Window Tint Advice

[Manatee Poacher]

Hi guys,

The rig is now out of paint and the reassembly process is beginning. The next step is getting the glass tinted and reinstalled. I am looking for some feedback on window tinting as the wife and I are having trouble reaching a consensus.

I have searched around and seen some build threads and pics on here with dark tint, but it's all on lowered trucks. I associate the dark tint with the lowrider look and was wondering if it's just me.

Any of you guys have thoughts/opinions/pictures of tint level on a 4x4 Suburban?

We are keeping pretty close to stock, minus a 3" lift and the wheels, and I am worried that too dark would look out of place.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psjzblfnoo.jpg


Thats the color, we're keeping the same rims.

Appreciate the input!

[cdowns]

Too dark gets you pl;enty of attention from the cops as well as pricy tickets to pay off

[vectorit]

I have full tint on my every day 4x4 truck, and it is nice for privacy but terrible for night time vision.

I actually like my Suburban with the OE tint, I can see everywhere around me as I move. I suppose if I were to tint my Suburban, I would go with a very light tint.

[highwinger]

I like to suppress UV & heat...big factors here. I like the privacy aspect and look too tho.

[oski6754]

When on the way back from a camping trip a friend of mine said, "This is the best vehicle to travel in because all passengers have such good visibility". It was the first time I had thought about that benefit of the vehicle, but it is really true.

Since aftermarket tint of any nearly shade would alter visibility, my vote would be for OE tint.

[CG]

I like the original tint. Its kind of greenish? Anyway I think it would look great on your burb. Keeps with the stockish theme. Also if you've restored the interior it really shows it off and it sorta forces you to keep it clean in there lol.

[LockDoc]

This was posted in another thread by member "JRouche":

It was my understanding tint of any shade was illegal in California. No?

No its not. The vehicle code can be hard to figure out sometimes due to ALL the subsections for a code.

For tint the main code is 26708. And at first it looks like it covers only applied materials to the glass on a car.

The subsections are in lower case letters (a,b,c and d). And there are four main subsections (many deeper sections under the subs).

The subsection for tint is under the "d" sub.

Here it is... Too many words to read but its the strait skinny.. JR

26708 (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), clear, colorless, and transparent material may be installed, affixed, or applied to the front side windows, located to the immediate left and right of the front seat if the following conditions are met:

(1) The material has a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent.

(2) The window glazing with the material applied meets all requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 205 (49 C.F.R. 571.205), including the specified minimum light transmittance of 70 percent and the abrasion resistance of AS-14 glazing, as specified in that federal standard.

(3) The material is designed and manufactured to enhance the ability of the existing window glass to block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A rays.

(4) The driver has in his or her possession, or within the vehicle, a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the installing company and the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address, or, if the material was installed by the vehicle owner, a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the windows with the material installed according to manufacturer’s instructions meet the requirements of this subdivision and the certificate identifies the material’s manufacturer by full name and street address.

(5) If the material described in this subdivision tears or bubbles, or is otherwise worn to prohibit clear vision, it shall be removed or replaced.

LockDoc

[Advanced Design]

Manatee, your Burb looks great! Congratulations on getting the paint done.

[badnews]

Here's mine. Pretty close to yours. Aftermarket tint on back 3 windows. OEM green on everything else.

[Manatee Poacher]

Thanks for all the input guys, this is why I love this place.

Now time to arm wrestle the Mrs. and see where we wind up with it!

[Already Gone]

Tint is good on any window except the front doors and windshield. As to the darkness of the tint that is a personal thing but I like the tint on "badnews" Burb.

There is safety issue when you put tint on the front door glass or and I hope this is illegal everywhere the windshield. Firstly you can't make eye contact with the driver and its nice to know that he/she has seen you so they don't pull out in front of you while you doing 30/40 + mph. The second is that if you are in an accident and you need to be removed from the vehicle and the door can't be used if EMS breaks the door window to pull you out, the window tint will hold the window together and make it more difficult to extricate you form the vehicle.

[ssxty8]

Here window tint shops mostly use industrial grade film, but as mentioned, the intensity varies with the grade. Here we call the 5% (limo tint), it goes on to 20%, 35%, and 42%. Here 42% is legal, as long as the car doesn't have some tint from the factory, which when added to the 42%, goes out of the legal limit. My Grand Marquis have 42% on the sides and front windshield, 35% on the rear windshield, and was checked at the police station to make sure it passes the specs. With 42% you can be seen inside the car, and vision outward thru the sides is perfect. By experience, I do not recommend to apply any flim to the front windshield. Been there done that, and can't wait to remove it from 3 of my cars, specially on the daily driver. Hate it specially at night, and worst under the night rain, looking at on coming car headlamps.

[Manatee Poacher]

Thanks for all the input guys, we're thinking somewhere around the 40-50% range. We went down to a shop and took a look and fortunately I was able to get the wife to agree with me that too dark wouldn't look right on the old girl. Waiting on the upper trim to come back from a guy who restores it, and that should be the last step of the paint/body. Should be out in a week or 2, can't wait!

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by badnews

Here's mine. Pretty close to yours. Aftermarket tint on back 3 windows. OEM green on everything else.

What percentage is your tin?. I was going to go dark limo but this thread and your Burb's tint is making me think I want to do mine like yours.

[badnews]

Already Gone, I am not sure what % tint I have. The installer just held up some loose pieces until I liked it from the outside and inside. If I had to guess I would say around 30%. It looks dark from the outside but plenty of visibility from inside.

[thzpcs]

I still suggest a light tint on the driver's and passenger's windows. It cuts down on heat a ton.

[Burbnewb]

There are newer tint films that aren't as dark but are better at reflecting heat radiation. If you don't want the dark tint "look", then this is the best of both worlds for visibility and heat rejection.

Dwight

[CG]

Originally Posted by Burbnewb

There are newer tint films that aren't as dark but are better at reflecting heat radiation. If you don't want the dark tint "look", then this is the best of both worlds for visibility and heat rejection.

Dwight

This is good to know, Ive never heard of this.

[Manatee Poacher]

Originally Posted by CG

This is good to know, Ive never heard of this.

+1


The logistics didn't work out getting all the glass across town while the windows were out so we still haven't had it done yet. I will look into this.

[Burbnewb]

Here is a link to a Motor Trend article on the newer 3M films that have been on the market for a few years now. This was offered as an option when I last had windows tinted a couple of years ago.

http://wot.motortrend.com/3ms-window...#ixzz1MH2xvMJD

[Manatee Poacher]

Originally Posted by Burbnewb

Here is a link to a Motor Trend article on the newer 3M films that have been on the market for a few years now. This was offered as an option when I last had windows tinted a couple of years ago.

Thanks, that is very helpful!