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Need advice about tinting lower rear window

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by yadax3, Jun 17, 2010.

  1. yadax3

    yadax3 Member

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    Right now I'm planning to get 35% tint on my front side windows (legal limit in Nevada) and 15% on the rear side and back windows, although I may end up going lighter on the sides and back.

    In any case I'm wondering whether or not I should have the lower back (strip) window tinted since, as mentioned on another thread, it has already been tinted by the factory. Also, it is the perfect height for my Corgi puppies to view the world and I don't want to obstruct their view. I'm also concerned about what some people have said about being able to see at night.

    Has anyone here NOT tinted their lower rear window? If so, does the contrast with the tinted rear window above look okay?
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I have the upper tinted to 30%, and left the lower with the factory tint, it sure works on my 2009.
     
  3. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    I just did 20% rear passengers and back window. Nothing on the bottom (I think technically it's already a 35). It's a nice look - and you really can't tell the bottom wasn't tinted. In fact, I thought they tinted it until I looked close...
     
  4. Creaky

    Creaky Still motorin...

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    Originally, when I first had my windows tinted, the lower hatch and the front windshield were the only windows not tinted. What I found was that headlights coming in thru the lower window were brighter than the top hatch window (20%). I found that distracting so I went back to the tint-shop and had them tint the lower hatch window even darker than the top so that headlights from cars in the rear weren't as intrusive.
     
  5. ChrisMNC

    ChrisMNC New Member

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    I have 15% all the way around. I do not have the lower portion tinted yet. Need to see what it is like at night with headlights and visibility. It it not a huge difference compared to my 15%.
     
  6. yadax3

    yadax3 Member

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    Thanks. Please let me know what you think about the headlights at night. My tint appointment is next week.
     
  7. exbauer

    exbauer Active Member

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    When I had my car tinted I had the guy use a tint meter to measure it. It came out as 29%. I have 38% on mine and nets 31% when metered. So, it is a pretty good match. If you went with 35% it should match up with the lower window even better.
     
  8. andino

    andino Senior Member

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    I had my windows tinted yesterday with 15% all around and 45% on the rear bottom and its not quite as dark as the rest of them. I may go back at have 15% put on it but when I was at the shop, the guys suggested I not do the bottom because they had problems with it peeling off after. Just curious if you guys who did the bottom have hear or had that happen.
     
  9. Fusionworks

    Fusionworks New Member

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    I did 20 on everything, but left the lower window alone. I think it would be too dark if tinted, however from the inside it is definitely lighter than the 20% up top. From the outside it looks great.
     
  10. andino

    andino Senior Member

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    ^^ Yeah you can't tell from the outside that they're different but at night when there's a car behind you, its pretty bright. I may go back and have it redone with the same percent as the rest of the windows so it filters out the light at night better.
     
  11. jdubprius58

    jdubprius58 New Member

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    I was told you cannot tint the lower rear window because it is not glass, and is carbon fiber. This is for safety reasons in case you are rear ended. The tint store told me that the film might not stay on because if it not being glass. Has anyone heard this or know anything about this?
     
  12. albert1028

    albert1028 Junior Member

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    I believe there is no such thing as see-through carbon fiber. But mine was tinted just fine with no issues at all.
     
  13. rpeek2

    rpeek2 Dry Ice Juggler

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    I was told the same thing by my tinter. He was full of scat. The lower rear is glass--"Temperlite" or something like that, is etched in one of the bottom corners. I did a search of the term and it was confirmed. As for it needing tint. The OEM seems to be dark enough without any extra.