Window tint question

Laubage

Laubage

New member
So, I went to the shop and had my front windows tinted. When they asked if I just wanted it matched with the rear windows, I said yea that's fine.

Well, while I'm waiting, I look up the tint laws for Texas (where the car is registered), and it requires a 25% tint for the front windows.

When they come out from the shop, I ask them what level tint they used to match the windows, and they pointed at the 15% example. I began to tell them that that is illegal in Texas, where my car is registered and I asked them if it was at least legal in Oklahoma (where I'm stationed) and they said yes. They do it for dealers all the time.

Well when I get home, I look up the laws for Oklahoma and they are the same regarding the front windows (illegal).

I want to go back and have them change it, but I have a feeling they will charge me another $60 to redo it. Do you guys think it's fair for me to ask them to do it for free?

Side note: From the outside, the tint looks matched with the rear, but from the inside, the front windows are darker. Is this normal?
 
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Do people still get pulled over for tint!? Seems like years ago when that was a concern... anyways.

I say just live with it, if you get a ticket for it, all you should have to do is get it redone and the court should drop the fine once you get there and provide proof.
 
While they should have warned you ahead of time that it would be illegal, they performed the work you asked them to do.

Tinting is measured by the amount of light it lets through. Different applications can have the same % but look different and vise-versa. Also it depends if it's applied from the inside or outside and as a film (almost all after market are) or a spray on (factory).

As long as you are not obviously illegal (chrome tinting, total blackout, etc) you probably won't get pulled over for it. If you get pulled over for something else, just be very polite and the cop probably won't give it a second thought.
 
Tint

Is the rear 20%? Are all the rear windows 20%?

I want to get a darker tint on my three rear windows, the two quarter windows and the rear so no one can see what I have in the back.

Is the lower % a darker tint? What tint % is Limo tint?
 
Moistmaster said:
Is the rear 20%? Are all the rear windows 20%?

I want to get a darker tint on my three rear windows, the two quarter windows and the rear so no one can see what I have in the back.

Is the lower % a darker tint? What tint % is Limo tint?
Click to expand...

The privacy glass in our 4Runners is about 20% light transmission (sunroof, rear passenger windows, cargo windows, and rear hatch). Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't provide 100% UV light protection (which is one reason to place tint over the factory privacy glass).

Lower light transmission % means a darker tint. Limousine tint is 5%.

My ride has 30% on the front, with 15% on the sunroof and privacy glass.
 
Getting busted for tint is a rarity. I wouldn't worry about it.

A few years ago my dad got busted in Nor. Cal. for tint. His 100 Series Land Cruiser has limo tint all the way around because the vehicle spends most of its time in the desert. The extra tint goes a long way in keeping the car cool in the summer. He explained that to the cop, but he said "yeah, it gets hot here too" and gave him a ticket.

He removed the tint, and had a sheriff call the court and state that the tint had been removed (instead of driving 500+ miles to go to court). Then he had them re-tinted the next day. Easy fix.
 
As long as you do NOT have any kind of annual state vehicle inspection you 'should' be ok. In MA the inspection places all have meters, if they test your windows and they do not pass you fail your inspection until you can correct it (remove it).
 
Jaker said:
The privacy glass in our 4Runners is about 20% light transmission (sunroof, rear passenger windows, cargo windows, and rear hatch). Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't provide 100% UV light protection (which is one reason to place tint over the factory privacy glass).

Lower light transmission % means a darker tint. Limousine tint is 5%.

My ride has 30% on the front, with 15% on the sunroof and privacy glass.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jaker, I had limo tint all round on my pick up and it was a Bit@h to drive at night, here in Las Vegas the cops are not too bad regarding the tint as it get's so hot here in the summer.
Jaker can you post a pic of your runner with your tint, sounds like 30 on the front and 15% on the rest is the way to go.
 
i have 35% in the front and 5% on top of the privacy glass all the way around. Where i live, the local PD is very strict with tint laws...otherwise i would have gotten 5% all the way around.

Also, in virginia 50% is legal in the fronts, which is basically worthless. And they dont care about the backs.
 
If you do get pulled over (for something else) roll your front windows down. One issue is that the cops want to be able to see you when they approach and get ticked if the windows are too dark.
 
I've got 15% all the way around in addition to the factory tint--the back is pretty dark. No problems with the cops either.

IMHO, you're more likely to get pulled over for tint if you're driving in a "sporty car" than in a T4R.

If you do get pulled over, roll the windows down. If you get a ticket, most likely it will be a fix-it-ticket...worry about it then.
 
westwind77 said:
As long as you do NOT have any kind of annual state vehicle inspection you 'should' be ok. In MA the inspection places all have meters, if they test your windows and they do not pass you fail your inspection until you can correct it (remove it).
Click to expand...

Texas has an annual inspection... but I could re-register it in Oklahoma since I'm stationed here.

I'm thinking I might go back and see if they can hook me up with 35% in the front. I'll see how much it will cost.... maybe they'll at least give me a discount
 
Moistmaster said:
Thanks Jaker, I had limo tint all round on my pick up and it was a Bit@h to drive at night, here in Las Vegas the cops are not too bad regarding the tint as it get's so hot here in the summer.
Jaker can you post a pic of your runner with your tint, sounds like 30 on the front and 15% on the rest is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Sure, I can post some pics. , but give me a day or so. I need to actually take some pics of the truck itself. I've been waiting to take extensive pictures until my first scheduled detail next week. In the mean time I can snap a few pics though no problem.
 
Factory tint that comes on all 4Runner is at 23%. The closest aftermarket tint film to match factory tint (and the best choice) is 20%. Honestly, I think you are better off keeping it because despite the fact that it is illegal, the cops are still able to see through in case they're driving alongside you. Now, having limo tint all around (5%) is a whole different story as they would not be able to see you from any side except the windshield (unless you have that tinted to 5% too which is not wise!). Definitely keep it despite the fact that it is illegal, all the cops care about is having the ability to see you through tinted windows. If they can't see you, they're gonna feel uncomfortable or become more suspicious but then you have a 4Runner...doubt they'll suspect you're a crack dealer. I've never seen a 15% tint film, but instead 5%, 20%, 35%, 50%, 75%. At least those are the only choices we have in Virginia Beach. I'm having my windshield tinted to 50% while keeping my front windows tinted to 20% and rear 5%
 
Moistmaster said:
Is the rear 20%? Are all the rear windows 20%?

I want to get a darker tint on my three rear windows, the two quarter windows and the rear so no one can see what I have in the back.

Is the lower % a darker tint? What tint % is Limo tint?
Click to expand...



The factory tint is 23%. The lower the percentage is, the darker it will be. Limo tint is basically anywhere from 3%-5%. I've never seen a tint film that's 0% but if you get a 3%-5% tint in the rear then you will be fine. It will be very difficult for anyone to look in unless they have a freaking LED flashlight using it at night which would definitely increase their chances of getting caught.
 
Any names of good tint for me, I really want one that reduces heat into the car. I heard 3M Crystalline Automotive Window Film is the best but I can't find anyplace that has it.
 
The 3M tint is the best quality out there. And yes the tint shop should have warned you about the illegality of the tints. That being said your stuck with what you got. To match the factory rear tint on the 4Runner is like 20%. I did not want to deal with getting stopped by the cops so I told them to go 35% on my front windows and I am happy with the results.
 
jspagna1 said:
The 3M tint is the best quality out there.
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I respectfully disagree. The best quality tint is Huper Optik. I've had it on previous rides and the heat reduction is light years ahead of 3M and Llumar.

The only reason I didn't go with it on the 4Runner was because my installer only stocks the 30% Huper Optik and not anything darker.

That being said, it's also much more expensive. I'd recommend going with Llumar CTX series tint over 3M. It's a good compromise between cost and performance. It's a ceramic based film so it works well with radar detectors, too.
 
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