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Do I understand tinting numbers correctly?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by PM5K, Mar 31, 2020.

  1. PM5K

    PM5K Junior Member

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    I’ve read the front driver and passenger side windows come with some “factory tint” and the VLT is something like 72%, and in Texas I can go down to 25%, so is it accurate that I can use 45% tint and still be legal?

    72 - 45 = 27 ?

    Seems like a high tint to have to use to be legal, Texas isnt one of the stingier states I think, and if the most you can use is 45, well it seems like most everybody here is using darker tint?
     
    #1 PM5K, Mar 31, 2020
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Most people don't do the math;).

    Neither does law enforcement:).

    Just blend in with others and you'll not have issues(y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Mar 31, 2020
  3. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    No. Number means how many percentage of light can go through. So lower percentage means darker tint.

    If darkest tint that can be used is 25% and there already is 72% tint darkest film that you can use is calculated 25%/72%=34.7%

    Easy way to understand why it works like this is to think two 50% tint films one on top of other. That's not 100%-50%-50%=0%. That would be non see though! That's 50%*50%=25%. So if your window is 72% tint and you use 35% tint film you get 72%*35%=25.2% tint.

    But do you really need something that's that dark? Wouldn't that make it hard to see at night?
     
    #3 valde3, Mar 31, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2020
  4. PM5K

    PM5K Junior Member

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    I dont *think* 25 is THAT dark is it? Im pretty sure my other vehicle has 25 and it doesnt seem that dark to me.
     
    #4 PM5K, Apr 1, 2020
  5. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    That's an opinion anyways. Here it's illegal to tint front side windows so I don't really have much experience on how it effects driving. I think the one that I've installed were 15% and 5% but I've only used them on back windows.

    How to do the math correctly was really the main point of my post anyways.
     
    #5 valde3, Apr 1, 2020
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