Hey everyone,

I was curious as to what the factory window tint is on the 2012 TL Sh-AWD. I assume it is the same on all models. Before I traded my TL I had 39% VLT Ceramic tints and though it looks great, it was a bit too light for me. Now on my ATS I am stuck on what to go with. Not sure if a 25% or a 30% VLT will be too dark so I wanted to know what the factory tint is on the TL so I can get an idea of comparing it with the ATS. It should be on the lower corner of the windows.

Thanks alot!

 

Wasn't aware it had factory tint

 

I am not sure if it does. I am hoping someone could clarify if it did or didnt. Some people are saying there is like 80% some are saying there isnt. If there is it SHOULD say it on the window

 

I worked 38 years for PPG Industries, glass fabricating division. We supplied auto glass to Honda, Acura, Totota, Lexus, the Big 3, Mercedes, Audi, etc.

The glass that goes in an Acura TL and almost every other car including your ATS is called SolarGreen. There is a slight green color added to the mix when the raw sheet glass is produced. It is not a coating put on after the glass is fabricated. Not sure of the percentage of the tint but it's not much. If you go with the same tint you had on the TL it will look the same on the ATS.

What always baffeled me was why trucks and SUVs are under different rules and can come with much darker glass for the rear and back door windows. Stupid government regulations.

 

as someone mentioned there is no factory tint on a TL due to it being illegal in most states, now that I think about it I cant think of a single sedans that come tinted from factory like SUVs and minivans do

 

When I got my TL tinted. The tint shop did say it has a very light factory tint. I went 20% all around minus the windshield and after it came out to about 11%.

 

From my experience many come with a tint, but it is so minimal in order to follow the laws. For example, my ATS has a VLT of 70% its barely noticeable but I assume it does make a decent difference in heat and UV rays.

 

I agree with the SUV thing. Makes no sense all SUV's have such dark back windows what is the differene? In NY I believe the rear glass can be tinted to any % while all the doors are 70%. Which is what my ATS is. I know some cars dont have any VLT block from the factory such as some Mazdas, thats why I thought it might make a substantial difference if the TL didnt. The way I see it is that if the 70% from the factory is combined with the 39% I had (.39x.70= .27 so essentially a 27% tint.

 

Careful w/ NYC driving in Tints. My car's NC registered, and I live in Northern NJ. Go to NYC all the time, and I passed this asshole cop on the side of the road, he pulled me over saying that tints are illegal in the City. Got two tickets (one for front and another for back). I had 35%, which deteriorated into 32% over ~2 years. 3M premium tint.

After I got the ticket I looked up the regulations for NYC/NY state auto laws, and it clearly says that NY state registered vehicles can not have tints, but if tints are allowed in the registration state they're allowed in NY/NYC. Fucking dick cop knew I wouldn't fight the ticket cause it would mean traveling to NYC on a weekday morning to go to court and either way I'd end up paying court fees. Now I carry a little print out of the laws in case I get pulled over again for the same thing.

 

anybody knows Acura 2006 TL windshield oem tint percent? I just got mine installed after ice cracked the windshield and the tint isn't present as the rest of the windows (or was at first). ><

 

Son101. Did you but OEM glass or go with a cheaper replacement?

 

Yea I believe 70% is the maximum here, besides for the rear glass that can be any %. 70% is pretty much nothing, but many people have tint. I find that in NY as long as you aren't a ricer, or have an abnoxsiouly loud exhaust, or loud music, you are likely to get away with tints at 35%. I never got pulled over once in my TL and I was riding around Nassau, NYC, and Westchester putting 15-20k miles per year on the car.


Has anyone been able to find out if the glass has a tint % from factory? I passed by a dealership today, but the glass on the cars does not have a % on it. I assume this means there is no factory tint? My Cadillas says 70%, assume that it means that if there is a factory tint they must state the % so the police know if its legal?

 

I am pretty sure there would be absolutely no factory tint on the windsheild as it is illegal in most states. The only tint you would have would be a strip running across the top. Thats my educated guess.

 

I've heard from tint professionals that tint on top of tint is exponential, not linear; it'll be hard to calculate the change in percentage in case you're trying to stay right above the legal limit.

 

cheaper. I have pikington or whatever it's called glass. I'm no expert but I did read it was really good on here by many and went with it.

 

I forgot to mention that or maybe i did??? idk it's late....however my car has a tint on all windows when I bought it from a person including the sunroof. None of the tints are extreme though. I have no clue on the percentage.

If I were to take it to a tint place could they figure it out? Also would they have to reinstall a window to make a tint or is the tint added to the current installment? I'm a total noob ><

Thanks in advance.

 

The tint is a thin film that is applied onto the inside of the window. Just as well, they can remove a tint from a window (as long as it is not the factory tint which is usually minuscule, or on the back windows of most SUVs). I would assume most tint places have a machine that can read the %

 

Anybody know the differences between 3M Color Stable and 3M FX Premium? Is it worth paying 250 for the color stable vs 200 for the FX Premium?

 

There's only one issue with your argument, in NY and NJ your car has to meet the state laws, it doesn't matter where your car is registered or insured. So out of state guys get hit the worst because they usually have some really dark tint in the 5% -20% range all the way around including the strip on the windshield or entire windshield. The windshield is always going to get you a ticket.