You have Solar Glass. It's a tint "inside" the glass and has a tint percentage of 0.74. The windshield has "about" a 95% UV protection built in. It was the UV damage that caused the cracked dashboards on car years ago. I think most car makers offer UV protection on their windshields.

Any tint you add will actually make the window darker due to the factory solar glass. Any tint percentage you are considering should be multiplied by .74 to give you the true tint shade. Example: Let's say you're wanting to put 35% tint on your windows to meet your particular tint laws in locale. Well, 35% tint x .74 = 25.9% tint factor. Will your law enforcement guys get on your case because you're 9% below minimum allowable tint? Hard to say.

I'm gambling on mine. Had 20% installed. State says 35%. When I do the math, I'm actually at 14.8%. Had this percentage on both the 2011 & 2013. So far, no problems. Of course, I don't drive like a madman, and "try"'to obey the rules and not draw any attention to myself.

And, since I have the sunroof, I also keep the shade pulled back to allow a little more sunlight in the car when the troopers pass. Been passed by many, State, Local, & Sheriff's, no prob. Been through other states, no problem. I think responsible driving goes a long way toward NOT getting stopped for the tint.

BTW: a 50% add-on tint will put you right about the neighborhood of 37%. Search your province or state's tint laws for the correct allowable percentage.

 

Very good thorough answer , I too have wondered about this.

 

Thanks. I do recall several posters in the past few years that were ticketed for their tints. Had to have it removed. I believe the legal boys have a metering device that they can hold up to your window and get the tint percentage reading.

You DO run the risk if you're not within legal limits. As long as you are aware that you are, ultimately responsible for those windows. And they (law) CAN & WILL hold you accountable if they decide to do so. Tinting and the Percent Of darkness is something that no one but you can decide upon.

 

Never had a tint done before.

What do you mean a minimum tint? Is a lower tint % == much darker looking window?

 

Is a lower tint % == much darker looking window?

The lower the tint #, the darker it will be. 50% dark, 35 even darker, and so on...all the way down to limo tint.

Rich is correct, but I wanted to add that the number given is the amount of light that passes through the tint. For example, 35% tint means that it actually blocks 65% of the light and allows the remaining 35% to pass through. As far as I know 5% "limo tint" is the darkest you can buy.

Here is a link to a youtube video showing the difference between the different levels...

 

If your state or province permits 35% (as an example), then that is the minimum amount you can install. 20% would be 15% below the minimum and, technically, illegal.

The lower the tint #, the darker it will be. 50% dark, 35 even darker, and so on...all the way down to limo tint.

 

Go to a tint shop that can show you your LEGAL options. The shop I've had all my cars done (7 and counting) at here in Nashville, which has been in business since 1975, will only do what is legal, and they put a small sticker on the driver's door glass that states it meets Tennessee's laws regarding tint.

 

Just remember to try and get ceramic based tint and not metallic. Since our radio antennas are in the rear window glass, metallic tint can affect reception a little. Ceramic doesn't do this.

 

Wow great responses from everyone, I wasn't sure I would get any reply's about that question, but i'm really glad I did - since it hadn't occured to me that if there is a slight tint to my windows now adding more will make it even darker.
I talked to one shop who said putting 30% all around on my "tinted glass" (.74%?) would be fine & he showed me a car that was having that done & had the light tint already in the glass - It looked great, not too dark but I am still going to caution myself a little & get lighter on the front & the 30% on the back 3. I think it'll be great!!
Fingers crossed after all this research I never get a ticket!!