I just got my car back from the tint shop and I am not happy at all. I said I wanted something VERY subtle, so he said to go with 50%. He even went so far as to say that most people can't even tell a car is tinted with 50%, but he do it if I wanted. Well, here's the end result. WAY to dark for me. Am I crazy, or is this 35%? I compared to a few of my friends cars that I know are 35% and this is just as dark, if not darker.

 

Looks like 30-35.. Black interior?

 

That is not 50%.

Go to a different tint shop and ask to borrow a tint meter. %0% should measure on the mid-high 40's

 

Actually the interior is TAN! That should make it even lighter, right? And this is in direct sunlight. At night it's even darker. I'm gonna head to a different shop tomorrow morning and have them put a meter on it.

Does anybody know what the factory tint is for this car (roughly)? They guy at the shop tried to say that the factory tint made it look a lot darker.

 

Mine is 35% and is a lot darker than that! Mine is a white exterior with black interior.

 

Looks like 35%...still legal in most states.

Didn't realize 50% was available....lol.

 

I wasn't aware they had a 50% either. However, looking at your picture, I can guarantee you that yours is lighter than mine and I do have 35%. I have had 24 vehicles since 1985 tinted with 35%. As a matter of fact, the last four of those are in the garage and driveway at this moment. They are definitely darker than yours. It I were a betting man, I would bet yours is 50%. Have it tested and let us know for sure. I am curious now.

 

For sure that tint is in the 35-40 range,if you wanted an almost no tint look,did he have examples for you to peruse?

 

The OP didn't tell us where he is so he'll have to go to tintdude.com himself to check legality.

Of course 50% is available - just as 60 or 70 is available. You don't need dark tint for heat rejection and a nice 70% ceramic tint will give you better UV and heat rejection than most 35% tint.

The actual stock tint varies by year and, in some cases, options, but you can figure that most cars have something like 88% light transmission. Accordingly, a 50% tint on top of that would give you about 44%.

 

it looks good though. get your refund, but keep the tints. any lighter and it won't be helping anything. i have 35% and any lighter there would be no point. i am actually going to get another layer over the back window and 50% on windshield.

 

I'm in NJ (need to update my profile). Keep me honest, but I don't think you're allowed ANY tint on the front windows in NJ.

He basically admitted they screwed up today, but wouldn't give me my money back. They are going to do the entire car over with a real 50% for free.

I've noticed some guys leave a line at the top of the window and others are able to get the tint all the way to the top. Do you need to take the door panels to do that? If so, I'd rather not take all the panels off - I can live with the line when the window is down.

 

Just wondering...why do you want 50%?

 

The same reason you wanted 35%

Seriously though, it's just personal preference. I like the way a really light tint looks. Also, I live in NJ and the cops will look for ANY excuse to give you a ticket. I don't need another reason to be pulled over.

Plus, my girlfriend is hot and I like to show her off!

 

i would say thats around 20%. it looks way too dark to be 50%. i have 5% all around on my e430 and at night going in reverse not so fun

 

AHHHHHHHHHH ...I understand now!!

 

good reason for you to get a convertible, buddy ! don't forget to post some pics...both the car and your girlfriend...j/k .

 

Yeah,,thats why I went 10 instead of 5 this "benz-a-round". like he says tho all a matter of preference.
But as for NJ and warding off john laws and their ticket books...I travel thru every week,,TPK,local,and watnot...never even got a second look,maybe the coffee was still warm

 

Where's that "this post is useless without pictures" smiley?

What percentage tint did it turn out to be?

 

They guy at the shop didn't have a meter, but he admitted that it was a little dark. He claimed that 3M must have incorrectly marked the box. Either way, he pulled it of and did the entire car over with a real 50% tint. Pictures to follow...still not sunny out. It definitely looks lighter. I'll be sure to post pictures of BOTH

 

You should of snapped a pic looking through side window out the windshield. It looks pretty light to me. I would say it's 50%, though that pic does look dark but my guess it's because the sun is setting or low in the sky. BTW mine is 20%.

 

Sheesh, what kind of a tint shop was that? That's like a dealer service garage not having tools.

 

bump?

 

That's 50%. But I have other pics, that is much darker looking. But that's what I see in general with the naked eye, but a tad bit darker.

 

+1 I prefer subtle tint (on a lot of cars, limo tint looks like cr@p and often quite ghetto). Plus you can get the heat and UV rejection benefits

 

My car is white also and been debating almost a year between 35 and 50. Everyone seems to think 50 is too light but I think it will look good on white, and I really just want the UV and heat benefits. Last car was 35 but it was black so I think darker does look better...