Window tinting became popular due to several positive features. Tinted windows offer protection from dangerous UV rays and privacy inside the car. Also, a tinted windshield lowers the glare from the sun, which can be a safety issue in some situations. But, due to many tinting options, you should learn how to choose wind tint darkness.
Before you tint the windows, you need to know your needs. If you are looking to have some privacy inside the car, look for a dark tint with a VLT level of about 20%. If you want a regular tint, you should shoot for a 35% VLT option because, with it, you get some of the best features of all tints. For those who just want to lower the bad impact of sun and UV rays, a VLT level of 50% is enough.
Here comes the tint percentage into play. The visible light transmission (VLT) percentage will dictate how much light will enter the vehicle. The higher the percentage, the more light will go through the tint. Besides that, there are other factors in choosing window tint that we will cover in this article. Stay with us, and at the end of the article, you will have a good idea of how to tint your car windows.
Window Tinting Basics: What Does Percentage Mean?
When deciding on a window tint, you can choose between 5% and 90% VLT. The higher percentage the more light will come in. Also, a higher percentage will not block the view of the passengers to the outside of the vehicle. The lower the percentage, the darker the tint becomes. Limo tints are usually between 5% and 10% VLT, and they offer almost complete privacy inside the car.
To make things simple, when the window tint is at a 10% level, that means that it will block 90% of the light. As the percentage rises, so will more light enter the car. These percentages can get confusing for people who don’t deal with them on a daily level.
How Dark Should I Tint My Windows?
Choosing the tint depends on your needs. Darker windows will lower ultraviolet radiation and will offer heat protection and maximum privacy. But, the passengers will have a hard time looking out through the windows. This is an excellent choice for CEOs, managers, and executives and their cars.
Medium VLT percentage offers good protection from the sun and heat and will still grant some privacy. The impact of sun glare will be minimal, thus reducing eye strain. This is a good option for personal vehicles when drivers want some sun protection and a better overall driving experience.
Tints with over 50% of VLT focus on providing sun and UV protection. They are a good choice for window film if you just want to avoid strong sun glare and dangerous UV rays. They do not offer much protection heat-wise, and everyone will be able to see inside the car. This auto window tinting is practical because you will not have problems with the law, and you won’t draw additional attention from the pedestrians.
Other factors that you should take into account when choosing the percentage of window tint are:
- Tinting laws – You need to check the legal tint percentage in your state. Tinting the windows more than allowed will lead to fines. If you get pulled over several times, you will be forced to remove the tint.
- Car aesthetic – Tinting windows will have a huge impact on the outside look of your car. Before you choose how to tint the windows, look at other cars. See what percentage would look good on your car.
Regional Climate and Sun Exposure
Major factors when choosing window tint options are the climate conditions in the place where you live. If you live in a place with a lot of sunny days and high temperatures, it would be good to choose a darker window tint. That way, you will lower the impact of heat and UV rays. That will make driving easier and will release some strain from the eyes.
If you live in a humid and rainy location, the dark tint will make driving difficult. All you should look for is a tint that will reduce glare and the impact of UV rays.
Law of Car Window Tint Percentages by State
Before you make a definitive choice of window tint, you should consult the laws of the state you are living in. If you frequently move from state to state, it is practical to tint the windows so you follow the laws of those states.
Different states mean different laws and fines. In most states, if you are caught several times with over-tinted windows, you will be forced to remove the tint altogether. Fines range from $25 to over $250, so tread carefully.
Benefits of Different Levels of Window Tint Darkness
All tint levels have their pluses and minuses. When choosing the tint for your car, you should follow your needs.
Low-tinted windows (50% and more) will offer UV rays and glare protection. With this type of tint, you will have an unblocked view from the car, but also, everyone will be able to see you. If you are not looking for privacy and just want to protect yourself from the sun and UV rays, this is a good option.
Medium-tinted windows (about 50%) are the most popular choice for drivers. This tint offers some features from both window tint worlds. You get more heat protection than low-tinted windows, and you get to enjoy some privacy.
The darkest window tint (30% and less) offers high privacy levels and protection from heat. Dark window tint also adds a sleek style to the car. But, this way, you are blocking most of the view from inside the vehicle. Also, you are possibly compromising laws in certain states.
Window Tint Darkness for Front vs. Rear Windows
In most states, tinting front windshield tinting is forbidden or very restricted. On the other hand, in rear windows, tint levels vary between 15% and 30% in most cases, to more restrictive 70% tint levels.
Best Tint Percentage for Front Windshield
The front windshield is usually tint-free. The reason for that is the ability to identify the driver. If the windshield is tinted, the police or other law enforcement personnel cannot locate and identify the driver. In some states, the limit for windshield tint is 70%, while usually, the AS-1 line is the level for tinting.
Best Tint Percentage for Rear Windows
Rear windows are the common cause for the window tinting in the first place. If the back seat of the car is used for driving someone important, or you want to protect your kids from outside view, then you can freely tint the windows dark. The best way to tint the back windows is around 30% and 40%. That offers both privacy and the passengers an unblocked view of the outside.
Pros and Cons Dark vs. Light Tint
Both dark and light tint comes with their pros and cons. We will go through them so you can get a general idea of what you can expect from different tint types.
Check Out 35% vs 20% vs 5% Window Tint! What Tint Is Best for You?:
Dark Tint
Pros of Dark Tint
- Offers absolute privacy inside the car
- Reduces the impact of heat and sun
Cons of Dark Tint
- It lowers the visibility from inside the car
- Depending on the level of the tint, it can be illegal in some states.
Light Tint
Pros of Light Tint
- Offers some good features of both light and dark tints – limited privacy and protection from light and UV rays
- It is legal in most states
Cons of Light Tint
- It doesn’t offer much when it comes to protection from heat
- Its privacy properties may be limited for some users.
How To Calculate Tint Darkness?
For calculating tint darkness, you will need to know the VLT percentage of the window tint and the VLT percentage of the original glass.
- Divide the window tint percentage by 100.
- Divide the original window tint by 100.
- Multiply these two numbers.
- Multiply the number you get by 100.
Check Out How To Calculate Your Car’s Window Tint Darkness Level:
Common Mistakes When Choosing Window Tint Darkness
Before you choose how to tint the car’s windows, you should consult with professionals. Most mistakes come from not consulting a professional. You should avoid:
- Choosing a level of tint that doesn’t suit your needs
- Not consulting local laws about window tint regulation
- Attempt to DIY window tint without all the information about this process
- Using the wrong or low-quality for the window tint.
How to Test Window Tint Darkness Before Installation
You can test tint darkness with a tint meter. If you have seen a car with a tint level that you like, you only need to lower the window halfway and slide the meter onto the window. The meter will show the window tint percentage.
Also, you can consult with a local window tinting company. They can offer you to see how a certain tint level looks. That way you can inform yourself before you apply any tint to your car’s windows.
DIY vs. Professional Tinting
Window tinting is not an easy task. You need the proper tools and to follow the tinting procedure. You can attempt to save a couple of dollars for a professional tinting application, but you can also end up with a badly installed tint.
Installing a tint is a difficult operation, even for a professional. You need to know when you should keep the window and the tint film moist. Then, you need to know when and how to push any air bubbles from under the tint. Also, you need to know how to cut out the film to fit perfectly onto every window.
That task can be tedious and can take a lot of time. Leaving it in the hands of the professionals is the best choice you can make for your windows. You can also, at the same time, consult with them and make the best choice regarding the level of tint and the material of the film. That way, you get both quality and the result you want from tinting windows.
Tips to Maintain Your Window Tint for Longevity
Knowing how to maintain your window tint will keep it looking like new for longer. It will keep its properties longer, avoiding the need to replace them sooner rather than later.
- Do not touch freshly installed window tint. The tint film is secured to the inner side of the window with a special adhesive. During installation, the adhesive and film bond. If you touch the film before it fully bonds, it can peel off or last much shorter than intended. It takes about 4 days for the window tint to fully settle and dry off.
- Choose a suitable cleaning agent – Use mild products with low levels of soap. At all costs, avoid using cleaning products that have ammonia. Also, avoid using any homemade product containing baking soda and vinegar.
- Choose a soft microfiber cloth for drying. When drying off the cleaning agent, use a clean microfiber cloth to remove much of the watery substance. For thorough cleaning, use another soft cloth to avoid making any small scratches.
- Watch out for any potential tint damage – Often, the tint is damaged when releasing the safety belt. Also, loading and unloading large or sharp objects can cause damage if not paying attention. Now that you know this, you know when you need to be extra careful and protect that new, good-looking tint.
- Park the car in the shade or the garage – If the tint is exposed to direct sunlight for too long, and too often, it will start to fade. Keeping the car in the shade or parked in the garage will prolong the life of the tint.
- From time to time, inspect the tint – Watch out for any small bubbles or scratches. If you notice any, contact the professional for the best fix. That way, you will keep the tint in good shape for a long time.
FAQs
How Dark is 35 Tint?
A 35 tint is a little above the medium tint level. It is often considered to be the ideal tint level. It offers good protection against UV and sun rays, it shields the cabin from the heat, and the passengers enjoy a good level of privacy. A 35-tint is a good choice for private passenger cars.
How Dark is 50 Tint?
A 50 tint is a medium-level trim. You won’t have a lot of privacy in the car, but this tint still offers good protection from the UV and sun rays. A 50-tint level doesn’t offer as much protection from the heat as those darkened tint levels.
What is the Darkest Tint That Is Legally Available?
The darkest tint that is legally available is a 5% tint. It is a very dark tint layer that is impenetrable to the outside view. It is available in a couple of states, while it is banned in the rest. VIPs and police officers usually use this tint because it offers complete privacy.
What Is The Lightest Tint For Car Windows You Can Install?
The lightest tint for car windows is 70% tint. It doesn’t offer much regarding privacy, but it will reduce sun glare and the impact of UV rays.
How Much Tint Is Legal in CA?
The level of tint depends on the windows:
- Front side windows tint level up to 70%
- Back side windows tint level doesn’t have any restrictions
- The back windshield also doesn’t have any tint level restrictions
- The front windshield tint is restricted to the top 4 inches of the windshield.
This setup is considered to be loose when compared to some states with very limiting tinting options.
Final Considerations
Choosing a window tint rests on each individual and their preferences. Window tint comes with different features, like keeping the inside of the car private and lowering the impact of the sun, heat, and UV rays. That is why offering a universal option for window tinting is difficult. Someone doesn’t care about privacy and wants only to reduce sun glare. Others want to remain invisible in the back seat.
No matter your option, you should invest in a quality tint film and professional installation. Installing auto window tint is a difficult task that requires knowledge and expertise. When you decide to install tint, contact a couple of tinting companies and consult with them. See their offers, and choose based on your needs and preferences.
