How dark should I tint?

[GreenCactus]

I want to get Cricket's windows tinted, but want to stay at least sort of legal.

 

I live in DC and their tint laws are pretty strict...

Front windows can be no more than 70% and rear no more than 50%... BUT, they no longer do vehicle safety inspections (only emissions). I've never heard of anyone getting pulled over in DC for illegal tint, so I'm not too worried about meeting their requirements.

 

Virginia law is no more than 35% in the front and 50% in the back

 

Maryland law is no more than 50% all the around.

 

What would you do?

[TATTRAT]

I would go 50% all around, if I could. . .silly VA.

[Mach V Dan]

I like 35% all around. Looks great, and you can still see out. Not legal for VA, though. Max on front windows is 50%.

 

 

--Dan

Mach V

FastMINI.net

[GreenCactus]

I like 35% all around. Looks great, and you can still see out. Not legal for VA, though. Max on front windows is 50%.

 

 

 

--Dan

Mach V

FastMINI.net

 

Do you have any issues with the police/getting pulled over due to the tint?

[Edge]

Virginia law is no more than 35% in the front and 50% in the back

I like 35% all around. Looks great, and you can still see out. Not legal for VA, though. Max on front windows is 50%.

Dan is correct. Laura, you had it backwards. VA's law is no more than 50% on the front passenger windows, and 35% on the rear passenger and boot/trunk.

 

The percentage is the amount of light that is let through, not the amount blocked (100% = no tint, 0% = total block).

 

I personally have 50% all the way around, and I'm pretty happy with it. I had planned to do exactly what the VA law allows, but Carlos suggested blue tint, and I went for it. He only had blue tint in 50%.

[GreenCactus]

Dan is correct. Laura, you had it backwards.

 

The percentage is the amount of light that is let through, not the amount blocked (100% = no tint, 0% = total block).

 

 

 

I'm not surprised I had it backwards. I thought it sounded off, but I figured I was just confused.

[cmcveay]

yeah, it's a strange way to describe it so it's confusing. I wasn't able to find the laws for the District but in my personal experience, window tinting really only becomes an issue if you've been pulled over for something else. I'm not certain but I don't think tint is a "primary" offense.

[Bigprfed22]

i got 35% all around no issues... yet

[RyanMBlue]

I got 35% on the back and the boot, 50% on the front windows, and 8% (I think?) on the sunroof. It is perfectly dark for me, and the variability between the back and front is hardly noticeable.

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

We don't know what Mark's car Max came tinted with but it's really dark. He says that it's actually so dark that at night on a street with no lights, he has a hard time seeing out the sides. He's contemplated having it removed for something less dark, but not sure if he'll change it. The car came this way, but if he was given a choice, I'm sure he wouldn't have gone this dark

 

Ali

[JustJAY]

Laura, you need to go 5% all the way around and 50% on the windshield! :rock:

[TATTRAT]

now I am all confused about the legal limits. . .I have 35% all around, and honestly, it isn't that dark.

 

I retract my 50%, and say 35%(now knowing it is + not -). . . or how ever dark you can get away with without it hindering your driving. I like my 35, but I wanted darker, just wasn't trying to deal with the law.

 

Also depends on how much of a two tone look you want. With BRG, it may not matter much to ya, it's all your personal flavor.

[that7guy]

I like my 20%'s

[Mach V Dan]

Do you have any issues with the police/getting pulled over due to the tint?

 

Erm, yeah, one time. Dark, cloudy day a couple of years ago.

[FAST060]

Let's stick it to the man! Go MD Legal! I'm going to go TX legal when I roll out of VA.

 

LIMO Tint Baby!

[FD3SDriver]

I've got 35% all the way around on my new car. No trouble from the police, but at night it is hard to see through the windows.

[gtrnka]

I haven't put tint on my MINI yet. But the last time I had a car tinted I did it to the legal limit on the perscribed windows (darker in the non-driving windows) and the overall look of the vehicle looked darker than legal on the driving windows.

[LV2CRNR]

Last 4 cars I had were 35% and not one tint ticket.that's saying a lot since you know my driving habits. I have pics of the 2 mini's done on here somewhere. Also tinting the sunroof is well worth it.

[GreenCactus]

Thanks for the replies!!

 

I hadn't even thought about having a hard time seeing out of it at night. I already don't see really well at night, so that's definitely something to keep in mind.

 

I think I'm leaning towards doing 50% all the way around.

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

If you want to come by one night and take Max for a ride it might help you judge for yourself

 

Ali

[cmcveay]

Shouldn't it be "Mr. Drew" offering rides in in Max? (yes, that's an attempt to get Mark on the forum)...

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

uh, good luck with that one Craig. Last I heard he had 500 unread emails in his hotmail and he only comes on the board if I tell him to. He still mumbles on his occasional foray into Facebook

 

Mark won't mind if Laura and I take Max for a night time spin, I always wash and wax Max, so I get some rights too :motor:

[cmcveay]

You drive Archi when you want too! When can I drop him off for a wash & wax?

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

hmmmmmm

 

I can't possibly meet your high standards in detailing

 

yeah that's it...:rofl:

[ZugZugMcD]

Maryland is 35% all around...

 

I have 35% front driver/passenger and 20% rear side & back. The 35% works well for me at night. It certainly seems easier to see out from the inside than the other way... :top: