I'm in Texas (ie usually HOT).
My last couple of vehicles, I let the dealer do it for me (or it was already done). Yes, I know it's a little more-money that way but there are advantages IMO.

I thought it was cool that all the back windows in the 2014-MDX had the tint "built-in" into the glass (not conventionally applied). IIRC, the dealer did add some conventional tint to the front 2 side-windows to "even it out". It all looked even and matching of the back ones.

However. I don't think the 2021-TLX will have any of that. My car is planned to be White, so regardless of "UV/light blocking level" I want it to be black in color (I think black-ish windows would look nice on a white sedan). I don't like it too dark (where it's hard to see at night, trouble at inspection time, etc). Don't mean to sound picky, and I hope that combination of film-properties is possible.

So, do you guys like to just go-ahead and let the dealer to do it (at time of purchase) or a 3rd-Party shop?
Also, what brand/type/tech to you like? (3M ceramic, etc.)

 

I would recommend against the dealer install. As you noted they charge more. Also, they more than likely contract out the work to a tint specialist anyway. So just go direct and save some money. As for the darkness of the tint, most tint shops will not do illegal tint. Well, not without a cash payment, no receipt, and no little sticker on your window saying where the car got tinted. With that, you should be good there. Keep in mind that darker does not always equal more UV protection. The reflective and UV rating determines that. I recommend a high quality ceramic tint, or carbon ceramic. I will say that, your front windows may not be as dark as your factory rears, as the factory tint in the rear tends to be a bit darker than what you could use for a legal tint on the front. Overall, shop around and get the best price for the best tint. You might be surprised at the price differences between shops. Oh, IMO most tint shops are good. It's like Chik-fil-a. That's all they do. And the two front windows is just about as easy as it gets.

Good Luck.

 

Look up the window tint laws in your state; to find what the legal percentage is.
Most shops wont go past that limit.

 

Definitely go to an independent shop. Ask about their warranty; sometimes they goof and need to redo it, so you'll want to find a place that gets good customer praise. 3M and SunTek are the ones I see most often. Like others have said, get ceramic tint.

As for darkness, here in VA the available tints tend to straddle the law's %, so most shops let you choose the "more legal" or "less legal" percentage. I have no experience requesting blatantly illegal tint. However, in my opinion, there's no need to worry about an exact match between fronts and backs. Since the factory tint makes the inside of the car so dark to begin with, any legal tint on the front will appear darker than it actually is and blend in quite well.

Good luck!

 

Thanks to all that responded.

I'll try to go with a name-brand ceramic tint from a highly-rated independent shop.
I don't mind spending a bit more for a shop that does good work and that I trust with my new Acura.
Maybe I can find-out who my local Acura or Audi dealer uses and go to them directly (I'm sure they have vetted them and have a feeling they don't just use the cheapest company down the street).

To clarify, I don't want it really-dark or illegal. However, I do want the color to be Black. Meaning, I've seen some tints that look greenish and I don't want that (even if it means switching types).

 

A name brand ceramic tint won't be green. Usually it's those junk DIY tints that turn colors.

 

1. Good.
2. Right. But I think they might also be the old metallic-tints. Even when new, they are greenish and slightly reflective.