1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Mixing window tint shades

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by quantumy, Sep 25, 2018.

?
  1. light/no tint front, dark back

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. light/no tint front, medium back

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. light/no tint front, light back

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  4. Medium front, dark back

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. Medium front, medium back

    2 vote(s)
    50.0%
  6. Dark front, dark back

    2 vote(s)
    50.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. quantumy

    quantumy Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2018
    55
    37
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Does a light tint or medium tint look ok only on the back doors? Deciding between 80% front/60% back and 80/40, on top of the factory 75% glass. 80 because it's legal-ish, and not 80 on back because it's more expensive. Back would be Formula One Classic, so there would be a contrast in Air Blue front and a charcoal tone on the back.

    Curious to see what opinions are on the "van" look, even if it's a light shade like 60% compared to factory 20% on a SUV or minivan.
     
  2. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I spec’ed mine out with the following:
    Backlight (hatch), 1/4 Windows / Limo tint (very dark)
    Rear door windows / dark tint
    Front windows / medium tint.
     
  3. georgegui

    georgegui Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2018
    31
    46
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    i got 35/20. tint.jpg
     
  4. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2016
    581
    421
    1
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    As far as reducing the amount of heat from sun going into the car, the most important tints are the windshield and the hatch. The side windows don't make as much difference as they don't get hit by as much sun. I personally think it looks weird when the front and rear windows are at different levels. If I lived in California, I would probably tint the hatch 30 or 35 and the all the side windows 50 of a less expensive tint (Ex. 3M Fx Premium). I'd tint the front windshield an expensive ceramic ~80 tint. This will actually look like you have the same tint everywhere (windshield excepted) as the rear always appears brighter due to more light coming through the windshield versus the side windows. There are enough people running around in California with blatantly illegal window tints, that I doubt a 50 tint on the front window will cause you any problems.

    Also note that typical visible light transmission is around 90% for untinted car windows.
     
    #4 Kevin_Denver, Oct 2, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2018
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,837
    3,137
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The door windows make a HUGE difference in Florida!
    90% of the time the sun in beating down on one side or the other. Whether you are parked or driving.
    I'm hoping to be able to have mine tinted in the next month.
     
  6. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,452
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----