Window Tint

[kayger12]

Seriously thinking about tint for the windows.

Waffling between 20% and 30%.

Opinions?

For you Tapatalk users, there's a poll for this thread. Hit your menu button and then select browser to view it in your mobile browser and participate.

[Tampa330i]

30%!

[danewilson77]

Seriously thinking about tint for the windows.

Waffling between 20% and 30%.

Opinions?

For you Tapatalk users, there's a poll for this thread. Hit your menu button and then select browser to view it in your mobile browser and participate.


20%. I say go big or go home. That will look awesome on your car.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

My 335 has 20% tint. My ZHP has 15%.

I'd go with 20%.

[mimalmo]

I did 35% on my car. Check my project thread for pics of it.

Tint laws by state:
http://www.ziebart.com/assets/media/attachments/State-Law-Chart8-2-10.pdf

[romanred62]

Well I have 20% on my Black Saphire Metallic ZHP and LOVE IT :headbang. Looks like legal wise you can have anything you want on the back sides and rear and nothing on the front sides... Well that being said I'd definitely do 20% at least on the back sides and rear. Dont want to tell you to break the law with the front sides but if you want to be more subtle you could do 30-50% there depending on how paranoid you are about being ticketed for it.

EDIT: Of course I do agree with Dane on the go big or go home and would say 20% all the way around (minus windshield of course).

[iZHP]

i'd go with 35% or nothing. Tint is illegal in NJ and they're nuts by Ocean County with tickets.... 20% is also too dark IMO

[kayger12]

Thanks for all of the responses, gents. Keep em coming.

Not so much worried about getting ticketed, just don't want the hassle of getting stopped all the time.

Whatever I settle on will go on rears and fronts. Not a fan of the split look.

[az3579]

I once saw what I think was 30 or 35%. It looked PERFECT. Dark enough to make it look good but light enough not to get hassled excessively.
Anything below is way too dark, IMO.

[mimalmo]

I once saw what I think was 30 or 35%. It looked PERFECT. Dark enough to make it look good but light enough not to get hassled excessively.
Anything below is way too dark, IMO.

Yeah, go too dark and you'll start looking like some NJ mafioso-type............wait.....nevermind.

[danewilson77]

This is 35 front.....30 rear.....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Silver%20Bimmer/DSC02725sz1200.jpg

[romanred62]

20 Front. 20 Rear.

http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab293/bensammons/BMW%20330i%20ZHP/_DSC9529.jpg

[Mtnman]

I like less tint, personally. 35% is good with me. I think it sets the car off, but doesnt go too black. Unless you likve in FL or arizona or something where it is hot as all get out and you really need the tint to keep from getting 3rd degree burns from your leather.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Here you go. Both cars (with the tint percentages I already provided):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/MarkTandemShots019.jpg

[kayger12]

Yeah, go too dark and you'll start looking like some NJ mafioso-type............wait.....nevermind.

:rofl

[kayger12]

Thanks for the pics, guys. Very helpful.

[MrMaico]

32% as tested by official NDHP scanner.:rolleyes Got a warning ticket for that but still haven't corrected it. 50% is the law here but I also hate the two-tone look so I'm not sure what to do about it. So far I've just been avoiding the road that this particular officer patrols.

IMO anything darker restricts your night vision but it sure is nice in the summer for keeping the heat out. Even this amount can be too much at night, sure would hate to hit some pedestrian because I couldn't see out my window well enough. I may end up going with 50% on the doors and see how noticeable the difference is. Either that or take it all off, I think certain color cars look good with no tint.

Barry

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-333Ci/IMG0353/698703627_9FRHk-XL.jpg

[mr hish]

id say 20 is good

[04ZHP_PDX]

20% all around:
274

It is nice to look at from the outside, but with the Alcantara, it is actually too dark inside IMO. I'm also in the Great Rainy NW, so it's always dark here anyway.

Mine's peeling a bit on the driver's side, and i will replacing with 35% soon.

[adb1028]

20% is a little too dark for me, I'd say 35% is a good choice.

My brother had 35% on his old A4 is looked great, not too light, not too dark. I'd like to go 35% on my car, but I really like not getting pulled over and ticketed for stupid reasons (which I've not had good luck with recently. I've been pulled over 3 times in the last month and a half, once for speeding (50 in a 40 which i got ticketed for) and two times for looking suspicious. WTF!?! Suspicious? I dont get it, evidently the ZHP is a drug dealers car :dunno )

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Alex, the ZHP is driven by mafia members, though.

[kayger12]

20% is a little too dark for me, I'd say 35% is a good choice.

My brother had 35% on his old A4 is looked great, not too light, not too dark.

Yeah, I'm starting to lean 35.

[adb1028]

Alex, the ZHP is driven by mafia members, though.

Cops are always on the look out for the mafia here in Jersey. That explains it!

[az3579]

Yeah, I'm starting to lean 35.

Good choice. :)

[Tampa330i]

and two times for looking suspicious. WTF!?! Suspicious?

What happened with these 2 times?

[kayger12]

Ok, gents. Thanks again for all of the feedback and input.

After much contemplation, I have decided to go with a choice not offered on the poll-- 35% all around.

Car goes in Thursday morning. Pics by Thursday afternoon.

Price: $150

[danewilson77]

Nice. You doing sunroof also?

[kayger12]

Nice. You doing sunroof also?

Hadn't considered it to be honest. Pros/cons?

[mimalmo]

Just close the shade.

[romanred62]

I like the original tint built in to the sunroof.

[danewilson77]

I don't know...I was actually cosidering tinting mine.....

[kayger12]

Worth thinking about between now and then.

Leaning towards just leaving it as is.

[Mtnman]

Hmm. Only 150? Dang. Wish it was more. If yours looks good, im sure ill do mine. I've been stewing on this one for a while, but never priced it. Need some good before and afters, K!

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[kayger12]

Hmm. Only 150? Dang. Wish it was more. If yours looks good, im sure ill do mine. I've been stewing on this one for a while, but never priced it. Need some good before and afters, K!

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Will do. And I've been going to the guy and sending him business for years, so he takes care of me on the price a lil bit.

[adb1028]

What happened with these 2 times?
Going OT....
Both times were in the same town with the same officer. First time it happened I was sitting outside a friends house waiting for him to come out. I was out there for a good 15 minutes waiting with the car off listening to music. I saw him drive by a few minutes before but I didn't think anything of it. Evidently he was waiting for me because I was stopped about 7 houses away from where I was parked. Told me he received "multiple calls about a suspicious vehicle" that matched the description of my car.

Second time was a week later about 1/2 mile from the first stop. I was with the same friend parked outside a Cumberland Farms. I left him in the car while I went in the store. I saw a cop pull through the parking lot, and check out my car. We left, and a few minutes later, got stopped again. It was the same officer who is notorious around these parts as being a real hard ass. I don't get it, but whatever, Ididnt get ticketed so im happy.

Back on topic......

What shop are you going to kayger?

[gr330zhp]

All my vehicles have tint, it's the first mod I always do. Not only does it help it from looking like a fishbowl, but it really really protects the leather and interior from fading...

I used to be about dark tint. My A4 had 20%. It was Pearl White with a full black leathe interior, so the 20% was too dark. My ZHP has 30% and I think it is absolutely perfect! My Jetta also has 30% now. Its the perfect amount that looks clean, protects and you dont get in trouble for....

Just for reference, my A4. it is much darker by but the headlights and snow dont help

http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/DSC_0152-1.jpg?t=1297217157

My Jetta
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/331-1.jpg
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/328-1.jpg

And my ZHP
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/IMAG01871.jpg?t=1297217403
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/IMAG01731-1.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

For the record, I do think that my tint, at 15% and 20%, respectively, is too dark. I think 30% would be the perfect tint level.

[kayger12]

What shop are you going to kayger?

Professional Window Tinting on Route 9 in Barnegat.

The owner (Lou) is a great guy. Had the front windows on my Mazda done there eight years ago and they still looks perfect.

[kayger12]

All my vehicles have tint, it's the first mod I always do. Not only does it help it from looking like a fishbowl, but it really really protects the leather and interior from fading...

I used to be about dark tint. My A4 had 20%. It was Pearl White with a full black leathe interior, so the 20% was too dark. My ZHP has 30% and I think it is absolutely perfect! My Jetta also has 30% now. Its the perfect amount that looks clean, protects and you dont get in trouble for....


Good info.
Thanks.

[gr330zhp]

For the record, I do think that my tint, at 15% and 20%, respectively, is too dark. I think 30% would be the perfect tint level.

Exactly! My dads E32 has 5% tint and tthough it suits the car perfectly, it is dark!

Pics for reference

http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/DSC00808.jpg
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/DSC00794-1.jpg
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/DSC00797-2.jpg?t=1297217960
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/DSC00799.jpg
This by the way was a VERY SUNNY day!

And btw tint for the last 20 years has left the interior wood and leather perfect!
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/DSC00805.jpg
http://i378.photobucket.com/albums/oo223/cruisineuro/DSC00803.jpg?t=1297218200

God I love that car!

[kayger12]

Beautiful ride.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Your dad needs a ZHP MAFIA sticker on his ride. He's a true mafioso with that tint.

[gr330zhp]

Beautiful ride.

Thanks man. It's my dad's baby. Though he has owned many other BMWs, M's and owns an M6 as well, it is still his favorite. Babied from day 1, all real maintenance, oil every 3k with BMW Synthetic, proper valve adjustment intervals, tranny fluid flushes, etc etc. NEVER EVER seen a snow flake...the list goes on and on

Sorry to thread jack haha

[gr330zhp]

Your dad needs a ZHP MAFIA sticker on his ride. He's a true mafioso with that tint.

Hahah soo many people have said that lol :rofl

[mimalmo]

There's plenty of E38's around but not enough E32's. Great car Stathi.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

And I do not think that you thread jacked. Instead, you showed us what 5% looks like. Thanks.

[gr330zhp]

There's plenty of E38's around but not enough E32's. Great car Stathi.

Thanks Eli!

[kayger12]

And I do not think that you thread jacked. Instead, you showed us what 5% looks like. Thanks.

Exactly :)

[gr330zhp]

And I do not think that you thread jacked. Instead, you showed us what 5% looks like. Thanks.

Haha glad I could help! :)

[Mtnman]

your pops should join. that tint is deserving by itself. and great interior.
Back to topic.

[danewilson77]

Exactly! My dads E32 has 5% tint and tthough it suits the car perfectly, it is dark!

Pics for reference

God I love that car!

Dad = Baller!


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[gr330zhp]

Dad = Baller!


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Hahaha :)

[Johnmadd]

I don't know...I was actually cosidering tinting mine.....

Po of mine paid 478.00$ at Richmond Bmw and I see imperfections. 500 bucks should last a lifetme for a tint job imo. It still looks good but up close is eh eh. Possibility they would fix it?l

[kayger12]

Po of mine paid 478.00$ at Richmond Bmw and I see imperfections. 500 bucks should last a lifetme for a tint job imo. It still looks good but up close is eh eh. Possibility they would fix it?l

For that much they certainly should.

The place I'm going to tomorrow did the front windows on my Mazda SUV eight years ago and it still looks as good as new. No bubbling, peeling, or any other imperfections.... And he charged me $35....

[Marcus-SanDiego]

For that much they certainly should.

The place I'm going to tomorrow did the front windows on my Mazda SUV eight years ago and it still looks as good as new. No bubbling, peeling, or any other imperfections.... And he charged me $35....

Wow. Nearly $500 for a tint job?

We've got a good resource here in San Diego called the Tint Source (owned by Lou -- who used to work with Alvin O). Prices are excellent ($220-$240). Both of my cars were done by Lou.

[M0nk3y]

I worked at a tint shop over the past couple summers. We mainly worked on BMWs, Mercedes, Porsches...etc (Although the Porshces, Ferraris, and Lambos were usually Clear Bras).

Anyways, price started around $250 range. We used Madico Film...probably one of the best films IMO. It's hard to find, because because of the contracts a territory is set. If you can find Madico Film, and they put out good results, go with it.

[gr330zhp]

My tinter uses Madico...awesome film! I've never had any issues

[danewilson77]

Keith...you can't legally go with 35% tint.

[kayger12]

Thanks for that :p

[danewilson77]

30% won in the poll....duh.

[kayger12]

Lol-- I'm allowing for a 10% margin of adjustment...

[pyreguy]

I like how the polls here at the Mafia are legally binding. Badass.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

That's right. You put it up in the poll; now you have to live with it.

[kayger12]

Lol- ok, we'll call it 30% ;)

Pics in about 17 hours...

[danewilson77]

I love it when a plan comes together.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

I love it when a plan comes together.

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Or else.

[danewilson77]

Blood in, blood out.


Or else.



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[kayger12]

Ok gents. Here she is. Didn't have time for a proper photo shoot since I had some after work errands to run and wanted to get the CF strut brace installed.

35% all the way around. Unless you consider the ZHPM.c poll to be binding, in which case we'll just call it 30% (plus or minus 5%).

First pic with the white Durango for contrast so you can see how much light gets through.http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-10_16-30-14_348.jpg


http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-10_16-30-02_516.jpg

And one so you can get an idea of the light that makes it through to the interior.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-10_16-30-29_640.jpg

[Mtnman]

Perfect. looks great. Just the right amouunt of tinting...

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[pyreguy]

Nice

[kayger12]

Thanks, guys.

Also thanks to everyone who helped me out with pictures and opinions.

Much appreciated and a great example of why I'm grateful to have all of you as my ZHP family!

[danewilson77]

Mmmmm....

[kayger12]

Mmmmm....

I know. You were pulling for the 20....

But take it from me, the cops around here are real appleholes ;)

[danewilson77]

bro......I think blacker would have been better...but I dont want you getting all kinds of tickets either. You have earned my stamp of approval...lol.

[mimalmo]

What's an applehole?

:)


Car looks good Keith. Now you can see for your own eyes why I went with 35% on my car.

[danewilson77]

applehole = Christian way of saying a money hole.

[mimalmo]

Hahaha! Nice one Dane.

[Johnmadd]

Looks good. I guess mine is more like 20 or 25% from looking at yours, makes it hard to back in places at night though.

[kayger12]

bro......I think blacker would have been better...but I dont want you getting all kinds of tickets either. You have earned my stamp of approval...lol.

Believe me, I thought long and hard about 20%. Didn't want to draw attention away from the car and to the windows. More subtle with the 35... But either way, I wear the DW seal of approval with pride!




Car looks good Keith. Now you can see for your own eyes why I went with 35% on my car.

Thanks again, Eli. Your pics helped push me towards the 35.

[gr330zhp]

Looks great Kayger!! Very classy looking!

[tripod06]

so anyone that has seen my car knows i do NOT have tint on it and well it needs to happen. I went to a shop today with a friend and his 335i and he had his car sitting in the dead heat for the entire morning into the high noon and my car was smoldering hot inside and getting into his, it barely had a temperature change. he has that INFRARED tint film on his car and his windshield. i fell in love with it. there is this little demo thing that shows the difference in a regular tint film and the INFRARED one. the price for all windows INCLUDING windshield (side and rear windows at 20% and windshield i forgot to be honest) $400.00. Opinions please! thank you!

[coby1]

idk i put 50% Huper(ceramic) on mine its just a nice smoke look does a good job with heat and the uv issues(cost 400.00) so 2x what regular tint cost. but look into the % of tint vs the heat transfer % etc. on diff types of tint makers(it will show why cost are so different) all % of tints are not equal as far as heat transfer (one 35% may have a 42% heat transfer where as another 35% may mave a 37% heat transfer) that is why one may would want to look deeper into all options when buying tint(and what they are really getting it for look or performance etc)

[tripod06]

I looked into this. They had a demo thing there of the types and brands of tint there and the one that was the one I'm looking at buying was legit. I feel comfortable now hearing someone else has paid around the same price I was quoted.

[MrMaico]

My car came with 35% (actually 33% on the official ND Highway Patrol meter :rolleyes) and while it's great as far as keeping the heat and bright sun out I wish it was a little lighter at night. It can be a little spooky seeing out to the side at times. I worry about seeing deer out of town and pedestrians in town. Maybe if I was 20 years younger it would be different, I know my night vision isn't what it used to be.

My 2 cents........Barry

[M0nk3y]

My car came with 35% (actually 33% on the official ND Highway Patrol meter :rolleyes) and while it's great as far as keeping the heat and bright sun out I wish it was a little lighter at night. It can be a little spooky seeing out to the side at times. I worry about seeing deer out of town and pedestrians in town. Maybe if I was 20 years younger it would be different, I know my night vision isn't what it used to be.

My 2 cents........Barry

Barry, that metered amount is actually correct. Windows already do have "tint" to them, so when you add something like 35% to it, it will never be 35%...it will always be less.

When I got my E46 done, I had 35% on the car and it was metered at 28%.

-Kyle

[MrMaico]

Barry, that metered amount is actually correct. Windows already do have "tint" to them, so when you add something like 35% to it, it will never be 35%...it will always be less.

When I got my E46 done, I had 35% on the car and it was metered at 28%.

-Kyle

Thanks Kyle, makes perfect sense. Now I wonder if mine might even be 40%. I don't really know, I was just going by what the troopers meter showed. I Leatheriqued the front seats today and with temps in the low 70's it took a while for the interior to warm up for the Rejuvenator to soak in. :biggrin

[Hermes]

Albert, I think you should get the Millenium Falcoln tint for your car...

http://www.mileanhour.com/files/2010/11/starwarswindowtint.jpg

[pleasecorrupt]

Albert, I think you should get the Millenium Falcoln tint for your car...

http://www.mileanhour.com/files/2010/11/starwarswindowtint.jpg

Besides casey's kidneyless air intake that I saw today, possibly the coolest thing I've seen today.

[danewilson77]

Besides casey's kidneyless air intake that I saw today, possibly the coolest thing I've seen today.

What is this?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[WOLFN8TR]

I have 20% all the way around, the entire front windshield is 50%, also a glare strip at the top of the windshield, 20%. For the desert I love it, it keeps the heat out. I actually wish it was darker. Driving at night isn't bad at all.

It looks good on Sparkling Graphite Metallic!

[M0nk3y]

I have 20% all the way around including the entire front windshield, also a glare strip at the top of the windshield. For the desert I love it, it keeps the heat out. I actually wish it was darker. Driving at night isn't bad at all.

It looks good on Sparkling Graphite Metallic!

You realize 20% on the front windshield is around 8-10% metered right?

There is no way possible you can tell me driving at night is bad. I had difficult times in my E46 with 50% tint on the front windshield

[Hermes]

What is this?

casey's car haz no grillz...


Albert - found another one for you (and according to the site I found this on it was seen in SD)
http://blogs.discovery.com/.a/6a00d8341bf67c53ef014e602d9a51970c-pi

[WOLFN8TR]

Oops...

That's what I get for posting too late at night. Ya 20% on the front windshield would be sketchy at night! I have 50% on the windshield with a 20% glare strip.

[tripod06]

JP where are you getting these!? haha i actually do like the Millenium Falcon one a lot! haha but i've decided that it needs to be blacked out. I am now in the process of making sure i find the infrared tint i want as well as a good competitive price.

[tripod06]

Oops...

That's what I get for posting too late at night. Ya 20% on the front windshield would be sketchy at night! I have 50% on the windshield with a 20% glare strip.

i was thinking 20% on the sides and probably like a 75% in the front windshield. something discrete but you know its there IF you know its there haha

[Hermes]

JP where are you getting these!? haha i actually do like the Millenium Falcon one a lot! haha but i've decided that it needs to be blacked out. I am now in the process of making sure i find the infrared tint i want as well as a good competitive price.

Just searching on the Internet. Actually there's a place in OC that does this kind of stuff, I'll find the site for you if you want it

[tripod06]

i am ideally wanting the original black tint lol. i appreciate the initiative though! thanks JP! we should do a photoshoot one day when you and I are able to. once i get tint haha