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Does Prime have factory window tint?

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by Txxthie, Mar 19, 2017.

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  1. Txxthie

    Txxthie Junior Member

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    My tinter said that the Prius has little to no factory tint in the windows. He used a device and inserted it between the window and a sample of the film. It ended up reading exactly what the film % was. He seemed very puzzled by this and actually tested all the windows with the same results. He said that tinting actually adds weight to the windows, maybe 7 to 10 pounds. Is that accurate?? I mean they made of carbon fiber hatch to save 8 pounds! Any thoughts?
     
    #1 Txxthie, Mar 19, 2017
  2. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I sure thought they were when I saw them in person.
     
    #2 Lee Jay, Mar 19, 2017
  3. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    My dealer said they had no tint as well. Seems like they have a little. 7 to 10 pounds for tint seems very heavy. What is that stuff made of...gold?
     
    #3 huskers, Mar 19, 2017
  4. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    lead, so Superman can't see your underpants:D
     
    #4 priuscatprimeguy, Mar 19, 2017
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  5. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    Damn, I don't want lead poisoning. So is tint film heavier the darker you go?
     
    #5 huskers, Mar 19, 2017
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  6. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    Window film - Wikipedia
     
    #6 priuscatprimeguy, Mar 19, 2017
  7. Txxthie

    Txxthie Junior Member

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    Maybe glass has to be thicker to mantain tempered status, which ultimately increases weight :)

    The color density is a function of thickness, as the glass gets thicker the density of the color increases and the amount light transmittance decreases. Because darker glass reduces the amount of light transmitted, it also absorbs some of that solar energy, called heat absorption. This added heat causes thermal stress which may affect the glass and can cause it to break if it is not tempered.
     
    #7 Txxthie, Mar 19, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2017
  8. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    I read where metallized stuff in tint can cause interference with radio and satellite signals. I guess if this is a problem it would be mentioned more.

    Car windows are tempered, right?

    So do you recommend tinting or not?
     
    #8 huskers, Mar 19, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 21, 2017
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  9. Txxthie

    Txxthie Junior Member

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    Yes, I dislike driving a vehicle without it. Looks, privacy, UV protection, and anti glare to name a few.
     
    #9 Txxthie, Mar 19, 2017
  10. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    What % do you have or like?
     
    #10 huskers, Mar 19, 2017
  11. Txxthie

    Txxthie Junior Member

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    20% all windows minus windshield. This car has many windows and is difficult to tint due to hatch window.

    IMG_0556.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

    #11 Txxthie, Mar 19, 2017
  12. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    Tinting glass is good way to keep interior less heat from ...and tint shop's they tell you that rear curved glass can't be tinted...they don't have skilled man....
    none of this hazardous posts are not true.....
    Tint is good alternative to factory tinted glass.....

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #12 Samprocat, Mar 19, 2017
  13. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    I have metallized tinting on my Prius Prime advanced and have no problems with transmission telephone reception or anything else like that. The weight increase of 8 pounds or 7 pounds sounds absolutely ridiculous. I've seen them handle this material while they were installing it in my car, it appeared to weigh maybe a total of a pound in the whole car for all the windows except the windshield. Sounds like somebody's trying to sell you a bill of goods. I use the same material on my 2012 Prius plug in and had the same high performance from that product. My tinted glass for all windows cost me $280 and was done locally in about two hours.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

    Absolutely recommend!
    Keeps my car cooler in summer and improves privacy. I have a medium metallized tint. Guaranteed never to fade or change color.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

    Yes, by law. Windshield is laminated.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

    Yes Prime and most modern cars I've seen have some tint.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #13 HPrimeAdvanced, Mar 20, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 21, 2017
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    All modern cars have a modest amount of tint in the glass, when they roll out of the factory. And the operative word is "in": it is not a fragile, aftermarket film applied to the glass interior.

    Personally, I don't like aftermarket tint, don't like that it's fragile, tacked-on, obvious at glass edges, reduces your visibility, especially at night.
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Mar 20, 2017
  15. Txxthie

    Txxthie Junior Member

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    Darker factory glass weighs more to mantain tempered status. (It absorbs more heat and will break it not thick enough). The window glass found on the prime can be thinner and still be tempered because it is NOT darkened (aka no factory tint) I was not saying aftermarket tint weighs 7lbs, sorry for confusion :). Toyota uses every trick to save weight, car is heavy for a compact car (3300lbs), so every lb counts. FWIW: There is a big difference in the quality of tinting material, dyed, metallic, ceramic, and crystalline. Dyed and metallic will cost 1/3 to 1/2 less and unless you have been in cars tinted with more modern ceramic or crystalline tints, you will think $450 and up is overpaying. I have tinted my vehicles going on 20yrs and usually products get better and that is indeed the case with window tinting. The installer makes all the difference and usually top installers use the newest materials. Metallic tint is known to cause issues with navigation systems, radio, etc and with a car as technologically loaded as a prime, I wouldn't take that risk. Ceramic tint was developed to alleviate the issues caused with metallic tint. The UV + heat rejection, clarity, and lack of banding seen with polarized sunglasses are just some selling points of ceramic and crystalline window tinting.
     
    #15 Txxthie, Mar 20, 2017
  16. Sandollars

    Sandollars Prius Maven

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    My back side windows and rear windows definitely have some tint to them when compared to the front ones. The car I bought still had all the packing stuff on it when I test drove it so I know it came out of Japan like this. It's a bit reflective. The fronts seem relatively clear but it's hard to tell.
     
    #16 Sandollars, Mar 20, 2017
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  17. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    The Prius Prime is in EPA class midsize, not compact.
     
    #17 Lee Jay, Mar 20, 2017
  18. Txxthie

    Txxthie Junior Member

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    Technicality.....Its not nearly the size of other midsize vehicles like my '16 Ford Fusion. An A4 and Impreza is considered compact by Edmunds, and IMHO they are bigger than a prius, especially an A4. When you are 6'2" it feels narrow and generally compact. But thanks for pointing out that fact :)
     
    #18 Txxthie, Mar 21, 2017
  19. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    I'm 6' 9....and fit Prime just fine....and plenty space behind me .....where A4 and impreza have crimped space with me

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #19 Samprocat, Mar 21, 2017
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  20. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    When I've rented true compact cars, such as the Mazda3, they've felt a lot smaller to me.
     
    #20 Lee Jay, Mar 21, 2017
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