes we do, it’s an ugly orange sticker above my inspection sticker on my windshield.

Not shown in any current photos, yet.

 

[ElectroBoy]

For OP [MENTION=615021]pull4adv[/MENTION] take a look at this website for state tint laws. For CA they are more stringent. You could get your fronts to match the VLT of the rears, and since the windshield lets in so much light, from the side they will look lighter.
I found my receipt from a Mr Tint in the SFBay Area for an example to consider.

California tint laws:
California Window Tint Laws 2021 Explained - Windowtintlaws.us

How to get tint medical exemptions:
How To Get Medical Exemption For Window Tint - All 50 states

 

[T4RUNNER02]

Be careful what you do on rear window and driver and front passenger windows. If you, especially at night, are involved in an accident where you are at fault and the tint played apart in your ability to see out window, your goose is cooked. As much as I like dark tint, I would only go 35% on driver and front passenger window. Any darker, you better have good insurance or no assets.

 

[BigGy]

On our '21 Pro we got the windshield and front d/p tinted...same % as the rear. At a certain angle....the factory tint has a green hue to it vs the black on the new front. Doesn't bother me....you really have look for it to notice.

Just maybe something to ask about.

 

[17KT4R]

Cops in these parts run around with tint meters. They generally frown on anything below 30%, tint on any part of windshield, tinted plates all that stuff. I installed 20% all around but there’s enough overhead light through the sunroof glass and windshield which makes that level just fine when seen from the outside.

I put tint across the top of the windshield too, helps a lot I find. The factory tint was way too light out back for me... adding tint made it just right for headlight glare at night. No issues seeing out but my night vision is good still.

Unless you’re attracting attention coppers are typically too busy. But if you choose to put a coffee can on your tailpipe it’s a sure thing to get stopped around here and out come their gadgets. I’m sure most PD’s have the same.

Measure at 5% (meaning 95% of light blocked out).

 

[Ferd_4R]

I have the windshield at 50% with limo banner strip
Front windows at 20%
And limo tint on the rest.
Hard to tell from pictures in the garage. Thank god for led reverse lights and the back up camera otherwise I couldn’t see shit !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lonest4r]

For me I went a little darker than what came from the dealer in the back half. The front driver and passenger I went as dark as legal in Texas. This was all done with ceramic. I had the front done with the 3M crystalline, virtually clear. No one has noticed I have it on there.

All this helped immensely as before I would run the A/C almost full blast to keep cool. I hated the noise the most. Now I don't have to do that. The downside is that the glare is worse inside, but not really a distraction. The 3M film was scratched when I removed the headliner, so you just have to be cautious, but not saying you have to baby the front window either.

Keep in mind, the inside will still get hot when sitting outside in the sun, but I notice I can touch the steering wheel without feeling like I am going to get burned. In the end, well worth it, especially in the heat of the summer.

 

[pull4adv]

I have the windshield at 50% with limo banner strip
Front windows at 20%
And limo tint on the rest.
Hard to tell from pictures in the garage. Thank god for led reverse lights and the back up camera otherwise I couldn’t see shit !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats insane. I defintely would not be able to drive that at night. lol Nice rig! Defintely getting some LED lights.

Cops in these parts run around with tint meters. They generally frown on anything below 30%, tint on any part of windshield, tinted plates all that stuff. I installed 20% all around but there’s enough overhead light through the sunroof glass and windshield which makes that level just fine when seen from the outside.

I put tint across the top of the windshield too, helps a lot I find. The factory tint was way too light out back for me... adding tint made it just right for headlight glare at night. No issues seeing out but my night vision is good still.

Unless you’re attracting attention coppers are typically too busy. But if you choose to put a coffee can on your tailpipe it’s a sure thing to get stopped around here and out come their gadgets. I’m sure most PD’s have the same.

So it this 20% tint all around with the sunroof open?

A quality tinter can match your windows.
As others have said. Your state law will dictate what you can do.

I have ceramic. Measured 11%. (Window tint exempted documents)
I also have LED Back up lights to aid me when backing because of the dark tint.
That’s another option depending on how dark you go.

Defintely need to get LEDS....everywhere! Nice ride!

Here is the 3M crystalline CR 60
It cuts the heat but not the glare, early mornings on the north bound I-15 can be bright, My wife has a pull down shade that solves this.
I had to removed my pervious tint on the DS &PS Thanks to the CHP looking for an excuse to pull me over. It was just a fix-it ticket.
Rather than risk another ticket ( which would have been a fine) I reduced the percentage. It doesn't look as cool.
Sorry the Phot is upside down

Thanks for the input!

I have 18% ceramic tint all the way around. I love it and I definitely feel a difference with it. I did have a factory tint I believe and the shop did remove it. It wasn't a big deal to me but I did wonder a few days later why they couldn't just put it over it.

Before I got my roof rack and tent on, when I would open the shade, the sun would be blaring down on me and I could feel the heat very much. But through my side windows, it's night and day. I say get it.

Thanks for your input. Nice ride!

Factory glass is stained/dyed glass.

There are different manufactures with various products and various properties. Ceramic is the top quality and price. Some folks like a very dark (5%) rear, others complain they can’t see out very well.

I’d suggest going to a reputable tinting company and talk to them. They can work the numbers and show you samples of different products and how they look against your existing windows and make suggestions. They know what is legal in your state for the front windows and windshield (you also can look that up yourself). And the max tint level you’re likely to get away with.

I found this post in this thread helpful. The stock fronts measured 77 VLT, rears 32, back 29. I tinted my fronts by 50% to approximately match the rears.

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3277966-post57.html

Thanks for the link.Ill probably talk to a shop to see what suggestions they have to match the rears. Yeah Cali tint laws suck...

1. Factory rears windows are dyed/tinted glass. Tint shop cannot remove "tint" from rear windows - only add on to it.

2. Ceramic is pretty much the way to go for ultimate heat rejection properties. I opted to only do regular carbon tint in the front, which still helped a ton with heat rejection (no hot hands/faces while driving).

3. Have 35% up front so no photos for you. 35% is a shade lighter than the factory tinted rear windows. 20% is about the right darkness, I think - based on the sample I saw.

It looks like you are in Santa Ana. The tint guy I found provided the cheapest service, and was a mobile tinter at the the time. Believe he recently opened up his own shop in Fullerton.. OC Tintz (not OC Tint)


It was $99 for two front windows using regular carbon film (with nation-wide lifetime warranty regardless of installer). He quoted $159 to do the two fronts in ceramic. Other quotes I got ranged from $150 for basic carbon to $175- $200 for ceramic. His prices may have changed slightly now that he is in a shop - but it was at the time much cheaper than any other tint shop I looked at in OC.

Additionally he charged $179 to tint 3 rear windows (sides and trunk) on one of our compact cars. Hopefully that adds some perspective.

Thank you! I will check them out.

 

[17KT4R]

Yes the sunroof shade was open, truck was facing the light coming through the garage etc., its subjective obviously everything depends on what angle you're viewing the vehicle at. Black interior doesn't help much either so 20% film may be way too dark for some folks all around, I'm just saying that on a sunny day there is enough light coming through the glass in the vehicle where from a side glance - a law enforcement officer can clearly see a person to distinguish gender, if you have a belt on etc.

But throw in a bit of overcast and a different angle and sure - it will look as black from the sideview reflection as the same film applied over the factory tint. The reason I applied film over the factory tint of course wasn't really to darken it more it is to match the same pigment looking out during the day. I hate looking through one shade/color of glass on either side of me and a different type out back regardless if they are approx the same tint level if that makes sense... polarized glasses seem to make that worse, so that is my reason for applying film all around on the vehicles I've owned...