I've decided to tint the windows on my gray 2004 TL. I'm fairly new to window tinting so I was wondering what tints (percentages?) would look good. Pictures with what tints you got would be much appreciated and any advice! I can only tint the front windows to let 35% or more light in and I also want to tint the rear 2 windows and the back side window. I know I don't want pitch back for those though.

 

I went 35 all around on my ole TL and I liked it! Until it got scratched up! Make sure to get moleskin!

 

It's all opinion but I prefer 35% all around (except windshield). 35 looks clean and classy and still allows you to see out decently at night time. If you have a black interior it makes appear a little darker anyway. I also recommend using the same percentage all around as it's more uniform and overall just looks better. For best results find a tinter that won't tint around your third brake light and also gets tint behind the rubber strip on the rear door 1/4 windows. If they don't do that there will be an unsitely line visible on the outside. Sorry I didn't post them in this thread, but search my username I have plenty of pictures of my car with tint and even a specific thread with pics after I got my windows done.

As far as scratches TL's do eventually scratch the tint. Don't bother with moleskin, safe yourself the hassle and money and do it yourself using felt material from any fabric store. Simply remove your door panels, remove the rubber window seal and wrap it with felt. No nasty glue, it won't peel off eventually, and it works perfect. Did this on my TL and the tint has been perfect!!

 

My tinter did not tint the 1/4 section on the rear door and it bugs the shit outta me.

 

That would piss me off too. Hope you short paid him the same way he shorted the job.

 

I have 35% all the way around, Like JTS said, it looks very nice, and is not too dark so you can see at night. You may want to check your state tint limit and this will help you to avoid any problems like being pulled over for your tint no matter what percentage you choose.

 

After always having 35% I went with 20% on the TL. Any tint on the front windows is illegal in NY, but Ive never had any problems. Id go 35 all the way around if your worried about it as 20 is a bit darker when its not sunny out. I can still see out fine at night though.

35%

 

I went as dark as possible. I like it

 

I have 20% all the way around and I love it.

 

I have 35% in the front and 15% in the back. I think it looks good

 

I have the same combo, I love it

 

25% all around.

 

20% all around. Makes it easier to pick your nose without people watching

 

^ - And sleep in the back

 

I went 35 front and 20 back.. look classy imo

 

I went with 35% all around on mine. Legal limit in VA is 50% in the front but so far I haven't been pulled over.

 

20% all the way around

 

20% or darker. That's it that's all

 

I bought my car with tint installed and 3 years later I finally get pulled over, I always wondered what percentage I had, apparently it is 6%. I am juggling whether I should get 20% or 35%, state law is 35%. It may make my choice easier if I knew the penalty for a second tint offense, but I can't find a solid answer.

 

Windshield: FormulaOne Pinnacle 50%
All side windows: FormulaOne Pinnacle 50%
Rear windshield: FormulaOne Pinnacle 40%

I always had super dark tint on my IS300 but I really love the look of the window tint on my TL.







It definitely looks darker having the black interior and having the windshield tinted a little.

 

15% on the front two at least i kno that from getting a ticket. The rest seem a little darker. I bought mine this dark (fl tags) so im not removint it. Plus leather seats in the south = a burnt as.

 

Thanks for all the replies I really appreciate them! Legal limit for the two front windows is 35%. I've decided to do 35% for all 5 windows since I think it will be dark enough, like some of you said it will look uniform, and I want to be able to see at night. Are there any certain types or brands of tints that I would want to use?

 

First my car with 35%....



Removed due to scratching and went with 20%...I wish I did this the first time.



Oh, and get the moleskin...you wont regret it.

 

I've got an appointment with my tint guy next week, Going with 5% all around and 35% on the front windshield. I enjoy my privacy =)

 

went with 30 front 15 back still wish it was darker lol

 

I'm 35% all around but I really want to go 20% for the summer . Anyone got a link to the moleskin or a dyi link for installing the fabric under your door panel?

 

Good luck driving at night, geezus lol

 

I like 20%. I had 20 all the way around on my TL but after three years Maryland said I had to take it off. Im putting it right back on though. I want to get 5% but its pushing your buttons here in Maryland.

 

good luck with insurance if you get into an accident driving at night.

 

yeah your gonna run someone over at night

 

5% all the way around except the windshield

 

i just got the FormulaOne Pinacle 35% on all four sides and 25% on the back and its perfect. just enough to look good but light enough to not draw negative attention (looks lighter because of tan interior) and super clear when looking out even at night.

Only other thing i would want to do is the windshield either a light tint or just something for UV protection/protection of the interior from the sun.

 

Do you have any more pictures of your car showing the tint? I'm from Boston and I was thinking of getting 35% on the sides and 20% on the back. I think I'm already liking this combo!

 

I just got my TL in November, well when i got it, the first thing I wanted to do is window tinting. I got 32 all around, Living in IL, cops are crazy for people with dark tints!

If you guys ever got or get them done, the installer told me it will be little more, I asked him why? he said he has to take all doors apart and add this very smooth cloth strip for the tints not to get scratched, he wont lie to me, I had all my cars done by him and he said I don't want you to come back to me and make me redo everything, I want to make sure I do it right the first time..

So just keep that in mind guys... Just wanted to throw that out to everyone.

 

I just got 20% done today, I wish I would have went with 20% front and 5% in the rear.
Got a 6" 20% strip along windshield. Going to tint the entire windshield with 50% now.

I spent quite a bit of time looking for pictures of our 3rd gens with different tints and was pretty disappointed. Hopefully this helps someone out in the future about 20% with tan interior. I would be more than happy to post more pictures if someone would like to know before they tint their windows.
AND DON'T FORGET THE MOLESKIN!





I was worried about having tan interior and not going dark enough. So for anyone wondering what I was wondering... GO DARKER. 20% is not enough to hide the tan.

 

Tinting the windshield completely with 50% is a bad idea if you plan on driving the car. Any accident that occurs can be blamed on the 50% tint impairing your vision. The most i'd ever do is 90% 3M Clear tint to keep UV rays from messing up the interior.

 

I have ran 50% on the windshields before, it's really not that bad. I have a dermatologist that writes tint prescriptions so I can get out of tickets. This is my wife's car and she has problems driving in the dark, I do ALL of our night driving so 50% on the windshield isn't a problem.

 

What brand/type of tint did you get? I am guessing it was a dyed variety. I have Llumar CTX-30 all around with tan interior and mine looks identical to your second picture (mine isn't as dark as the first angle though). I think that partial ceramic/full ceramic tints will look darker than a standard dyed product in the same VLT. Also, my windows meter at around 25 combined (legal in the state of WA).

Don't tint your windshield because in the one in a million chance you are involved in an accident with a cyclist/pedestrian, lawyers will bend you over. That could literally lose you the case in a civil suit and/or criminal case.

 

Interior color plays a role too, I went 30% on mine but it looks darker. On the way home I made a stop, 1 min later a cop Sgt made the same stop. Didn't say anything.

 

My 2 cents:

30% if you have black interior.
20% if you have tan/lighter interior.

Anything lower will be hit or miss with getting pulled over (IMO). Below is my TLS w/30% all the way around on a sunny day (I have black interior).