TLTrance

I've read various tint threads through the years and I never thought I'd actually be in the market to get it. Now that I have a little one sitting in the back, I'd like to make sure she's as comfortable as possible. Hence, I'm in need of some education on tinting...

1. What is legal in CA for rear side windows and rear windshield? How about the front windows? (I don't think I'll tint the fronts unless the responses here indicate a compelling reason to do so).

2. I've read about 3M tints, Huber Optiks, Formula 1, etc. I'm sure there are like a million choices. Instead of directly asking which one is recommended, I would like to ask: Which shops do you guys recommend in the tri-valley (Dublin/Pleasanton/Livermore/San Ramon) area? Please include in your reply the type of tint that the shop you are recommending sells.

3. What is a reasonable price for the 2 rear windows and rear windshield? How about all side windows and the rear windshield? I realize this is going to depend on brand...

4. How long does does the tinting process take?

5. What else should I be looking for/expecting? For example, I know I should get moleskin to prevent scratching/scuffing of the tint. Any other tips?

Thanks in advance!

Bearcat94

1. K-001: Legal Tint Limits and Information
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=164732

2. https://acurazine.com/forums/california-308/

3. Same as 2 for local costs.

4. 1 - 1 1/2 hrs give or take. Don't roll down the windows for ~3 days.

5. Make sure they fully tint the rear quarter window. Also do they remove and tint under the high-mount brake light or cut around it? Either can be OK, but which ever the do, they need to do carefully/correctly.

ez12a

I would take the risk and tint the front two side windows for the sake of UV protection if anything, all that leather and plastic interior is best protected if possible. I have 35% on mine and have not been pulled over since getting it installed. You'll need to note that your interior color will also affect how the tint will appear from the outside. My camel interior makes my tint look a lot lighter.

TLTrance

Thank you both for the responses so far.. Didn't know the garage had the tint law links! Awesome!

Isn't 70% the minimum for front sides in CA? Anything less, especially something 1/2 as much (35%) is going to be fairly obvious, right?

ez12a

depends where you live, I suppose.

I've been driving with this tint for over a year and have never been hassled. Then again, my car is more or less stock looking and I dont drive crazy.

Visit a tint shop and see for yourself, 35% still allows enough light to identify the driver inside. It's noticeable that you have tint, but unless they stop you and bring out a tester they wont be able to guess what %

HairyMonkey019

iTrader: (7)

http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/CA/

i never got the front tint just cuz i didn't want to be hassled by cops for it.

anyways there's always air blue tint, which is pretty much clear, but still has the UV protection

aBe 024

I have 35% on my front two side windows and 15% on my rear sides and rear window. Camel interior does help make it look less dark, my 35% looks real light.

Also wondering, the shop that did my tint tinted the rear brake light on rear window, am I not suppose to tint that?

ez12a

you should be able to get away with that as long as it works. My rear windows came tinted from the previous owner and they cut around it.

Btros

I went with 15% all around and I'm glad I did. I see people with 35% and it is just so clear. 20 or less really changes the look of the car for the better. However, I'm living in CO now and I think it's more lenient here. I have been pulled over twice since I got it and I rolled all my windows down and the cop didn't say anything about the tint.

When I was out in SoCal this summer, I noticed that very few cars have the front windows tinted, even nice modded ones, so I guess it's stricter there. I think I would still go with 15% even in Cal and just take the risk. It makes such a difference compared to 35%.

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

i had 50% front and 20% back, but i have a black interior so it looks much darker. 20% is perfect for the back but i got 2 tickets and a warning on my front tint. i have a lazy cop who sits in my park and ride for work so i get tickets while parked for tint. i took off my front tint last week. if you have a light interior i think you will be ok, might as well just get the front tint and then remove it if you have to ($20 to remove it and $10 for the ticket after removal)

i paid about 240 for all around tint and lifetime warranty, also make sure you get moleskin otherwise the tint will get scrathed/scarred. i'm probably going to put on 70% soon just to try to get some UV blocking since the sun is strong down here in SD.

tinting process only takes 2 hours max and it makes a world of difference temperature and look-wise

rully1012

iTrader: (1)

any tint on the front is illegal in CA

I always use Johnson window films because they have warranty against it ever turning purple

a lot of shops use them because they're are affordable and never turn purple

cheap tint will start to turn purple then fade

like every other brand, Johnson also has different price ranges the cheaper stuff will fade quicker then the better more expensive one, but will still never turn purple

that my as a installer and consumer

now as far as looks go i say go 5% on all the rears

for the front 15% will get you pulled over i say every 6-8 months average

35% will get you pulled over only if you drive like a jackass or if you catch the cop on a very bad day

anything lighter then that you wont get hassled much at all

now for cost ....to do the entire rear for decent quality tint i say 100-140 is fair some shops advertise for 50 bucks but the last thing you want to do is strip the rear window too often cuz of shitty purple or faded tint... the rear defrosters will only stand up to 1 mayyyyybe 2 strips

my tl has had Johnson rear tint for 4 years and has faded very very little and that's 5% which is usually the easiest to notice when it fades because its so dark off the bat

install time 1.5-2 hours depending if one or two guys

mole skins are a very good idea on the tl

good luck for your situation i think you might be better off going 35% all around the better quality brands offer 20% which also looks good if you go all around

VanyDotK

iTrader: (6)

In CA the darkest you can go is 5% in the rear and UV tint in the front.

jkopuffs

I have limo tint all around, and never got attention because of it.

UA6

You're been lucky.

anthracite_ftw

My car has been all over CA, with 35% tint in the front and 20% in the back, and I've never been hassled about it. Worth the risk, I'd say.

TLTrance

I think I'll do 20% rears, but I'm not sure if I'll do the fronts yet. I'll head over to the Cali board to get some local recommendations. Thanks everyone!

twiz03

I live in San Diego,

I originally had 5% back 20% front for about a year. I drove down south to Chula Vista (first time ever) and got pulled over. Took off the 20% and changed it to 50%. I havent been hassled since, 50% with black interior makes it look darker than it really is. I wish i would've went with 35% but it's too late now.

I paid $210 for all of my windows. Get the Moleskin, it's worth the money. I didn't get it on mine and now my tint is scratched

Guiltyox

When I lived in San Jose I had 20% on every window, with the exception of the windshield, on my NBP/Ebony TL, and I was never hassled, ever.