| kingmdx |
So has anyone figure out for sure the tint percentage on the X...or the exact color ....smoke...bronze etc ???
I want to get it tinted before xmas and I'm trying to figure out what percentage the back is ...I've read posts and people are saying it's around 30% but I can't seem to find out for sure if that's it.
I'm trying to get an even look where the back matches the front two glass something like how this looks...I can't tell if this is a match since the pic is at an angle ..need a side shot:
BUT definitely not like this:
If it is hard to match then I'll probably do 20 in the back around and limo tint the fronts ...they should look about equal ..maybe .. opinions ...anyone try this??? :8:
Oh...and no I don't care about cops or the law with my tint ...my other car has tint 20% all around and I mean all around ...I see completely clearly with it in the night and day etc. I've been pulled over 3 times by cops (speeding :p ..not super fast but just 10-15mph above the limit ..who doesn't do that now and then ...pppshhhhh) never got a ticket (Talked my way out)..and never got any problems for having the tint.
Any help or pics appreciated :29:
CONCRETE INFO FOUND OUT SO FAR AS IT'S FOUND:
1. 35% in the front glass are too light to match the back stock glass. 20% seems to be the best match found so far.
2. Ok ..so it seems to be around 20% on the stock rear glass due to Heat00's measurements with that instrument so this verifies point 1. above.
3. If you back the back glasses with tint the only tint that would match for the front glass would be a limo tint (5%-10%)
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| Heat00 |
I will post the exact percentage later, I just got my tint meter the other day.
I added 35% to the factory tinted windows and 20% to the front 2. It was NOT dark enough so I added another layer to the front 2 windows of 35% on top of the existing 20% and now they look good. I'm guessing that it's close to limo now on the front which is usually about 8%.
I'll measure the percentages and post later.
The problem with tinting the X is, there are other factors aside from just the percentage of the film:
Size of windows, curvature of windows, amount of windows, color of interior, size of front window all play into how dark it will be.
my last G35S with black interior had 20% all around and you couldn't see in at all.
Same tint on my X, 20% on the front windows, it was like there was no tint at all.
I'll post new pics of the X also with the new tint. |
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| Heat00 |
I will post the exact percentage later, I just got my tint meter the other day.
I added 35% to the factory tinted windows and 20% to the front 2. It was NOT dark enough so I added another layer to the front 2 windows of 35% on top of the existing 20% and now they look good. I'm guessing that it's close to limo now on the front which is usually about 8%.
I'll measure the percentages and post later.
The problem with tinting the X is, there are other factors aside from just the percentage of the film:
Size of windows, curvature of windows, amount of windows, color of interior, size of front window all play into how dark it will be.
my last G35S with black interior had 20% all around and you couldn't see in at all.
Same tint on my X, 20% on the front windows, it was like there was no tint at all.
I'll post new pics of the X also with the new tint. |
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| eujinc |
I got 20% on my front windows. Depending on the angle of light, it can look as dark as a limo. Either way, they match really well with the rears.
Figure 1: Looks "normal".
Figure 2: On the other side, it looks really dark. |
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| Heat00 |
here it is before the extra layer on the front:
20% on the front and 35% over the factory tint.
Please note both of these shots were with the sun blasting in through the front which does make a difference.
on rainy or overcast days or at night, you don't see through the tint. |
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| Heat00 |
| now after the 2nd layer of 35% was added to the front and limo strip across the front. the limo strip is pretty close to the 2 layers of 20% + 35%. also, sun blasting into the front and a side shot. when the sun isn't blaring, you cant see into these windows. |
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| Heat00 |
Hey Eujinc,
Nice car bro!!! I like your choice of color and accessories (hehe) |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Heat00
I will post the exact percentage later, I just got my tint meter the other day.
I added 35% to the factory tinted windows and 20% to the front 2. It was NOT dark enough so I added another layer to the front 2 windows of 35% on top of the existing 20% and now they look good. I'm guessing that it's close to limo now on the front which is usually about 8%.
I'll measure the percentages and post later.
The problem with tinting the X is, there are other factors aside from just the percentage of the film:
Size of windows, curvature of windows, amount of windows, color of interior, size of front window all play into how dark it will be.
my last G35S with black interior had 20% all around and you couldn't see in at all.
Same tint on my X, 20% on the front windows, it was like there was no tint at all.
I'll post new pics of the X also with the new tint.
Thanks for the post ...you brought up some good points and more questions :p
What happens when you put 35% on 20% ..what would that equal to ....what's the math with tint ?? :p ..... I guess when you measure it later we will know the answer at least to 35+20 :)
I am tinting the front windshield also ...probably 35% or 40% so it will help keep the front darker to match the back more evenly.
I got the bordeaux interior which looks dark enough ...so 20% would look darker than a lighter color (taupe/parchment) X that's for sure....
Glad you added in the part about the 20% looking like nothing at all on the Xs front windows. |
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| kingmdx |
| Limo tint is 5% btw. |
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| jsonmdx07 |
| PUT 35% FOR THE FRONT TO MATCH THE FACTORY TINT IF IT'S DARK ENUF FOR U. |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
I got 20% on my front windows. Depending on the angle of light, it can look as dark as a limo. Either way, they match really well with the rears.
Figure 1: Looks "normal".
Figure 2: On the other side, it looks really dark.
Well for sure 20% on the front seems like a step in the right direction ...it's definitely looks better matched with the 20% in front and stock in the back ... but that side shot ...figure 1. tells me 20% is too light for me :p ...
Yeah I know also about the angle thing ..especially when taking pictures :p |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by jsonmdx07
PUT 35% FOR THE FRONT TO MATCH THE FACTORY TINT IF IT'S DARK ENUF FOR U.
From pictures and reading other posts i am definitely sure that 35% is too light to match the back (looks at Heat's pics above for confirmation).... 30% was in the right direction looking at solaraguy's pic...and 20% seems more of a match looking at eujinc's pics. |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Heat00
now after the 2nd layer of 35% was added to the front and limo strip across the front. the limo strip is pretty close to the 2 layers of 20% + 35%. also, sun blasting into the front and a side shot. when the sun isn't blaring, you cant see into these windows.
Heat what color tint is that you're using ...and brand ?? both for the original 35% in the back and the 20 + 35 in the front
Same question to eujinc ...what color and brand is that you're using on your front two windows ??? |
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| Heat00 |
limo is not always 5%, my shop down here (and I've known them for 8 years) uses 5%, 8% and 12% calling it "Limo", so it depends. 5% is really, really dark, nice!!
I'm curious myself what the 35% and 20% adds up to and that is why I ordered a tint/light meter that slides on the window and gives you the true %, just like the one law enforcement uses. It actually arrived last night, just didn't have a 9 volt battery in the house.
I will measure my back windows (35% + factory), the front (35% + 20%), and I'll measure my wife's rx330's back windows as they seemed close to mine before any tint (just for comparison purposes).
it will definetly help having a dark interior and the strip on the front helped too. BTW, I had them go right over the black bubbled area above the rear view mirror. some will tell you it won't stick but it does :) |
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| kingmdx |
| ^ the people who say it can't go over that (the black bubbled area) just can't tint well :p ...will look out for your post on the measurements :) ..thanks !! |
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| s2k000L |
quote:
So has anyone figure out for sure the tint percentage on the X...or the exact color ....smoke...bronze etc ???
I want to get it tinted before xmas and I'm trying to figure out what percentage the back is ...I've read posts and people are saying it's around 30% but I can't seem to find out for sure if that's it.
I'm trying to get an even look where the back matches the front two glass something like how this looks...I can't tell if this is a match since the pic is at an angle ..need a side shot:
BUT definitely not like this:
Ouch Dude! That hurt! Sorry the pic came out bad, but forgive my lack of proper lighting and photographic skills. This is the same vehicle on the home page here. IMHO, the combination of tinting all the windows (including the front windsheild) came out superb! Gotta see it in person before passing any judgement :D |
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| kingmdx |
| Ok ...just found this out from a guy who tints for the acura dealership out here ...he says they match the back glass by using 15% tint on front glass of the MDX. Don't know how this looks ...anyone here use 15% on their front glass to match the back ?????? |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by s2k000L
Ouch Dude! That hurt! Sorry the pic came out bad, but forgive my lack of proper lighting and photographic skills. This is the same vehicle on the home page here. IMHO, the combination of tinting all the windows (including the front windsheild) came out superb! Gotta see it in person before passing any judgement :D
Oh..don't get me wrong I'm not saying it looks bad at all...people in different state with different laws ...or those who choose to take chances etc do different things...
I was just going for a particular look. And that pic showed what I was saying ....it may not look like that IRL but that pics angle showed what I was trying to say ...no offense :) ..sorry if it came off bad (the pics on the intro page look great btw :p ) |
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| kingmdx |
Ok ...maybe the guy is right saying that it is 15% since
1. Solaraguy said that his 30% is not dark enough to match the back ....and he thought 20% would be better
2. Heat00 tried the 20% and said he had to go darker to match also
I'm leaning to believe it's really 15% because it's not as dark as 5% or 8% that's for sure.
Anyone can verify this ?? |
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| s2k000L |
quote:
I was just going for a particular look. And that pic showed what I was saying ....it may not look like that IRL but that pics angle showed what I was trying to say ...no offense ..sorry if it came off bad (the pics on the intro page look great btw )
Hey, that's cool. BTW, the look i was going after was to definitely get more protection in the back (for the kids), and have additional protection in the front, without causing too much attention for CHP to harrass. (I'm sure i'll be harrassed anyway :D )
Best of luck with the endeavor. I'm sure it'll come out looking great. |
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| eujinc |
quote:
Originally posted by Heat00
Hey Eujinc,
Nice car bro!!! I like your choice of color and accessories (hehe)
LOL. I like to haul timber on my roof. Makes the whistling sounds like the gentle breeze through a pine forest. |
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| eujinc |
King, the tint I got was the non-metallic kind - smoke, I believe (sorry, can't remember the name of the brand - tints were put on days after I bought the X). Tints with any metallic texture will give it a slight shine. Looks cool if you are doing all windows but not so great in trying to match the factory tints.
Btw, 15% sounds a little too dark, IMO. When I first had the 20% put on, it actually looked a little darker than the rears. Then again it might be the brand of the tints that might be the differentiating factor. |
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| Heat00 |
I was a little suprised but here you go:
front 2 windows rang in at 6% !! That is 20% then a layer of 35%.
Rear windows came in at 10% !! That is 35% over the factory tint. So, I'm guessing that the factory tint is in the 20%-25% Range give or take. Remember, it is not tint, it is built into the glass.
The back is much easier to see out of because the factory "tint" is different, maybe because it's not a film over the glass, I don't know. I guess my front in reality is limo, nice!
If I had to do it again from scratch, I would just use limo on the front and probably 20% on the back!!
Hope this helps. although not really apparent in my picture becuase the sun was pouring in, my windows are very dark, especially the front. I love it that way. Also, if you have dark interior it will help to appear darker with the same % because the parchment does reflect a lot of light and it's bright as hec in there where the sun does hit the seats!! They are all black color tint (high performance material) so I don't think matching the color is a big issue especially since it will never match completely because you are adding film to the window and the rear is inside the glass. don't worry about matching, get the tink you want. I recomend 5 or 10% on the front and 20% or 25% on the rears and it will be dark.
AGain, I can't imply this enough, this is a big car with big windows and a lot of light comes in. where normally in a small car 20% or 15% would be fine, it was not on my X, not even close. Just look at the first picture with 20% on the front windows. |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
King, the tint I got was the non-metallic kind - smoke, I believe (sorry, can't remember the name of the brand - tints were put on days after I bought the X). Tints with any metallic texture will give it a slight shine. Looks cool if you are doing all windows but not so great in trying to match the factory tints.
Btw, 15% sounds a little too dark, IMO. When I first had the 20% put on, it actually looked a little darker than the rears. Then again it might be the brand of the tints that might be the differentiating factor.
Ok ...I think i figured this out ...I think it's 20% on the rear due to what Heat00 measured ...but it matched better to use 15 on the front due to the front windshield not having tint ...I think that's why the dealership tint people said 15 is what they use to match ..it's brighter always up front so a slightly darker tint works to make it even ...when heat00 did 20 it was too light due to the front window being so bright. |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Heat00
I was a little suprised but here you go:
front 2 windows rang in at 6% !! That is 20% then a layer of 35%.
Rear windows came in at 10% !! That is 35% over the factory tint. So, I'm guessing that the factory tint is in the 20%-25% Range give or take. Remember, it is not tint, it is built into the glass.
The back is much easier to see out of because the factory "tint" is different, maybe because it's not a film over the glass, I don't know. I guess my front in reality is limo, nice!
If I had to do it again from scratch, I would just use limo on the front and probably 20% on the back!!
Hope this helps. although not really apparent in my picture becuase the sun was pouring in, my windows are very dark, especially the front. I love it that way. Also, if you have dark interior it will help to appear darker with the same % because the parchment does reflect a lot of light and it's bright as hec in there where the sun does hit the seats!! They are all black color tint (high performance material) so I don't think matching the color is a big issue especially since it will never match completely because you are adding film to the window and the rear is inside the glass. don't worry about matching, get the tink you want. I recomend 5 or 10% on the front and 20% or 25% on the rears and it will be dark.
AGain, I can't imply this enough, this is a big car with big windows and a lot of light comes in. where normally in a small car 20% or 15% would be fine, it was not on my X, not even close. Just look at the first picture with 20% on the front windows.
THANKS heat00 for the measurements ....So my original idea is right it seems..I see you also agree with it...put limo (5-8%) on the front two glasses and back the rest with 20%.. and I am doing the front windshield also ..probably with 40% ..I think I am doing the sunroof also with 40% ...and with the bordeaux interior it should be really nice and dark :29:
I'll post pics when it's all done ....let me see if I can find a place and get an appointment before the new year ...there aren't many places on this side to tint from what I have seen today ...so there will be a wait i'm sure. I'll update this post when it's done.
Thanks Heat00 again for taking the measurments...:)
What did the Lexus end up being btw ?? ...just outta curiosity |
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| Heat00 |
| wow, I never thought of doing the sunroof... nice idea |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by Heat00
wow, I never thought of doing the sunroof... nice idea
I'm doing it since the point of the tint is to also protect the car from UV IR etc ...and in summer I drive with the shade thing pulled back to let sun in the car ...(and sometimes crack it for wind etc.) so I don't want to be defeating the purpose of all the side glass :p I'll go light etc since I want light to come in through it ...just not the harmful stuff :p |
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| kingmdx |
Is solarguard tint any good ??? :8:
I keep coming across it as I'm looking for tint places ...I'm accust. to Llumar... 3M ..Gila etc. but never used that. Anyone know of it ..if it's better or worse than the ones I normally use ??? |
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| cybulman |
Guys be careful, in several states ther are law as to max amount of tint.
If they stopyou for speeding or anyother issue they will also ticket you for tint %.
I would just like to know reliably, how to match the front to the back % and is it Lumar, green or smoke.
Cy |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by cybulman
Guys be careful, in several states ther are law as to max amount of tint.
If they stopyou for speeding or anyother issue they will also ticket you for tint %.
I would just like to know reliably, how to match the front to the back % and is it Lumar, green or smoke.
Cy
You can't match the front to the back without going illegal ...i.e. if your state doesn't allow anything darker than 35%. I know it's illegal to have the tint the darkness that I want but i'll take my chances for now ....if all else fails I'll just have to replace both front glass.. not that serious of an issue.
* Knock on wood many times during these posts :p * heh :) |
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| eujinc |
quote:
Originally posted by kingmdx
Is solarguard tint any good ??? :8:
That name sounds very familiar. Might be what I have. Quite happy with the quality and results. |
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| eujinc |
quote:
Originally posted by cybulman
Guys be careful, in several states ther are law as to max amount of tint.
If they stopyou for speeding or anyother issue they will also ticket you for tint %.
There is a very slight tint already on the front windows. So even if you apply a 35% tint, you have technically exceeded the legal limit (if it's 35% in your state, in VA for example it's 50% for the fronts- why bother tinting if you want to stay legal).
So if you are unlucky enough to get pulled over, be sure to completely lower both windows before the cop walks up to you. ;) |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by eujinc
There is a very slight tint already on the front windows. So even if you apply a 35% tint, you have technically exceeded the legal limit (if it's 35% in your state, in VA for example it's 50% for the fronts- why bother tinting if you want to stay legal).
So if you are unlucky enough to get pulled over, be sure to completely lower both windows before the cop walks up to you. ;)
Haha ....i do that also AND open the sunroof :2: before I take my foot off the brake ....they don't get out of their car and walk to yours until you do ..so it gives me time to open roof and drop windows ....hehe..
PS. I don't do anything illegal ...I just like the dark tint look ...I drive very sane etc and you won't see me on COPS don't worry :p |
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| Heat00 |
lol, I'm in the same boat. nothing illegal :) but like it dark.
no ones business what I keep inside and I drive through some bad neighborhoods, they don' t seem to bother you if they can't see in lol.
but, if I do get pulled over, absolutely open the windows and the sunroof shade, it will help.
unless they are a reall ball buster, they shouldn't bother you about it especially if your windows are down and you don't look like a gangster lol. |
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| Heat00 |
in fact, if you do get pulled over and your windows are dark, real dark, and the cop walks up to the car and your windows are up and he CANT see in, first of all: he is thinking perhaps he is danger, he does not know you are an AcuraMdx.org member :), and that you may be waiting to shoot. like 4 or 5 cops have been killed here (s.Fla) recently.
then, after he knows he's safe, he's going to think about the fact that he could not see in at all as he was coming to your window, and that is usually when you start him thinking about tint :)
just my .2 |
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| Heat00 |
| or better yet, just drive normally after all this is a truck, not a bmw 335I (my next car) and you shouldn't ever get pulled over .. |
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| kingmdx |
I've been pulled over for the stupidest things ...lol ...so I've had experience with this ....while I am pulling over I'm already letting light in :)
but I agree with you Heat00 one of the reasons I go dark is to protect the wife ..people don't know if it's me or her driving and if it's only one person or 7 :p ...that's a good thing ...because she's a nice person ..I think she might panic in a robbery situation etc....not sure ...and I don't want her to ever have to find out ..me ...I'm the complete opposite ...I will use the X as a weapon in case of emergency ...hell I'll use a paper clip if I was forced to to get out of being a victim :p |
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| kingmdx |
Ok...so it's been like a long time (5-6months) since I updated this but here goes...this is where we reached back then...
quote:
CONCRETE INFO FOUND OUT SO FAR AS IT'S FOUND:
1. 35% in the front glass are too light to match the back stock glass. 20% seems to be the best match found so far.
2. Ok ..so it seems to be around 20% on the stock rear glass due to Heat00's measurements with that instrument so this verifies point 1. above.
3. If you back the back glasses with tint the only tint that would match for the front glass would be a limo tint (5%-10%)
Update:
Realised to match perfectly the front to back 5% in the front and 15% in the back has to be used. Now this is illegal so unless you're willing to take the chance then don't attempt. If you have a doctor diagnosed reason for needing it then you can according to your state laws etc. |
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| kingmdx |
Now for some pics :)
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| kingmdx |
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| kingmdx |
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| midnightMDX |
| Now that is some dark tint. Looks really good all around! :29: |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by midnightMDX
Now that is some dark tint. Looks really good all around! :29:
Thanks :) the sunroof shade/cloth thing is open btw in the pics...lol ..so with it closed it looks darker :29: ....nice part about it is that I don't get trouble to see out at all day or night since it's 15% in the back ...and I still get the even color all the way around when matched with the fronts. If I went darker in the back to lets say 5% as the front two windows have then I would get visibility issues which I didn't want ..and it would probably throw off the even color once again.
Plus bright snow driving is sooooo much better !! ...those guys who drive snow regularly know what I am talking about ..sun off winter snow is brighter than summer sun directly...this helps a lot so I am not squinting all the time. |
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| DeezyMDX |
Eujinc, where did you get your tint done? I live in NOVA and I see you are in MD...did they do a really good job with no glue spots or bubbles?
Thanks! |
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| jelzein |
I just got 35% installed on my fronts...looks great to me, especially when there isn't a lot of light coming in through the windshield.
My dilemma is I'm stuck with the VA tint laws - I've gotten 3 tickets by "testing" the system with previous cars. I had 20% all around before and cops would draw their guns since they couldn't see the driver -- a little extreme if you ask me, but I guess I understand. The law states if it's not factory installed, then it can't be more than 50% up front. I had 35% on my '04 X and never had a problem -- so I stuck with that percentage on my new '08. |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by jelzein
I just got 35% installed on my fronts...looks great to me, especially when there isn't a lot of light coming in through the windshield.
My dilemma is I'm stuck with the VA tint laws - I've gotten 3 tickets by "testing" the system with previous cars. I had 20% all around before and cops would draw their guns since they couldn't see the driver -- a little extreme if you ask me, but I guess I understand. The law states if it's not factory installed, then it can't be more than 50% up front. I had 35% on my '04 X and never had a problem -- so I stuck with that percentage on my new '08.
You did the right thing to stick with what works ...3 tickets sucks ...as I said this is not for the average person to do unless you feel like you got some luck on your side :p |
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| kingmdx |
quote:
Originally posted by DeezyMDX
Eujinc, where did you get your tint done? I live in NOVA and I see you are in MD...did they do a really good job with no glue spots or bubbles?
Thanks!
Try Accurate Glass Tinting ....when i lived in MD that's where i got my tinting done... they are in Owings Mills...never had a bad job yet ..and tinted over 5 cars there. |
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| eujinc |
| The place I went to is United Solar Tinting. They are in Laurel. Might be a haul for you if you are coming from NoVA. Mark, the owner who also does the install did several of my past cars. I've been very happy with the work and the price. |
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