tints in california
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Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 127
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From: Dix Hills, NY (soon to be Orange County, CA)
2000 Mercedes S500
tints in california
anyone know how dark you can legally go? thanks. i'm in ny but will move to cali by the end of the year and want to see if i could go darker. i think i have 15% all around now. thanks
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,081
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From: Indiana
1986 560SEL, 97 BMW 740iL
Anything under 35% is illegal is many places unless you are in law enforcement. You can push it but if you get stopped, equipment violation is another charge, that's. You just have to take it off and show the court to prove that you have done it.
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 1
From: Florida, East of Orlando
2003 CLK55AMG
Not sure how up to date
This site has state tint laws but I cannot verify how up to date it is.
http://www.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/tint/
http://www.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/tint/
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 54
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From: Alameda, CA
2000 S-Class
Let me shed some light on the subject.
I have been tinting for over 15 years now and have 2 shops in the Bay Area. The current law states that you can have any shade as dark as you like behind the driver's and passenger's front doors provided you have a left and right side view mirror. It cannot be reflective or colored tint.
The driver's and passenger's front doors can be tinted with any film but it has to meet a 70% light transmittance. Most front doors have factory tinted glass which is kind of greenish so the only film that is usable on any cars in California is an 85% light transmittance film which is basically clear with a tinge of yellow.
Some of the older cars with almost clear glass can get away with a 70% shade of film applied, just as long as when the tinted glass is tested with a visible light meter, it allows more than 70% light through it.
Now here is the loop hole. If you have a medical prescription letter from a skin or eye doctor, you can legally have up to a 35% light transmittance window. This basically states that you can apply something like a 40% shade of film and it will pass. The only problem is that you are not suppose to drive the vehicle after dark. If caught driving after dark, the officer can issue you a citation even though you have a prescription letter.
Bottom line is California tinting laws are STUPID! They should just outlaw the use of 5% limo tint and allow a 50% shade applied to the front doors. This way you can see into the vehicle and not feel threatened. Not to mention obstruct your view.
I sure hope they don't pass a law in California in January to a fine instead of fix it ticket for front tinted windows. I guess I will be selling alot of V-Kool 70% for those who want alot of heat rejection without the look of tinting
Here is a picture of my car with V-Kool 70% on the front doors, Suntek Infinity OP 35% on the rear doors and OP 20% on the rear windshield.
On an overcast day.
Another shot of it but on a sunny day. Not as reflective when the sun is out.
I have been tinting for over 15 years now and have 2 shops in the Bay Area. The current law states that you can have any shade as dark as you like behind the driver's and passenger's front doors provided you have a left and right side view mirror. It cannot be reflective or colored tint.
The driver's and passenger's front doors can be tinted with any film but it has to meet a 70% light transmittance. Most front doors have factory tinted glass which is kind of greenish so the only film that is usable on any cars in California is an 85% light transmittance film which is basically clear with a tinge of yellow.
Some of the older cars with almost clear glass can get away with a 70% shade of film applied, just as long as when the tinted glass is tested with a visible light meter, it allows more than 70% light through it.
Now here is the loop hole. If you have a medical prescription letter from a skin or eye doctor, you can legally have up to a 35% light transmittance window. This basically states that you can apply something like a 40% shade of film and it will pass. The only problem is that you are not suppose to drive the vehicle after dark. If caught driving after dark, the officer can issue you a citation even though you have a prescription letter.
Bottom line is California tinting laws are STUPID! They should just outlaw the use of 5% limo tint and allow a 50% shade applied to the front doors. This way you can see into the vehicle and not feel threatened. Not to mention obstruct your view.
I sure hope they don't pass a law in California in January to a fine instead of fix it ticket for front tinted windows. I guess I will be selling alot of V-Kool 70% for those who want alot of heat rejection without the look of tinting
Here is a picture of my car with V-Kool 70% on the front doors, Suntek Infinity OP 35% on the rear doors and OP 20% on the rear windshield.
On an overcast day.
Another shot of it but on a sunny day. Not as reflective when the sun is out.
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Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Litespeeds
I guess I will be selling alot of V-Kool 70% for those who want alot of heat rejection without the look of tinting
I guess I will be selling alot of V-Kool 70% for those who want alot of heat rejection without the look of tinting
i would really go for that!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA
2000 S-Class
The V-Kool 70% is very light and has a little yellowish hue. The reason why it may appear greenish when applied is because it takes on whatever shade the glass color is. Most windows have a greenish hue.
As for bluish tint, I actually have some 50% bluish tint made by Suntek. It is suppose to resemble the bluish glass that is on the newer MBZ cars like the CLK, C32, etc. I haven't had an opportunity to use this film yet so I can't tell you how close it looks to the factory shade. All I can say is it will probably look a little darker.
As for bluish tint, I actually have some 50% bluish tint made by Suntek. It is suppose to resemble the bluish glass that is on the newer MBZ cars like the CLK, C32, etc. I haven't had an opportunity to use this film yet so I can't tell you how close it looks to the factory shade. All I can say is it will probably look a little darker.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by Litespeeds
The V-Kool 70% is very light and has a little yellowish hue. The reason why it may appear greenish when applied is because it takes on whatever shade the glass color is. Most windows have a greenish hue.
As for bluish tint, I actually have some 50% bluish tint made by Suntek. It is suppose to resemble the bluish glass that is on the newer MBZ cars like the CLK, C32, etc. I haven't had an opportunity to use this film yet so I can't tell you how close it looks to the factory shade. All I can say is it will probably look a little darker.
The V-Kool 70% is very light and has a little yellowish hue. The reason why it may appear greenish when applied is because it takes on whatever shade the glass color is. Most windows have a greenish hue.
As for bluish tint, I actually have some 50% bluish tint made by Suntek. It is suppose to resemble the bluish glass that is on the newer MBZ cars like the CLK, C32, etc. I haven't had an opportunity to use this film yet so I can't tell you how close it looks to the factory shade. All I can say is it will probably look a little darker.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay
2008 Cayman S / 2002 C230
Originally posted by Litespeeds
Let me shed some light on the subject.
I have been tinting for over 15 years now and have 2 shops in the Bay Area. The current law states that you can have any shade as dark as you like behind the driver's and passenger's front doors provided you have a left and right side view mirror. It cannot be reflective or colored tint.
The driver's and passenger's front doors can be tinted with any film but it has to meet a 70% light transmittance. Most front doors have factory tinted glass which is kind of greenish so the only film that is usable on any cars in California is an 85% light transmittance film which is basically clear with a tinge of yellow.
Some of the older cars with almost clear glass can get away with a 70% shade of film applied, just as long as when the tinted glass is tested with a visible light meter, it allows more than 70% light through it.
Now here is the loop hole. If you have a medical prescription letter from a skin or eye doctor, you can legally have up to a 35% light transmittance window. This basically states that you can apply something like a 40% shade of film and it will pass. The only problem is that you are not suppose to drive the vehicle after dark. If caught driving after dark, the officer can issue you a citation even though you have a prescription letter.
Bottom line is California tinting laws are STUPID! They should just outlaw the use of 5% limo tint and allow a 50% shade applied to the front doors. This way you can see into the vehicle and not feel threatened. Not to mention obstruct your view.
I sure hope they don't pass a law in California in January to a fine instead of fix it ticket for front tinted windows. I guess I will be selling alot of V-Kool 70% for those who want alot of heat rejection without the look of tinting
Here is a picture of my car with V-Kool 70% on the front doors, Suntek Infinity OP 35% on the rear doors and OP 20% on the rear windshield.
On an overcast day.
Another shot of it but on a sunny day. Not as reflective when the sun is out.
Let me shed some light on the subject.
I have been tinting for over 15 years now and have 2 shops in the Bay Area. The current law states that you can have any shade as dark as you like behind the driver's and passenger's front doors provided you have a left and right side view mirror. It cannot be reflective or colored tint.
The driver's and passenger's front doors can be tinted with any film but it has to meet a 70% light transmittance. Most front doors have factory tinted glass which is kind of greenish so the only film that is usable on any cars in California is an 85% light transmittance film which is basically clear with a tinge of yellow.
Some of the older cars with almost clear glass can get away with a 70% shade of film applied, just as long as when the tinted glass is tested with a visible light meter, it allows more than 70% light through it.
Now here is the loop hole. If you have a medical prescription letter from a skin or eye doctor, you can legally have up to a 35% light transmittance window. This basically states that you can apply something like a 40% shade of film and it will pass. The only problem is that you are not suppose to drive the vehicle after dark. If caught driving after dark, the officer can issue you a citation even though you have a prescription letter.
Bottom line is California tinting laws are STUPID! They should just outlaw the use of 5% limo tint and allow a 50% shade applied to the front doors. This way you can see into the vehicle and not feel threatened. Not to mention obstruct your view.
I sure hope they don't pass a law in California in January to a fine instead of fix it ticket for front tinted windows. I guess I will be selling alot of V-Kool 70% for those who want alot of heat rejection without the look of tinting
Here is a picture of my car with V-Kool 70% on the front doors, Suntek Infinity OP 35% on the rear doors and OP 20% on the rear windshield.
On an overcast day.
Another shot of it but on a sunny day. Not as reflective when the sun is out.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Alameda, CA
2000 S-Class
Auto Mall Tint Factory
43048 Christy Street
Fremont, CA 94538
(510)659-8468
California Sunscreen
3013 Teagarden Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510)483-8468
I would prefer you to e-mail me at Litespeeds@hotmail.com to schedule an appointment. This way I can personally work on your car. Make sure you mention MBWorld so I can give you a discount. I have done the same for customer's on Infinity G-35 as well as BMW forums who contacted me for a group buy discount.
43048 Christy Street
Fremont, CA 94538
(510)659-8468
California Sunscreen
3013 Teagarden Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510)483-8468
I would prefer you to e-mail me at Litespeeds@hotmail.com to schedule an appointment. This way I can personally work on your car. Make sure you mention MBWorld so I can give you a discount. I have done the same for customer's on Infinity G-35 as well as BMW forums who contacted me for a group buy discount.
