Greetings!

I'm getting my windows tinted for my yellow 850 T5-R sedan on Monday. The primary reason for doing this is to protect the interior. I have narrowed down the tint to the following manufactures:

1. 3M
2. LLumar

In the state I live in, you can't go darker than 50% on the front windows and no restrictions on remaining windows. I'm torn between going 50% on all windows or 50% on the front (state law) and 35% on remaining windows.

I want to maintain a classy appearance on my 850. What's your thoughts on tint manufactures and darkest?

 

50% Seems like a waste to me. Has the law always been that way? I went 35% all the way on the 960 that was my DD. It was perfect. I tinted to help cut down on the night glare and for uv reduction.

I don't like seeing windows a different shade, front to back. I like the uniform look. When I had a yellow sedan, I tinted it myself, 20% all the way around. (The police in NC said it was 18%). LOL

I asked about any law changes because our law use to be 20% all the way around until 2003. My car was a '95 model. How would they know if it was done prior to 2003 or not?

 

Here in the SLC it does not matter what year the vehicle is, the law is the law. I like a uniformed look as well but that is not an option unless I go 50% on all windows.

As of right now, I'm thinking 50% on the front windows and 35% on the remaining. Come to find out, I'm amazed on difference between the tint manufactures

 

Tint manufacturer makes a BIG difference - not so much in initial quality, but in longevity. Seen the cars with the tint that looks purple? Cheap tint. You're dead on - go with llumar or 3M.

 

I was thinking about taking windows out of this sedan and putting them in my wagon but the darn sedan windows have a slight purple huge to them so I won't do it. It's a shame that some of that tint does that. Maybe I'll get my tint done soon.

If a car is purchased from another state and has 35% all the way around, what will the law do.

 

rspi: depends on the state. most of them, if they bust you, will make you take it off. I have 15% all the way around on my car and have had that for close to 3 years, and ive never been stopped for it here in Indiana. I think they enforce it more some places than others. Legal limit here is 35%

 

I didn't realize you were in Indiana.. what part are you in?

I believe Indiana law is 30% - I've been reading up, as my 855 needs some fresh tint. The stuff my Dad had put on it in 98 is getting a little tired.

 

Automotive Window Tinting Laws in 50 US States

http://www.tintlaws.com/

 

RSPI
Thanks for the link to tinting by state. Very helpful.

 

Stay away from 3M tint. Thats the stuff that turns purple years down the road.

 

I want to tint my T5-R as well. I was thinking about splurging for AIR Blue film. People always recommend it on other forums and it is not too dark.

 

I had my windows tinted on my T5-R on Monday. I regret the tint darkness selected however everyone I have shown have love it.

The tint darkness I selected is:
Llumar tint / front windows: 50% (state law)
Llumar tint / rear windows: 35%

I wished I had gone with 50% all the way around

Other issues encountered:
1. Installers were pigs with the amount of liquid used for tinting!
2. Lots of dust has been trapped between tint and window
3. Several razor blade marks in the tint
4. Tint around the dot-matrix areas look horrible

I have been told to be patient until the tint cures which is three full days with the temperatures we are experiencing

BTW - I had the best place in town install my tint and cost was close to $200. I will post pix soon

 

I "detinted" my 850R when I got it. It's a matter of personal taste but I just think the car looks cleaner stock and a tinted car can get really dark and "cavy" at night. Cops also like to mess with guys with tinted windows because the tint level is a matter of interpretation and it gives 'em a reason to reasonably pull you over. Plus, what might be legal in your state might not be in the state you cross through on your way to whatever.

This said, if you like it, your choice would depend on what you wanted. If you just want less heat, maybe go lighter. If you want to look "cool" then get as dark as your state law will allow. And as a few have said, all tint products are not created equal. Make sure you get a top quality brand like 3M and spring for the best stuff they have. Cheap tints turn purple over time.

 

Wow, sorry to hear. FWIW, a good tinter DOES use a lot of water when tinting....it makes the film easier to position that way. Im surprised they tinted over the dot matrix area - most tinters I Have seen put thin black vinyl over that area and just cut the tint flush with it. Hope you're happy with it when it's dry...though id be PISSED if i had dirt/dust in mine, and id make them redo it.

 

The toughest thing about tinting windows is the felt in the door frame. I actually pull all of the side windows to tint them so I don't get the felt between the tint and glass.

As for the dots, it actually looks better when you tint over the dots. If applied properly, it will cure well over them and you will not see the dots. I went around them on my daughter's S70 and it looks better tinted.

There should be NO razor marks at all.





Both are suppose to be 20%. I'm looking for the side windows with the dots.

 

Going from state to state, I don't believe a cop can give you a ticket for dark tint. One pulled me over in NC and gave me a tint warning. I asked for "more paper that I could finish my business with" and he didn't have anything else to say. He did check my state law and said I was to dark but my state doesn't bother people that had the tint applied prior to the law changing.

 

The below text means that in NY state I can only legally have 30% tint on the front and rear side windows? I thought that all tints were illegal in NY.

Front Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
Back Side Windows: Must allow more than 70% of light in.
Rear Window: Any darkness can be used.

 

30% means it lets in 30% of light.....so you can only have 70% tint, which will be barely tinted.

Mine has 18% tint, which means it blocks 82% of the light looks great but is a bugger to see out of at night......I've had to put CREE LED reversing lights in the car LOL