So I got my windows tinted a couple of days ago. I opted for 18% all around, 35% on the windshield, and 35% on the sunroof and moonroof too. I went to the same guys who did my last car, because they did a Grade-A job and they use high-quality metallic tint.

So I paid for quality parts and I know I got a quality installation, but what's bugging me is the little dimples around all the windows. It seems like the tint doesn't stick well to these raised bumps around the windshield, rear glass, and rear side windows (the most annoying). Has anyone else experienced this? I have actually seen a couple of pics on the forums here where this phenomenon is clearly visible.

I wondered if anyone has managed to avoid this from happening, and if so, how? The installer said a lot of cars have these raised bumps, and the tint was simply too wet to stick at the time of installation. He advised me to press down on the tint a couple of days after installation, when the glue and water has dried out enough. I tried it, and it works to a degree, but it also produces inconsistent lines where some parts will stick and others will not.

Overall, it's a pretty minor issue. Most people wouldn't even notice if they didn't already know about it, but it's bugging me right now.

 

It bugged me at first too, and I had the best tint used.
I think they settled in a little bit over time with some sun/heat.
Don't sweat it - I think the tint would have to be too thin or they'd have to cut it to not hit the bumps to avoid it.

Drive and have fun

 

it'll settle down. don't worry.

 

I think it's illegal here in CA to have those tint percentages on your car. Especially on the windshield...

 

Yeah, I got a ticket for 35 on the doors, he'll get put in jail for that setup if he gets caught...

 

LOL!

 

i may be mistaken.. but isnt the sunroof already tinted to 20%?

 

yea, it'll settle down

and it sucks for ya'll to have it that stricted there.. i have 5% all around and 35% on the windshield and haven't had any problems... i've been pulled over 3 times since i've had the tint and not once did a cop mention it

 

When I had mine done, I told them to match it up with the sunroof. I asked what percentage it was and they said 17-18%.

 

Yes, it's completely illegal - maybe that's part of the appeal. I do think it looks great though.

My last car was 35% all around with 50% on the windshield, and I always felt it was too light. This time I told the guy, I know the laws, just give me what I want. Installers here are always willing to do illegal tints. He cautioned me about having 35% on the windshield for safety reasons, but I found it to be okay even at night. This guy will even remove it for free and polish up the glass if you get a fix-it ticket.

As for the sunroof, I told my guy the same thing - try to match it to the windows. He figured the tinted glass plus a 35% tint would be about equal to the 18% on the windows. It came out real nice.

 

ahh yes.. this is what i had thought..

 

Thing is, when you look up through your sunroof you are looking towards a light source, and when you look out of the windows you are usually surrounded by darker objects. If you tint your windows to 18% and leave the sunroof untouched, the sunroof looks MUCH lighter than the windows. I saw this with my own eyes, and that's why I asked the guy to darken the sunroof to be equal to the effect of the windows.

 

those little dots are not suppose to be covered, it is printed on the glass even tho the tint is over it.

 

i am in california.
My car is black.
there is light, med, dark, limo shades.
on my last car i had Med in the back and light in the front.
but it still got hot and it looked okay.
i think i am going to get Dark in the back and Med in the front.
As far as legal issues, is it okay to tint as dark as you want in the back? i know the front is none at all.
also, would Limo in the back and med in the front look cool?
thanks

 

In California, the law is no tinting for the windshield, up to 70% of light (meaning it can be darker by 30%) has to be allowed on the front side windows, and any percentage of darkness you want in the back. Mine is no windshield, 50% front side windows and 4% visibility the rest. I wanted 0% but the shop I went to doesn't have it; 4% is close enough. So I guess it's limo shade in the back and medium in the front; and it looks cool IMO. If you want photos let me know. Check tintlaws.com.

 

Hey jas0nh, do you think you can post some pics? I was thinking about getting the same thing as you, with a pretty low percentage for the back windows and hatch, but I wasn't sure how it would looked paired up with 50% tinted front windows.

Thanks.

 

I saw that on my friends truck with the dimples but it didnt happen on my scion. I wonder how ____ed the cops would be if i drove the car to CA with 5% all around.....

 

The only windows on a tC you can tint as dark as you want, is the 2 side windows for the backseat. The rear glass has a limit on our cars (On xA and xBs they can be as dark as they want all around)

But yes tint on the windshield, big no no. And tint thats too dark on the driver and passenger side winow and back.. will get you a nice hefty ticket

 

I have 18% all round, including the windshield (used to be 35% but I went darker for a better match), and the cops here in CA are not really making a big deal about it. In 8 months I have had one ticket for the windows, so that's not bad. Funny thing is, the cop cited me for the side windows and no front license plate, but he completely missed the 18% windshield. The cop was like, "Is the windshield tinted too?" Before I could answer, his partner said, "No, that looks like the factory glass". I was like wow, thanks for saving my ___ (didn't say that part out loud).

 

Wrong.
You can't tint the front side windows or the windshield.
Back two and the hatch.
That's it.