Winow Tint

Me too, I'm thinking of tinting my windows too but don't know how dark I should tint them and still looks good. Any ideas as far as color and percentage? I have a Blizzard Pearl Prius.

 

I prefer darker tint on white and lighter tint on black.

 

Pictures would help if anyone has them.

 

I have not found ANY tint film that in light enough to use (legally) in the driver's side windows (in California).
I do not need or want the visual tinting, but I would like to eliminate the UV and reduce the IR.
Suggestions?
Thanks!

 

Please check out the local laws concerning window tinting in your respective areas. So you are not back in here in a month asking how to best remove the tint because you are being pulled over and sited by the police.

 

35% all around is good and legal in MA. I have a black V and it looks great and you can see though the film at night. Darker is not too good moving about at night especially baking up and looking out the side windows.
I have the same tint (35%) on my xyl's Lexus which is white and it is excellent. I did have it installed ($120) back in 2002 and it still is in perfect condition. No fading or changing color..like purple over time. The film manufacture is 3M. I will post some pics.

 

If you can find 70%-75% you could look legal and still have some skin/interior protection and a slight darkening of the window but that is it. On the 2010 Prius you would still be technically illegal but very unlikely to be cited for it. You could then do the rear half of the vehicle in 50% or 35% (or even 5% like I did) and still look good and have plenty of privacy.

Keep in mind that even the 75% tint as the same UV blocking characteristics as 5% tint.

 

35% front, 5% rear


15% all around


20% all around


Window with 35% tint


35% all around


50% and 30% (looks darker than that to me though) I think it looks like 35% and 15%



70% front 5% rear (overcast day so front tint looks dark)

 

Agreed. I had 35% smoke in a previous car and was never cited in the 10 years I had it, even when pulled over three times for other infractions. Depending on your interior color, you'd be safe as low as 50% (dark interior can make a tint look much darker than it really is).

Check out the Llumar AirBlue and 3M Crystalline 70 if you don't care for any darkening and just want the UV protection.

 

Here's one (copy into your browser since I can't post URLs yet): snaptint.com/car-tint-Toyota-Prius-2010-sedan-complete.html

 

Here's my "crazy" theory. It's pure speculation, no facts or figures to back it up. But I think in times of recession, when tax revenue for Police Departments are likely to be down AND budgets tight, you are more likely to be cited for something like window tint.

Speed Traps, Seat Belt Fines, (depending on regional laws) Window Tint are easy revenue.

People of course are free to push it as much as they want to push it but my advice is just be aware of the risk, then if you do get cited don't complain.

 

I don't know about that because I haven't had a front license plate on the Lexus since I got the car new (no drilled holes either) and have never been cited to this day. Unless they're targeting only Mustangs (in which I've been cited multiple times, the last time being 3 years ago) and not Lexus SUVs.

 

That theory isn't the slightest bit crazy. You will also find serious upgrade in enforcement of zoning and building codes. People who are on the verge of being laid off all of a sudden get really creative in doing their jobs.

I do think that most police departments are kind of immune from lay offs and that they also lack the essential tools to actually measure the light transmission, but that won't stop them from writing a ticket.

 

The pictures looks great. Do you happen to have Blizzard Pearl in different shade? Sorry if I ask to much If you don't have them thats fine.

I'm thinking of getting ceramic tint. Anyone know any special pros at ceramic tint in SoCal?

 

The pictures looks great. Do you happen to have Blizzard Pearl in different shade? Sorry if I ask to much If you don't have them thats fine.

I'm thinking of getting ceramic tint. Anyone know any pros at ceramic tint in SoCal?

 

I'm looking at doing the Llumar AirBlue on my Blizzard Pearl/Dark Grey. Think the blue will complement the blue tinge in the headlights and on the badges.

 

No, the glass is green to begin with. It won't look anything like Mercedes blue.

 

Gary, front windows are not legal in CA, tho it's all over the place. It took me almost 4yrs to get a fix it ticket for mine. I'll re-install after it warms up in the spring time. There's a real quality shop (inexpensive too) we went to in Fullerton. Worth the drive.

Heck, for THAT matter the prius windows ARE already UV blocked ... that's why progressive lens glasses won't turn dark while you're in the prius.

.

 

In most cases 73% or higher will look legal and give you the 99% UV protection. Most places should sell 70%, 73% or 75%. Just check around and ask for those numbers. On a 2010 with built-in tint you would still be illegal but visually no one would ever know to look because it is sooo light.