Matching Factory Tint?
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From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
Matching Factory Tint?
Long time lurker & Picking up my GLK this November; so 1st real question on the X204 board:
Wanted to know if it will be problematic for a shop to match the GLK black tint on front side windows?
I've usually done all windows on my past cars at once but never had to 'even' things out. Just wanted to know if that would be an issue.
Wanted to know if it will be problematic for a shop to match the GLK black tint on front side windows?
I've usually done all windows on my past cars at once but never had to 'even' things out. Just wanted to know if that would be an issue.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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GLK350
I just had the front driver's side and passenger side windows on mine tinted last week. I think the "color" match is good of the tint, but they're not quite as dark as the rear windows (per South Carolina state law what I had done is the darkest that's legally allowed). I can snap a photo and post a photo later today if you'd like and also see if my receipt/warranty lists the brand and specs.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Tennessee, USA
Red GLK350, blue '87 Toyota Land Cruiser
I was surprised and disappointed to notice no tinting on the front windows and top of windshield. I didn't know anybody made non tinted windows anymore except maybe Yugo. I suppose there is some good reason for this but it escapes me at the moment.
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GLK
I believe it is a 20% tint on the rear windows.
However, as others pointed out, it will depend on what your state law is and what % they allow on the front windows. I think MB played it safe and didn't put any tint on the front as if they went with a 10 or 15% tint (whatever the max is in the tightest states), it may have been slightly different than the rears and people would have complained.
I believe that you are allowed to tint to the max in your state and then drive in others even if their max allowed is lower. (But don't hold me liable for that - confirm with your DMV.)
I would suggest saving the receipt from the shop that does your tint or the receipt from the film if you DIY and keep it in your glove box.
Also print out the info from your state DMV or other source that states the max allowed in your state. That way if you are pulled over in another (or your) state, you can show those to the officer.
A local tint shop may be able to point you to your state's info or maybe even print it for you.
Any good local shop should be able to match the tint about perfectly. I would imagine the better eBay sellers of the film should be able to tell you which one would match perfectly.
However, as others pointed out, it will depend on what your state law is and what % they allow on the front windows. I think MB played it safe and didn't put any tint on the front as if they went with a 10 or 15% tint (whatever the max is in the tightest states), it may have been slightly different than the rears and people would have complained.
I believe that you are allowed to tint to the max in your state and then drive in others even if their max allowed is lower. (But don't hold me liable for that - confirm with your DMV.)
I would suggest saving the receipt from the shop that does your tint or the receipt from the film if you DIY and keep it in your glove box.
Also print out the info from your state DMV or other source that states the max allowed in your state. That way if you are pulled over in another (or your) state, you can show those to the officer.
A local tint shop may be able to point you to your state's info or maybe even print it for you.
Any good local shop should be able to match the tint about perfectly. I would imagine the better eBay sellers of the film should be able to tell you which one would match perfectly.
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From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
Thanks MilesBFree.
I am in a state that doesn't go below 50% on the front side windows.
However, it is very inconsistent the enforcement on the ground as I have gone in past cars with 35% or even 25% with no problems.
Now, I am not sure if matching the GLK rear windows will take it below 25% or even limo tint...which I am not a big fan of.
I am in a state that doesn't go below 50% on the front side windows.
However, it is very inconsistent the enforcement on the ground as I have gone in past cars with 35% or even 25% with no problems.
Now, I am not sure if matching the GLK rear windows will take it below 25% or even limo tint...which I am not a big fan of.
Last edited by MBNA109; Oct 21, 2011 at 12:38 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Old Dominion
2015 VW GTI.S4; 2016 Audi Q3 Prestige
from this source: http://www.berwynheightspd.com/tinted%20windows.htm
... means that the TOTAL amount of light being transmitted through the glass of a motor vehicle cannot be less than 35%.
In other words, it doesn't make any difference what percentage the actual window tinting film is rated at, you still cannot exceed 35% total Light Transmittance Value, or LTV for short. The problem here is that many people purchase a window tint film that is rated at 35% and think it's automatically okay to put it on their car windows. A 35% window film will guarantee you that your vehicle will be illegal, and here's why:
ALL vehicles come from the factory with a certain percentage of tinting incorporated into the glass. In most cases it blocks out approximately 20% of the available light, which means that 80% is still passing through.
That is an LTV of 80%, and there's no problem there.
An after market window tint film rated at 35% means that the film allows 35% of the available light to pass through, and blocks out 65%. (This is known as 35% LTV Film) And again, there's no problem with that.
Here's where the trouble begins.
When you place a 35% window tint film over a vehicle window that is already blocking out
20% of the available light, you have now reduced the LTV to 28%, which is ILLEGAL!
Why is it now 28%? Because you
started with a piece of glass that was already blocking out 20% of the available light, and you are now placing a 35% tinting material on a piece of glass that only had 80% availabe light to start with. (.35 x 80 = 28%) .
That means you are now blocking out 72% of the available light, leaving only 28% to pass through.
You now have tinted windows with a 28% Light Transmittance Value, and remember that the State of Maryland requires an LTV of at least 35%.
(Windows that are tinted darker than 35% are very obvious to police officers.)
Last edited by MBNA109; Oct 21, 2011 at 01:02 PM.
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