Opinions on 50% window tint?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: VA Beach
1993 300E
Opinions on 50% window tint?
So I've been considering getting the car tinted for awhile now and I've been thinking of getting 50% all the way around. Reason being I live in VA, and the law says 50% on front side windows, and 35% everywhere else. And since I don't really like the staggered look, I would go same percentage all the way around (50%).
But my worry is, is 50% even dark enough, or would it just be a complete waste of money?
On another note, has anyone who has gotten tint done ever had any issues with cleaning the inside of the windows, or had any tearing or scratching problems from rolling windows down?
But my worry is, is 50% even dark enough, or would it just be a complete waste of money?
On another note, has anyone who has gotten tint done ever had any issues with cleaning the inside of the windows, or had any tearing or scratching problems from rolling windows down?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: North NJ
94 Wagon and 94 Cabriolet
"If" you choose 50% all the way around, it will drop the temp in the car a little and will look good. White cars looks good with light tint, I think more than a dark car, which wants a darker tint.
Actually, though, in my white Sportline sedan, I am 35 all around and love it. One time, I had to remove it (from front windows) to pass inspection (every 2 yrs up here) but then found a "source" who could shortcut that nuisance.
Tint wears, but slowly. 2-4 years later, when you look closely, you will probably see a few minor scratches here and there. Worst case, you can replace the offending window(s) Not sure how long they recommend for window tint, but I'd guess 5-10 yrs.
In your shoes, I would either go 35 all around, or try the staggered look, 35/50.
By the way, the wagon below is 80 back and nothing on front windows...
Actually, though, in my white Sportline sedan, I am 35 all around and love it. One time, I had to remove it (from front windows) to pass inspection (every 2 yrs up here) but then found a "source" who could shortcut that nuisance.
Tint wears, but slowly. 2-4 years later, when you look closely, you will probably see a few minor scratches here and there. Worst case, you can replace the offending window(s) Not sure how long they recommend for window tint, but I'd guess 5-10 yrs.
In your shoes, I would either go 35 all around, or try the staggered look, 35/50.
By the way, the wagon below is 80 back and nothing on front windows...
Last edited by RHW; Dec 7, 2010 at 08:41 PM.
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Youngtimer
when i lived in VA i always had 35% all round and never had an issue with the cops, even when i had gotten pulled over for other infractions...
i think they are more trying to avoid blacked out windows in VA, 35 is still pretty light. of course, you might always run into one of those cops that will issue you a fix-it ticket, but in general that only happens if they pull you over for something else, they won't pull you over or anything to check tint only. at least this has been my experience.
i think they are more trying to avoid blacked out windows in VA, 35 is still pretty light. of course, you might always run into one of those cops that will issue you a fix-it ticket, but in general that only happens if they pull you over for something else, they won't pull you over or anything to check tint only. at least this has been my experience.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Seattle
2005 E320 CDI
50% is VERY light, it actually doesn't look like you have any tint on. I'd go with 35% all the way around. If you get a ticket, you'll just have to fix the front windows....then re-tint it after the ticket is signed off.
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e400
I have 25% tint on all 4 of my side windows and 15% on the very back. I don't understand the tinting stuff. If you buy like 50% tint for example, when it goes onto the windows it will really be 45%.
Legal limit here in Texas is 25%, so im right at the limit. And in the very back window, the one above the trunk (wtf is the technical name for that), the legal limit is 0% also known as LIMO TINT!
And this is what i have learned from experience and from looking at many different cars with tint.
This is going to be hard to explain.
Lets say you get 50% tint on the front 2 and 35% on the other 3. The 50% tint in the front will look darker than it would if you had 50% all around, because the back windows won't let as much light through. Which means not as much light will be allowed into the car, which means the 50% tint would look darker.
My friend has a Mustang GT and he has the same tint as me (he only has 2 windows on the side) 25% on his 2 side ones and 15% on the very back. His tint looks darker than mine even though its the exact same. That is due to what i just explained.
So, if it were me, i would go with 50% front 2 and 35% everywhere else. This will make the 50% tint in the front look darker than 50%.
During the day, when it is light enough, you can see straight through my 25% window tint. At night, your never going to see through.
So im guessing 50% wont even look tinted at all during the day, but at night it actually look tinted.
Legal limit here in Texas is 25%, so im right at the limit. And in the very back window, the one above the trunk (wtf is the technical name for that), the legal limit is 0% also known as LIMO TINT!
And this is what i have learned from experience and from looking at many different cars with tint.
This is going to be hard to explain.
Lets say you get 50% tint on the front 2 and 35% on the other 3. The 50% tint in the front will look darker than it would if you had 50% all around, because the back windows won't let as much light through. Which means not as much light will be allowed into the car, which means the 50% tint would look darker.
My friend has a Mustang GT and he has the same tint as me (he only has 2 windows on the side) 25% on his 2 side ones and 15% on the very back. His tint looks darker than mine even though its the exact same. That is due to what i just explained.
So, if it were me, i would go with 50% front 2 and 35% everywhere else. This will make the 50% tint in the front look darker than 50%.
During the day, when it is light enough, you can see straight through my 25% window tint. At night, your never going to see through.
So im guessing 50% wont even look tinted at all during the day, but at night it actually look tinted.
Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Seattle
2005 E320 CDI
Actually the tint percentage is the amount of light the tint will allow through the window. In general there are 5%, 20%, 35%, 50% (percentage will vary slightly between brands). The first 2 are know as "limo tint". Then you got a choice of gray, brown, yellow, blue, reflective (choose your color...silver, red, blue, etc).
Senior Member
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e400
Yes the actual percentage is the amount of light the tint lets in, BUT..
What i am saying is...
The less light that is allowed into your car, the darker you tint will look.
So having 35% on the back will make the other tints appear darker.
What i am saying is...
The less light that is allowed into your car, the darker you tint will look.
So having 35% on the back will make the other tints appear darker.
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Senior Member
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e400
Just type in "35% window tint" and "50% window tint", on google images.
How dark it looks will depend on how many windows you have, how big they are, how light or dark it is outside etc.
But anyways im sure you can find some good pictures that will show you about what it will look like.
If you're worried about the staggered look, just go 50% all around. But, in my opinion, just get 50% front and 35% everywhere else.
Personally, i don't think its worth the money to get 50% window tint. I've got 25% on all 4 side windows, and 15% on the very back, and at times i wish my tint were a little bit darker.
But i can see you have a white car, as do i, and it really does look a lot better with tint. Up to you.
Its a nice upgrade though, keeps your car cool during summer, or year round if you live in Texas like i do.
And generally, most places offer lifetime warranty on the tint, so you can't go wrong with it.
This is my 25% tint all around, i would imagine 35% would only look slightly lighter. Search around the forums, im sure there is a thread or 2 that deals with window tint.
And goodluck with you decision.
DSC_0627.jpg?t=1284670956
How dark it looks will depend on how many windows you have, how big they are, how light or dark it is outside etc.
But anyways im sure you can find some good pictures that will show you about what it will look like.
If you're worried about the staggered look, just go 50% all around. But, in my opinion, just get 50% front and 35% everywhere else.
Personally, i don't think its worth the money to get 50% window tint. I've got 25% on all 4 side windows, and 15% on the very back, and at times i wish my tint were a little bit darker.
But i can see you have a white car, as do i, and it really does look a lot better with tint. Up to you.
Its a nice upgrade though, keeps your car cool during summer, or year round if you live in Texas like i do.
And generally, most places offer lifetime warranty on the tint, so you can't go wrong with it.
This is my 25% tint all around, i would imagine 35% would only look slightly lighter. Search around the forums, im sure there is a thread or 2 that deals with window tint.
And goodluck with you decision.
DSC_0627.jpg?t=1284670956
Last edited by zach1328; Dec 14, 2010 at 04:57 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 826
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From: Southeast PA
2010 VW Golf TDI
Tint Selector
Maybe the tint selector at the link above will give you an idea. I think I would like 50%, just a little darker, but not so much that anyone would realize the windows were tinted. Not unlike a mild drop for the suspension, just to fix the too high look, not enough to look slammed.
The problem with pictures is that the look is very dependent on the lighting conditions. Honestly, I think you really have to go see some examples in person.
Maybe the tint selector at the link above will give you an idea. I think I would like 50%, just a little darker, but not so much that anyone would realize the windows were tinted. Not unlike a mild drop for the suspension, just to fix the too high look, not enough to look slammed.
The problem with pictures is that the look is very dependent on the lighting conditions. Honestly, I think you really have to go see some examples in person.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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e400
Yeah its 25% tint as i stated in my post (says it right above the photo).
Its the legal limit in my state.
I was just posting it saying 35% wouldnt be too too much lighter. It was just an example.
And the only reason it may look slightly darker than 35% is because the sun was kind of blocked, so it appears a little darker than it really is.
Its the legal limit in my state.
I was just posting it saying 35% wouldnt be too too much lighter. It was just an example.
And the only reason it may look slightly darker than 35% is because the sun was kind of blocked, so it appears a little darker than it really is.
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e400
Haha sorry i wasnt trying to be rude about it.
I couldnt possibly be rude to the person with, in my opinion, one of the nicest W124s i have seen.
What percent tint do you have Zorro?
Looks kind of dark in some of your pictures but it may be the angle or maybe the sun was blocked or something.
Just wondering because if you have about 35% or so it might help Kaputt make his decision on what kind of tint he wants.
And @Kaputt
http://www.mymbonline.com/forum/view...&view=previous
Link to some pictures of Zorroamg's car so you can see his window tint, although, im not too sure what his tint is. Once he responds to my question you'll know.
Half the reason i posted that link to his car is just so i had a good excuse to look at it.
I couldnt possibly be rude to the person with, in my opinion, one of the nicest W124s i have seen.
What percent tint do you have Zorro?
Looks kind of dark in some of your pictures but it may be the angle or maybe the sun was blocked or something.
Just wondering because if you have about 35% or so it might help Kaputt make his decision on what kind of tint he wants.
And @Kaputt
http://www.mymbonline.com/forum/view...&view=previous
Link to some pictures of Zorroamg's car so you can see his window tint, although, im not too sure what his tint is. Once he responds to my question you'll know.
Half the reason i posted that link to his car is just so i had a good excuse to look at it.
Last edited by zach1328; Dec 16, 2010 at 10:53 PM.
