TL_MDX

Hi, I'm new to the forum so not sure if this is the right place to post. What percentage tint is best to tint all windows lightly? Is 50% too light or 35% too dark?

njsimons

Whats you interior and whats your reason for getting tints?

lazAcura

Keep in mind that the % light can differ slightly from a model #.

Too light and too dark are completely subjective, you will want to look at examples and decide for yourself. What do YOU like?

In my opinion you def want to avoid breaking the law, its not worth tickets. See what is legal in your state, then look at examples and move on from there.

TL_MDX

2012 BWP TL with black interior (ordered full oem kit and roof spolier also). Just want a lightly tinted look with only silhouette showing from exterior. Thanks

aspecallday

since u have black interior go with 50%.it will give the look you want and cops wont bother you

luckyjakob

I've gone with 35% all around on all of my vehicles.. My TL has a grey interior, but my last few rides have had black interiors. I think 50% is too light, but everyone has their own opinions..

njsimons

Look at Fyah's TL he has 50% and thats what I'm planning on doing also if i don't i won't be tinting at all can't deal with the tickets. I do think darker tint will look better on your car from what I've seen in person though. Good luck on your decision

TL_MDX

njsimons: Thanks for referring to Fyah's TL, that's the look I'm after!! Also, thanks to everyone for your opinions.

jspagna1

I went 40% on my wife's TL with the black interior. The 50% is too light(why bother) and 35% is too dark because car already comes with factory tinted glass. That's why I went with the 40%.

KarKraze

There is a good selection of tinted Tl's on this thread for comparison,it might help you with your decision .https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-photograph-gallery-296/post-pictures-your-tinted-tl-833874/

gibbyisgibby

I have 20% in the front 5% in the back. 20% feels too light sometimes.

TL_MDX

Thanks for the link. Well, I guess it'll be a toss between 40% and 50%.

I prefer a darker tint but don't want to be hassled by the cops, I actually had 5% on my '06 Civic...very dark at night and can't tell if a cop or ghost car is following you.

TinyRK

I got 35% all around.
But here is the big BUT:
the TL's windows already have a factory tint of 27% and 29% (front/back - not sure if it's just a slightly off measurement). They measured it before they put my tint on.

So with that factory tint and the Llumar Pinnacle Formular One 35% it's now slightly below 30% all around. Keep that in mind.

I think that's just right. I would have liked it to be darker for the looks, but I am happy the way it is.

sockpuppet

I'm no expert on BC law, but I seem to recall it's much like here...no real limit on tint in the back, but nothing is allowed forward of the driver (except the couple inches at the top of the windshield).

The question is one of enforcement. It used to be the case here that only the Mounties would hassle you...local police wouldn't bother to get out of their car. With distracted driving laws in place now, that's changed somewhat, and I'm hearing more and more about guys getting nabbed...either an extra ticket when they get a speeding ticket, or even getting pulled over at a speed trap for the tint (without speeding).

I plan on de-tinting my front driver/passenger windows when the weather warms up. Mine's very dark...don't know the percentage, but dark. It's surprising to me I haven't gotten nabbed yet.

Also keep in mind that even though tint in the back is okay, it may affect how you're dealt with on other violations. The rational for no tint is partially for outward visibility, as well as so that pedestrians can make eye contact. One factor that's often missed is the police reaction to tint. If they pull you over and can't see in, they can't see your hands (and what may, or may not, be in them). Having back tint may be legal, but if you get pulled over, the officer will approach your vehicle more cautiously, since they can't tell who you've got in your backseat. It's not inconceivable that this could turn a warning into a ticket.

Note: I'm note advocating against tint by any means...just offering up something for your consideration.

jspagna1

^^^ Correct. Exactly why I went with the 40%. Also keep in mind that you have black interior and that will also make it appear darker than it is.

churbo

I went 15% all the way around. I hate not having tint though and would go darker if the guy had it. 50% would be too light IMO...35% is probably a safe bet

4GCEL28

Oh wow I never knew this! Thanks or the info. Do you know if Acura has been doing this for all 2009+ models?

churbo

Are you positive because there was no tint on my TL. Are you talking about the glass itself being a certain percentage or a factory tint?

TinyRK

Yes, I do think so.

TinyRK

Meaning the colored glass, since it is not like window-glass, and that's what I am talking about.
There is no foil on there or something, it is colored glass which results in the 27/29%.

potmilkz

17% all around.

churbo

That makes sense now. Thank you sir for clearing that up.

jspagna1

Most new cars come with factory tint. That's why you need to take this into consideration when getting your windows tinted so you don't end up being illegal.

TinyRK

Also, don't forget that based on the film the percentages/ darkness is different.
See here: http://www.formulaone.com/en/FilmViewer.aspx

mihink

i just did 45%. looks great imo. 35% would be too dark on a black tl.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

i think the light transmission percentage you are speaking of for factory tint on the windows is the other way around. if they "measured" 27-29%, the light transmission would be around 73 and 71% respectively (hence the slight greenish hue you see through a fish bowl look for the car). so i'm not sure where you are getting numbers where its so low (which would mean dark) if it was truly "factory" tint. most cars have this "factory" tint in the windows (MB has a blue hue to their factory fish bowl). the back windows of SUVs are somewhere between 20-30% (the so-called "privacy glass").

if you search around on the forum the formula to get the approx measurement of the factory tint with added window tint film is in there.

so if you ask for 35% tint...it will technically be lower with the "factory tint" as you have said (probably around 27%). only a tint meter that is calibrated will be able to tell you for sure. however keep in mind there is a variance with the meters of like +/- 2-3%.

OP-if you dont' wanna be hassled with the cops get the legal tint % allowable for your area/state/providence etc. if you go darker then you've accepted the risk to "pay to play" so to speak. 35% will give the amount of privacy you need but keep it just light enough to see shadows in the car quite clearly (your windsheild actually lets in a good amount of light). if you keep the sunroof shade open then it will allow more light in giving the impression that the tint is lighter than it really is. if you get pulled over then roll your front windows down (certainly can't hurt).

for a comparison debate of 50/35 (VA law):



50% in front, 35% in back, direct sunlight with sunroof shade open, with black interior...i still want 35 in front though...

sockpuppet

I can't say what my percentages are, as the tint was on the car when I got it, but this is what I meant by "dark" in my earlier post. The first image (these were all quick shots with my Blackberry..excuse the quality) shows a side view, with sunroof visor open. My son is in the car...can you guess which seat? The back windows are perfectly legal here in Alberta, but no tint whatsoever is allowed on the front windows.



This second picture is taken from a slightly different angle, to maximize light coming through the windshield. Still pretty dark. Was annoying at first, but I'm more used to it now. Still tough to see pedestrians on streets that aren't as well lit.



This last pic is just meant to make all of you not getting snow on April 14 feel just a bit better about your climate.

TLtrigirl

iTrader: (1)

^^yours looks like the 15-20% range...just a guess.

another comparo:

35% and ~20% SUV factory tint



with the 35% you can still see through it (plus the light from the windshield helps this)...this is with the sunroof cover open. the rear of the car...can't see much.

Bearcat94

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

Includes link for Canadian Provinces.

TL_MDX

You're right, no tinting is allowed on front windows in BC. I just see so many cars tinting 5 windows

mcerve

TL_MDX, what did you go with? Please post some pics because I'm trying to make the same decision.

TL_MDX

mcerve: I actually haven't had a chance to get the tint done, just got the car back from dealer after installing Full OEM Bodykit.

After speaking to someone in the parking lot, I came to the conclusion that I will most likely tint 50% all around. He had 35% all around and kept getting pulled over, he now has 50% in the front and 35% in the rear...50% in the front looks really good in my opinion.