xB2 factory tint?...

jrw1981 · 10-18-2007, 07:53 PM

does anyone know what % tint the 08 xB has standard on the rear windows? i simply want to make the fronts match the backs

clari0n · 10-19-2007, 10:34 AM

http://www.clubxb.com/forums/f69/13131-factory-tint/

girlbuffalo1 · 10-19-2007, 12:05 PM

It's in between the 15 and 30 at your local tint shop--I put in the darker of the two because--well I hate the sun.

ScionFred · 10-20-2007, 02:55 AM

I had 3M 20% film put on my front windows and it is noticeably darker from outside and much darker from inside. It's hard to see much out the side windows at night with the 20%. I wish I had gone with 30-35% instead.

You'll never get a perfect match between tinted glass and film tint but IMO 30% film would be the closest match. 20% is too dark and 35% is a bit lighter but you can see a lot better at night, if that's a concern.

Hermit · 10-21-2007, 05:25 AM

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

nonstopboost · 10-21-2007, 12:34 PM

Yes $35% is the closest if you just want to match the rear. I put 20% all over the existing tint as well as the two front windows and it looks way dark and matches good!! No sun gettin in this thing!!!

Brandon · 10-21-2007, 11:57 PM

I plan on doing 5 on mine.

jrw1981 · 10-22-2007, 01:52 AM

thx for the input. i think i'll put 20-25 up front and put 30-35 on the back. that should do the job

jrw1981 · 10-22-2007, 07:52 PM

i just got back from having the tint done. i ended up going with 15 on the front and 20 on the back. it looks even inside and out. very pleased

nonstopboost · 10-23-2007, 02:07 PM

That looks good...these cars are so much better looking with tint~~

timmer357 · 10-24-2007, 12:05 AM

I just did the tint again on my xb2. Peeled off everything and went BIG. 5% on every window (except windshield)...even over factory tint. It is FOOKIN dark. Don't do it, too dark.

Brandon · 10-24-2007, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmer357

I just did the tint again on my xb2. Peeled off everything and went BIG. 5% on every window (except windshield)...even over factory tint. It is FOOKIN dark. Don't do it, too dark.

Yeah, i was having second thoughts about my decision too. I think im going to do what jr did and do 15 in front and 20 in back instead of doing 5 like my original plan.

timmer357 · 10-24-2007, 12:51 AM

I originally had 20% over the factory tint and it metered at 6%. Just a thought, go 30% over rears and 15 or 20% up front.

Mine matches though...looks like all of them were spray painted black. Stand by for a citation.

Brandon · 10-24-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmer357

I originally had 20% over the factory tint and it metered at 6%. Just a thought, go 30% over rears and 15 or 20% up front.

Mine matches though...looks like all of them were spray painted black. Stand by for a citation.

Wow... 30 over the rears? Good advice though if you put 20 over the rear and you got 6. I dont want to be THAT dark back there. So, looks like 15 in front and 30 in rear then for me. That should do the trick. Thanks.

ScionFred · 10-24-2007, 03:00 AM

AFAIK the stock front windows allow about 80% VLT and the rears allow about 35% VLT before adding film tint. I don't see how you guys can see anything out the windows at night after reducing the VLT to below 15%. My fronts are about 15% VLT with 3M 20% (18% VLT on 80% glass = 14.4%) and I can't see much at night unless the area is well lit. Most states require at least 35% VLT on the front side glass.

At the risk of sounding like your dad, it's all great fun to have a sick looking whip until you hit a pedestrian while turning at an intersection at night and end up facing manslaughter charges because of your highly illegal window tint.

Brandon · 10-24-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScionFred

AFAIK the stock front windows allow about 80% VLT and the rears allow about 35% VLT before adding film tint. I don't see how you guys can see anything out the windows at night after reducing the VLT to below 15%. My fronts are about 15% VLT with 3M 20% (18% VLT on 80% glass = 14.4%) and I can't see much at night unless the area is well lit. Most states require at least 35% VLT on the front side glass.

At the risk of sounding like your dad, it's all great fun to have a sick looking whip until you hit a pedestrian while turning at an intersection at night and end up facing manslaughter charges because of your highly illegal window tint.

LoL, ive been runnin 15% window tint on all of my vehicles since the late 90's. I can see just fine.

clari0n · 10-24-2007, 11:23 AM

I have 20% 3M tint on all the windows, and I can also see just fine, even at night.

jrw1981 · 10-24-2007, 01:54 PM

the only time it seems at all dark is when i'm backing up at night... but that's only because the car has that one reverse light that isn't quite bright enough.

here's how it turned out

ScionFred · 10-24-2007, 04:02 PM

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.

Brandon · 10-24-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrw1981

the only time it seems at all dark is when i'm backing up at night... but that's only because the car has that one reverse light that isn't quite bright enough.

here's how it turned out

Looks fantastic!