vtec96

Does anyone knows what's the tint% for the front window to match the factory rear windows?

jchochla

20%

NickTH

Be careful & check what's the max limit for your state.
In Texas it's 35%.

GTscrub

I'm thinking about getting the front sides tinted as well. I think in Texas, the limit is 25%. Do they even make 25%? Searching online, I've read the closest tint are 20% or 35%. I won't be able to get 20% because its illegal but 35% isn't dark enough.

I heard that its not recommended to get tint during the winter because of the colder temperature. Is that true?

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/...windowTint.htm

cookstar

I have 7% all around on my other car and find no issues what so ever for winter ( 3 years since I got them).... I do 99% day driving and I would strongly advise going for anything lower than a 20% if your driving at night.

jprescott

35% on all but front window makes sense. Looks tasteful. Less won't cut down heat as well. No impact in cold climate

SuPER__S

I just got my front tinted 20%. Texas limit us to be 25% but it's back up at 35%. I normally take my inspection to a hole in a wall place and they never give me any trouble for my tint.

Marcus3171

I did 15%. Looks perfect from outside. The only thing is the color is different from the inside looking out.

katiesdad7

Living in Florida everyone has tinted windows. Just tell the tint shop you want to stay legal and your will be OK.

DrFox1969

Living in South Australia, our legal limit is 35%. I agree it isnt dark enough to match the rears but looks better than without.

You just have to think of the implications if you do go outside the legal limit for your country/State. I was more concerned in the event of an accident (fault claim or not), the insurance company may use this an excuse not to pay out. On a $100k+ (AUD) its not worth the risk for me........but only you can decide that.

schroedinger

On a traffic stop, you might get ordered out of the vehicle (at gun point?) if the officer can't see you inside.

cookstar

I would love to find out what city you live in where they pull a gun out on you for having tinted windows.

cburda

obamaville

MLee

Ha ha ha ha

GregW / Oregon

That's why you should always roll down your windows when stopped.

petermk

I am getting my ML in about 2 weeks, hopefully, and thinking if I should tint the front at all. Our legal limit here is 70%, but maybe I can get away with 50%...

sam9187

Too funny but true

Benz Werd

Hi, I did 15% all around on my new ML which to me, with the panoramic sunroof and all black interior is just perfect. My W164 had factory privacy glass on the rear windows though so I just had the fronts done to 15% as well, and you are right. The colour is slightly different from the outside, the fronts were a little more reflective but the rears with privacy glass were just black, and from the inside the fronts were slightly darker to look through but the rears were almost like they weren't tinted at all. But unless I pointed it out nobody noticed. Funny thing was it passed it's roadworthy check when I sold it, even though the legal limit here is 35%.

GTscrub

I just got back from the tint shop today. The place had both 3M and some Johnson brand.. I had a sample of both put on my car to see what color looks the best. I actually like the cheaper Johnson brand because the 3M was purplish.

Anyways, I saw the first window (driver side) done and checked it out. There was a little strip of window that I can see that's not tinted. It was just about 3mm or so, but it ran from the top to half down. It looked very tacky to me. I told the guy that it didn't look nice and he should redo it. He said that it's not possible. I told him that I think it's possible because I had tint done on my other cars and they were able to cover all spots. Well, he replied "It's a MERCEDES.."

At that point, I just wanted to tell him that if he can't make it looks nice because it's a "Mercedes" I would have gone somewhere else. But I didn't and told him to take off the tint and part ways.

Anyways, I did compare the window of the ML to my other Toyota SUV and notice it might be harder to make the tint look nicer on the ML. I just wanna ask anyone else who got tint in the front if they had a nice tint job.

I wish I took a picture but didn't have a chance.

cookstar

If you are talking about the gap that runs right to left on top of the window it is normal and there will always be some sort of gap no matter the installer, but the up and down your talking about should never happen if they remove the panel and install the film. The right way to due it is to remove the panels... cheap places just tuck the film underneath the panel which is just a lazy way of doing it and it wont last. I have 7% tint all around on my other car since 08 and zero problems, the brand was Solar Gard: None Reflective Charcol Series, came with a lifetime warranty as well.

http://www.solargard.com/


Also you should make sure 10000% that the film is computer cut so they dont run a razor to your window.

This is what you dont want...



Should be like this

GTscrub

It's possible to have computer cut? OMG, he did use a razor to cut the tint. I didn't think anything of it because I've seen it done before when they used razors. I just think he's lazy and didn't want to do it again.

But yes, I was referring to the side and not the top edge. I guess I will have to take it to the dealership now but I hate having to wait for it. Should I ask the dealer if they have the computer cut? I bet my dealer sources this type of jobs out.

FYI, the Johnson tint looked great on the ML. It was just that stupid strip up and down that make it look really cheap.

cookstar

I would ask for it to be computercut but most places dont do it, I did allot of searching when I had the tint put on my daily beater (mazda 3), probably called 3-4 places and I made sure that they computer cut the film. The dealers will outsource the job and charge you 3 or 4 times but if anything goes wrong they are easier to deal with rather than a private shop which might simply tell you to buzz off.

Here is the site about the computer cut film:

http://www.solargard.com/window-film...ve/computercut

ComputerCut is the world’s only internet-based pattern cutting system that accesses thousands of automotive window tinting patterns, paint protection film patterns, decals, graphics and glass art images. Each template is exact, designed to the specifications of your vehicle’s make, model and year. This breakthrough technology downloads and cuts film patterns, enabling ComputerCut dealers to execute quick, accurate and customer-approved window film installations.

Your advantages:

It may seem obvious why your dealer would want to use ComputerCut, but it benefits you even more. If you value your vehicle you’ll opt for a ComputerCut installation - enjoy peace of mind with every cut.

ComputerCut carefully pre-cuts templates according to established specifications, resulting in sharp, clean lines - every time

ComputerCut prevents unnecessary cutting on your vehicle - since patterns are precisely computer cut, there is no need to hand cut patterns to fit your vehicle’s windows or painted surface

ComputerCut delivers consistent quality time and time again. Whether you are tinting your car, protecting you paint’s finish or adding custom design elements to your vehicle, ComputerCut handles each job like a pro
Experience true value with an authorized ComputerCut dealer

Ownership of a ComputerCut system says something about the automotive restyling expert you've selected. He has made a sizeable investment in the latest technology to provide you with the finest installation possible. Opt for the professional who values you, and become one of the thousands of satisfied ComputerCut customers today.