Hey guys, I'm thinking about tinting...however I've read other posts and those in Toronto have said the legal limit is 35%...but from what I've also heard was that 35% really isn't that dark.

Can everyone from Toronto let me know what their opinion is on how dark I should tint the front, rear, and back? Also if you've done that on your car, can you please post some pictures so I can get an idea of how dark it is?

Thanks everyone.

 

First off, I'm NOT from Toronto.

However, where I live the law is the same.

Tip: Call two or five local tint shops. Ask them what the most common tint %
is that they put on cars, this is what I did.

If your luck is good most of the cars they do will be darker than 35%.
Most all of the cars where I live are done in either 15% or 5%. 15% being
the major majority.

If a vast number of cars on the road in your area has 15%, then go with that.
You'll blend right in with every other car and probably never have a problem.

5% is asking for trouble if you ask me, plus I don't like the look from the inside.


Tip: Pick a top quality tint. Huper Optik or Llumar Axcess are the best.
They'll run you around $350-$400 to be put on the car, but it's worth it.
Getting $150-$200 tint put on is compromising. No need to compromise on tint
on a $30,000 car.

I went with 15% Llumar Axcess, it cost me about $350 or so, and I couldn't be
happier with it. So much clearer from the inside then that cheaper tint. It keeps
the car very cool in the direct sun too.

 

The laws vary, so if I were you, I'd only pay attention to advice from others in your area. And aside from the legal limit, enforcement varies considerably too.

 

The very first day I put 15% tint on the car (formula one pinnacle tint...which is ceramic), I regretted getting it so dark. It was high noon, and the inside of the car was so dark, I could look over my shoulder and it felt like it was night time (I have CGP/ebony). However, after several days, the tint became lighter...now it's just right for me. From the inside, I can see even at night with minimal light. From the outside, it looks dark though...people can probably only see my silhouette only.

35% tint looks light from the outside. Depending on your area though, the law as well as the enforcement of the law will be different. For my area, people get 35% to be safe with the cops, but 35% is already illegal for the front windows. Thus, the debate for my area is: 20% to benefit the passengers (heat rejection, etc.) versus 35% so you can have some tint and hopefully the cops won't care.

My accord has had 20% tint for close to a decade, and my TSX has had 15% tint for almost a year. The only time I was pulled over for tint was my other accord, where the tint was mirror-like (when parked on the street, people would use my car to check their face lol). So even though it's illegal, cops here won't bother to enforce it.

I tried to locate a picture for you, but apparently I can't find any of the ones that were taken after my tint was done.

 

I also am not from Toronto, but I would agree 35 really isn't that dark...I had my last car done 20% and it was perfect. I was only pulled over for it once.

Something to keep in mind is that when most 35% is metered it meters lower so be careful... eventhough you get 35% it may meter 30% when you get pulled over and you could still get a ticket...

 

exactly my question...i'm from Toronto too...and I have CGP...and I wana do tints this spring!

I've heard alot of good things about Thornhill Tints...Richard..

I'll go find him for sure since so many ppl recommanded.

35% isn't dark at all...but for my opinion, I think 35% is just right for CGP as I don't want a car that's too dark as a whole since we hv grey already. 35% can make the car look classier too...

I'm considering 30%, but wonder if TT will do 30...some places i heard you only have choices of LIGHT, MEDIUM, DARK without any %age...

Would be great to see a 30% CGP pic!

 

+1
It's not to say that a cop couldn't fairly pull you over vs anyone else that had 15% tints, but like MMs said, if that's what everybody else has, you'll blend right in. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

I'm in Toronto (well, Markham) and I'm running 28% all around, and I haven't gotten any problems from the coppers, been pulled over a couple times for random spot checks and all those R.I.D.E checks, and they haven't said anything about my tints, actually got a compliment from a cop once, which was cool.

My friend is running 17% all around on his white Mazda3 GT sport, and he hasn't had any problems either, but usually if the cops pull me over for anything, I put on the interior dome lights or make sure I stop under a street lamp, that way my car will be as bright as possible.

Unless you're doing something really stupid though, I don't think generally they'll pull you over just because of your tints, probably they were targetting you for something else and just wanted to try to nail you on the tints as well.

 

Oh alright. Thanks everyone....I'm probably going to check out a few places and see what I can do...

Dixon do you know any places that do it well? If there's a place you know that does it for a decent price and does it well, I wouldn't mind checking that out...as for 28%...do you find it dark at night or anything like that? Or you haven't had any troubles with it?

 

Well, I didn't exactly shop around, since it was my friend who recommended the place I went to for my tints, but Apple Auto Glass was charging an arm and a leg for it.

I have absolutely no problems with my 28s, they're good day and night, I don't have any visibility problems. So far, I think I've had my tints since... June of last year? I haven't had any problems with it, plus my tints came with a lifetime warranty, so if it starts to peel or anything, I can just take it back and they'll fix it for me, I paid $170 for my tints.

If you want to know the place, I'd have to ask my friend, I only know the name of the place in Chinese, which is 'Fong Wun' and is near Silver Star Blvd, around Midland and Finch. But of course, that almost a year ago, don't know if they changed prices or anything.

But of course, shopping around is still good, I think the film they used for mine is pretty good, I don't know what it is, but so far its holding up well. Time will tell.

 

Ask around what all the tint shops offer as far as percentage wise and get some prices. Go with 30-35% on the front windows and 20-25% on the rear windows and back window. It's what I have and it looks fine, but I have a different car.

 

Alright then...thanks...I'll check it out when I have the time.

I want to ask though...I'm thinking of maybe just putting 35s on rather than going any darker...want to avoid any chance of having issues really...but I've read around here that some people find 35 still too light...is that really so?...Opinions please

 

i think anything that's >30-35% isn't even worth doing.

the legal limit in NYC is 75% (i think). i remember thinking that the windows don't even look tinted when i saw what it looked like. 35% is good enough for me. it's dark enough that it'll make the car look nicer, serve its purpose (reduce UV light, help whatever leather you have inside, reduce some heat), etc...i haven't had any issues with my tints.

the % is your personal preference.

 

Okay thanks everyone for your input. I think I'm going to go with 35% all around within then next two weeks. As long as they serve their purpose of blocking out light and heat without causing any problems for me then I'm satisfied with it.

Thanks again.

 

No tints are legal in NYC unless it is on the REAR of a SUV or Truck. I myself have 5% all around.. Front windows, rear windows, and Rear. I have 35% on the front windshield. Dont really get stopped that much and when I do get pulled over it usually turns into a car show with my car.. cops love to hate my car.

 

I have 20% and it is perfect to me. It's not so dark, but not so light.

 

damn, 5% all around with 35% windshield in a place where tint is illegal, thats crazy!

 

In nyc I had 15% all around 45% windshield on my m3 grey accord and only got pulled over once and never got any tint tickets. 35% is too light you can see people pick their boogies from the outside of the window....lmao
I been skeptical of throwing tints on my cgp, but if I do it would be 15%.


Demos you have pix of your ride?

 

yeah.. Ill post some right now.. I have ebony interior.. so it makes the tints look even darker







and you guys think that is dark.. I had 1% on the sides of my TL

 

Very nice... does the interior keep cooler than usual on hot days?

 

a bit.. but if you park in direct sun.. it gets hot in there.

 

Wow super dark...very nice

 

I used to have 5% on the rear windows and 20% on the front and windshield on a black car and it definitely made the car so much nicer looking. The 5% on a black car looks like the whole thing is painted black, but in a very good looking way, everything was so shiny especially with the chrome wheels. I never had any problems with the cops and 35% is what is legal in my state. As far as at night, it definitely hindered my ability to see out the back, you can still make shapes out, but thats about it. It's definitely not for everybody, but as far as looks go, I think the darker the better. I hope this helps, it's my first post haha

 

that's a riot.
20% on the windshield huh? interesting.

 

Just make sure whoever does the tint that they put in felt in the window wells so the tint doesn't get scratched.

 

Yessir! Thanks for the info.

 

If you don't get felt added make sure to keep you windows and rubber trim clean.

The darker the better

 

I had 3M Color Stable 35% installed all around. It uses carbon instead of metallic or ceramic particles. It looks decently dark at certain times. I like it overall and I usually only get a sideways glance from the law

 

I know that all Canadian provinces do not allow tinting on the front driver's/passenger side windows, let alone front windshield! I can't believe no LEOs have pulled those of you with front windshield tinting over and over and over again?

I'm pretty sure that front windshield tinting is illegal both in US and Canada. You're actually reducing visibility for yourself in low light. Kinda silly to get that tinted if you ask me.

PS: I don't have the felt installed and no scratches on the driver's side window (gets used the most) so far - it's been over a year now.

 

I have a silver 2005 TSX. I'm wondering: would 20% look too dark on a silver car? I'm thinking of 20% but haven't really seen it in person. I know that TOO dark on a silver car would look kinda tacky.

What do you folks recommend for a silver TSX?

Thanks!

 

I say 20%

 

From my understanding there is no 'legal limit' in toronto... it's up to the police officers discretion as to whether or not he can comfortably see into the front of your vehicle and see the driver and passenger.

I work in TO and have never had a problem with the tints on this car, or on my last.

I have 15% in the back, and 20% on the front driver/passenger windows never had a problem... IMO 35% is waaay too light... and unless you're being an asshole you're not gonna get hassled in a TSX in TO... way too many civics driving around with rice can exhausts to get hassled in the TSX...

 

Look at the pics of my car... that is not 20% but that is what a silver car looks like with dark tints

 

I am not sure what the local law enforcement uses in Toronto, but here in MA many will carry the light/tint meters with them. I have been pulled over before and gotten a ticket for having 18% tint. Plus the MA state inspection is getting tighter around tinting also use the light/tint meters to pass or fail vehicles.

 

im not from taronto, im ftom nyc. our legal limit is even more than 35%. i actually have 20% all around on mine and i have been ticketed for it several times. ones even got 4 tickets at one time ( 1 for every window). it also depends on the interior. if the interior is light than its gonna look good and shouldnt have problems. is u have dark interior like me its looks much darker and i usually open my sunroof at night to get more light into the car. my brother has 20% in his x5 but his tints looks much lighter because of his very light interior.

 

quick question since you 5% windows 35% windshield how is driving at night bad, fine, I think the HIDs woulds help. Im asking because i want to tint my windshield 35% and have 20% around. I think ill be fine im not worried about cops either.

 

It like 8mo later from you did this post but i have a silver TSX and i did 20% it look real nice i wish i went 15%. Now im came to a solution after i get my hole car dynamat i just may add a 35% on to my clear front windshield so it make the windows more darker.

 

if your interior is black then 20% would do the job, even with ebony i think it will still look dark but not as much as if it were dark!

 

U got got ripped off i could have go 15% LLumar but i went 20% i payed $200 and some change.