Is window tinting (car) worthwhile? (deductible, live, law)

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Bummer

There are some very interesting as well as informative comments, however, others are just Basic BS.

Additional Tinting on Windshields, below the small strip at the top, is not only unsafe but illegal.

Also, there is a very strict limit to the degree of tinting allowed on the Driver's as well as the Front Passenger's side windows. Limo Tint is illegal.

In some jurisdictions, depending on the circumstances, a vehicle in violation of these Tint Laws may be seized and impounded.

Dark Tinted Vehicle Windows may give the impression of a COOLER interior but studies have proven that in most cases, NOT SO. Nowadays most newer vehicles are delivered with UV protection built in.

Would anyone wear Dark Sunglasses after dark? Hopefully, NOT.

Another point to consider . . . the possibility of an accident if a pedestrian or a bicycle rider is unable to determine if the driver has seen them.

Looking KEWL is fine but definitely NOT WORTH THE RISK.

It's not abou the car being COOLER. The interiors of cars will reach roughly the same temp tinted or not, though the time required will be different. It really has to do with radiant heat flux. You must have been in the situation where you and a companion are driving down the road. You are on the "sunny side" and your legs are on fire in the dark slacks, while your companion on the shady side is closing the ac vents because she is too cold. That is radiant heat flux. It makes whatever absorbs it hot - seats, steering wheels, and your body. If you can block it, the sunny side person will be far more comfortable. Tinting (metallic and "ceramic") reduce radiant heat flux significantly making driving or just sitting there more comfortable. The cheap tints also block it, but to a far less degree even to the point of being a waste of money.

[Bird Street]

Is the "Privacy glass" in my Ford Edge the same thing as tint? I had the two front door windows tinted to match when I bought the car.

[DougStark]

Last year I was set and determined to get tinting on my old Lincoln. I wanted good tint material, so I located a 3M window tint company here in the SE valley. They quoted me something like $400! So I didn't follow-through.

Would opting for a 3M window tint be worth the ultra high price?

[PNWGuy]

Originally Posted by DougStark

Last year I was set and determined to get tinting on my old Lincoln. I wanted good tint material, so I located a 3M window tint company here in the SE valley. They quoted me something like $400! So I didn't follow-through.

Would opting for a 3M window tint be worth the ultra high price?

I assume 3M includes UV reduction. You will pay a premium for it, so it's up to you. Otherwise if you want just privacy, it will be something like $35/window.


I have two cars, one has UV tint on every window including windshield, the other has just side and rear tinted, no windshield. The windshield itself will be $300 to $400, and there is a noticeable difference between the two. I can simply put my hand between the windshield and dashboard in each car, and one gets hot really quickly. Yes, if the windshield needs to be replaced it will be out of pocket expense to re-tint it, but it's worth it for us, so it's up to you.


Someone PM'd me saying tinting the front windshield is illegal - it is not. All films have some kind of rating for light transfer, there is some min or max rating allowed for front windshield, you just have to get the right one. I think Crystalline is the best for the front windshield, it's also the most expensive, and if you park or drive a lot outdoors, or have a skin condition, or have dark dashboard color, it may be worth it.

[MalteseJane]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

New vehicles come tinted because it is a dealer rip off item like etching and nitrogen. They have subs tint the windows before they put them on the lot and then charge you twice what it would cost if you took it down the street to have the job done. When buying a new car, the tint is a negotiable item. Refuse to pay for it. They will not lose a sale over it and they won't take the tint off either as that just costs them.

We did not pay extra for it.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by MalteseJane

We did not pay extra for it.

They did it simply to be kind?

[azriverfan.]

If you can afford it, you should purchase the Drei by Huper Optic tint from whichever dealer carries it. It's heat blocking and has made a huge difference. I still remember my wife driving without tint and her left shoulder was scarred and burned from the driver's side exposure. We installed the Huper Optic and she has been driving with that for years and her left shoulder is the same color as her right shoulder with no scars or change in pigment. It works. It makes your vehicle significantly cooler particularly when you leave it outside in the summer. We get it on all of our vehicles.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

I don't think most people do the windshield. The clear films are a fairly new development and dark ones are illegal. Also, you will very likely get a busted window every year or so here and your insurance often won't pay for a retint.

That depends. Since opting for OEM factory glass for my windshields, I don't have a cracked windshield every year...more like every 4 years. And the front windshield tint is completely worth it. Almost everyone is doing it now.

[frisbee4all]

If you have a small crack (like less than 4mm), is it alright to get window tinted? It's on the front windshield

[jimj]

Groupon is your friend! We got ceramic 3M tint film with a warranty and it's been just fine. $60 for both front windows as the car came with factory privacy glass on all windows behind the driver. Most factory windshields come tinted nowadays adding to that tint is illegal and in my opinion a huge liability risk.
One other thing to remember about aftermarket film tinting, do NOT use any window cleaners that contain alcohol as that will damage/destroy the film.