Techsan

I did also noticed the windows were a little darker than the windshield...not by much though.

Clavius

I think we have a UV type coating on our windows hence why ya might think they look darker. Awhile ago Redshedevil got a ticket for "tinted windows" when she had none a officer thought the slightly darker windows were tinted.

o0o0o

Anyone have pictures of just the back windows tinted and not the front? I'd like to see what a california legal vehicle is supposed to look like.

Steakboy42

I have 5% on the rear and rearsides and 15% on the frontsides. looks amazing, but I dont have any pics...

-Steakboy

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

That's a tough picture request since I've never seen an 8 with no tint up front.
Are you worried about getting a ticket?

o0o0o

I know. I've been searching and searching and haven't found one yet. Even maybe a picture of 50% up front would be helpful.

Unfortunately I work in a small town and pass the police station anytime I want to go to lunch. I already got harassed enough for having a clear cover on my plate that I eventually had to take it off.

However, there are certainly a number of people around here that have their front tinted.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

do you live in CA?
The law here says that ANY tint on the front two windows is illega because it could cause a dangerous environment for a Police Officer. (suspect at dark with really tinted windows could load a firearm without a Police Officer being able to see him as he approaches the vehicle) Forget what else you read, that's the real reason.

If you get caught with tint, you have to remove it, and get your vehicle signed off by the dmv or local PD.
My thoughts: Hardly anyone ever gets pulled over JUST for having tinted windows, it's more of an "add on" ticket. Ie; you were speeding and you get pulled over so the officer adds on a ticket for no front plate or tinted windows, etc.
I was going to put a light tint on my front windows but I didn't think it would look very good and it's STILL illegal. Might as well go darker and enjoy it if the punishment is the same.

o0o0o

Thanks. I know you can have tint in the front legally if it's 70%. Of course, that's pretty much relegated to factory tint.

I have been pulled over for a clear plastic license plate cover more than once, and ultimately got a ticket for it along with no front license plate. Unfortunately I sometimes have to drive late at night and on this section of the PCH, the cops are very bored. I've even been pulled over while doing 65mph on the highway, they're that bored at night. Plus, I also know someone that has had to pay a fine for tinting their front windows rather dark and I really don't want to go through the hassle.

I just want to get an idea of how much contrast there will be between the front and back windows. I suppose I'll have to just photoshop it.

Also, I think there's potentially a much higher degree of liability you're setting yourself up for if you have the front windows tinted dark and an accident occurs, regardless of actual fault.

hoosier

After having the eyebrow tint in two cars, I personally like it.

mmats69

this is 35% tint (the limit here in AL). i personally wouldn't go much darker than that b/c it tends to draw unwanted attention whether it be from the cops or anyone else. and $170 is mighty steep to me. got mine done for $90 with lifetime warranty. i'd check around.

Razz1

With dark tint you don't need front windows done.

Here's mine!

Safety comes first.

And when you pull out in front of that motorcycle I hope the state sues your **** and put ya in jail.

Techsan

Here is a picture of mine (so to speak). Living in CA, and went with 20% all around. Like its been said before, its unlikely to be pulled over JUST for having dark tint.

mmats69

it all depends on the cop. i've been pulled over 4 times just for tint, nothing else.

maxxdamigz

iTrader: (1)

15% Front Sides/Rear Sides/Rear Windshield
5% Brow - not really within 6", but it lines up with the mounting for the sideview mirrors


Can't post the full photo from work. Meh.

I think having a black interior will allow you to go lighter on the tint and achieve more or less the same look. I really like the tint as it allows me to drive without wearing sunglasses and makes it more difficult to see what I have in the car while parked. The brow is too low and the fronts are not allowed to be tinted, but I live in a state filled with illegal cars. The general rule is to roll them down if you get pulled over as to not alarm the cop, don't be a jerk, and take your ticket if the cop decides to write you one.

BullitHockey

I am in FL and had my windows tinted. 5% in the back and 15% in the front. It looks very good and doesnt appear illegal (which it is). I have been pulled over 3 times since ive gotten the tint and each time the cop didnt even mention it.

MrSuicideDoor

lewls, i'm getting 35% all around and i was quoted $260, $295 if i wanted the windshield strip.

DrDiaboloco

I've considered getting some tint for my windows, but I simply don't understand why people get tints so dark that the windows become nearly opaque... 5% tint? If I have this right, that tint will only allow 5% of the light through, yes? WTF is the point of having windows at that point? It seems to me you basically can't drive at night, since the only thing you'll be able to see is straight ahead. Pity the poor back-seat passenger in a heavily-tinted '8... It's kinda like a cave already, now black out the windows...

This seems just as silly as the other phenomenon that I don't get, the smoked acrylic headlight/taillight covers. I nearly drilled a Grand Am some time back because I couldn't tell the guy had hit his brakes until the distance between us suddenly and dramatically lessened... thanks to the blacked-out taillights.

Dremd911

I AGREE WITH EVERYONE THAT SAID %20 all the way around...looks classy...+ not many cops have light guns with them that measure the density of the tints...any cop that gives you a ticket for having dark tints and thats it can be easily appealed because without using the light gun to measure percentage of tint..........HE HAS NO CASE.....HAhahahha Stupid Pigs....+ city cops never carry these...they are expensive little toys...usually some staties with have them...

puch96

I have mine tinted on the back only (limo tint) <5%

The fronts are not done.... I live in Michigan, and here we can't have the front's done... even though I see a lot of cars with tints all around.
I've had bad lack with tints. I've gotten pulled over with all the cars I had with front tints... I'm not trying to be a Detroit criminal... I just want my car to look good.

Tanaka826

have 5% all around except the windshield. very satified with the result. never been pulled over of it.

guitar_player

$170 is a very good price. - usually you would pay $250- $350 to get your RX-8 doen (quality).

As far as the tint % - I am also in CA, you are correct about the law, although it is a fix-it ticket, it's a pain to remove the tint. 35% on front sides is about right. I am also looking to tint my RX, althoug I want to go darker than %50 on the back and rear sides - I think darker looks better. My RX is Titanium Gray.

mmats69

I can't believe you people are paying more than $100 dollars to get your windows tinted! If i was quoted $250, i'd tell them where to shove that tint.

You can do it yourself, it really isn't that hard at all. Buy the tint you want at any local auto store, spray windex on the outside of the window, place tint over window and cut to size. Then, spray a healthy dose of windex on the inside of the window after you make your cut, remove the back to expose the glue side of tint, put tint on glass and squegee off excess windex. Done

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

first, this is an old thread so speaking to the OP or anyone about paying that much is pointless. second, i paid a couple hundred dollars to make sure it was done right. sure it's easy to give those directions but you have to think about why anyone pays anyone to do anything.

i can spend hours of my time getting it done to look like crap and then do it again to have it look like crap again. or i can take that time out of my life to do something productive, have someone who does that for a living do it right, and be glad i didn't take on that challenge.

mmats69

just a suggestion, you didn't have to be an ******* about it. If you don't want to do it yourself, then don't. Oh yea, the guy i paid $90 to and got it done right the first time as well, has been doing it for about 10 years. He doesn't believe in screwing people out of their hard earned money like what has happened to you. I'm sorry you had to pay so much for a simple job but that's life.

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

i'm glad you are so easily offended. what i am saying is that we pay for a lot of things in life and you have to decide what is right for you. if you have a guy that is nearby in nowhere USA that only charges $90 to do a good job - good for you. if you have the talent to do it yourself and have the time - good for you. if not, pay someone else to do it.

that's why we pay people to fix our cars while some do it themselves. it's why we pay people to cook our food while others of us cook our own. you have to balance the value of your time along with how well a job you can do it versus having someone else do it and that's where you'll know if you're doing it yourself or paying someone else. and when you decide to pay someone else, you have to see what premium you'll have to pay based on talent, location, etc. it's all very simple economics but if it went over your head again feel free to call me any name you feel comes to you.