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      08-11-2016, 09:21 PM   #23
Almaretto
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Darker interior makes tint appear darker. I have 30% all around + 70% windshield. Last vehicles, I had 50% and dealer did not say anything nor was I charged when turned in with tint.
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      08-12-2016, 12:42 PM   #24
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Used to have really dark tints back in high school and such (no offense to the 5 %'s) but I feel like 5 is just too much!

I have 20 all around and still think its too dark lol. Also depends on the interior, for example 20 % in a black interior will look darker than red/creme interior.
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      08-12-2016, 07:41 PM   #25
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Is there a place near the L.A./O.C. border that someone could recommend? I need the front windows done only.
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      08-18-2016, 11:40 AM   #26
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I have 20% only got pulled over once by chp . Norcal local cops around don't really bother you. It's the chp.
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      08-21-2016, 10:47 PM   #27
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I personally like something around a 20% tint. Dark enough to provide some sort of privacy, but not so dark that you can not see through the windows at all from the outside of the car.
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      06-09-2017, 09:30 PM   #28
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Looking to go 50% all around. Oddly enough, it's tough to get an appointment. One place told me they had nothing until July!
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      06-11-2017, 11:36 AM   #29
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IMO if you tint just the rears and clear up front than 35% would look better than 5%, having rears too dark is too much of a contrast when having clear fronts that it looks odd. If you go 5% rear than add some tint in the fronts too. Most cops in Cali won't stop you just for tints. They'll ding you for it though if you get stopped doing other stuff like speeding. Last time I had a speeding ticket with my old car I had 30% tint front and cop didn't care lol. Just gave me a ticket and that's it. And another time I got a warning for speeding and a fix it ticket to change my address on license but nothing about tinted windows.

Last edited by jv004; 06-11-2017 at 11:45 AM..
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      06-22-2017, 02:18 PM   #30
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20% all around. I'm with some of the guys here. I'd rather have it lighter and all the same around then have different %.
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      06-22-2017, 02:19 PM   #31
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Whoops. Accidentally attached a useless photo! Please excuse the first picture! Was trying to show a buddy what the non-M sport steering wheel looked like.
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      06-23-2017, 12:08 PM   #32
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40% all around here, except windshield is 70% (3M Crystalline)

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      06-23-2017, 12:30 PM   #33
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In California, any aftermarket tint on the windshield or front side windows is illegal.

I got stopped by a bored CHP on Highway 70 in Plumas County because I didn't have a front license plate. He had his radar on standby and I didn't get a warning from my radar detector until he was in range; fortunately, there was a slow moving truck about a half mile ahead, with no passing zones for a few miles, so I was increasing following distance so I could go faster through the best twisties.

In addition to writing a fix-it ticket for the plate, he had me roll up my driver's side window so he could check it out. The dealer had applied a pretty dark tint to the rear window and rear side windows before I got the car (in fact, the rear window was so dark that I had them replace it with something that had a little more visibility at night), but the front side windows were stock.

Quote:
California Vehicle Code §26708

(a) (1) A person shall not drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows. [...]
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:[...]
(4) Side windows that are to the rear of the driver.[...]
(8) The rear window or windows, if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both the left- and right-hand sides of the vehicle that are so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
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      06-23-2017, 02:07 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlmesq View Post
In California, any aftermarket tint on the windshield or front side windows is illegal.
Incorrect. You can have 70%. Plus, windows are naturally 70-80% so as long as you do not go too dark, a tint done right with high quality film will provide benefit without looking tinted.

I have no front plate and tint on all windows and never had issue. But, I also never get pulled over.
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      06-23-2017, 06:31 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Almaretto View Post
Incorrect. You can have 70%. Plus, windows are naturally 70-80% so as long as you do not go too dark, a tint done right with high quality film will provide benefit without looking tinted.

I have no front plate and tint on all windows and never had issue. But, I also never get pulled over.
He is correct. Factory glass that's tinted is legal. It is illegal to have aftermarket tint on any of the front windows, especially the windshield! How do I know this? My next door neighbor is a cop. Most cops will not pull you over for just the tint, but if you get caught for speeding, etc. then you will most likely get fix it tickets for the tint and front license plate.
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      06-23-2017, 07:01 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m95roadster View Post
He is correct. Factory glass that's tinted is legal. It is illegal to have aftermarket tint on any of the front windows, especially the windshield! How do I know this? My next door neighbor is a cop. Most cops will not pull you over for just the tint, but if you get caught for speeding, etc. then you will most likely get fix it tickets for the tint and front license plate.
I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I am just going off what DMV says. Tints are allowed as long as above 70%. My point about factory glass is that a tint of matching or higher VLT will not attract attention.
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      06-24-2017, 12:22 AM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Almaretto View Post
I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I am just going off what DMV says. Tints are allowed as long as above 70%. My point about factory glass is that a tint of matching or higher VLT will not attract attention.
I think you're the one who misunderstood.

It's illegal to apply tint film -- or anything else -- to the windshield or front side windows. I'm not sure where you got your information, but this is from the Department of Morons and Villains website.

Quote:
Windshield/window stickers, etc., are permitted in these locations only:
A 7 inch square on either the passenger’s side windshield lower corner or the lower corner of the rear window.
A 5 inch square on the lower corner of the driver’s side window.
The side windows behind the driver.
A 5 inch square located in the center uppermost portion of your windshield for an electronic toll payment device.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/de...addl_drv_rules
Whether or not the cops notice it is a different question. I've filed motions to suppress evidence in cases where clients have been stopped for tinted windows, with mixed results.

In some, the cop couldn't articulate why he thought the tint was illegal (and in one, the dealer verified it was stock). I usually win those.

In another, when I cross examined the cop, he said, "Counselor, that glass was so darn dark that on a sunny day in broad daylight, I couldn't see whether Chewbacca was driving the car." The judge laughed, then gave me the look that said "You aren't going to be able to talk your way out of this one."
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      06-24-2017, 12:54 AM   #38
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15% all the way around, never been bothered by the Police in Illinois. (Could only find these two photos lol)
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      06-24-2017, 01:08 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlmesq View Post
I think you're the one who misunderstood.
Believe what you want. But, you are mistaken. Enjoy your diatribes, but I am done with your monologues that say less with "more."

CA 70% Front Side | ANY% Rear Sides & Back | 4" front windshield visor

Last edited by Almaretto; 06-24-2017 at 01:33 PM..
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      06-24-2017, 04:23 AM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Almaretto View Post
Believe what you want. But, you are mistaken.

CA 70% Front SIDE | ANY% REAR SIDES & BACK | 4" front windshield visor
CAPITAL LETTERS: the last resort of people who can't articulate any facts to support their statements.

I'm not talking about percentage. You can't legally achieve a tint on the windshield or front sides by applying any sort of film, no matter how much or little passes (and yes, there is an exception for a visor strip). Yes, it's legal to apply it to rear side and back widows.

It's like those clear plastic license plate covers; I see them all the time, so people obviously aren't getting pulled over, but it's rolling probable cause if a cop wants to make your day miserable.
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      06-24-2017, 03:10 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Almaretto View Post
I think you misunderstood what I wrote. I am just going off what DMV says. Tints are allowed as long as above 70%. My point about factory glass is that a tint of matching or higher VLT will not attract attention.
I think you are misunderstanding your own reply to rlmesq. In CA, it's illegal to have any aftermarket film on the front windows and windshields (except top 4" or so).
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      06-24-2017, 04:24 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m95roadster View Post
I think you are misunderstanding your own reply to rlmesq. In CA, it's illegal to have any aftermarket film on the front windows and windshields (except top 4" or so).
No, I stand by original comments. It is net percentage. So, you multiple factory glass tint x film VLT and be > 70% to legally meet CA standards.
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      06-24-2017, 08:47 PM   #43
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I have always gotten mixed answers as to what California allows. I have read 70% is ok but also have read no amount of tint can be added. I have just accepted the risk and put on 20% and said fuck it. Have passed several cops since I put em on and haven't gotten any looks thankfully.
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      06-24-2017, 09:30 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Almaretto View Post
No, I stand by original comments. It is net percentage. So, you multiple factory glass tint x film VLT and be > 70% to legally meet CA standards.
Did you actually read the Vehicle Code section I posted... or do you have anything else to support your opinion?

I'm always happy to admit a mistake... but your continued "because I said so" statements aren't worth the bandwidth you've used to post them.
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