tint % and brands

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
I think the Huper Optik technology is great and of course it's going to be more expensive but just how "inferior" are the other known brands like solar gard? Someone did the latter for $300 while quoted $700 for Huper Optik. Anyone have a regular brand and feel that their tint is sufficient for keeping the heat out? Also, the amount of darkness doesn't factor into how much heat is blocked, does it?

Also, NYS law is apparently 70%... is it even worth tinting because I see people recommending 35% all around to be the sweetspot.

UPDATED QUESTION>> I just got off the phone with a reputable guy in Manhattan (who does celebs' cars) and he quoted me $475 to do all windows w/ Huper Optik. I'm still concerned about how weird it would look if by law the front windshield and 2 front doors require 70% while putting darker on the rears. I'm allowed to do anything else on the 2 rears and rear windows so seeing that 35% is a sweet-spot, I want to do that.

He said he could put 45% on the fronts that don't appear to be any darker than the requirement to the naked eye, maybe I'll go closer to 60%, but that's much different than the 35% rears. What do you think of this? Anyone with pics?

I want it to look as uniform as possible throughout the vehicle.

final update >> so the guy introduces me to suntek carbon 35 (non-metallic) tint @ $220. Sounds good to me... did the sides (complete) plus rear but left the front windshield alone - he was adamant about not touching it too.

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/rh71/X5carbon35_tint2.jpg
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/rh71/X5carbon35_tint.jpg

before
 

shocksyde

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2001
5,539
0
0
Originally posted by: rh71
I think the Huper Optik technology is great and of course it's going to be more expensive but just how "inferior" are the other known brands like solar gard? Someone did the latter for $300 while quoted $700 for Huper Optik. Anyone have a regular brand and feel that their tint is sufficient for keeping the heat out? Also, the amount of darkness doesn't factor into how much heat is blocked, does it?

Also, NYS law is apparently 70%... is it even worth tinting because I see people recommending 35% all around to be the sweetspot.

EDIT>> oops wrong forum perhaps.

NY law is 70%?! Damn that sucks. MD law is 35% and I get away with 20%.
 

BlackTigers

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2006
4,491
2
71
Ugh, Ohio is 50% on the front sides, and the backs and rear are unlimited. I'm probably going to do 35/20, though.
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
yea NY law sucks, however ive never seen it enforced, hell i think some cars come factory with more then 70%
 

captains

Diamond Member
Mar 27, 2003
4,065
1
0
3M ?

dont know brand was installed. I just went to a person that i know that does it and said legal all around.
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Originally posted by: rh71
I think the Huper Optik technology is great and of course it's going to be more expensive but just how "inferior" are the other known brands like solar gard? Someone did the latter for $300 while quoted $700 for Huper Optik. Anyone have a regular brand and feel that their tint is sufficient for keeping the heat out? Also, the amount of darkness doesn't factor into how much heat is blocked, does it?

Also, NYS law is apparently 70%... is it even worth tinting because I see people recommending 35% all around to be the sweetspot.

EDIT>> oops wrong forum perhaps.

NY law is 70%?! Damn that sucks. MD law is 35% and I get away with 20%.

70% would suck. It's 35% here in Kansas and I, too, get away with 20%.
 

BrokenVisage

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
24,771
14
81
So, do you want it to look uniform or are you more concerned with giving police the impression your front sides are legal compared to the rears? I went with 15% all around and been pulled over twice in the last 7 years, both times hit with ~$100 tix (PA has strict tint laws). I'm usually mindful of cops and tend to power down my windows when I'm around them so they can at least see me. The times I was pulled over were both late at night, no one on the road, and one was hidden away looking for speeders.
 

dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
Like what BrokenVisage said, if you are very mindful and lower all your windows while you get pulled over, most cops won't ticket you from what I know (father was in state police). I also got pulled over probably 20+ times (NJ and NY) in cars with heavy tints (50% or more) in the rear and side rear and never got a tint ticket.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
I suppose I'll have to talk %s with the guy when I get there and see what he has. Maybe it will look fine with the dark --> lighter effect going from rear to fronts progressively.

When you get a ticket, I suppose they don't make you fix it right?
 

pray4mojo

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2003
3,647
0
0
$475? wow i paid $110 for some brand i dont know of but its been fine since summer 07
 

Riverhound777

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2003
3,360
61
91
I got Llumar on mine. 5% on rear and back-side windows and on the top of the windshield, 35% on the front-side. Mine was like $300. Had it for 2 years with no issues.
 

dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
Originally posted by: rh71
I suppose I'll have to talk %s with the guy when I get there and see what he has. Maybe it will look fine with the dark --> lighter effect going from rear to fronts progressively.

When you get a ticket, I suppose they don't make you fix it right?

IRC people I knew that got a ticket for tints didn't have to prove that it was removed. I think it's like a broken headlight, they just risked getting another ticket until fixed/changed.
 

Spineshank

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2001
7,728
1
71
Originally posted by: shocksyde
Originally posted by: rh71
I think the Huper Optik technology is great and of course it's going to be more expensive but just how "inferior" are the other known brands like solar gard? Someone did the latter for $300 while quoted $700 for Huper Optik. Anyone have a regular brand and feel that their tint is sufficient for keeping the heat out? Also, the amount of darkness doesn't factor into how much heat is blocked, does it?

Also, NYS law is apparently 70%... is it even worth tinting because I see people recommending 35% all around to be the sweetspot.

EDIT>> oops wrong forum perhaps.

NY law is 70%?! Damn that sucks. MD law is 35% and I get away with 20%.

PA law kinda has 2 laws but the basis is that its 70% on the front and 35% on the back i believe. I have 20% all around. Cept for the windshield where i have a strip but thats it.
 

Synomenon

Lifer
Dec 25, 2004
10,547
6
81
Llumar is the brand to get. I can't believe that 35% is the darkest we can get for front windows here in the blazing desert. Back doors and rear window can be anything. I think I'll go with 20% or 25% anyway on the fronts.
 

ViviTheMage

Lifer
Dec 12, 2002
36,189
87
91
madgenius.com
hahahaha, 500$ for tint? You are getting screwed.

I pay 225$ for all around on my cars, 10% on rears, 20% on sides. on a 4 door sedan.

The guy warranties it for life (bubbling/fading/etc).

forget the brand of thint though.
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
^ need ceramic (interference issues) and they usually run $300+
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
weird, my GPS and radio work great in my cars....

Excuse me if I go with the consensus on this issue since I don't believe they're just making it up. If it happens just 5% of the time, that's still too much.
 

ViviTheMage

Lifer
Dec 12, 2002
36,189
87
91
madgenius.com
Originally posted by: rh71
Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
weird, my GPS and radio work great in my cars....

Excuse me if I go with the consensus on this issue since I don't believe they're just making it up. If it happens just 5% of the time, that's still too much.

If it's going on a new M5, by all means go all out :).

I have had 5 cars tinted by this fellow (using the same tint, do not recall brand) and I have had no issues.. 100% for me, so far.

I have never heard of GPS/Radio having issues with non-ceramic tint.

does it look any different/feel different?