I was wondering what some people had on their xA for window tinting and if there was a way to get a picture of your car. I am thinking about doing it, but I am not sure how light/dark I wanna go.

I occasionally pass a blue xA on my way to work. She has blue tinting that matches almost perfectly, it looks really nice. Other than that I can't help, sorry...

There where 4 level I could choose from: light/med/dark/limo. I got med on the front and dark on the rears and hatch...

http://www.toshfamily.info/home/images/Photos/03_vehicles/20041025_ScionXa_003.JPG

Don't forget to check the tint laws for your state; there's a thread in the Tech section that can help you out. Also, your local tinting place should be able to tell you what would look good, after all they are experts!

30%fronts and 20% rears
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/TakumiJr/Dirty003.jpg

Maybe it's just me, but I don't like the different tint in the front/back... luckily, I can have the same all around :) I just have to decide how dark, but anything is better than no tint on a white car.

is that a matter of personal preference? (different tint in the front/back) because you said luckily you can have the same all around
just wondering since i may be tinting mine sometime soon as well.

The different tint percentage isnt that bad as most tints reflect and blend with teh rear
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v190/TakumiJr/IMG_0029.jpg

Thank you for the pictures and responses. Yeah I have to check with the "law" but I was just curious...thank you!

pigs here in cali luvs to get people with tinted front windows.

I've got 32% silver metal flake, which looks darker than normal in the day because of the reflective quality. I also added the 6" hood on the front window which is 14%.

http://www.clifjohnston.com/images/ToyRun/21.jpg

If you're not sure what you can get away with legally in your state, there's a helpful chart on the International Window Film Association (http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/consumer_info/auto_statelaws.html) site.

My front window tint is darker than the law allows (in ca), but I dont worry about it... It's all about how you make the officer feel safe when he approaches... If it's a chip, then I'll have the shoulder side windows already open and my license out on my dash before he even gets there... hands on the steering wheel. If it's a city cop, then the windows on the right are open... I've been pulled over plenty of times and never been hassled about the windows.

I'm planning to get my windows tinted. Any suggestions on the percentage I should get since I have a Phantom Grey xA.

I don't have many good pictures of mine that can give you an idea of how dark my tint is, but you can look at the pics in my profile..

Windshield: 50%
Driver/Passanger Window: 30%
Side door windows: 25%
small windows & rear: ~17%

The 17% is a bit difficult to see out in the night when trying to back up, but I rarely use the rear view mirror when backing up anyways. Mostly only use the side mirrors so it's not an issue. 30% for the side windows gives better than acceptable visability at night, (anything more would be borderline acceptable) and the 50% on the windshield is barely even noticable but helps to keep the sun out of your eyes. Most people don't even notice the 50% on the front unless I tell them.

If your looking to get something for you, then I think it's best to sit in other cars and see how what's your acceptable level of reduced visability, than what looks good. If your just looking for what looks good, limo tint 5% the whole thing.

There are pics of my xA in the gallery. I went with dark (15%) on all side windows and limo (5%) on the hatch and 6 inches down the windshield. Legal in NM is 20%, so 15% is considered quite acceptable. But I see tons of limo around here. I wish I had gone all the way with limo everywhere. IMO, the darker the better if you are concerned about looks. If you are concerned about seeing at night, stick to dark (15-20%). I once had a Toyota with two sheets (yes, two sheets) of limo all the way around. The windows looked painted. They were dangerous at night, but I was much younger then and didn't care.

i want some frosted window tint, the kind like morning dew in a cold morning day

That would look nice, (the morning dew look) but what type of tint would that be? I have the phantom grey color xA and I want to tint the windows, just so confused on color. Grrrr......

is that a matter of personal preference? (different tint in the front/back) because you said luckily you can have the same all around
just wondering since i may be tinting mine sometime soon as well.

Yes, it is personal preference. Here in Wisconsin 35% is legal except for the front sides, which is 50%... One of my friends just got a ticket for illegal tint on his car a few weeks ago, but I figure if i do 35% all around only the most anal cops would bust me for the front...

I sure do miss Florida though -- 6% in the rear :D

I'm running a '05 Silver Streak Mica xA with the spoked alloy wheel upgrade. This week I had the windows done all around, 'cept for the windshield, of course. In Oklahoma, the law lets you go down to 20% tint on front and back, so that's what I went with. It looks so fine now. The combination of the silver paint, black windows and silver wheels is perfect, IMHO. 8) The tint makes all the windows, including the cargo glass, just blend into one seamless piece all the way around the car.

I wondered if I'd be able to see out at night going so dark, but it's not even a problem. The shop used Johnson Film with a lifetime guarantee, so in a month of so when it's fully cured, I'll know if the material is as good as they say it is. I'm waiting to post pics of the car until I get the lowering springs installed in two days.

I just tinted my XA this weekend. Sunshield in Sherman Oaks- at Van Nuys and the 101 (So Cal/L.A.) 818-906 TINT All windows except the windshield- $145. I went with limo 5% and med 35% on the front doors. They do it while you wait -one mexican per window (about 40 minutes) they did a great job and there is a lifetime warranty for discoloration/peeling/cracking/bubbles ect! I'll post pics soon

I've been meaning to get a tint sometime next week, so I'll probably get 25% all around, but I'm not so sure about the CA laws for the driver and passenger tint :?:

Can anyone help me out? I've tried reading the tint codes on one of the websites, but I don't understand them very well :(

:twisted: in Cali I believe it's only legal from the driver's shoulders back. When you see a cop looking for work put down your window! Like a previous post said: City cops put passenger window down, CHP driver down and both hands on the wheel or window where they can be seen.

It's all about respecting their fear/ safety and they will let you go with a warning-or worse a fix it ticket where you rip it off and find a cop to sign the ticket.

If you're not sure what you can get away with legally in your state, there's a helpful chart on the International Window Film Association (http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/consumer_info/auto_statelaws.html) site.

How about driving in another state, like on vacation? I can go pretty dark here in Nevada but I travel into CA several times a year. Should I fear CHP if I'm legal in my home state?

Thanks for the link clif :D I've been to that site, but have a bit of trouble reading the legend. From what I can tell, it's legal to have a tint that lets 70% of visible light in. I'm just wondering how does that translate to tint levels?

How about driving in another state, like on vacation? I can go pretty dark here in Nevada but I travel into CA several times a year. Should I fear CHP if I'm legal in my home state?

About as much as you should fear being CA smog legal while driving there with a NV registered car...

yep. dont trip they may pull u over for it to be a dick and try and get u for somethin else but won't do anything

Yeah, I see what you're saying...it's a little confusing. In my state the laws are 35% VLT and 35% reflectivity. I think my installer pushed the manufacturer tolerance of +- 3%, because my invoice states that my tint is 32%. I keep my papers in the car, just in case.

The important part is obviously the VLT rating. You should be OK with a VLT of 70 or higher. I would recommend talking to a local reputable installer, because they will definitely know and understand the most current laws, even if you plan on doing the tint yourself (you don't have to tell them that).

In a society where freedom is outlawed, only outlaws are free. :roll:

I just got my tint done today(!) I got Medium on the front windows and dark on the back doors and hatch and small windows. I'll get pics up as soon as I can get some.

Incidentally, why isn't this thread in the xA Gen. section?

because back in the day they combined xA/xB threads into a single General forum, but nobody liked it, so they separated it, but in that process, not everything got separated accurately. I had a few of my threads labeled as xB threads too... A quick email to the forum guys, and it'll move.

Alot of xA people in here, but being that this thread is in the xB general discussion thread..........



funny i should run across this thread because i've JUST gotten back from the shop getting my front windows tinted. The factory "privacy" tint on the back and rear windows are i think 20%, and i've just tinted the front 35% just to keep it legal here in NC. The limit here is 32%

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/Prototype_xB/tint1.jpg

I've got 35% in front to complement the back. I didn't want too dark, 35% is perfect.

A quick email to the forum guys, and it'll move.

Yeah, but I can't decide who to e-mail... :doh:

A quick email to the forum guys, and it'll move.

Yeah, but I can't decide who to e-mail... :doh:

Click the "Warn" button on the right of any post and make the comment. It doesn't cause any problems for that person. Just highlight your point, and manytimes the change is made within a day. That's how I did it.

Did you get any pics of your tint yet? I am eager to see!!! :)

Did you get any pics of your tint yet? I am eager to see!!! :)

These pics aren't the best, but I guess they'll have to do...there's a lot of reflection. Anyway, the hatch, the small windows, and the rear doors are dark tint and the front windows are medium.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/frostedtheflake/Scion%20xA/023_20.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/frostedtheflake/Scion%20xA/025_22.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/frostedtheflake/Scion%20xA/024_21.jpg

For some reason, the back looks light in this pic. I'm guessing it's because the sun is starting to set and is aiming right through the windshield.

I know this is going to seem goofy, but if you know our laws in California then you will know why NOTHING matches :)
I'm posting pictures next week when it's done curing itself.

My tint shop recommended a little lighter on the back than the side windows for nighttime visibility .
front: 50
Rear:15
Back: 20

I suggest 15% all around. Not to dark and just dark enough. Perfect.