So to start the summer off I have decided to tint my windows. My TL is black, and I have run into the problem of what percentage to go with. I know legal in VA is 35% back, and 50% front side. I was wondering how big of a difference 35 - 30 % is ( I know the obvious answer is 5% but I mean looks wise) and should I just go ahead and do all the tintable windows 35 or stick to the law?

 

i actually just went and made an appt to get mine done, and the guy told me they usually do 35% all around, so thats what im going with. same laws as you here in WI, but he said people dont usually run into any problems.

 

I know different brands of tint will look darker than others but provide the same percentage of light through the tint. I learned that a good tint is really worth the money. I spent $400 on my tint which included tinting all the windows except the front windshield, the sunroof 5%, and the mole skin. It also came with a lifetime warranty that if the tint flakes or bubbles its all free. But look into what line of brand the shop will be using and see how the 35% of one brand compares to another.

 

$400? Damn. My quotes were $165 and $190.

 

i spent 200 on my grand prix, but my tl was already tinted. I would like to go darker on my back windows. The price of the tint job, is about the quality of the product and warrenty.

 

I spent about $200 for my 35% tints all around except the front windshield.

 

$180 with moleskin install and lifetime warranty--> 26% all around except windshield.

 

Have 35% all around minus the windshield, which I'll do later this month to 50%. I paid $250 for my tint and the brand was SunTek.

 

wompwomp msg me, i got my tints done in rockville md. i can get u top of the line llumar tint for 225. all around

 

I wouldn't get two different shades on the side windows cause I think it looks tacky. 35% really isn't that dark at all. I have 32% on my sides which is legal in GA and on a sunny day you can see right through them. I would hope that the cops would only pull you over if you had windows with 20% or less. But I know VA cops are strict, especially with speeding...lol. But worst case, you would just have to redo the front two.

 

sadly, i got 50% on all windows except the windshield. what a WASTE. it's as if nothing's there. get 35% all around for a clean look. if you see a cop, just open your sunroof and let the sunlight in. haha.

 

35% is nothing. Not worth tinting.

But I will tell you it's not fun paying for tint tickets... Just mailed in mine yesterday.
I have 14% according to trooper's read-o-meter.

 

if i were you being that im in VA too i would get 35%-30% all around..... what color is your interior...?

 

For my TL 20% rear window 35% all around. I'm happy with the results. If the weather improves I'll take some pics.

The Fit is 20% all around. Too many windows in that thing.

 

Yeah I am 18 and about to go to college so I am definitely not looking to pay any tickets anytime soon. haha. I think 35 % would be fine all around, with black interior, since it would make it darker somewhat correct? Does anyone have any pictures of a TL with 35% all around?

 

I've been reading that metallic tints may affect GPS and/or XM radio by reducing the transmission. How true is this for our TL's? I'm about to get my tint done today and should I just get a high end dyed, ceramic, or full metallic?

 

I'm in MD and did 35 front 20 rear with gray interior it looks fine. I have not gotten any Tint tickets however i have been stopped and ticketed for speeding. My friend did 35 all around -windshield with black intirior and it looked almost as dark as my 20 in the back (you could not see the back seat even standing close to the car.

 

$225 with Moleskin?

 

I actually just came back from the tint shop a little while ago haha. I got 35% all around (except windshield) and I think it looks great. $400 for Huper, I brought in my own moleskin and they offered to install it for free.

 

So does everyone think that moleskin is a necessity?

 

Yes, some people have gotten away without using moleskin, but I'd prefer to take the preventative measure and have it installed.

My installer already knew about it and put it on without me ever asking. They've done quite a few TLs.

 

Use to have 5% all the way around and 35% windshield. Got tired of paying $97 per window. After 2 pull overs i stripped the tint and went legal.

 

Haa ha, one expensive ticket.
97 a window is outrageous.

But gotta pay to play, i guess....

 

What part of VA are you in? Im down in the Hampton Roads area and I just had my wife's 06 TL and my 05 TL done. Each cost $129.00, and I can tell you the look great!

 

i go to ice elec in gaithersburg maryland, they all ways hook me up with discount and ppl i bring i get mine for 150 i have 15% and 20% on the back and 45% on the front windows.

 

I hope your joking about 35% being not worth tinting. 35% is a perfect percentage you cant even see in a car that has 35% on an overcast day for 10+ feet! Not to mention tint does more then just keep solar energy out it blocks UV rays regardless of the percentage. This means your interior last longer your leather doesn't fade and crack.

Here is my 35%

 

what material are your tints?

 

Solar guard, I did the tint myself with a kit from Snaptint 75$ and a little elbow grease and you got yourself a tint job that will outlast most of the crappy tint these shops apply. Especially when the tint starts to turn purple and bubble and you dig around for your receipt that has your "lifetime Warranty" information only to find out the shop is long gone out of business. Sorry had to rant thats what happened to me a few years back on another car. Ever sense been tinting my own windows!

http://www.snaptint.com/car-tint-Acura-TL-2006.html

 

thanks for that link! and it comes with a lifetime warranty now im super tempted to try this myself but my main concern is bubbles because im horrible at that stuff. btw, what does the installation kit include? and do i need extra materials along with the kit?

i never realized thats why people have purple tints! i always thought it was just their style and a hideous taste.

 

Did they get under your gasket on back window?

 

It can be done! Don't let them tell you they can't! And, Yes to the moleskin! I say go darker than 35% but if you want to stay legal do the 35%.

 

If you add on the install kit it basically give you 2 or 3 different types of squeegees plus the soap solution. The hardest part is the back window because you need to use a heat gun to shrink the tint so it forms around the slight curve if the window. If I were you maybe buy the kit if you willing to try to DIY and just do the side windows and have a shop install the rear. I actually took each window out into my house to ensure I had no dust/debris in between the film and the window. Plus you can tint the small window in the back perfectly that most shops seem to screw up!

 

Roger, That seems like the ultimate way to do it, but how did you get all the windows out? And how long did that process take? Looks great!

 

Taking the windows out is sooo easy, just remove your door panel and you lower your window to a certain height so the bolts line up with two holes in the door panel , then you just remove both bolts. You can then just pull the window strait up and out! Seriously extremely easy to do!

 

Thanks! I will try this when I replace my tint (a few yrs from now, if no tickets). Overall a very good idea, nice job

 

Why can't the damn tint shops take out the rear window and tint it... How hard would it be for me to just take out the small back windows then take the car to the tint shop?

 

pretty easy man like 30 minutes and you got both windows in hand

 

where did you get your tint done?

 

i stressed about moleskin for a while. most reputable tint shops around here wont install it though. i had my tints done without it and no problems at all

 

I live in Va.. NOVA area and I got my TL-S tinted 20% all around. Looks great!