Window Tint

[krupnation]

Just got my front windows done yesterday and hate it. I told them to match the rear windows and its too light and not the same color (the factory "tint" has a pinkish hue to it). I'm going back and having them redo it at 20%. they only did 35% to match...

 

[klennop]

Just got my front windows done yesterday and hate it. I told them to match the rear windows and its too light and not the same color (the factory "tint" has a pinkish hue to it). I'm going back and having them redo it at 20%. they only did 35% to match...

Sometimes the tint color will not match perfectly, close but not perfect. I notice mine has a slight different color when looking out it at say snow on the ground. However looking at it from the outside you can't tell at all.

 

[Lvmyrnnr]

Did a search here for window tinting and found this one.

Just an FYI for those of you in states that only allow 50% on the two front windows....I just had my two front windows done at at that level which is the legal limit here in Virginia. They do have a "greenish" hue to them compared to the rear factory windows and the shop said they do use the closest match (and they did show me a sample ahead of time) but the front windows already have that "hue" in the glass and that's why they look like that. I guess I can live with it though since I can't go any darker (without risking getting ticketed like we did on our other car which has darker windows all the way around). They do provide more privacy than without.

 

[Doozi]

You guys ever have issues with peeling or sort of "warping" in terms of look of the tint? I've always been hesitant to go with window tinting because all I ever see is poorly done ones, or they always seem slightly off.

I've been getting my windows tinted for 20 years and have never had the bubbling, peeling, or the film turn purple on me. My wife did have a corner crinkle up (about an inch) once about 3 years after it was tinted... must have never really been adhered well, but the shop took care of it without question.

This has been in NY, AZ, CA, and CO. I usually find the shop that does all of the high-end auto dealers and I've never been offered anything less than a lifetime warranty. If you take the time to find the best in town, you won't be disappointed!

 

[4RunnERD]

Just got my front windows done yesterday and hate it. I told them to match the rear windows and its too light and not the same color (the factory "tint" has a pinkish hue to it). I'm going back and having them redo it at 20%. they only did 35% to match...

Can you snap a picture of what it looks like at 35 and then another when you have them do the 20? Would like see the difference.

 

[4RunnERD]

Sometimes the tint color will not match perfectly, close but not perfect. I notice mine has a slight different color when looking out it at say snow on the ground. However looking at it from the outside you can't tell at all.

I have read that a lot of people have this experience. 20% seems to match the closest if you are veiwing from the outside, but on the inside looking out they say that the 20% is significantly darker than the factory privacy glass on the rears. Might not bother you, but I am picky and I know it would bother me everytime look over my shoulder for lane changes, backing up, etc.

I am waiting for some to post a good combination (other than limo tint all the way around) that will be as close to even as possible when viewing from both the outside and inside. For example, maybe a 20% up front and then 50% over the rear privacy glass so it looks more uniform on both the inside and the outside.

 

[HB 4X4]

Did a search here for window tinting and found this one.

Just an FYI for those of you in states that only allow 50% on the two front windows....I just had my two front windows done at at that level which is the legal limit here in Virginia. They do have a "greenish" hue to them compared to the rear factory windows and the shop said they do use the closest match (and they did show me a sample ahead of time) but the front windows already have that "hue" in the glass and that's why they look like that. I guess I can live with it though since I can't go any darker (without risking getting ticketed like we did on our other car which has darker windows all the way around). They do provide more privacy than without.

I'm not sure if that was just a quote you found from someone else, or your own experience... However, that green you are referring to, in this case, is due to the quality of the film they used. While it is true that the factory glass has a green hue to it, that is not something that arises with such a light tint (50% in this case) and can be avoided at darker tints if you go with higher quality. The shop I go to fixes these tint jobs on a daily basis. In other words, the shop is lying to cover their cheap quality film.

You get what you pay for with tint. There are no exceptions.

 

[klennop]

I am waiting for some to post a good combination (other than limo tint all the way around) that will be as close to even as possible when viewing from both the outside and inside. For example, maybe a 20% up front and then 50% over the rear privacy glass so it looks more uniform on both the inside and the outside.

I did like 20 or 18 on the front and then 50 or 40 on the rears. I can't remember exactly but it is about as even as I could get it.

 

[klennop]

You get what you pay for with tint. There are no exceptions.

I agree!!

 

[Lvmyrnnr]

I'm not sure if that was just a quote you found from someone else, or your own experience... However, that green you are referring to, in this case, is due to the quality of the film they used. While it is true that the factory glass has a green hue to it, that is not something that arises with such a light tint (50% in this case) and can be avoided at darker tints if you go with higher quality. The shop I go to fixes these tint jobs on a daily basis. In other words, the shop is lying to cover their cheap quality film.

You get what you pay for with tint. There are no exceptions.

That's good to know. And yes, this is my own experience. Virginia MIGHT change their tinting law from 50% to 35% in July but not sure yet. If they do, I may just go elsewhere and have it redone. Thanks for the info. BTW, I paid $90 for the two windows so it wasn't cheap...

 

[newbiemw]

Im about to mail my runner to you trevloc to get it tinted out there, the prices for this in atlanta are out of control... i just called a dozen or so shops and their average is like 280. the outliers are at 199 and 450, and at 199 im skeptical of how good the tint and how good a job they will do.

is this average for a big city?

 

[fvalentin]

I have 5% all around and 35% on my windshield. I was charged 190.00 with a lifetime warranty. Tint looks great.

 

[Wakeborder556]

Sorry to resurrect from the dead, but it will prob be easier for other people searching for tint later on..


Anyone know anything about 3M CS (color stable). I am forsure going to get my front's done at 20% tomorrow (25 is legal..so close enough) but am not sure about getting the rest of the runner done over factory. It's brand new and I plan on keeping her for a while..I just don't want to have to mess with this ever few years and was thinking maybe CS was a good way to help ensure a one and done job. The shops honors the lifetime warranty either way though.

Edit: btw, was quoted 230 w/o tax for 3m fx premium all the way around and 340 for 3m CS. Both warranty for pealing, cracking, bubbles, etc, but the fx prem doesn't warranty for color change..

 

[MikeInNH]

After reading some of the posts in this thread...wow...some of you live in states with very lax window tinting laws.

 

[deedst4r]

Im about to mail my runner to you trevloc to get it tinted out there, the prices for this in atlanta are out of control... i just called a dozen or so shops and their average is like 280. the outliers are at 199 and 450, and at 199 im skeptical of how good the tint and how good a job they will do.

is this average for a big city?

I went to total appearance in i think norcross and got my front two windows tinted 35% for 75 dollars. Lifetime warranty as well. They are nice people i would recommend them!

 

[Mpower3]

$100 to tint my front windows 20% and it looks pretty close to the back windows. I just told the shop, match the back.

$200 ($30 ticket and $70 processing fee) later in tickets (2) I still have my tint. VA is 50% on the front, 35 on the rears. **** this revenue collecting state. I'm sure it's for the "safety" of officers? If it is, why not fail me on my annual state inspection?

 

[4rnergirl]

re: window tint

I can help with this. My husband owns a window tinting bussiness, if there is tint already on the windows we remove it before we apply the new film. You cannot tint over old tint! If the glass is factory smoked meaning the glass itself is colored. you can tint it with a 35% -18%-5% whichever the customer prefers. The lower the number the darker the film. 5% is limo tint. Generally the legal limit depends on what state you live in and also the regulations are different depending on the type of vehicle. With the 4runner it is classified as an suv so we have less restrictions on having the darker tint. Example : i have limo on the back and sides, but legally my fr driver&passenger windows should be no less than35% but i actually went 18% which is technically to dark, but because you can still see through the police do not cite me, but they could if checked with a gun that informs them the light percentage. You should check the laws for the state you live in because the percentages allowed do vary. This can be found by going to International Window Film Association | IWFA.com This website has every state listed.

 

[martini]

Here's a tip, if you get pulled over and have dark tint roll down all your windows or at very least both the front and rear driver side windows. That way the officer can see everything inside your vehicle when they approach. To be even nicer if it's dark turn on the dome light. Unless you were pulled over for tints in the first place it's likely the officer won't check or think to check your tints if they don't have a problem seeing into your vehicle because you've rolled down your windows.

I know if I were an officer I would be harder on people with dark tints that didn't roll down their windows so I could see in while approaching.

 

[MikeInNH]

You cannot tint over old tint! If the glass is factory smoked meaning the glass itself is colored. you can tint it with a 35% -18%-5% whichever the customer prefers.

That depends on the state.

Here in NH the front windows can NOT have any tint what-so-ever....PERIOD. The Windshield can have tint..but only the top 6"...No tint what-so-ever below that 6".

Here's a sight that explains the law by each state.

Auto Window Tint Laws | TintCenter Window Tinting

 

[Dtownbear]

Window tinting

Originally, I had contacted a reputable tint shop here in Colorado. I explained that I wanted a darker color on the back window, since they are smoked from the factory, and a tint in the front windows to match. When I got there for my appt. He mentioned that all I needed was a 20% on the front. Being that he's a professional, I told him as long as they were uniformed, I didn't care. Well, I picked it up, and the tint looked great, except for....you could still see inside, and the tint has a light green contrast, and the smoked windows from the factory has a light purple tint in the glass. Needless to say, I'm not happy. It's a 35k vehicle. I don't want to different contrasts on my vehicle. I'm still in limbo as what to do. I mentioned to him that I would like to have the front tint removed. He is willing to work with me. I've never had this problem with previous 4runners that I have owned..