Lets talk about window tint

squirrel · 12-16-2005, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtrain619

That had to be hilarious!

So, did they give you a warning, or was it all good since you're one of the boys?

The two CHiP they stopped me up here were my friends, so we ended up talking for a bit on the side of I-580 in between Dublin and Livermore.

When I got stopped the other two times, one was outside of Magic Mountain on the way to TORC, and the CHiP talked to me about the car and asked why I was headed to SoCal. Plus he was in the Army Reserve also.

And one was Alameda Coounty Sheriff in San Lorenzo who just looked at my dept ID and let me go.

DTRAIN619 · 12-16-2005, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrel

The two CHiP they stopped me up here were my friends, so we ended up talking for a bit on the side of I-580 in between Dublin and Livermore.

When I got stopped the other two times, one was outside of Magic Mountain on the way to TORC, and the CHiP talked to me about the car and asked why I was headed to SoCal. Plus he was in the Army Reserve also.

And one was Alameda Coounty Sheriff in San Lorenzo who just looked at my dept ID and let me go.

Rollin' with a badge: Priceless!

**scvscions** · 12-16-2005, 09:14 AM

I wanted to go clear but I think it would look strange with all of the black on our windows. I have flames on my front side windows and sweat bullets every once and a while.

yellow_sub · 12-16-2005, 10:54 AM

yep cali laws about tint do suck. i think it might even be illegal just to look at tint that will go on a front window.

squirrel · 12-16-2005, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow_sub

yep cali laws about tint do suck. i think it might even be illegal just to look at tint that will go on a front window.

Well, I have two different views on tint.

From the non-Police side, I think its great cuz I live where its over 100 degrees during the summer and there are no trees or rolling hills to provide shade and the occasional breeze. So its nice to know my kids aren't sweating like crazy while in the back of my cars.

But on the Police side, its is an Officer Safety issue. You cannot see how many occupants are in the vehicle, let alone who the occupants are or what they are doing. Let alone see what the driver is doing if all of the windows are tinted.

How does this relate? How about this incident.

I was working Sideshow Detail one saturday night. A Ford Expedition was speeding down the street and all of its windows were tinted. I initiate a Vehicle Enforcement Stop. While approaching the vehicle, the vehicle is moving from side to side. Someone is obviously moving around the cabin of the vehicle.

I approach, and NO ONE is sitting in the driver seat. But, there are three occupants in the back seat.

I smell alcohol. First clue.

I obtain ID from all three. Notice I said ID not Driver's License. Second clue.

The vehicle is not registered to any of ther occupants. Third Clue.

I conduct a check of all three individuals, all are on Parole and do not have valid Licenses. Fourth and Fifth Clue.

So now you're probably wondering what did I do?

All three went to Jail for Driving w/o a license, charged w/ DUI (Yes, they all blew over 0.08 initially), I violated their Parole because Parolees cannot hang out together, speeding, confiscated the Hennesey bottles as evidence, and towed the ride.

Why? All because no one would admit to who was driving because of the window tint.

But I have enough experience that should I need to get inside a vehicle to search it, I can. And I can articulate why I am handcuffing if they are currently not presenting themselves as a "threat" should they not be on Probation or Parole.

Oops, sorry I got sidetracked.

Back on topic about window tint.

Part of me likes it, part of me doesn't.

DTRAIN619 · 12-16-2005, 11:36 AM

This is the reason why I want to be conservative about additional tint. I want to have a cooler interior (and less UV so things don't fade), but I don't want to draw undue attention to myself, or cause an officer to consider me a potential threat. Decisions, decisions.........

BOXlover11 · 12-16-2005, 11:57 AM

I just want to take what I have on the backs and put the same darkness on the fronts. The stock tint is plenty for me. Would that be something that can get me in trouble

DTRAIN619 · 12-16-2005, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOXlover11

I just want to take what I have on the backs and put the same darkness on the fronts. The stock tint is plenty for me. Would that be something that can get me in trouble

That does seem like less of a hassle, and it will look uniform. (Not to mention cheaper

) Anyone know what percentage the stock tint is?

squirrel · 12-16-2005, 01:22 PM

Its somewhere around 35%, IIRC.

astroJR · 12-18-2005, 09:03 AM

in NJ you cant have any tint on the front winows.. at all.. :-) i have 5% added even on top of the stock, 35% , and yes the stock rear is 35%

DTRAIN619 · 12-22-2005, 03:27 AM

Gonna get some estimates after Christmas, might come up on a deal.

Scion-Doll · 12-22-2005, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scvscions

I wanted to go clear but I think it would look strange with all of the black on our windows. I have flames on my front side windows and sweat bullets every once and a while.

Ok, so I'm gonna ask a dumb question because I just don't know...is the flames on the windows part of the tint? How does that work and are there other themes? Just curious cuz I really like that look.

"Don't shoot the modding newbie!!!"

DTRAIN619 · 12-22-2005, 10:48 AM

I would think they're a cutout, maybe laser. But hey (To quote our favorite police officer), "what do I know?"

squirrel · 12-28-2005, 12:47 AM

The flames are cut window tint also. The flames are applied first, then the whole window is tinted normally.

Scion-Doll · 12-28-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrel

The flames are cut window tint also. The flames are applied first, then the whole window is tinted normally.

Ok, I was just curious cuz I really like that look.

ScottyTuned · 12-29-2005, 02:13 AM

just a heads up that stock is right at 20%, not 35. Ive had my windows metered by a cop (my aunt and uncle both are) and they are right at 20. So my fronts are 20 to match the rest. I assure you though, Ive locked this exact same topic many times on SL, its 20 percent for the rear colored windows on an xB.

Scott

squirrel · 12-29-2005, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScionScotty

just a heads up that stock is right at 20%, not 35. Ive had my windows metered by a cop (my aunt and uncle both are) and they are right at 20. So my fronts are 20 to match the rest. I assure you though, Ive locked this exact same topic many times on SL, its 20 percent for the rear colored windows on an xB.

Scott

Hi Scott! WELCOME!

DJ Unknown · 01-17-2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrel

Aireck, Not that's true JDM right there.

Dion, I'm not sure what percentage the factory tint is. Its definitely close to 35% though. I have 5% over the factory tint in the rear windows and 20% on the front two driver/passenger windows.

I have the same on mine 5% over the back tint and 20% on drivers, passenger and sunstrip........I've gotta say that the rearview mirror is pretty much pointless to try to use at night

I can't wait to get my NightVision Rearview Camera installed!!!

Pumpkinbox · 01-25-2006, 11:05 PM

scionscotty would be correct. 95%(+) of all factory colored windows meter out within a percent or two of 20%. (the ones that don't, typically, are the rear most hatch glass on some minivans and those tend to be 30%).

front door film is legal in most states (including CA - although nothing darker than 70% - which is completely clear film for arguments sake). HOW DARK is more a matter of what state you're in. As far as matching the 20% darkness that is factory on the rear, that wouldn't be legal in any state - you can get CLOSE and be legal, but not dead-on and still be legal.

The only way to get truly uniform from front to back is the imported 'clear glass' replacements - but far as I know, that's only been done once.

hubbard · 01-25-2006, 11:30 PM

Squirrel, my old law partner that I officed with for a long time was a Dallas police officer for 18 years before she went to law school. I just showed her my new xB last week when we had lunch, and she just looked at it like it was a turd. She couldn't even think of anything nice at all to say. She drives a Ford F-150. I drove a 1977 Ford F-100 the whole time we officed together. I think she was expecting me to drive up in a Dodge Magnum or something. It was funny, really. People either love em or hate em.