illegal window tint
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 624
Likes: 2
I used 3M Crystalline 80% tint on my front windows here in the People's Republic of California. It's got a Total Solar Energy Rejection (TSER) rate of 34%, which is really good for such a light tint. I've never been hassled by any LEO for my tint. And considering it gets to 110° here during our summers, I'd say this tint works really well.
Of note is that the 70% 3M Crystalline offers a TSER of 50%. Going all the way down to dark limo tint at 20% only gains another 12% of TSER at 62%. Next go-round I may try and go with the 70% tint. It's still very light. The biggest factor is you can see a clear difference between the factory tint and the driver and passenger side windows. When the cops see that big difference, they're not likely to question the legality of your vehicle. When they see it all blacked out all the way around, that's when they get suspicious.
Of note is that the 70% 3M Crystalline offers a TSER of 50%. Going all the way down to dark limo tint at 20% only gains another 12% of TSER at 62%. Next go-round I may try and go with the 70% tint. It's still very light. The biggest factor is you can see a clear difference between the factory tint and the driver and passenger side windows. When the cops see that big difference, they're not likely to question the legality of your vehicle. When they see it all blacked out all the way around, that's when they get suspicious.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 283
The biggest factor is you can see a clear difference between the factory tint and the driver and passenger side windows. When the cops see that big difference, they're not likely to question the legality of your vehicle. When they see it all blacked out all the way around, that's when they get suspicious.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 624
Likes: 2
Great idea! My only issue with that is I used to have limo tint on a Jeep Cherokee, and I had a dickens of a time seeing at night. Where I live there's a lot of traffic, and with a dually, being able to see those nimrods who drive like idiots is a real issue lol. Maybe next go-round I'll go with a 50% tint on the rears and a 70% on the fronts. Even with the 80% 3M Crystalline, I can feel a giant difference when the sun's blasting through the windows. My skin isn't burning and I'm not sweating like a hog.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 624
Likes: 2
The issue for many folks is the factory tint on most vehicles has no solar heat rejection qualities. It's more of a dye than it is a tint. Even adding a modest 80% tint like the 3M Crystalline to the rear windows will make a massive difference to the heat soak of your vehicle. Some folks even use a clear tint, as that too offers some TSER but obviously not as much.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 118
Likes: 15
I went single layer 5% ceramic everywhere (including panoramic moonroof) and 35% ceramic on front windshield. Love the ceramic, truck looks so much better, and as long as you're not acting a fool - the police around here leaves you alone.
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Brett Foote
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I live in Saskatchewan Canada, no tint allowed on front driver or passenger windows or the windshield. No doctor's note or anything like that, changes that. If you drive decent you probably won't get pulled over.
I do like the looks of it, and used to tint all around when I was a teenager, but it is definitely harder to see out. I have tint on the side windows of my mustang and I don't get bothered by the cops for it, I don't bother with my daily drivers though.
I do like the looks of it, and used to tint all around when I was a teenager, but it is definitely harder to see out. I have tint on the side windows of my mustang and I don't get bothered by the cops for it, I don't bother with my daily drivers though.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
No way I would be going that dark with tint. I do have an eye condition that got me an exemption, just not related to driving. I would rather wear sunglasses during the day than have my vision affected at night. Eventually, a cop is going to call your bluff and a doc is going to be called into court to justify the exemption. Good luck with that.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 374
Likes: 16
Here in NJ there is no inspection for diesel 3/4 and 1 tons that aren't commercial. Although ANY tint on the two front windows and windshield is highly illegal, not supposed to have any, it's really not strictly enforced unless you drive like a idiot. Now this is my first time I've had a tinted vehicle, dont think ill ever not have tint again. 20% on the front windows to match the rear, 20% over factory on moonroof and entire windshield done in 35%. Really enjoy the tinted windshield, helps out a ton with sun glare. I wouldnt go any darker than 35% on the windshield though, maybe unless you drive in the city with illuminated streets, i can barely see at night on the country roads and it's even worse when raining and dark out.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 37
A co-workers daughter got a window tint ticket. He removed it, took it to the local CHP office to have it signed off. He almost got arrested as he got so pissed off looking at the privately owned vehicles in CHP parking lot with darker tint than he had.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 109
Likes: 4
here is a picture from the inside.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 109
Likes: 4
ive heard of electric tint....but never seen anyone have it. Would be interested in it for sure....