t0md0

Just thought I'd share my experience for anyone looking to tint their front windows to match the rear factory tint. I just got mine done over the weekend by a local shop and they had a few brands to choose from. The cheapest one being the Madico Charcool (which is a pretty decent film if you ask me), then Madico Black Pearl, Suntek, and Huper Optik. Out of all of them I think the Black Pearl (ceramic) matched the best however, they were charging like $150 for just the front 2. The Huper Optik (also ceramic) was also $150 but it has a reflective quality to them. Since I was on a tight budget, I opted for the Charcool for $75.

I chose the 20% and from the outside it actually doesn't look bad at all and matches pretty well. I'll try to post some pictures up later. The real kicker is the difference from the inside looking out. The color difference is definitely more noticeable. It sort of has a slight greenish hue to it compared to our factory. I'm sort of OCD so it kind of bothers me a tad but at the end of the day it's in the inside and it's not bad for the price for a good quality film.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll go back and redo it to the Black Pearl. Or pick another tint shop who might have other tint options. Btw, I do live in sunny southern CA and it is illegal here to tint the front windows but seriously, literally almost everyone tints their windows here and most cops won't fuck with you unless they really feel like it. It's just one of those things here most cops usually just let slide. If you're in a fixed up ride with some limo tint then you're just asking for it. Being in my family car RDX I'm hoping to fly under the radar.

Netforcer

Do you have auto dimming side mirrors? If so, how's the visibility at night? That's my main concern.

t0md0

I don't think my 2013 has auto dimming side mirrors. Only the rear view mirror.

Faozat

Thank you for the detailed info ! I got my RDX 5 days ago and I'm dying to tiny my windows! So where did you go????

t0md0

There's a spot in OC called Perfect Window Tint. Check em out if you're nearby. They have great reviews on Yelp.

jcross1231

Made little difference when I did mine. You can still see the mirrors just fine with the increased tint. If anything, it's better at night.

srpuywa

in CA - you are just asking to get pulled over with dark tinted front windows - I think 35% is the legal limit

t0md0

Do you live in CA? Because if you did, you would/should know that having any tint on the front side windows is illegal.

And yes I agree, dark tints in the front like limo is asking to get pulled over. If you want to be safe, 35% or higher. But again, I'll be real honest, living in CA is see 20% all the time. It's almost the norm.

ronvanr

I use 3m Crystalline 70% transmission on my two front windows. The tint lets in 70% of the visible light through, but block most of UV and IR light. I never have to worry about being pulled over since you can barely see the tint, you get all the befits of a dark tint (minus the privacy) I like the extra light so extra bonus for me.

DUCRDX

How much cooler do you feel it makes your RDX? I'm thinking of doing this myself. It gets to 120 here.

ronvanr

I don't have any data on how cooler the car is, but with the 3M and a sunshade, I notice the car cools off much quicker. Also, the 3M makes driving more comfortable as the sun is less intense on my body with the tint in place.

DUCRDX

That's a good point. I have to put a towel over my arm sometimes to get it out of the sun. Thanks for your input. Mind if I ask how much that costed you? Just the two front windows?

ronvanr

I think I paid around 200 for the two windows.

vile10

+1 for 3M 70% crystalline, I think it helps a lot, now it makes me considering 90% windshield

jcross1231

$159 on a new 2021 RDX.

dtownfb

I had my front 2 windows tinted in June. I can't remember the brand but it was the ceramic tinting. They matched the rear windows.

Like others said, it does help with keeping the interior cooler, glare reduction, and over heating of the arm while driving. I paid $159.