[JoshuaKM1]

Hey Team,

I wanted to put a light tint on my windows - I had a bad experience with my previous car - a leased BMW which had a dark tint placed on the windows - where I could barely see out of the windows at night.

My XPEL installer told me today that he has 35% SunTek Carbon X in stock ... he can either use this film or order another film. Does anyone know what would be the "preferred" brand/tint % for a "light" tint.

Thanks!

Josh

 

[mjw930]

Check out www.tintdude.com. If you are talking about Carbon CXP http://www.suntekfilms.com/automotive/automotive-cxp.aspx then I think it's a good film. My experience has always been with Llumar since moving south but it's been a while since I tinted anything and technology changes. You do not want metallic films anymore, they kill cell reception and peripheral radar detection.

 

[TexDan]

I always tint my cars/trucks with 35% all around. It is very comfortable without having that "too dark" look. The 50% is way too light in my opinion, can hardly see it but it does knock out uv's.
As far as brand .. no preference on that as long as the tint shop is reputable and will stand behind their work.

 

[mjw930]

I always tint my cars/trucks with 35% all around. It is very comfortable without having that "too dark" look. The 50% is way too light in my opinion, can hardly see it but it does knock out uv's.
As far as brand .. no preference on that as long as the tint shop is reputable and will stand behind their work.

I agree on both points. 35%, even in the rear is the best combination of protection and useability. Anything darker is worthless at night and provide no additional protection over 35% regardless what you may think about a darker film.

 

[JoshuaKM1]

Very very helpful - this is actually the advice i needed.... appreciate it! I'll go with the SunTek that he has in stock... this way I can drop the car off and have everything done in one weekend - window tint, XPEL, and CQuartz. Will be painful to give the car up for a few days but I'll survive.

 

[Ret9580]

Very very helpful - this is actually the advice i needed.... appreciate it! I'll go with the SunTek that he has in stock... this way I can drop the car off and have everything done in one weekend - window tint, XPEL, and CQuartz. Will be painful to give the car up for a few days but I'll survive.

Look into Clear Plex for the windshield

 

[Racer_X]

Just a quick FYI - check your state regs on the percent of light required to pass through. I recently had to pay big $ on tint removal as my car did not pass state inspection in NC. Some states can actually pull you over, do a light test on the spot and issue a ticket.

 

[jsvette]

Just a quick FYI - check your state regs on the percent of light required to pass through. I recently had to pay big $ on tint removal as my car did not pass state inspection in NC. Some states can actually pull you over, do a light test on the spot and issue a ticket.

Excellent advice- any legitimate installer will have a listing of the max for your state and won't go beyond it.

 

[Racer_X]

Thanks Jeff - unfortunately that's what got me in trouble to begin with... they told me what the legal limit was, and i said - can we go darker??? And he said as long as you know I didn't do the install... But yes, better to stick with "legal limits". I'm pretty sure back windows can be darker. Honestly this protects you and the officer if they have to pull you over and its a complete black out. I would always roll down my windows when approaching a traffic stop or patrol car just in case.

 

[glen e]

My tint shop will do any grade i want but under the state law , i have to sign his invoice copy saying i knew the grade requested is illegal. I have only done it once.

 

[Brett]

You can find the tint % for your state here:

Tint Laws

 

[007's VET]

Brett, thanks for the info. This will probably be the second thing I do to the car.

 

[urrtoast]

And notice the Net/Film column
Net= tint percentage plus the windows tint percentage.
Film= is just the Film percentage.

 

[RATBOYUSN]

What is the C7 factory tint from BGAP?

 

[smajicek]

I did mine with 35% SunTek Carbon X and loving it

 

[CUSA]

Very very helpful - this is actually the advice i needed.... appreciate it! I'll go with the SunTek that he has in stock... this way I can drop the car off and have everything done in one weekend - window tint, XPEL, and CQuartz. Will be painful to give the car up for a few days but I'll survive.

It will be even more painful when you have to pay for it!

 

[JoshuaKM1]

Ha so I did indeed pay for all 3 services but it was well worth the money. Heading out of town this week but will take photos when I get back. Would highly recommend these products to new c7 owners.

 

[CUSA]

Ha so I did indeed pay for all 3 services but it was well worth the money. Heading out of town this week but will take photos when I get back. Would highly recommend these products to new c7 owners.

I'll be having all three done next week finally. CQuartz Finest on one side of ATL & SunTek/Expel and Windows tinted on the other side of ATL. It is going to cost a lot and I'm not buying the most expensive window tint & only doing front end, mirrors and pillars. It will be around 2 Grand!

 

[jcswain]

I live in Virginia. Law is 50percent front sides and 35 percent back sides and back window. First it would probably look better with 50 all around wouldn't it? Second is it even worth it at 50 percent? Would love some forum input. I have a velocity yellow hardtop. My local shop asked me if I wanted legal tint or other. Figure if I'm running the dam front license plate better stay within the law.

 

[NightRaceRick]

I live in Virginia. Law is 50percent front sides and 35 percent back sides and back window. First it would probably look better with 50 all around wouldn't it? Second is it even worth it at 50 percent? Would love some forum input. I have a velocity yellow hardtop. My local shop asked me if I wanted legal tint or other. Figure if I'm running the dam front license plate better stay within the law.

As long as Mother Nature cooperates, I'm going to a tint shop for a fact finding mission Saturday with SunTek Carbon XP in mind. 35% on sides and back are permissible in WV, but I'm thinking 50 sides and 35 back because I want excellent visibility out of the sides at night. I don't think trying to match the sides with the back, 50% as you mentioned, would be necessary. JMO, but the 50% on the sides would be a happy medium, linking the clear windshield with the 35% hatch, in other words, a nice gradual flowing change front to back. I don't plan on any installation Saturday as I usually like to ponder things for a few days before making a final decision. If you like I can let you with my findings.