Window Tint/Windshield Tint

So one of the first things I did when I purchased my Tacoma was get the windows tinted. From factory the rear windows were already a shade darker than the fronts. Still could easily see through.

So when I took it to the tint shop they told me if I went with 20% over those, that would equal limo tint. I wanted to avoid any issues with the police so I went with 20% in the front as well...In theory this should have given me limo in the rear, and 20% in the front.

Immediately after though I have to admit I felt a bit disappointed. You can still see through the back at most angles during the day, and I wanted that pitch black look, the front is even less dark (obviously).

So my question is this, if I were to tint the windshield (maybe %50) would that help achieve what i want? I've noticed most of the time i can see inside is because all the light that is coming through the windshield.

Here are my options:

1. Re-do the fronts only to limo, which im afraid would not match. I think they would be darker than the back and also cause more potential to get pulled over.

2. Strip and re-do all of them to limo (the most expensive route). And possibly do the windshield as well.

3. Just try tinting the Windshield to maybe %50.

4. The shop also told me they could put %20 over the front which already has %20 achieving a better match to the back while getting that "limo" look. They said they would charge $100 for that, but I was under the impression that applying film over another film was not good practice.

BTW: They price for the initial tint job (%20 ceramic all around was $340, if i had done windshield it would have been around $430)

What is your guys advice to me? I'm kinda leaning to option 3, probably is not even a huge deal, but it bothers me everytime i walk by the truck and see right through.

I'll post some pics in a bit...also its only at certain angles that its really visible.

 

I have a feeling if you tint your windshield in LA, you'll get to know your local officers quite well. I know you would if you lived around here.

I'd check local tint laws before doing anything.

 

Ha! Well I've heard %70 is not noticeable, and I'm thinking %50 isnt too bad either. But I see your point...Hmmmm which will be more noticeable, 50% winshield or %5 fronts....?

 

I would not tint my windshield. I live in la and the cops will be all over you for that. I do have limo front and back and back (back is a little darker due to factory tint) and you can't see in at all. If I were you I'd do front limo and then just have them add another layer of tint over your rears. Just be careful because it will be hard seeing out rears (when changing lanes) especially at night

 

A quality tint shop will

Show you samples prior to purchase

Only install what is legal in your state

Never double film

Carry leading products that have a lifetime warranty on both film and installation

 

You don’t have issues with getting pulled over for the limo tint all around?

 

Not yet. I've had the truck 9 months and drive from sfv to Hollywood daily. Been pulled over 2x and they didn't mention it. I did roll my front windows down by the time he came up to the car though. Lol

 

Here's the deal. I do know California and Utah have very strict window tint laws. "Most" of the nation 35% is legal on the front side windows. Completely tinting the windshield is illegal in every state as far as I know (even 50%). That said... I tint all my vehicles 5% all the way around and I tint the windshield 50%. It is illegal as fuck but it looks great so I take a chance. The LEO's down here don't seem to be as concerned with window tint as they used to be. But if / when I get pulled over for tint I've got no one to blame but myself.



This was taken with a 10stop filter with a 50 sec exposure. But you can clearly see the windshield is tented even though it is only 50%

FRS 10 Stop Filter by T Productions, on Flickr

 

Oh... and whoever said any reputable shop won't tint anything that is not legal... I've never had one shop say no when you give them cash and no receipt. Most any tint shop will tint whatever you want as long as you pay cash and don't get a receipt because it won't come back on them. I'm not saying that it's the right thing to do but most any shop will do that.

 

I buy whatever tint I want from the online precut places and do it myself. It's pretty easy DIY on a truck with just a few flat windows. Last time it cost me $80. I put a strip across the top of the front windshield, but I wouldnt do the whole thing. It's already pretty hard to see anything in dark parking lots. With all 5% and the front strip my truck is like a cave inside. I've never been asked about my tint by any cops.

 

Go for the windshield.

30% on the windshield, 5 on the fronts, 5 over the factory tinted back glass.

 

In your first pic, I can see through your passenger window and out through the windshield. You sure that's 5% limo tint on the sides? Genuinely curious because I've had 5% tint all around and I would not be able to see through the window.

 

I did 20% on my Acura and, like you, hated that people could still see me so easily. For my Tacoma I said the hell with it and went 5% on the fronts and 20% on the rears. This basically creates a 5% all the way around. Didn't do anything to the windshield other than the 5% stripe on top.

 

Ditto. Tint shops wouldn't make money in Ohio if they didn't give you whatever you want.

 

Yup... 5% all the way around with 50% on the windshield. Maybe just the exposure that the camera was set at that you could make out the poll through the windows of the car. But I can promise that given the right circumstances that you could see through your windows at 5%

 

That looks fantastic

 

Yeah that's a sweet rig.

 

What cap is that? Ordered a V series ARE with a yak rack on top. Should arrive soon. I'm hoping I don't regret getting their entry level cap once it's on. I've been noticing how nice the fit and finish on their higher end caps looks.

 

windshield tint

 

Gorgeous! makes me want to redo all my tint, except %50 on the windshield. LEOs have no issue in your city with that?