SodaLuvr

My friend wants to get the windows tinted on her stock Mazda 3.

I suggested that she get 50% for the front windows and 35% for the backs. We are going with FormulaOne Pinnacle Ceramic Tint from Rocky Mountain in Livermore for $379, if that matters.

Is 50% on the front windows relatively cop safe for the south bay? I mean, I understand that the law is 70%, but then again, how many of us drive the speed limit?

As an example, here's a TL-S with 50% fronts and 35% rears:



So realistically, is 50% tint for the front window safe? Have any of you been pulled over for 50%?

Thanks.

silvertl510

iTrader: (1)

i doubt your friend will get pulled over for 50% because the cops will see enough in the car with that amount tint.
-unless the cop is a dick and he gives your friend a ticket which could happen

i have 20% all around except windshield, but there is a a lot of people with 35% on their cars

but i think $379 is a lot, i got my tint for $190, but that is in Fremont. They do a pretty good job, a lot of people i know took their cars to this place.

SodaLuvr

Thanks.

Are you referring to automall tint in Fremont? I did call that place, but the only ceramic film they offer is Huper Optik and they wanted $695. I am not comfortable with using metallic film on this application due to the built-in rear window antenna. Plus, ceramic blocks more heat.

MIYAKUZA

Lol at being cautious at 50%. Cops have better things to do than pull someone over for a fix-it ticket. I just roll them down if I have to be near a cop, like at a stoplight or something. The main reason is to see who is inside.

Btw, that is overpriced for tinting.

silvertl510

iTrader: (1)

yea it on automall off of christy road? i believe. but i didnt know there was a difference in tint films. so im not sure how the prices run for ceramic tint. but ur not going to have a problem with 50% tint

princekaleo

Technically, its illigal to tint your front driver and passenger windows period! 50% is the lightest and cops may rarely mess with you cause they can see you. I have gotten pulled over and ticketed for my 50% tint. FN sucks but hey, it cost to do what you want. so if you don't mind the potential risk then i say do it. your back 3 windows you can go as dark as you want. I say if you tint your windows, tint the back 3 dark so when a cop looks at you they will think the front is not tinted. and yeah homie that is expensive for the tint

SodaLuvr

Thanks. Where did you get pulled over?

The price is definitely high, but I might be stuck if I want ceramic tint. They're actually the cheapest for ceramic-- Premier wanted $550?? for their film and Automall wanted $695 for their Huper Optik.

I called five FormulaOne dealers-- three in norcal and two in Orange County, and all of them quoted me between 379 to 440.

DigiBox

You take any risk throwing any tint on the fronts. I've been rolling with 20%, but I can get away with it now. Rocky Mountain does great work! I'm always for paying a little more for the better job.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

im rolling with 35 on the front my sis is rolling with 5 all around on her SUV no problems *knock on wood*

Hapa DC5

20% on the back window 35% on all the sides of my TL, I like it. My Fit is 20% all around, actually looks good on that car.

Knock on wood, haven't been messed with yet with either car..

notbrant

iTrader: (2)

I have either 50 or 65 on the fronts, 5% everywhere else, if its not bright outside, having dark rear tints will make the front seem darker and you will probably be pulled over.

I have only been pulled over once, but that was by a CHP, usually cops that actually have work to do other than write tickets won't really care, but you will still be pulled over eventually.

SodaLuvr

Hmm....so it's sounding 50/50.

I guess I could just go with the Llumar AIR 80 film that is blue and blocks as much heat as many 50% films. It's 80% so it's near cop-proof.

Here are some pictures:





http://g35driver.com/forums/4710927-post3.html



http://www.tintdude.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=56020

Lamarski

As a cop i will tell you that 99.9% of the time we don't care as long as it is not limo or near limo tint. You should be fine with that tint. To even get someone on their tint you have to use a tool that shines light thru the window and measures the tint (just like using a radar gun to measure speed) If you get cited for your tint without them using this tool, which no normal traffic cop will usually have, you can easily get it thrown out in court.

SodaLuvr

Thanks, you're referring to the 50%/35% tint right?

Can the same be said about CHP? Based on what people are saying, it seems like the CHP is a bit more strict when it comes to tint. I'm guessing that the CHP carries the appropriate enforcement tools with them?

Lamarski

I can't speak for the CHP but they would probably have the funds to purchase the tint measuring device for their officers (sorry I don't know the name of the device as I have never used it)

The only place I have seen it was with the Virginia State Police. They would hang out buy the tunnel entrance from Portsmouth to Norfolk and if someone came buy with really dark tint they would stop them and measure it.

If you do get pulled over then you would probably be only looking at a 25-40 dollar fine. Unless you drive without proper registration, insurance, or after too many drinks at the club I would not worry about it.

I used to have a Galant for three years that had 20 percent all around and only got stopped once at the tunnel (passing them all the other times) and got a warning (after presenting my credentials ) and was told it was a 30 dollar fine.

Best bet is to ask some people where you live with dark tint if they have had any run ins with the popo.

Lamarski

sorry for the bad grammer, I have just about killed this bottle of wine.

victorvu

iTrader: (1)

a lot of cops tell me there's nothing wrong with having tint they just want to see your face thats all so when i roll around hot areas i roll my fronts down and blast the heater if i have to. I've gotten pulled over 2 times for tint and they nailed me for something else but thats in mountain view they're strict as hell.

hornyleprechaun

I have 15% all around and 30% on the front windshield.. I've never been pulled over for it.

:ibgettingpulledoverafterwork:

Batosai

idk if they wanna see my ugly mug...

slvrdrgn123

Any good and cheap places for tinting in San Jose?

SodaLuvr

Good and cheap don't belong in the same sentence.

brassai

Soda,

Did you get the FormulaOne ceramic tint at Rocky Mountain?? If so, did you like the work they did? Quality of the work? THe people? The Shop? It may be too soon to express an opinion of the tint itself, but if you can please do. I think I've got my choices narrowed down to the FormulaOne at Rocky Mountain, or the Huper Optik over at Auto Mall Tint Specialists. the Huper is closer to home by at least 30-40 minutes, but I don't expect to do this every day. If I go to Rocky Mtn. I'll have to get the clear bra done at a different place.

Thanks much,
D.


Thanks much!

SodaLuvr

I'm actually on the way out the door right now to get the car and drop it off at Rocky Mountain. I'll let you know later tonight how it turns out.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

Get 50% and dont think twice michael lol

bigwerm187

might as well leave them with no tint beacuse it still looks the same...

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

I did it for the 100% UV protection for the interior

SodaLuvr

Just got the car done at Rocky Mountain this afternoon.

Surprisingly, the factory tint on the front windows resulted in a ~70% tint from the factory. So in combination with a black interior, a 50% tint would have dropped me to a 35% like appearance, especially on cloudy or overcast days.

The decision was made to go with the new Llumar Air Blue 80 film in the front and the FormulaOne Pinnacle Ceramic 35% film in the back. Here are some pictures:



35% rear, Llumar Air Blue in the front.



Close-up view of side-by-side



Rear Window at 35%

subinf

Should be good. Just depends on how the light hits it when you are passing a cop

bigwerm187

that light of a tint the UV still gunna get ur interior.. better of getting it darker if u want the tint to protect ur interior

SodaLuvr

http://www.llumar.com/pdf/News/NRAIRBlueLaunch.pdf

99% UV protection. It blocks out just as much heat as a 50% tint as well.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

looks good, michael. should be cop proof.

UV protection doesnt improve with the darker percent of tint.
99% protection with 70% as well as 5%

Lamarski

Your car looks legit to me. I don't ever see you getting pulled over for this.

You are are easily visible during the day and at night even minor tint causes little visibility in a car so it is immpossible to determine percentage at night without measuring it.

bigwerm187

reallyy...?? cuz my TL use to have 50 that all the way arround when i first got it and i saw it point less cuz my arm would still get a tan lol.. and with the darker 35 front 5 rear tint i wasnt getting the tan anymore.. lol.. so thats why i figure darker would be better..

SodaLuvr

It greatly depends on the quality and type of film. Ceramic and nano-ceramic films will do better in the heat rejection area, even with the lighter shades.

Llumar's Air Blue is an 80% tint, but gives you the same heat rejection and UV protection as the FormulaOne Pinnacle Ceramic 50% film.

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

you get more light through with the higher percentages but the UV rays (invisible to the human eye) are stopped by the tint 99% of the time.

bigwerm187

^^^^ wELLL i didnt know there were differant types of tint.. the only thing i asked the guy who did my tint was that i didnt want that cheap crap the tint that turns purple after a while.. lol... as far a good tint an bad tint i did know but about the whole UV thing i didnt know that lol.. well now i now.. lol Also what i would like to know is when does the tint ticket thing reset.?? so for example you get a tint ticket now and then you wait a few months an then you get retinted and if you were to get pulled over again it would still count as your first time... Its like a DUI stays on your record for 5 yrs i think idk that one beacuse ive never gotten a ticket just once for 35% tint in the front on a rainny day ugh lol

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

its not a criminal offense but a equipment offense. Once you get the ticket written off or paid the fine, your eligible to get another.

brassai

Well... I finally decided. Based on seeing some of the work up-close and personal, additional research on the films, etc... I'm going with a place about 3 blocks away from me. I'll be going Huper Optik, 30% on back and rears, 50% or 60% on the fronts.

I'm also getting 3M paint shield on the bumper, front fenders, nose bra area, headlights, DRL's, and Fog lights. Outside rearview mirrors, Door handle cups, door edge guard area, and the lower opening of the trunk.

Was told he'd work a deal for me if I get the tint and paint shield at the same time, and I asked about cash for additional price consideration and he said that's typical... I did good enough at Poker this afternoon so I'll be going in with real cash money.

My appointment is at 9am tomorrow and will take close to all day to complete both the tint and paint protection. I'll post pictures when it's done.

D.

bigwerm187

yeah when i got that tint ticket i got it paid of quick.. so how many tint tickets can you get before it goes or counts as a point on your record..??

aznboi2424

iTrader: (10)

they're just fix-it tickets. Im guessing theres no limit but you would probably have to call CHP or your local law enforcement office to confirm.