Tint Advice

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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 04:22 PM
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Tint Advice

Recently picked up a 2015 SH-AWD Tech package - Graphite Luster/Ebony Interior.

Would love some advice. Does anyone know the "tint" equivalent of the privacy glass? I would like to darken the existing privacy glass and tint the driver/passenger front windows to make a uniform look. I just don't know what % to ask for on the rear side and rear doors. Typically I've put on between 15-20% on previous vehicles and do like the "uniform" look.

Thanks guys, any pictures would be great too for stuff you have!!!
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Old Oct 5, 2014 | 09:31 PM
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tman's Avatar
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Its about 20%
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 09:02 AM
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I have a 2015 MDX /tech blk w/ blk interior. The rear windows came with a 20% tint, and I chose to go a little lighter on my front door windows. I did 30% on them, and it looks fine. I was a little worried about it not being uniform all the way around, but I figured most SUV's have the back tinted, but not the front, so what's the difference? In the day, you can see easily through the front windows, but at night it appears to hide the interior more.

Last edited by SS AC D; Oct 6, 2014 at 09:06 AM.
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 09:19 AM
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Might want to check with local laws because 20% may be too dark for the front passenger windows except with a doctor's order. It was 24% the max for SUV front windows and any % for rear windows last time I checked when my daughter was stationed up there a few years ago. There is only a 1% of 1% chance of getting pulled over because of the 20% tint on the front. Most likely to get an extra ticket if they pull you over for something like speeding. Make sure to roll down both front windows if you get pulled over for any reason. You will be 100% safe with 35% tint on the fronts and it will look darker anyways with the ebony interior.

I lived in Tacoma/Puyallup for 5 years in the 90s and 20% tint would be too dark for me during those overcast rainy days during the short daylight winters.
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Old Oct 6, 2014 | 10:03 AM
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With SUV's I always match the fronts to the OEM rear windows and have been told it's 20%.. Yes, I may be pushing it in regards to the law, but I don't like the way the fronts look when they're a lighter tint than the rear. Besides in all the years of having tint on our SUV's, I have never had a problem.

However, a few times over the years I have been questioned as to the percentage of tint on my cars, even though the tint on my cars is within the legal limit. So go figure..
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 11:50 AM
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+1 on 20%. I am doing ours this weekend.
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Old Oct 7, 2014 | 03:39 PM
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Just did my front, I went with Formula 1 Pinnacle 30 (30%). The factory rears are about 20%, which is too dark for the fronts IMO. I thought 30 was a good compromise between traditional 20 and 35's.
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Old Oct 8, 2014 | 06:23 AM
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^ That was a good idea, Im sure it looks good..
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Old Oct 8, 2014 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by JT4
^ That was a good idea, Im sure it looks good..
Since you're also from NY, you know that NYPD does crack down on illegal tint. I've found 30 to be a good compromise.

I posted pics here:
Back in a Honda (Again) - Acura MDX Forum : Acura MDX SUV Forums

Both my cars have the 30%
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Old Oct 8, 2014 | 03:02 PM
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Originally Posted by NelsonLee
Since you're also from NY, you know that NYPD does crack down on illegal tint. I've found 30 to be a good compromise.

I posted pics here:
Back in a Honda (Again) - Acura MDX Forum : Acura MDX SUV Forums

Both my cars have the 30%
It looks really good..
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Old Nov 3, 2014 | 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by NelsonLee
Since you're also from NY, you know that NYPD does crack down on illegal tint. I've found 30 to be a good compromise.

I posted pics here:
Back in a Honda (Again) - Acura MDX Forum : Acura MDX SUV Forums

Both my cars have the 30%

30% front and 20% rear? Nelson?
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Old Nov 4, 2014 | 10:13 PM
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35% is a bit lighter than the rear factory glass so I'd put it at between 20-30%.

I'd honestly recommend Llumar 30% or 3M Crystaline 30% for the windows. Another MDX'er here put them on and it matched the rears amazingly well.

Also putting on some 3M 90% Crystaline tint on the windshield will help reduce the heat coming into the cabin.
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
35% is a bit lighter than the rear factory glass so I'd put it at between 20-30%.

I'd honestly recommend Llumar 30% or 3M Crystaline 30% for the windows. Another MDX'er here put them on and it matched the rears amazingly well.

Also putting on some 3M 90% Crystaline tint on the windshield will help reduce the heat coming into the cabin.

I will get mine done next week, 15% rear and 35% front, they look darker because my mdx is pearl white. They have SunTek CXP (CarbonXP) $299.00 quoted for the whole car.
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Old Nov 19, 2014 | 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by jayth.lg
I will get mine done next week, 15% rear and 35% front, they look darker because my mdx is pearl white. They have SunTek CXP (CarbonXP) $299.00 quoted for the whole car.
Nevermind, I got it mixed up. 35% Rear and 15% Front. SunTek CXP
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Old Nov 19, 2014 | 11:47 PM
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I have a 2014 Graphite Luster Metallic and used Suntek CXP 18% Nano Carbon front driver and passenger side and 70% on Front windshield also Suntek Nano Carbon.
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Old Nov 22, 2014 | 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by KB1Spec
I have a 2014 Graphite Luster Metallic and used Suntek CXP 18% Nano Carbon front driver and passenger side and 70% on Front windshield also Suntek Nano Carbon.
front windshield?
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Old Nov 23, 2014 | 10:12 AM
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Yes I have nano carbon on front windshield. Not noticeable but rejects heats much better

Originally Posted by jayth.lg
front windshield?
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Old Nov 23, 2014 | 06:52 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by KB1Spec
Yes I have nano carbon on front windshield. Not noticeable but rejects heats much better
Any troubles with the law enforcement?
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Old Nov 24, 2014 | 11:01 AM
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In California, it is illegal to have front driver and passenger and front windshield tints regardless.

I'm just being cautious when I drive especially when my interior is Ebony.
So far I had 3 previous Acura with tint all around and I haven't gotten in trouble by law enforcement.
As long as your car don't stands out.

If you have light interior like tan color it should be ok.

Originally Posted by jayth.lg
Any troubles with the law enforcement?
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 06:36 PM
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I did 35% over the rear windows and 20% up front. I like it but am considering going darker.
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by KB1Spec
In California, it is illegal to have front driver and passenger and front windshield tints regardless.

I'm just being cautious when I drive especially when my interior is Ebony.
So far I had 3 previous Acura with tint all around and I haven't gotten in trouble by law enforcement.
As long as your car don't stands out.

If you have light interior like tan color it should be ok.
Yes, that is true. Mine is Diamond White Pearl with Eucalyptus interior.

35% rear and 15% front.
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by SFMDX
I did 35% over the rear windows and 20% up front. I like it but am considering going darker.
Darker front or rear?
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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 12:09 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by jayth.lg
Darker front or rear?
Darker in the front
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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by jayth.lg
30% front and 20% rear? Nelson?
Rears were factory. Fronts are 30%.

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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 03:05 PM
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Looks impressive!

Originally Posted by NelsonLee
Rears were factory. Fronts are 30%.

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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by NelsonLee
Rears were factory. Fronts are 30%.


I got mine with 35% Rear and 15% front, SunTek CXP
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Old Dec 1, 2014 | 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by SFMDX
Darker in the front
Yup.
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Old Dec 4, 2014 | 08:28 PM
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The 3M 20% Color Stable tint film is a near-perfect match to the rear glass

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The 3M Crysatlline 90% placed on the windshield

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Old Dec 14, 2014 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest
The 3M 20% Color Stable tint film is a near-perfect match to the rear glass



The 3M Crysatlline 90% placed on the windshield


How much did you pay for the opti-coat pro ?
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Old Dec 15, 2014 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by jayth.lg
How much did you pay for the opti-coat pro ?
Prep and Opti Coat Pro the entire entire vehicle including wrapped areas, and rims, then topped with Opti-Seal - $645
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Old Dec 16, 2014 | 09:47 AM
  #31  
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3M Color Stable is an almost exact match for the factory tint. I just had my front sides done in 30% and then used Huper Optik 70% on the front windshield. You can hardly tell the front windshield is tinted but it makes a world of difference on heat rejection and keeping your interior cool.

CalmSeasQuest, that is one heck of a deal on the OptiCoat. I called a few places around me and asked and they all wanted north of $1K for a new car. I opted to just bite the bullet and do it myself over a weekend. I have a PC and all of the tools/equipment to do it, I am just lazy I went ahead and did the cQuartz leather coating the same weekend.
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Old Dec 16, 2014 | 12:52 PM
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I pull these pic from my friend website and here is my set up
Suntek CXP 18% Grade Film all around and 70% Grade film front windshield








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Old Dec 16, 2014 | 06:52 PM
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Wow, I wish we could get away with tint that dark in Georgia. Looks great!
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Old Dec 18, 2014 | 05:14 PM
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What's everyone paying for tint?

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2015 SH-AWD base, and the dealer would very much like to include tint... for around $500 extra.

That sounds excessive to me (I'm sure they're negotiable) but it does have a lot more glass than the last car I had tinted.

Any input would be appreciated!
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Old Dec 18, 2014 | 10:29 PM
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Typical tint shop starts from anywhere $150 to $300. I recalled my friend charges $1200 on a BMW 650 GranSport using Huper Optik all around.

I used SunTek CXP and paid $300 all around including the front windshields
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Old Dec 23, 2014 | 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest
Prep and Opti Coat Pro the entire entire vehicle including wrapped areas, and rims, then topped with Opti-Seal - $645
What did they use to wrap it? The shop in my area quoted me $700 for the prep and opti coat. No wrap yet.
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Old Dec 23, 2014 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by 1coin3lives
What's everyone paying for tint?

I'm about to pull the trigger on a 2015 SH-AWD base, and the dealer would very much like to include tint... for around $500 extra.

That sounds excessive to me (I'm sure they're negotiable) but it does have a lot more glass than the last car I had tinted.

Any input would be appreciated!

I paid about $300 + tax for the SunTek CXP 15% front and 30% rear.
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