Soon found out that no tint on the windows of my Sonata makes for a couple HOT kids...so I think I need to tint the windows like my previous car had (no problems with the kids getting to hot in it).

Living in NC, legal is 35% visibility or more...my question is:

How dark should I go, 35%, 40%, 50%? I'm only interested in keeping the interior of the Sonata and my two girls (4 and 1 btw) cool on trips, but I would also like it to look nice. My wife worries 35% may be too dark. Are there any benefits to going darker or lighter?

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how dark I should go and what would look good on the 2009 Dark Cherry Red Sonata I purchased on Friday?

Any pics also would help greatly in my decision if someone has any. Thanks for any suggestions and everyone's help!

This post has been edited by swipper74: May 27 2008, 09:36 PM

well 35% isnt really anything. i would say 20% is good. help keep the sun out and can still see clearly. also the lower the percentage, the darker the tint is.

sorry i dont have really any good pictures.. i know its not dark cherry red, but hopefully the tint helps out. :57:

(IMG:http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/hutcopsnotdeer/_DSC0095.jpg)

-Andrew

This post has been edited by ajp2k3: May 27 2008, 10:27 PM

Do a search on tint and you'll get some answers. Pics might be harder. For me I got Huper Optik Ceramic tint 30%. No visibility issues (unlike the 20%) and it blocks more heat than pretty much all of the other tints even at 5%.

I went for the performance factor of blocking heat. Looks good IMO, not too dark, avoids the cop hassles.

Just know that any "high performance" tint (metallized/ceramic) will interfere with your radio reception especially in AM.

We have 35% all the way around, living in Florida. I'm thinking of getting them redone to 20% - who knows. Anyway, here's a pic of the 35%:

I still love those rims. Do you? (For scratches, stone chips, quality, etc.)

they're OEM rims, just chrome plated, arent they? (i like them as well)

I have 20% on the front and 35% on all back windows.. :beer:

unfortunately, we are not allowed to have tint on the front windows here in good 'ol NJ... (technically)

Yep, chrome OEM - triple plated w/3 year/36,000 mi. factory warranty against peeling, chipping, etc.

So far there's not a single blemish on them and clean-up is so easy. Brake dust just wipes right off.

Thanks for the compliments - Gracie is blushing, but she sure loves her shoes.

Free round of RIMS for everyone who made Gracie blush???? :whistling: :thumbsup:

ooh, me me! (i need new rims) :460:

That seems a little backward. 20% tint is darker than 35%. Personally, I have 30% on the front doors and 20% on the rear doors and rear window (according to a police officer friend and my tint shop, that's legal in Texas).

While some people might think they are too dark, the tint really doesn't have a negative effect on visibility. Take my mother (in her mid 50's), for instance. Before driving my Sonata, she has never liked anything darker than clear windows. Now, she wants to have her Impala tinted the same as mine.

Since the OP wanted pics, here ya go:

Wow! Thanks guys for all of the pictures and suggestions. Here in NC, I won't be able to go any darker than 35%. The big day is tomorrow for the tint job, I've still got a lot to think about before then. I will post some pictures when it's done. You've all been a great help!

One of the best places IMO for the tint is an extra windshield strip. Really helps with the glare. Most states allow approximately 6" strip (up to the AS1 line on the windshield. Mine actually comes a little lower just past the center black frit by the rear view mirror. Takes a day or two to get used to it but after that, I'll never go with out that strip. Mine is a 5% for the strip to block as much sun as possible.

Well, today was the day and I am very pleased. I went with the darkest legal tint available for NC, 35%. Here are a few pictures of the outcome. If I can I would like to give a shout out to Custom Dave's Window Tinting in Mooresville, NC for a wonderful job. I am very impressed as the back window was done as a single sheet, instead of strips around the defroster. Tint shop talked me into the 35%, said it wouldn't look as dark as I was scared it might be due to the interior color. Tinting turned out just like I hoped for. Anyway, here is a few pictures...thanks to all who replied for the suggestions!

(IMG:http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/swipper74/DSCF0164.jpg)

(IMG:http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/swipper74/DSCF0165.jpg)

(IMG:http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/swipper74/DSCF0166.jpg)

(IMG:http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/swipper74/DSCF0168.jpg)

(IMG:http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/swipper74/DSCF0171.jpg)

This post has been edited by swipper74: May 30 2008, 04:24 PM

Here is 20% in the rear and 35% up front
(IMG:http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/ImpSS/Sonata/june07001.jpg)


Now i have 5% all the way around

(IMG:http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/ImpSS/Sonata/DSC00135.jpg)

Maybe it's just me / the angle / the sun but it seems REALLY light for a 35% tint. What brand/type did you get?

Seriously consider the strip up front. Mine was like $25 to get it done. I also had them match the factory curve so it doesn't dip low on the sides. A little more work but easier to see and matches factory shape.

I don't know the brand, but I told shop 35% and that is also what was marked on the receipt. It does look a little darker in person, maybe because of the location or sun position? I am interested in getting the strip you are talking about, I'll have to look into it next week.

I thought so too.

It could be my imagination, but after I had mine done, it seemed to darken a bit over the first few days. It looked a little light at first but it's perfect now.

Probably just the angle. When I look in my Garage pics one angle it looks nice and dark and the other like it's barely there.