[WangTa]

Hi guys,

Went up to Ojai last weekend and it was 105 degrees - got into my car mid-day and almost died in my car. It was so freakin' hot!!! I quickly turned on max ac and jumped out of my car for a couple minutes to let things cool off. Then and there, I decided I have to install something to cool the car off. Plus, I imagine my leather is taking an absolute beating due to the heat and UV rays.

So I did some research - primarily on this site and e90post and it seems that the top tints for heat and UV defense are Huper Optik Nano Ceramic and 3M's Crystalline. Seems that 3M is newer and has better stats than the HO so I'm opting toward going with the Crystalline. Plus, the Crystalline seems to be more effective at lighter tints - which is critical in Cali where they limit the front windshield tint to 70%.

So couple questions:

1. I was thinking of going 70% in the front, and 50% for the rest. What do you guys think? Too light? Will that look strange - 75-50 difference in the windows?

2. Any suggestions on good installers in the SoCal/Los Angeles area? I see price quotes range from $400-$700.

Any other thoughts?

[Bartman619]

I had mine done with Formula One Pinnacle Ceramic, 35% front and 15% rear all for $350.00. I had 15% in the rear because my kid sits back there and got 35% tint in the front for a little comfort. I would have gone 15% all the way around, but think I'd be a cop magnet since my car is AW. If you want to be safe, go 35% all the way around. Here's the link where I got my tine from. Print out the coupon, and you get a $50.00 off on Formula One Pinnacle ceramic installed in the Escondido and Vista area in San Diego Co.


http://www.mrtintman.com/

[WangTa]

Originally Posted by Bartman619

I had mine done with Formula One Pinnacle Ceramic, 35% front and 15% rear all for $350.00. I had 15% in the rear because my kid sits back there and got 35% tint in the front for a little comfort. I would have gone 15% all the way around, but think I'd be a cop magnet since my car is AW. If you want to be safe, go 35% all the way around. Here's the link where I got my tine from. Print out the coupon, and you get a $50.00 off on Formula One Pinnacle ceramic installed in the Escondido and Vista area in San Diego Co.


http://www.mrtintman.com/

Thanks Bartman - I would think 35% would be too dark. How is it driving at night? Retarded question, but do you even need to wear sunglasses during the day? Do you happen to have any pictures - would be interested to see what 35% looks like.

[troye]

Bartman, how did the dot matrix turn out?

[AW335OME]

I thought 50% was too light and you want 70%... you might as well go darker all around for the full effect.

[WangTa]

Originally Posted by AW335OME

I thought 50% was too light and you want 70%... you might as well go darker all around for the full effect.

Well, I was thinking 70% b/c isn't that Cali law?

[Bartman619]

Originally Posted by troye

Bartman, how did the dot matrix turn out?

Dot Matrix is alright, I can see in some places where the adhesive didn't stick all the way. You really have to get close to the car to see it. just like in all the other cars I've ever had tinted had this issue with the dot matrix. But its got Lifetime warranty, and when I start to see those areas in the dot matrix start to get bigger, I'm having them re-do it on their dime. This is on an e90 BTW.

[Bartman619]

Originally Posted by WangTa

Thanks Bartman - I would think 35% would be too dark. How is it driving at night? Retarded question, but do you even need to wear sunglasses during the day? Do you happen to have any pictures - would be interested to see what 35% looks like.

35% is not as dark as you think. Driving at night doesn't really have a negative effect, you can still see the cars behind you and besides you. I think when you go to 5%, it will start affecting your night driving. You still need sunglasses, since the front windshield is not tinted..just tinted the front left/right windows, rear left/right windows, and rear windshield. Sorry WangTa, don't have any pics right now, but do a search in the forums for people who got 35% tint..there are a lot. Hope this helps.

[Bartman619]

...found you some pics.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=pinnacle

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by WangTa

Well, I was thinking 70% b/c isn't that Cali law?

If I'm not mistaken, CA tint law is 70% in the front and any % for the rear and back.

IMO you should go even % all the way around. I hate how uneven tint looks.

[WangTa]

Originally Posted by Bartman619

You still need sunglasses, since the front windshield is not tinted..just tinted the front left/right windows, rear left/right windows, and rear windshield.

Oh I see man - I thought you tinted the front windshield too!!! You left that with zero tint, then tinted the rest of the windows at 35% tint? I would of never thought of that.

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by WangTa

would think 35% would be too dark. How is it driving at night? Do you happen to have any pictures - would be interested to see what 35% looks like.

35% isn't too dark. I'm getting my car detailed tomorrow so I'll take pictures after to show you. I have 35% all around, FormulaOne Pinnacle Ceramic.

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by WangTa

Oh I see man - I thought you tinted the front windshield too!!! You left that with zero tint, then tinted the rest of the windows at 35% tint? I would of never thought of that.

You can tint the top 4" of your windshield.

[CJ421]

@OP - also consider one of these:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462
Even with the tint, my car got warm inside. After I started using the sunshade my car stays nice and cool (relatively), even being in the sun all day. I don't have tint on the front windscreen though.

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

IMO you should go even % all the way around. I hate how uneven tint looks.

On my car I did 35% sides but 20% for the rear windscreen, this way when looking through the car from the outside at an angle, it looks "even". Also IMO it's worth going a shade darker in the back because it knocks out overly bright headlights behind you at night.

The dot matrix on the 3 coupes is a pain, my shop didn't get it right in four tries. On the fifth try they vinyl'd the top dot matrix.

A higher end shop may offer to sand that dot matrix down.

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by CJ421

On my car I did 35% sides but 20% for the rear windscreen, this way when looking through the car from the outside at an angle, it looks "even".

This works. It's the uneven on the sides, different front and rear %s, that I'm not too keen on.

[ABerry]

do 15-20% all the way around except windshield.. don't get ridiculous now

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by ABerry

do 15-20% all the way around except windshield.. don't get ridiculous now

He'll probably get pulled over since it's 70% for fronts in CA. I'm not from CA so I wouldn't know how cops are about tint over there, but then again, it's always a hit or miss with cops pulling you over for tints in most states.

[v-tec this]

Originally Posted by Royal Flush

If I'm not mistaken, CA tint law is 70% in the front and any % for the rear and back.

IMO you should go even % all the way around. I hate how uneven tint looks.

cali law is no tint on front two windows. anything in the back except limo. (5%)

[M340i Pride]

i did 20 on rear window and rear windshield, little lighter on front. it looks great on my BSM 335i. i never had a problem even on night time driving.

a good place with good price, fast service and a cool owner: try california tint (i think) on Rosemead by 10 fwy. its about 100-200 yards north of 10 on the west side of rosemead. hard to miss. I got mine for about 120 total.

[lawl2ez]

Originally Posted by v-tec this

cali law is no tint on front two windows. anything in the back except limo. (5%)

+1

there are actually 2 laws. 1 is regarding the window light transmittance, which has to be 70+%, so if your glass in your window is intrinsically tinted, then it can be tinted up to 70% light transmittance

the 2nd law has to do with aftermarket tints films, which is what vtec said, NOTHING in front, anything in back.

So if a cop wants to be a douche, he can pull u over for having a tint film that allows 99% light thru. Basically nothing can be stuck to front windows in Cali.

I found this out and was like screw it, 35% all around, no point in getting light tints if cops can still pull you for that.

[AW335OME]

It's all personal preference, I went with 20% all around except the front windshield. Check it out on my other thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=576352

[RonDeezy]

If you're too worried about tint tickets, I say go with 35% all around, wont give u any hassle.