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I have my windshield on my TSX tinted with AirBlue 80. For me it helps a lot. Not only does it cut down on the heat flow from the windshield but it also helps cut down on glare from headlights and reflections / flashes off chrome trim which under the right conditions can trigger a migraine. I've had it on the car for 2 years and I plan to tint my next windshield. It has not been a problem with visibility day or night or with state inspections. My wife is buying a new car in a few days and she wants hers tinted as well.
The only problem is how to deal with the inspection and registration decals. In my case I just had the installer cut the corner of the tint out but it looks a little odd and the inspection guys cut into the tint with the razor (because they don't see it) and I've had to cut it back twice to eliminate the damage it causes. Also beginning in Mar 2015 Texas will be moving to a single registration/inspection decal so I don't want to cut out a large section and then put a single decal there.
This is a clear plastic sheet similar to a phone or tablet protector shield. You take your decal, stick it on the back and trim around it, then peel the paper off the front and stick it to your windshield or tint. It is sticky but removable. It doesn't seem like it will come off accidentally or slowly peel off. It is a nice balance of being stuck yet removable.
I tested it out on my new registration sticker. I recommend this product. Two thumbs up... See for yourself and follow the link above if you want to try it out. Of course a screen protector might be about the same thing, not sure if that would be cheaper though.
The one pic shows the 2014 sticker on the clear glass, the 2015 stuck to the tint above it with the Sticker Shield. You can hardly tell the difference. Then the last pic is the sticker moved to the lower location. It came off the tint with no problem.
I'm not sure if this is technically legal to have your registration sticker removable. It is not that easy to remove, and using a heat gun I removed the old one pretty easily in one piece so the sticker is removable anyway. I don't think it is a problem. I'm not worried about it. You may have to explain to your local inspection shop that you want to install the sticker yourself or else they are going to grab the razor and assume it needs to be scraped off.
im in houston as well, where did you get the windshield tinted?
I got it at eXpert Tint on 59-South near the beltway (ask for Sonny). It wasn't done as part of the other windows, I had it done about 2 years ago. But I'm going to Executive Tint to get the wife's Mini done in 3M Crystalline 40% plus either 3M Crystalline 90% or Suntech 80% on the windshield.
I also wondered for those that have the tech/advance package would tinting the top windshield affect the camera area near the rear view mirror? I doubt it but I have my concerns.
I got it at eXpert Tint on 59-South near the beltway (ask for Sonny). It wasn't done as part of the other windows, I had it done about 2 years ago. But I'm going to Executive Tint to get the wife's Mini done in 3M Crystalline 40% plus either 3M Crystalline 90% or Suntech 80% on the windshield.
didnt know if it was illegal, but since you've gone or are going to two different shops, I must assume you have a medical card or the shops will just do it.
I'll check out eXpert tint as I live in sugar land
didnt know if it was illegal, but since you've gone or are going to two different shops, I must assume you have a medical card or the shops will just do it.
I'll check out eXpert tint as I live in sugar land
No I don't have a medical card, I'm not even sure those exist to be honest. I think even if you had one you can't tint the entire windshield. Not a single shop I've called about tinting the windshield has said anything about it being illegal. I've actually done a bit of research on this....
- Texas tint law does allow a 'clear' tint on the windshield. There is actually a clear UV blocking tint that is available from Llumar (If I remember correctly).
- The Gov't rule on the amount of light that has to come through the front window from the manufacturer is 70%. I think it is technically the same on the two front passenger windows. So technically the windshield only has to pass 70% of light and it is still legal. So my own internal rationalization is that 80% tint which is practically clear, still leaves my windshield at least 70% VLT. I doubt that would convince a judge, but my point is the tint on the windshield very likely still meets the Gov't rule on light through the glass. I think there were some Mercedes cars that had a factory tinted front windshield with a blue tint, probably for the same reason.
I've been through two state inspections and neither time was it even noticed. The only way to tell is if you look in the bottom corner where the stickers are. And this Sticker Shield will avoid having to have that cut out in the future. Like I said from a drivers standpoint it is not an impairment. I know some people freak out if I say I have the windshield tinted but it really isn't an issue. I wouldn't go darker than 80% though. If I did get stopped and got a fix-it ticket I'd just remove it. But I think that is as unlikely as any other tint violation ticket.
It cost me $150 at eXpert Tint (just the windshield). The installer trapped some lint under the tint. Yes they would have fixed it but it would have cost me a day of vacation to get it fixed so I just lived with it. I took my wife's car to Executive Tint and they did a good job. They also replaced the cheapo tint she got after a few wrinkles developed after 8 years no questions asked. Looked like new. So I'll go back to them this time and try them out again. Plus they carry 3M Crystalline. I have nothing against eXpert, they've done 2 cars and a clear bra, but I'll give someone else some business too. Last time I drove by I noticed the place has been remodeled.
Last edited by Rocket_man; Oct 2, 2014 at 10:28 PM.
Sunscreening devices can be applied to the windshield if all of the conditions below are met.
1. Sunscreening devices must be applied above the AS-1 line. If there is no AS-1 line, sunscreening devices must end five inches below the top of the windshield.
2. Sunscreening devices may not be red, amber, or blue in color.
3. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.
4. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.
5. A clear (un-tinted) UV film is allowed anywhere on the front windshield without a medical exemption being required.
The AS-1 line on most Acuras is an arrow about 4" below the top of the windshield.
So, what they're saying is that windshields can be "tinted", but ONLY if the tint material is completely clear. Also, any tint applied to the strip in the upper 5 (or 4) inches must transmit 75% or more of the light.
Last but not least, most manufacturers now use glass in the windshield that already blocks 100% of the UV, so there's really no reason to apply a clear UV blocker. And it is illegal to apply a tint that actually blocks any light transmission to the windshield.
I've looked into this, too, and Texas law is pretty clear on it (pardon the pun).
The AS-1 line on most Acuras is an arrow about 4" below the top of the windshield.
So, what they're saying is that windshields can be "tinted", but ONLY if the tint material is completely clear. Also, any tint applied to the strip in the upper 5 (or 4) inches must transmit 75% or more of the light.
Last but not least, most manufacturers now use glass in the windshield that already blocks 100% of the UV, so there's really no reason to apply a clear UV blocker. And it is illegal to apply a tint that actually blocks any light transmission to the windshield.
I've looked into this, too, and Texas law is pretty clear on it (pardon the pun).
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Wow! I never heard of clear tint for the windshield. In earlier times I had a strip of tint across the top of the windshield, but now I like a clean windshield.
I live in South Florida and the heat is strong. UA protection does sound nice.
The AS-1 line on most Acuras is an arrow about 4" below the top of the windshield.
So, what they're saying is that windshields can be "tinted", but ONLY if the tint material is completely clear. Also, any tint applied to the strip in the upper 5 (or 4) inches must transmit 75% or more of the light.
Last but not least, most manufacturers now use glass in the windshield that already blocks 100% of the UV, so there's really no reason to apply a clear UV blocker. And it is illegal to apply a tint that actually blocks any light transmission to the windshield.
I've looked into this, too, and Texas law is pretty clear on it (pardon the pun).
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I've heard this too but you can feel the difference. So something is happening. I've seen Llumar market their 'AIR80' as 'clear' tint. Obviously it is not clear, or maybe this is just a play on words, or meant that it is practically clear or is better than 70% VLT. Like I said it is clear from a practical perspective. No one I've had in the car has even noticed it.
Originally Posted by justnspace
nice!
i'll end up going to eXpert.
Executive is a little pricey.
I do have Huper Optik all around my car. and Ive seen the huper optik 70% its practically clear
I've had HO on my TSX for nearly 9 years and no fading, wrinkling or scratching. And I roll down my drivers window every time I drive to work. Pretty solid stuff, but a little pricey.
Originally Posted by yunginTL
how much did executive quote you? and what did you end up paying for the huper optik tint?
They are going to do my wife's Mini in 3M Crystalline 40% all around plus 90% on the windshield for $600. But we are returning customers. I might go with SunTech 80 on the windshield though.... better performance than the 3M 90%.
I've heard this too but you can feel the difference. So something is happening. I've seen Llumar market their 'AIR80' as 'clear' tint. Obviously it is not clear, or maybe this is just a play on words, or meant that it is practically clear or is better than 70% VLT. Like I said it is clear from a practical perspective. No one I've had in the car has even noticed it.
I've had HO on my TSX for nearly 9 years and no fading, wrinkling or scratching. And I roll down my drivers window every time I drive to work. Pretty solid stuff, but a little pricey.
They are going to do my wife's Mini in 3M Crystalline 40% all around plus 90% on the windshield for $600. But we are returning customers. I might go with SunTech 80 on the windshield though.... better performance than the 3M 90%.
Whats wrong with their own ceramic line called "blackmax" seems to be highly heat resistant
Whats wrong with their own ceramic line called "blackmax" seems to be highly heat resistant
I think I recall seeing that in their shop. I'm not sure if it is a unique film or a re-badge of a wildly sold film. The reason we want to go with 3M Crystalline is that we can get really good heat rejection with a 40% tint and the wife wants a little lighter tint this time. She has 35% on all windows now. Plus 3M is one of the largest producers of window film and hopefully they will stand behind the product.
I think I recall seeing that in their shop. I'm not sure if it is a unique film or a re-badge of a wildly sold film. The reason we want to go with 3M Crystalline is that we can get really good heat rejection with a 40% tint and the wife wants a little lighter tint this time. She has 35% on all windows now. Plus 3M is one of the largest producers of window film and hopefully they will stand behind the product.
from what i understand the blackmax ceramic is 90% heat resistant even with 35% darkness, and they offer it below $500 i believe
The windshield and back windows have the greatest rake, so that makes them really the biggest contributors of heat in the car. Aside from 70% on the windshield (which still looks completely clear), you can put even the regular CR40 on the sunroof and be more bearable in the summer with the shade open.
I had 3M Crystalline installed on my Accord V6 Touring. I didn't realize how light the CR70 was at the time or I would have gone darker. In regards to the heat mitigation, I've never seen anything like it before. In bright sunlight, when you rest your arm on the window sill, you literally feel zero radiant heat.
Even though I had the product before, the Tint shop seemed thrilled to show me a "demo box". A small cube with a bright, hot, halogen light in it. They slide a square of glass with the various grades of tint into a groove and have you hold your hand over it. Even with 5% limo tint you can still feel the heat baking through the glass. The last demo is the near clear CR70 3M product. You can't feel any heat.
The TLX goes in Friday for tinting and I'll post pictures of it afterwards. I'm getting CR40 all around and CR70 on the windshield.
