[m3eng]

I know that in VA, tint law is:

Frontside window: 50%
Back/rear window: 35%

Now, I have experienced with getting pulled over alot for tints because I had frontside window to be less than 50%. I think I had like 20-35%.

I was thinking of 50% rear and front side. Will it look bad? Or should I do 35% rear/back and 50% frontside? (i feel like this will look bad since back and front is not consistent)

FYI: I have Alpine white 335.

[Boondoggler]

I like the look of consistent tints on the backs and fronts, I wouldn't want 35% on the back and 50% on the front. I had 50% on both front and back on my Monaco Blue '06 e90 with beige interior and while I liked it, it was obviously not as dark as 35%. It was still a noticeable tint, but was made more subtle by the beige interior. Interior color is definitely a factor in how the tint will look. Black interiors make your tint look darker, so it helps pull off 50%, but beige or red interiors make it look lighter.

[MforLove]

15% ceramic

[Vegetable]

If you don't feel comfortable going 35% all-around, I'd do the 50% all-around.. I've never been a fan of mix and match tint jobs.

[fg9ze]

I have 50% up front and 35% in the back. I like the look; it does not look inconsistent. My interior is black so that may help create the consistent look.

[adhrp]

I would go 50% for both. It looks classy.

[Billfitz]

Keep in mind that the windows already have some tinting, I estimate at 70%. You need to have your installer measure the result of the stock tint plus the added tint to be sure of the end result. You don't want to have to do it over again if it's too dark and you get ticketed.

[Dcarter15]

Maybe split the difference......40-45%. I've noticed if your primarily driving in a bigger city you can go darker then the state law says. If you live in a small town or commute through small towns where the cops are bored your more likely to get hassled over some dumb shit......tints, front license plates etc.

[Steelers6891]

Originally Posted by Vegetable

If you don't feel comfortable going 35% all-around, I'd do the 50% all-around.. I've never been a fan of mix and match tint jobs.

I agree. Go with the same % all around

[x-cimo]

I'm shopping tint as well. Unfortunately here in Canada the limit is 70%.

Are you sure they are already near 70 stock? Look pretty transparent to me.

Thanks

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by x-cimo

Are you sure they are already near 70 stock? Look pretty transparent to me.

Hold a piece of white paper behind a half open side window. The windows are not clear. I got a sample of 50% and 35%, and compared the 50% on the glass to the 35% by itself. The combination of the 50% plus the window appeared close to the 35% alone, so based on that I used 50%, as my state limit is 35%.
70% does seem awfully high as the limit. Even considering the low light levels in Canadian winters 50% wouldn't seem a problem. Someone in Ottawa hasn't got a clue.

[justinnum1]

28% all around for me

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by m3eng

I know that in VA, tint law is:

Frontside window: 50%
Back/rear window: 35%

Now, I have experienced with getting pulled over alot for tints because I had frontside window to be less than 50%. I think I had like 20-35%.

I was thinking of 50% rear and front side. Will it look bad? Or should I do 35% rear/back and 50% frontside? (i feel like this will look bad since back and front is not consistent)

FYI: I have Alpine white 335.

I like consistency and 50% just looks too light for my tastes so I've always done 35% all the way around. In the past 14 years or so, I've been ticketed twice. I just prepay the fine (think it's around $70) and move on.

[m3eng]

Okay so consistency it is... my interior is black as well.

I am leaning towards 50% so I dont get pulled over. but definitely 35% looks cooler... do cops acutally measure it when they pull u over?

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by m3eng

Okay so consistency it is... my interior is black as well.

I am leaning towards 50% so I dont get pulled over. but definitely 35% looks cooler... do cops acutally measure it when they pull u over?

Usually no. Unless a cop pulls you over specifically because they thought your windows look too dark (like I said this has happened to me twice in 14 years).

My family members have actually never gotten pulled over and all of them have 35% tint all around. If you're pulled over for something else like speeding or expired tags or something, it seems like cops won't even notice the windows.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by m3eng

Okay so consistency it is... my interior is black as well.

I am leaning towards 50% so I dont get pulled over. but definitely 35% looks cooler... do cops acutally measure it when they pull u over?

I do not have personal experience (thankfully) in this matter but I heard that sometimes they do measure if they have a scanner handy. You could slide the moonroof cover so that sunlight comes in from above. The tint looks a little lighter that way so the cops might not think it is as dark as it actually is.

[S4NoMore]

Another alternative idea I've toyed with is to go with the same percentage for the sides (front and rear doors) and darker on the rear windshield. This way you get the benefit of blocking more light/heat from that large piece of glass, and the uniform/consistent look from the sides. The darker rear windshield will also help the rest of the windows appear a little darker. Personally I'd consider that if I needed to go 50% on the sides.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by adhrp

I do not have personal experience (thankfully) in this matter but I heard that sometimes they do measure if they have a scanner handy.

Locals probably don't, but at least in New Hampshire the state police do, as they're Department of Safety, whose job it is to be sure all vehicles are compliant with statutes. State Inspection stations are supposed to test it too, and can lose their license to perform inspections if they don't.

[phant0m]

15% all around (not windshield)

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by m3eng

Okay so consistency it is... my interior is black as well.

I am leaning towards 50% so I dont get pulled over. but definitely 35% looks cooler... do cops acutally measure it when they pull u over?

I have 40% which is in-between and might get you through a casual drive-by inspection. Here's a comparo pic I made to show the difference vs untinted. Apologies for the large size. The tint in 3M Crystalline 40; unfortunately it can be a bit pricey and you can see it has a bronze rather than gray tone.

[Fjk]

Really want to do crystalline... But it's close to a G here in socal with the front windshield.

Can do f1 pinnacle and Llumar air 80 for almost half that.

[m3eng]

wow 40% is still pretty see through than I thought.
whats so special about crystalline... vs... standard?