What's the latest on window tint ?

rfuerst911sc · 03-06-2023, 03:08 AM

Hey guys , it's been over 15 years since I have had car windows professionally tinted . My new to me black 996 C4 I think would look great with tinted windows . I am in Georgia and would want the darkest legal tint.

So what's the latest and greatest available ? Any particular brand or type to look for ? Might be a silly question but does window tint have an effect on radar detector performance ?

My goal is looks and performance as it gets very hot here in the summer . It is parked in a garage when not being driven .

tdw28210 · tdw28210's Garage

Get the windshield tinted. Probably not leagal, but makes a HUGE difference. There are films that look almost transparent but still repel UV that go on the windshield.

rfuerst911sc · 03-06-2023, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdw28210

Get the windshield tinted. Probably not leagal, but makes a HUGE difference. There are films that look almost transparent but still repel UV that go on the windshield.

Well I learned something already , didn't realize tinting the entire windshield was a thing . I just thought a top strip was available . I wonder if a full windshield tint holds up to suction cups ? Something I will have to ask about . Thanks for the suggestion 👍

David · David's Garage

I don't know the brand but ceramic is the hot stuff now. Probably 3M.

wilnj · 03-06-2023, 04:30 AM

Ceramic is almost clear provides the IV protection without the darkness

Here’s the window tint rules for Georgia.

https://www.tinting-laws.com/georgia/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rfuerst911sc · 03-06-2023, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilnj

Ceramic is almost clear provides the IV protection without the darkness

Here’s the window tint rules for Georgia.

https://www.tinting-laws.com/georgia/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Appreciate the link thank you

Baz · Baz's Garage

Rick - just had the Volvo tinted in December. Used a local one-owner shop - been doing it for long time. Did my Silverado back in '05. Does really good work and knows what he's doing.

My Volvo had factory tinted windows but no aftermarket tint - so he didn't have to remove any "old" tint - which is an extra step.

We tinted the driver and passenger side windows lighter than the rest (back seat, sides (it's a wagon), and rear, and NO tint on windshield.

Turned out great - I'm very happy.

He showed me when the windshield is tinted, sometimes at night oncoming headlights create a weird pattern, so I elected not to go that route.

Everyone is using ceramic nowadays, which is what we used.

Good luck!

Cairo94507 · Cairo94507's Garage

I have all of my car windows tinted except the windshield. On that I have them do a tint strip. I typically do the rear window in medium and all sides in light. The tint strip is typically Limo tint. I have never been stopped by the police as one can still see into the car.

I do not like the black (limo tinted) windows and have no problem with police stopping and ticketing (CA) for that as it is unsafe for the police.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Pics of the tinted Volvo mentioned upstream. Reduction of heat inside from the sun is like night and day......NPI!

rfuerst911sc · 03-06-2023, 07:59 AM

Baz how is the back window when driving at night ? A little internet searching says fair amount of complaints for visibility. I am thinking about using 35% all the way around with the top windshield maybe darker .

rfuerst911sc · 03-06-2023, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cairo94507

I have all of my car windows tinted except the windshield. On that I have them do a tint strip. I typically do the rear window in medium and all sides in light. The tint strip is typically Limo tint. I have never been stopped by the police as one can still see into the car.

I do not like the black (limo tinted) windows and have no problem with police stopping and ticketing (CA) for that as it is unsafe for the police.

Yeah that's why I am leaning towards 35% all around . I like it when all windows are the same just a personal preference .

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Baz how is the back window when driving at night ? A little internet searching says fair amount of complaints for visibility. I am thinking about using 35% all the way around with the top windshield maybe darker .

Back window is great....no issues! Really helps dim headlights from behind.

Sorry I don't have the %'s of what he used - just what I described in my first post.

Baz · Baz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Yeah that's why I am leaning towards 35% all around . I like it when all windows are the same just a personal preference .

Depends on the vehicle I would say.

I wanted the most protection.....except where visibility was concerned.

But I have a wagon. So I have options!

rfuerst911sc · 03-06-2023, 11:39 AM

When my car comes out of the body shop I am heading to the local tint place and find out what they have and what they recommend . Appreciate the feedback guys thanks .

A930Rocket · 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Well I learned something already , didn't realize tinting the entire windshield was a thing . I just thought a top strip was available . I wonder if a full windshield tint holds up to suction cups ? Something I will have to ask about . Thanks for the suggestion 👍

You can get a clear tint to stop the UV rays. If you look at the top of the windshield on the sides, about 6 inches down, it says A1A. This is the legal limit you can tint your windshield.

That said, I’ve seen people with fully tinted windshields.

On my 330, I don’t have sun visors, so I added a black vinyl strip across the front, down about 8 inches.

My F150 has dark dark tent down to the A1A line. I should’ve gone a little further.

Both of them have tinted windows all the way around.

My 930 had to do the windows with a black vinyl banner across the windshield.

sc_rufctr · 03-06-2023, 05:21 PM

JFI... The cops take note of tinted windows however that's not a problem for non criminals.

gregpark · 03-06-2023, 05:53 PM

I tinted the Leaf windows super dark. I told the guy I was embarrassed to be seen driving it. He laughed and said it's not legal to tint beyond a certain percentage but did it for me anyway. Then I found out why it's illegal....I couldn't see schit at night! I paid again to have him re tint the wind screen and door windows lighter

wildthing · 03-06-2023, 06:04 PM

I replaced my aging tint with ceramic tint from XPEL (public company that seems to be doing pretty well) that lets 70% light in, but claims to block heat. Last time I got tint, it was 3M all the way but I decided to try XPEL. It was in November so I haven't really tested the heat blocking capabilities. Have to wait for the summer for that one.

California has some weird rules about the front and the back...

WPOZZZ · 03-06-2023, 09:02 PM

All of my cars are tinted the legal darkness in Hawaii, 35%. SUVs can go darker, but I think it is not necessary. I tinted the front windshield on my old Lexus years ago and it really cut out the heat. However, my windshield also developed a crack a few days after the tint was applied. Changed the windshield and never went back.

bob deluke · bob deluke's Garage

I had a 996 cab that had a tinted windshield, I didn’t know that and I proceeded to remove the registration sticker with a razor scraper. WTF is going on with with this thin plastic stuff coming off the inside of the windshield I though? I ended up removing all the clear tint, took a couple days of scraping and cleaning. How do you remove stickers safely on a tinted windshield? Wha a mess! Our Volvo XC 70 has factory tint on all the windows except for the windshield which is heated. Can you safely tint a heated windshield?