xB2 factory tint?...

clari0n · 10-24-2007, 04:39 PM

Hm. I never realized now much the beltline tapers up toward the back until I saw the contrast between your dark tints and the silver paint.

timmer357 · 10-27-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScionFred

Perhaps I'm just getting old (43 now). I used to have 20/15 vision but now it's only 20/20. Loss of night vision due to macular degeneration caused by the normal aging process is a fact and maybe that's part of my problem with 15% VLT at night. OTOH, I still think it's safe to say that anyone's vision is significantly reduced when you block out 85%+ of VLT. It's kind of like wearing dark sunglasses at night. If you think you can still see well enough, that's your choice. Personally I wish I had insisted on 35% instead of letting the tint shop talk me into 20%. Even 35% film tint is illegal in most states.

Scionfred, I agree with all of your concerns and opinions. I just went 5% up front and 5% over factory in back. Let me tell you...it is dark. Believe it or not I can still see to an extent.

I let common sense and certain strategies guide me each night. If the corner is not overly lit, I look around the 'A' pillar or roll down the window. I always back into the driveway as it is lit and the street isn't. I also try to select spots at stores I can pull through one stall and be prepared to go straight out the other side when I am done. I feel most people don't do those type of safety precautions though and that is why it is unsafe/illegal. I will likely be reducing my xB's tint AGAIN (time #5 of altering) as it is just too dark. I personally feel 30% over the fronts only with factory tint in back would be both a great match and look conservatively nice.

BTW, I am getting a smoking deal on tint these days so it is easy to be fickle. I pay $2 per foot of film and that can do both sides (cut in half length wise). I don't pay for labor or install. So redoing my whole car last week (including peel off, cleaning/scraping of the windows, and install of new) cost me $29....

ScionFred · 10-28-2007, 12:41 AM

Thanks Timmer357. It's always a pleasure when someone actually agrees with me. ;-)

You've raised some good points. There are precautions that one can take to minimize the risk of reduced night time visibility with dark tint. In my case I just wanted about 30% so I wouldn't have to do anything differently. When I said that I couldn't "see much" out of my 20% windows, I should have phrased it differently. I can actually see quite a bit but still a lot less than I could with 30-35% tint. Then there's the unwanted possibility that I could get a fix-it ticket and have to remove the tint, which I don't want to be bothered with. IMO, if I had 30-35% tint with 25-30% VLT, it's unlikely that a cop would hassle me about it. OTOH if a cop measures my windows at 15-20% and 35% is the legal limit, it's almost certain that I'll get a ticket.

I suppose the choice of tint % really comes down to geographical location, regional laws and personal choice. I like the way 5% looks and appreciate the benefits in warmer climates but I just didn't want the risks associated with it and MD isn't like AZ or FL. That's just me. You're lucky to have such a good deal on tinting. If I could get mine changed to 30% for $29, I'd do it tomorrow but since I have to pay full price I'll probably just live with the 20%. I'm actually getting used to it but the fact that it's noticeably darker than the rear glass still bothers me a little.

timmer357 · 10-28-2007, 12:54 AM

Taking tint off the front windows is REALLY easy. The shop I use allows me to help with the entire process too to help with cost. He just has a steam gun device that heats up the film. Then he uses the metal tip of it to peel the corner, continuing with heat and pulling. Razor blade any left over glue and it is ready for new stuff. Try to get access to a steamer and peel that crap off! Then smooze a deal with your tint place for being unhappy. Also, I have already referred a number of people and that always helps.

I talked to my tint guy today and told him the 5% was way too dark. He called me a sissy but I think he knows what is coming. The laws around here are 35% and starting to be strictly enforced. Fortunately, I have an "in" and already got out of a ticket a few weeks ago for tint and license plate lights (LED bluish color).

I'm telling you people...30% over the front with factory back would look very clean. Also, no pressure from the fuzz is likely.

nosotros213 · 11-07-2007, 06:56 PM

I just did 20 in the front and 20 over the factory rear(I think it came out close to 5). Its pretty dark, but its not really that bad. I plan on taking it back to do 45 on the winshield. Seeing out isn't too bad, except for maybe backing up. I'm trying to work on a mod so I can convert the rear light to some kind of "spotlight" that lights up everything behind me.

jlv0808 · 09-03-2008, 10:49 PM

Now i am confused....how does this tint % work...is it kinda like wire where the smaller the number the bigger the wire so then would it be the higher the % the lighter it is????

seppuku27 · 09-04-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlv0808

Now i am confused....how does this tint % work...is it kinda like wire where the smaller the number the bigger the wire so then would it be the higher the % the lighter it is????

5% is really dark like black and 75% would be really light. I have 35% on mine it matches the darkness to the stock tinted glass perfecty but not the color. Front has a little bit of a blue in it.

donthateonthebox · 09-04-2008, 07:17 PM

i did 20% in the front windows. It matches perfect

seppuku27 · 09-04-2008, 11:34 PM

I can only tell the difference in color in mine when its bright outside but at night it looks like a perfect match.

09noo_x_b · 09-05-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donthateonthebox

i did 20% in the front windows. It matches perfect

what brand of tint was it that you used?

donthateonthebox · 09-06-2008, 06:30 AM

I dont know a had a shop do it. Im not good at doing tint lol....

jlv0808 · 09-06-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donthateonthebox

i did 20% in the front windows. It matches perfect

That looks great......I have had silver cars all my life so when i got the xb2 i went silver and now am thinking that i should have gone with the darker one....oh well now....how is the ride with the 19"s?

donthateonthebox · 09-07-2008, 06:11 AM

Not bad with the Tanabe Df210 springs!!!

AvonLadyJenn · 10-05-2008, 12:42 PM

So I am reading that the factory tint is 35% correct? So if I do my front to windows in 35% then it will be matching all over? And legal?

whinery12 · 10-05-2008, 11:20 PM

i put 5% on all my windows and put 35% tint on my whole windshield... its really dark but i love it!!!!

kalcricho · 10-06-2008, 01:58 AM

im doing 20% on front like this week, is it that much of a difference from the backs??

seppuku27 · 10-06-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvonLadyJenn

So I am reading that the factory tint is 35% correct? So if I do my front to windows in 35% then it will be matching all over? And legal?

The front and back will be too different colors.

krasyuk · 10-07-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donthateonthebox

i did 20% in the front windows. It matches perfect

Like your car!

kalcricho · 10-07-2008, 10:57 PM

i just did 20% an hour ago theres is a slight difference, havent seen it with the sun burning down on me so ill see tomorrow, but there is a slight small difference, inside u notice alot, the 20s are more darker

NewScionLover · 11-17-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermit

35% is the closest match.It's also the max in many states.

for the back right?