Front tinting

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by xweb10

Thanks everyone. I'm in California so I do want to be wary of what is legal.

I got my car when I lived in San Jose. I didn’t want problem with our poor public servants so I went with a 68% ceramic tint on the front side windows and windshield. It looks pretty clear on the outside but I can park outside all day and my dashboard is just a little heated up.

I think legal is 70% but our glass without tint is already around 80% so basically any tint is illegal.

Windshield tint unless it’s a top stripe is illegal. You’ll probably have to sign some waiver at most shops.

[jccisse]

Originally Posted by CeeTeeX5

Thanks. It was done at Accutint in Bellevue.

Thank you :-)

[maDjzo]

Looking for some input with hue not % guys, for those that matched with factory perhaps?. So I got my fronts tinted with Xpel Prime ~ 20% to match factory. With the variances in colors in these trucks it gets tricky but basically I'm noticing a difference in hue between the rear glass and front. Seems that the rears have blue/brown hue to the factory tint, whereas after the front was tinted, it gives off a more greenish/yellow hue. It's mostly noticed on cloudy days, or from inside the car looking out against a white background perhaps. Installer said that with the differences in hues that manufacturers now tint out the factory, after applying tint it might alter the hue of the glass. I'm going to get a 2nd opinion from a different shop and I might have to have them redone. I'm hearing 3M Color Stable is good match, amongst others, any input, pics of anyones current tint setup and % / Product used would be appreciated.

Anyone with Formula One/Pinnacle or 3M Crystalline/Color Stable that had their fronts matched can share opinion/pics?

Heres mine on a semi cloudy day.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by maDjzo

Looking for some input with hue not % guys, for those that matched with factory perhaps?. So I got my fronts tinted with Xpel Prime ~ 20% to match factory. With the variances in colors in these trucks it gets tricky but basically I'm noticing a difference in hue between the rear glass and front. Seems that the rears have blue/brown hue to the factory tint, whereas after the front was tinted, it gives off a more greenish/yellow hue. It's mostly noticed on cloudy days, or from inside the car looking out against a white background perhaps. Installer said that with the differences in hues that manufacturers now tint out the factory, after applying tint it might alter the hue of the glass. I'm going to get a 2nd opinion from a different shop and I might have to have them redone. I'm hearing 3M Color Stable is good match, amongst others, any input, pics of anyones current tint setup and % / Product used would be appreciated.

Heres mine on a semi cloudy day.

I'm definitely seeing a % difference here as well but as far as color I went with pinnacle ceramic and it matches quite well. It's a bit more grey while as you said the oem is brownish. But it blends well. Sunny and cloudy.

[maDjzo]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

I'm definitely seeing a % difference here as well but as far as color I went with pinnacle ceramic and it matches quite well. It's a bit more grey while as you said the oem is brownish. But it blends well. Sunny and cloudy.

% is on point imho minus the fact that windshield will add more light to front, which is ok. It's the reflective, not deep black hue that I have a issue with. Xpel Prime HP was used which is supposed to be a good matching tint to factory, based on their website..

[maDjzo]

Don't want to beat this topic to death, if anyone out there will be considering matching their tints this might help. Although different cars come with different hue glass nowadays, hopefully someone will find this useful. My experience resulted in the 3rd tint job being the charm. After having Xpel Prime HP removed from the front, being replaced with 3M Color Stable @ 20%, I immediately noticed severe haze/cloudiness when sun was hitting directly from a high angle. Gave it over a week with no change, I knew it wasn't going away as after some googling, apparently this was a known issue with 3M CS and certain glass combos (especially @ 20%). Knowing aggressive metallic tint with high heat rejection wasn't that important, as I'm in the northeast, on top of that high IR rejection tint will be installed on windshield and roof eventually. 3M Obsidian @ 15% was finally installed this afternoon, not only is the exterior color a perfect match, but interior is as close to factory as I will get and no haze, totally happy and it happens to be basic entry level film.

First 2 Pics = 3M CS @ 20% in direct sunlight looking out.

Third Pic = Xpel Prime HP @ 20%

Last Pic = 3M Obsidian @ 15%

[MK2018]

I believe mine is 18%

[bmwx1sq]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Ceramic 15-20% will do the trick. And get 70% on the windshield and you'll be rocking. Regardless if it's legal. Who cares. Cops aren't gonna pull you over for tint by itself. They got better things to do. But they may tack it on. Either way. Matching you will be fine. Two different tints looks dumb imo.

I am with maverick. I have 20% on the front two, 50% on the windshield, and 80% on all the rears. I got LLumar ceramic. Huge difference in temperatures inside the car now.

[maDjzo]

Originally Posted by bmwx1sq

I am with maverick. I have 20% on the front two, 50% on the windshield, and 80% on all the rears. I got LLumar ceramic. Huge difference in temperatures inside the car now.

Makes sense for heat rejection, Formula One I'm assuming? Pics?

[MizikeTSK]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Ceramic 15-20% will do the trick. And get 70% on the windshield and you'll be rocking. Regardless if it's legal. Who cares. Cops aren't gonna pull you over for tint by itself. They got better things to do. But they may tack it on. Either way. Matching you will be fine. Two different tints looks dumb imo.

Mine is similar except think I went 50% on windshield and 30% on the sides. I think it flows with the rears pretty good. On days with overcast I open the sunroof cover a tad to let more light in since my whip is white and makes the tint look darker than it really is.

[Maverik259]

I also recommend tinting the sunroof. That thing is a huge piece of glass and sits right on top and always gets sun. Even with the cover in place that doesn't reflect the heat.

[TXSTYLE]

I've had over 20 cars of mine tinted. With several on windshield. It's not a matter of "legal". Because you can put damn near clear ceramic film on that will block 99% heat and protect your dash and keep you cool and never be noticed by anyone.
The real issue is... Can you do it to these particular vehicles without foking up the electronics behind the Dashboard????

I have elected NOT to chance it after just having my windows tinted with 20% on the windows and discussing it with my installer.

[Violator]

I have Suntek CIR installed on mine and it keeps the cabin cool from the Texas heat. I have it on all of the glass, windshield (70%), panoramic roof and all other windows with 25%.

It doesn’t affect my HUD at all or the auto-high-beam function.

[bmwx1sq]

Originally Posted by maDjzo

Makes sense for heat rejection, Formula One I'm assuming? Pics?

Picture from inside. Wind shield vs drivers door. Front vs rear.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

I've had over 20 cars of mine tinted. With several on windshield. It's not a matter of "legal". Because you can put damn near clear ceramic film on that will block 99% heat and protect your dash and keep you cool and never be noticed by anyone.
The real issue is... Can you do it to these particular vehicles without foking up the electronics behind the Dashboard????

I have elected NOT to chance it after just having my windows tinted with 20% on the windows and discussing it with my installer.

It doesn't mess with my electronics one bit

[MizikeTSK]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

The real issue is... Can you do it to these particular vehicles without foking up the electronics behind the Dashboard????

I have elected NOT to chance it after just having my windows tinted with 20% on the windows and discussing it with my installer.

No issues with mine using ceramic, I think it's the metalized films that may interference.

[RossBMWZseries]

I just tinted mine two weeks ago. I went with 20% ceramic tint in the front windows. The rear windows already had tint (20% as well) when I bought it. The shop told me that the trunk window didn't have any tint (even thought it looked DARK). They said BMW probably installed dark glass on there. I had them tint it anyway with 20% so now it looks really dark and I love it. We usually leave the sunroof open to allow daylight in to avoid being pulled over. Here in south Texas, cops are anal about dark tint.