Rob C

Hi there....just bought my 06TL last weekend, and of course the first thing I want to do is get all my windows tinted (well, not the front of course!).

A couple of questions: Does anyone have pics or advice on what they did for tinting? It would be particularly helpful to get some testimonials and some pics of cars with the black interior and all the windows tinted (included driver/passenger side windows....). I went to a shop yesterday and got some samples of medium tint (35%) and dark tint (20% or 25% I think) but it's hard to tell how dark it will really look from the inside and outside with all windows done.

Also, if anyone knows of a good place to get this done in the SoCal area (preferably in the San Fernando Valley or Ventura Co. areas) that would be great too!

Thanks!
Rob

reloaded

https://acurazine.com/forums/search.php?searchid=313881

Search button my friend.

pkim05

Here's a picture of my car. I tinted my windows along with the tail lights and rear side markers. If u want more pics let me know and I'll take some more. This photo was just to see how my tinted tail lights would look.

chevyzq8

As dark as you can get by with, I did my TL 13% all around, and it's really dark at night. I tint windows as a side job so obviously getting a shop to do wasn't a problem

20% is probably best for the average person, 35% is a little light for my taste especially if you have a lighter interior color.

ubnpast

what do you guys think I should get for my NBP tl with black leather? I wanted 15% so people cant see me, but Ive heard that the black interior makes it look darker. I had 15% on my 93 integra, which was white and a charcol interior and liked it.

subinf

i got the darkest tint the shop had on my black TL, i like it. i dont have black leather so i dont know if it makes it look darker or not

Darkcyde024

iTrader: (1)

I have the limo (5%) tint on my black tl w/ black leather and it is really dark. i love the look though. I decided if I'm going to live in cali (where any front window tint it ILLEGAL) and risk getting a ticket, I might as well go real dark!! It helps A BUNCH during the hot summer time!! I also have a front window shade which I couldn't live without. At night, you can't see in at all. Even w/ the navi on.

MoneyMike

mine is 13% all around...it is pretty dark at night like stated in Chevyzq8 post but it does look reallly nice.....

pkim05

My brother has an M3 with 5% limo tint and it looks nice, but it's hard to see at night. When reversing or sometimes making a turn, you'd have to roll down the windows just to see where you're going. I have 20% and it's pretty dark. I sometimes have to roll down my windows at night just to see where I'm going too.

Rob C

I saw a silver TL with 35% tint all around, also with black interior like mine, that looked good, but I'm still tempted to go 20% all around (yes, I know it's illegal in SoCal). With the 35% you could still see inside/thru the car. However, I saw it in sunlight on a 95 degree day. I heard a few testimonials from people that had 20% all around...is the consensus that it is really hard to see from the inside at night? What about during the day? Are there any others in SoCal that have gotten tickets with 20%? If so, what's the penalty?

NateWithOCD

I had 15% on my last car, a BMW 328i with gray leather interior, and it was perfect for me. You couldn't really see in during the day, and at night, not at all, though I will agree with others that it was hard to see outside at night, particularly when backing up. I wouldn't go less than 15%, unless you don't care about possibly being effectively blind out those windows at night.

Also, I've seen mention of people having "moleskin" added to the rubber trim that touches the glass on the inside, with some concern of the tint getting scratched by the existing rubber trim? Is that an issue, or not? I'm about to get my 2006 TL (woohoo for my new car) tinted, and want to make sure that I don't overlook anything.

Thanks

-Nate

K-Shawn

A suggestion go with 5% all around the TL and 20% installed on the windshield. Get crazy an even do the sunroof, when the sunshade is pulled back.

psygnwave

Anyone have experience with Solar Eclipse Window Tinting in Woodland Hills? They recommended Matico tint, 21% sides 8% on back, but didn't seem to know much about installing felts on a TL.

Any input? Thanks!!
2006 TL Navi, Anthracite, Quartz

datmrman

How did I miss this one?!

Here is a recent thread asking almost the same thing.

A good tint company in So. CA

Rumor has it that its a $10 fix-it ticket to remove the front tints. I've seen quite a few with 35% in front and have had no problems (mine included). I say 35% all around or 35% fronts and 20% rears.

mrshowbiz122

I have 35% sides and 30% rear with a black on black and it is a little to light for me during the day. At night time you cant really see in. I might get them retinted to 20%

Rob C

I ended up getting 20% all around (all 7 windows ..but not the front windshield...although I guess some people are actually doing that too now). I also got the "felt" installed, based on all the comments I read about scratching without it. Looks great!!! I got charged $300 (would have been more like $180 if it wasn't for the felt). This is probably a high price but the guy spent about an hour talking to me about it, and his shop seemed really safe (I left the car overnight, indoors). The other shop I went to was going to charge $150 but acted like they didn't know anything about felt...didn't trust that one.

The guy who did the tinting said that usually with 20% on the front side windows he sees people getting tickets in the LA/Ventura county area within about a year of tinting (but he only charges $50 to remove and replace it). He says the most common time for a ticket is actually when you are pulled over for other reasons. His recommendation is to roll your windows down BEFORE the officer gets to your window...they don't like it if they can't see you, and that's when they usually will write you up. It's some kind of a fix-it ticket. I guess I figured I would take my chances with it :-)

Thanks again for the help!
Rob

Rob C

P.S. It was Advanced Tinting by Caesar in Moorpark, CA where I got the work done.

lights

iTrader: (1)

I just got mine tinted to match my side mirrors.
I have a WDP TL. :tup:

datmrman

$300?! Yikes! Well at least you got it done correctly.


Everyone else.. Best Window Tinting in Irvine.. $160 which includes felt and free removal of tint if you get a fix-it ticket. Well worth the drive.

Rob C

Yep...I figured I got ripped off, but I was so frustrated with dealing with other places I just caved in :-)

ityper

i'm going to recommend this to anyone that's in s.cali. Rich's Tint Shoppe in city of Walnut, CA. Best tint shop i've been to and i've been going for years. My only regret was taking it to the shop and letting his apprentice do my tint. Asides from that, if you manage to book Rich for tinting, you'll be stunned at the work he does.

psygnwave

datmrman, thanks for the cross reference to the other thread. My question was specificly about that one shop. I hear your recommendation for the shop in Tustin; I just want to see if I can get a solid recommendation and quality and avoid the drive.


What I have gathered from all the postings, in order to get the best tint job:

1. Non-metalic tint (how long should color stay true, not purple?)
2. Remove door panels to install moleskins and to get 100% coverage in the rear quarter windows
3. Written warranty, including free removal on the fronts if you get a fix-it ticket.
4. Obviously go with a place that has experience with doing TLs right
5. Check the shop to see that they have a well lit, relatively dust free environment

I'm interested in hearing more about shops in SFV that could do as good a job as Best in Tustin.

Thanks!