Window tint question

[Laubage]

I talked to the tint company today and they said that they would charge me MORE than what I paid YESTERDAY because they would have to remove the tint before reapplying another one. They said they "matched" it like I asked them to.

I told them that was crap because if you're looking from inside, it is obvious that the 15% tint doesn't match the privacy glass in the back. They told me it was because the water they used to apply the tint was still drying. I told them I'd come back tomorrow.

Then I told them that noone ever told me I was breaking the law, regardless of how strict they enforce it. She gave me this long schpeal about how her husband has 5% tint all the way around and he only gets pulled over for speeding. I don't think she understands that the law is the law... whether or not it is enforced completely. Maybe they'll pay for my $100 ticket and my $70 re-tint job if I get pulled over.

The difference in the tint bothers me every time I check my blind spot:

If they think that there isn't a possibility of me being pulled over, searched, and ticketed... then that is ignorant.
Window Tint Enforcement [Archive] - Police Forums & Law Enforcement Forums @ Officer.com

 

[jspagna1]

I talked to the tint company today and they said that they would charge me MORE than what I paid YESTERDAY because they would have to remove the tint before reapplying another one. They said they "matched" it like I asked them to.

I told them that was crap because if you're looking from inside, it is obvious that the 15% tint doesn't match the privacy glass in the back. They told me it was because the water they used to apply the tint was still drying. I told them I'd come back tomorrow.

Then I told them that noone ever told me I was breaking the law, regardless of how strict they enforce it. She gave me this long schpeal about how her husband has 5% tint all the way around and he only gets pulled over for speeding. I don't think she understands that the law is the law... whether or not it is enforced completely. Maybe they'll pay for my $100 ticket and my $70 re-tint job if I get pulled over.

The difference in the tint bothers me every time I check my blind spot:

If they think that there isn't a possibility of me being pulled over, searched, and ticketed... then that is ignorant.
Window Tint Enforcement [Archive] - Police Forums & Law Enforcement Forums @ Officer.com

You can definitely see the difference. The other option is that you can remove the tint yourself to save you some money. It shouldn't be that bad since it's still fresh. Although the way the are treating you, I would remove it myself and find another shop to redo it.

 

[Bay33saw]

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.

Hey Jaker, sounds like you know a bit about window tint. Have you heard of nanoparticle window tint, supposed to block out 81% of UV rays, see link below, they quoted me $595 for all windows and sunroof.:shrug:
Nanoparticle Series - Luxury Window Tinting


Nanoparticle Series
Nanoparticle Film applied to your car provides the most comfortable drive imaginable. It’s the most advanced solar control technology available for your car.

Technically speaking – Our film manipulates the solar spectrum, reducing UV Radiation, Infra-Red Heat, and controlling harsh daylight to your specific shade preference. Check out the incredible performance the film has as diagramed on the solar spectrum images below.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Nanoparticle performance specifications

Construction: Nanoparticle Non-Metal

UVA – UVB Performance: >99% Reduced

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) : >285

((((( IR Heat Rejection: >91% )))))

Visible Light : Shade % (75,40,30,20,10)

Warranty: Lifetime & No-Fault Standard

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

How it functions after installation:

The film has an imbedded layer of nano-particles. These particles are engineered to identify and absorb over 91% of IR heat. The IR heat is absorbed into the glass, as opposed to the heat penetrating through the glass and into the cabin of the car.

While in motion, the airflow making contact with the outer glass pulls the absorbed heat from the glass and away from you and your passengers..

 

[Jaker]

Hey Jaker, sounds like you know a bit about window tint. Have you heard of nanoparticle window tint, supposed to block out 81% of UV rays, see link below, they quoted me $595 for all windows and sunroof.:shrug:

Nano-particle tinting is pretty new to the tint market. No place around here carries it so I haven't had any personal experience with it. However, it's supposed to be pretty amazing from what I've read over the last year or two. That being said, $595 is pretty steep. Huper Optik was a tough pill to swallow at $450. But then again, you do live in Vegas and it would definitely make a difference. If the installer is near you, I say go for it.

 

[Bay33saw]

Nano-particle tinting is pretty new to the tint market. No place around here carries it so I haven't had any personal experience with it. However, it's supposed to be pretty amazing from what I've read over the last year or two. That being said, $595 is pretty steep. Huper Optik was a tough pill to swallow at $450. But then again, you do live in Vegas and it would definitely make a difference. If the installer is near you, I say go for it.

Thanks Jaker, have you heard good or bad things about

Our new Ceramic CTX Series enables electronic signals and guarantees a maximum 60% heat blockage! Better than ANY film on the market!!! CTX costs a little more, but the payback in comfort is well worth it!

 

[FactoryRide]

Here is a link with some stats on the heat reject UV protection stuff. I wanted to have mine matched, and they too told me that 15% would look the best. The only place I can there is a difference is from the inside, but I got use to it. I also have plans on going back and having a layer of 15% laid over the factory tint on all of the rear windows and the sunroof.

I have the Pinnacle Series 15%, and I also have a strip across the front windshield that is Classic Series 5%

http://www.formulaone.com/pdf/FormulaOneSpecSheet.pdf

Here is a picture from the day I got it back.

 

[Jaker]

Thanks Jaker, have you heard good or bad things about

Our new Ceramic CTX Series enables electronic signals and guarantees a maximum 60% heat blockage! Better than ANY film on the market!!! CTX costs a little more, but the payback in comfort is well worth it!

The CTX series is great. It's made by Llumar. I referenced the Llumar CTX in a previous post, I believe.

Anyway, it's what I currently have on my ride. I would've gone with Huper Optik like my previous rides, but my installer only stocks 30% Huper Optik at the darkest and I wanted to go darker on the 4Runner (15% on everything but the front) since the cabin is so large.

I highly recommend Llumar CTX tint.

 

[Bay33saw]

The CTX series is great. It's made by Llumar. I referenced the Llumar CTX in a previous post, I believe.

Anyway, it's what I currently have on my ride. I would've gone with Huper Optik like my previous rides, but my installer only stocks 30% Huper Optik at the darkest and I wanted to go darker on the 4Runner (15% on everything but the front) since the cabin is so large.

I highly recommend Llumar CTX tint.

It reall does cut out the heat alot? Also do you have it on your windshield? If so, does it cause glare at night or shadows etc. I'm still waiting for a quote on the Llumar CTX tint, I'll keep you guys posted. I hope it's cheaper that the nano particle stuff...LOL

 

[SigSense]

That Nano-tint stuff is like NASA in your T4R..... complete with the pricetag.

 

[StRanger7032]

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?

I've had the same problem in TX. In my case, the shop actually asked if I wanted to keep it legal, and I said yes. They installed 20% on the front, which is actually illegal. You also have to consider that the factory front glass will not be 100% transparent. Even if you go with the legal 25%, the combination of the tint with the factory glass might make it illegal. A really professional shop would check the windows first with a meter, then do the math to ensure they install a product that keeps it legal.

 

[Jaker]

It reall does cut out the heat alot? Also do you have it on your windshield? If so, does it cause glare at night or shadows etc. I'm still waiting for a quote on the Llumar CTX tint, I'll keep you guys posted. I hope it's cheaper that the nano particle stuff...LOL

I don't have any on the windshield. It's illegal to have anything on the windshield below the AS1 line.

The CTX will be MUCH cheaper than the nano-particle tint. My cost was $350.

 

[Laubage]

So I went back to the shop to argue with them today. I showed the owner that the tint was different, and they said that it's just because of the difference in "color". So I asked them what 15% meant and told then that the dealership told me the privacy glass was 23% to match it.

More arguing insued and when the owner got his son out to translate, I argued with him too.

Son: The only state we don't mess with when it comes to tinting is Texas
Me: ......... That's where I'm from. If you look at my license plates.
Son: Ohhhh, ok we'll fix it then. You'll never pass a state inspection with that.

:rockthrow:

 

[Jaker]

So I went back to the shop to argue with them today. I showed the owner that the tint was different, and they said that it's just because of the difference in "color". So I asked them what 15% meant and told then that the dealership told me the privacy glass was 23% to match it.

More arguing insued and when the owner got his son out to translate, I argued with him too.

Son: The only state we don't mess with when it comes to tinting is Texas
Me: ......... That's where I'm from. If you look at my license plates.
Son: Ohhhh, ok we'll fix it then. You'll never pass a state inspection with that.

:rockthrow:

Wow. That just boggles the mind. I'm glad you finally got it sorted out.

 

[Laubage]

The place does great work, but next time I tint a window, I'm going to a more professional place. I don't even know what kind of tint it was brand wise.

I didn't think the price was too bad though... $60 for the two front windows.

 

[Bay33saw]

The place does great work, but next time I tint a window, I'm going to a more professional place. I don't even know what kind of tint it was brand wise.

I didn't think the price was too bad though... $60 for the two front windows.

Glad you got it sorted out, sorry I highjacked your thread a little, I was like you didn't know there were different types of tint apart from one being darker than the other.

 

[clin9383]

Do the stock rear privacy glass block any heat or UV? I was thinking about going 20% - 35% up front depending on what the shop has and will put on some sort of heat blocking film in the rear.

 

[Jaker]

Do the stock rear privacy glass block any heat or UV? I was thinking about going 20% - 35% up front depending on what the shop has and will put on some sort of heat blocking film in the rear.

This is for a Tacoma, but I believe we can safely assume the privacy glass for the rear hatch and doors of our 4Runners are similar if not the same:

 

[CptKirk]

From a fellow registered Texan: If you haven't had it fixed yet, it really isn't that big of a deal. You just have to pay more during the annual inspection. On my Chevy truck that had overly dark tinted front windows, I had to pay an extra $17 per year.

 

[DiggetyDan]

Chiming in from Massachusetts. My wife and I bought a car from Florida last year and drove it north. It had aftermarket tint all around. They failed the inspection for the front windows being too dark. We had a shop remove the tint and replace it with the legal limit (which I think is 35)

From the Mass RMV:
What are the specifications for aftermarket window tinting?
For most vehicles, aftermarket tinting that registers at least 35% on a tint meter on side windows immediately adjacent to the driver and front passenger seats, and side windows immediately to the rear of the operator and passenger, is acceptable. The rear window may be tinted to the 35% level, but the vehicle must be equipped with two outside rear view mirrors. The windshield may only be tinted down to the AS-1 line, which is usually located in the uppermost (6) inches of the windshield.

I was shooting the breeze with a guy at a speed/custom shop in my town and he said the police here recently bought window tint measuring devices so they could start cracking down on it. That said we were never pulled over with the very dark tint before the inspection.

 

[DiggetyDan]

Chiming in from Massachusetts. My wife and I bought a car from Florida last year and drove it north. It had aftermarket tint all around. They failed the inspection for the front windows being too dark. We had a shop remove the tint and replace it with the legal limit (which I think is 35)

From the Mass RMV:
What are the specifications for aftermarket window tinting?
For most vehicles, aftermarket tinting that registers at least 35% on a tint meter on side windows immediately adjacent to the driver and front passenger seats, and side windows immediately to the rear of the operator and passenger, is acceptable. The rear window may be tinted to the 35% level, but the vehicle must be equipped with two outside rear view mirrors. The windshield may only be tinted down to the AS-1 line, which is usually located in the uppermost (6) inches of the windshield.

I was shooting the breeze with a guy at a speed/custom shop in my town and he said the police here recently bought window tint measuring devices so they could start cracking down on it. That said we were never pulled over with the very dark tint before the inspection.

Advice from the shop that did our windows and the inspection station that failed us was that while the law applies to the front and back windows (in a four door) they are really only concerned with the front windows. Going on that we went much darker on the back windows and passed inspection.