Post Your Tinted Windows

[zhp43867]

My ZHP sedan had what I believe to be 35% tint on the rear sides and rear window when I bought it. My new ZHP doesn't have any. I am debating between 40% all around or 40% sides, 30% rear window.

I was thinking it'd be nice if we could start a thread to gauge window tint on various ZHPs and configurations.

- Try and keep the pictures in some sort of day light- night pictures are harder to figure out.
- Please post no more than two photos two keep the thread concise.

Format:

- Coupe or Sedan
- Does your car have a sunroof/was the shade open.
- Interior color
- Percentage tint
- Type if you know it (ceramic, metallic, etc)
- Describe the lighting (cameras compensate), harsh- middle of the day, dim light, etc.

I'll start:

- Sedan
- Sunroof- shade open
- Black leather/silver cube
- (Not sure) I believe 35% on rear sides and rear window:
- Type unknown
- Pictures taken at sunset or just before

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4493/p1050903.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/84/p1050892d.jpg

Please post the info with pictures otherwise this thread will only be another- post pictures thread!

[M0nk3y]

Tint is tint, so ill post mine.

30% Madico Advanced Ceramic. Black Interior, Sunlight around 1pm

Camera Phone pic, no edits

http://img.tapatalk.com/aefcc169-4e1d-135e.jpg

Sent using mental telepathy

[webster]

coupe, alcantara/black interior, sunroof closed, 1st two pics are mid afternoon, last are late afternoon/early evening, 35% tint, not sure of brand/type but pretty sure its just standard tint. its nice and dark and i like it.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k433/wtolson/ZHP%20Pics/DSCN0234.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k433/wtolson/ZHP%20Pics/DSCN0235.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k433/wtolson/ZHP%20Pics/DSCN0175.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k433/wtolson/ZHP%20Pics/DSCN0172.jpg

[328ioc]

Imola with sunroof and alcantara don't know if the shade was open or not.

First pic is pre tint. Second pic is full sunlight with 30% all around.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[midlandtech]

Format:

- Sedan
- sunroof shade closed
- Interior grey leather
- Percentage tint= 35%
- basic non metallic non ceramic
- evening patchy clouds in the area

Pic in sig

[antcamp]

15% on all the doors, 5% on the rear window

[zhp43867]

Well lets try and keep this thread where it was meant to go. Don't mean to be harsh but if you're going to post your tint percentage please post pictures too, even if you've posted pictures elsewhere on the forum...

[danewilson77]

20%


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6292092925_224339c446_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6292092925/)
Imola Sig Logo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dw77zhpmafia/6292092925/) by Dane Wilson77 (http://www.flickr.com/people/dw77zhpmafia/), on Flickr

[Ryans323i]

Format:

- Sedan
- Sunroof, sunshade closed
- Tan seats, everything else black
- 22%
- Not sure, but it's Llumar
- Outside, late afternoon-evening lighting


http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/Ryanscar2.jpg

[johnrando]

Really like that picture of Lucy! The red on all black really separates/stands out.

[nike001]

At work yesterday, there was a guy there tinting cars. He was doing 20% on a new 550GT and it looked perfect. Though his 20% seems a lot more like the OP Dereks car. Nowhere near close to Ryans car. I got his business card in hopes of future work with him after seeing how perfect his work was on the 550.

[zhp43867]

At work yesterday, there was a guy there tinting cars. He was doing 20% on a new 550GT and it looked perfect. Though his 20% seems a lot more like the OP Dereks car. Nowhere near close to Ryans car. I got his business card in hopes of future work with him after seeing how perfect his work was on the 550.

What color was the interior? Also- don't the 5 GTs have big sunroofs? I think those kinds of things effect the look a lot.

[cakM3]

- Does have a sunroof - shade closed
- Interior color: Grey/Black two tone
- Percentage tint: 35%
- Type of tint: Pinnacle Series - a proprietary non-metallized, non-conductive, ceramic technology film
- Describe the lighting (cameras compensate): Mid morning in Newport Rhode Island by the ocean with very light clouds, still bright morning.

My ///M3 - 35% tint side and rear windows
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ScreenShot2011-12-28at73305PM-1.png

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ScreenShot2011-12-28at73224PM.png

This pic, one of my favorites with the ///M was taken during a 1,400 mile road trip to the mid-west. This was taken at 08:00am when I was leaving my hotel. The skies were clear that morning. Shading from buildings highlight the tint making it appear darker than it actually is. I love the effect :thumbsup

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/photo-6.jpg

The pic below also shows my ZHP which has 35% tint on side and rear windows. Not sure what type of tint though.

- ZHP sedan
- black alcantara interior

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ScreenShot2011-12-28at73101PM.png

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ScreenShot2011-12-28at73851PM.png

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/ScreenShot2011-12-28at73339PM.png

Here is a good side view of my ZHP....again, this is only 35% tint. Pic below was taken during early afternoon with clear skies.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/macdctr/Aug12ZHP03.jpg

[nike001]

CakM3, Do you see any differences between the two tints? I like how the 35% looks on your M, but the tint is seemingly lighter on the ZHP. Maybe it has to do with the exterior color?


What color was the interior? Also- don't the 5 GTs have big sunroofs? I think those kinds of things effect the look a lot.

It was silver on black. It was also inside w/ a light just over the windshield.. which may have made the interior seem brighter.

[cakM3]

CakM3, Do you see any differences between the two tints? I like how the 35% looks on your M, but the tint is seemingly lighter on the ZHP. Maybe it has to do with the exterior color?

To be honest, I can't tell the difference between the levels of tint between both cars although I will add that the tint in the ///M is of higher quality. Eventually when I start driving to the DC area with the ZHP over the summer for my business trip, I will be taking out the old tint for a better quality tint like what I have in my ///M. There is a place in Manassas, VA (LA Window Tint) who did my ///M. They did an awesome job, so they will be doing my ZHP when the time comes...:thumbsup


I know you are going to ask me how I know between the quality of tints.... when the sun is shining at an off angle to my window tint on both cars, the tint in my ///M is clear. Looking through the tint in the ZHP it looks like there's a layer of dust throughout the window, basically the entire tint surface. That sort of bugs me even though I have no visibility problems. I would prefer to have a cleaner look, that's all.

[Ryans323i]

I thought this was a neat view of my tint. Again, it's 22%. I thought it was 20% but I just had it tested for state inspection.

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm142/aprilsmom04/door1.jpg

I have no visibility issues during the day or even when it's cloudy. At night, my visibility out the rear window is near nil, unless I'm in the city with street lamps.

[cakM3]

Lucy looks sweet Ryan, nice two tone! :drool

[M0nk3y]

I forgot about the old pictures I can still find:

35% Solar Guard Standard - Sides & Rear
50% Madico Standard - Front Windshield
5% Madico Standard - Sunroof

Pictures were in somewhat cloudy skies. Sunroof shade was pulled back and was open. Tan interior. I know I will get crap for having the windshield. It was nice, but I will never do it again. Backroads with nothing else than your headlights was borderline dangerous. I'd admit my mistakes when I make them...that was one of them:

http://i.imgur.com/Py5thh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xppq9h.jpg

Good Idea of what 35% looks like looking out:

http://i.imgur.com/530q4h.jpg

[Washburn]

40% Llumar ATR Series (sides/back)
metallic
have a sun roof, but it was closed
black alacantara
taken at daylight - noon-ish

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/nishang/DSC_0213.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/nishang/DSC_0214.jpg

[nike001]

^That seems way darker than 40%

[Washburn]

yeah it must be the angle...they are 40% for sure though...

This pic might be more 'real'?
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b176/nishang/DSC_0215.jpg

[zhp43867]

Could it be because the car is white, coupled with the often higher reflectivity of metallic tint? It looks good though!

[dyintorace]

Perhaps a silly question, but how do tint percentages work? I'd like to get my ZHP sedan tinted, but prefer something lighter rather than darker. I also still want to be able to see into the car when looking at it from the outside. My only goal is some heat relief, given that I live in Florida. But I definitely don't want it super dark.

[Ryans323i]

How does window film work. (http://www.tintcenter.com/articles/bt_works.html) This is pretty informative.

Check your state laws regarding tint limitations. They're usually spot on for a nice balance of viability and cooling. NC's is 35%, which is dark enough to keep the car cooler but not so dark so you can still see into the car.

[dyintorace]

How does window film work. (http://www.tintcenter.com/articles/bt_works.html) This is pretty informative.

Check your state laws regarding tint limitations. They're usually spot on for a nice balance of viability and cooling. NC's is 35%, which is dark enough to keep the car cooler but not so dark so you can still see into the car.

Thanks for the article! I'll read up on it before trying to find a local installed. I did check FL laws. They allow 28% on front windows and 15% on back windows. From what I can tell, that is WAY darker than I want to go.

[M0nk3y]

Perhaps a silly question, but how do tint percentages work? I'd like to get my ZHP sedan tinted, but prefer something lighter rather than darker. I also still want to be able to see into the car when looking at it from the outside. My only goal is some heat relief, given that I live in Florida. But I definitely don't want it super dark.

Tint percentage is the amount of light that is still being allowed through the film. So if you have 35%, only 35% of 100% of light is getting passed through into the car (well not really, but I'll get to that later).

When you apply tint, the meter readings (showing how much light is getting passed through) will always appear lower. Why? Because your OEM windows already have factory tint (very little though where you don't know).

For example, 35% on my E46 metered at 32%. The front windshield, which was 50% metered at 38%. See the difference? If you want to follow the law and be completely legal, realize that if the law is 35%, going with a film that's rated at 35% will probably yield you a ticket if you get pulled over, metered and the officer really wants to be picky and ticket you for 3-4% off.

If you want to keep light w/out being dark, look into ceramic tint. You can get the same UV and heat rejection at 50% as standard 20% film. It's a huge difference.

Here is the details on my Ceramic Film:

Visible Light
Film Trans ReflExt ReflInt SHGC UV Rejected Tser SC
MAC 3000 38% 16% 15% 0.43 99% 57% 0.50

Versus the standard Madico Film, on darkest Tint where TSER (Total Solar Energy Rejected) is only 51% (versus 57% with 30% tint)

See the difference?

[dyintorace]

Interesting! I will check out the ceramic options. I'd really like to replicate what was on my Touring (pics below). But since the car was tinted when I bought it, I have no idea what it was.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/tuckerryals/2002%20325iT/IMG_1693.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/tuckerryals/2002%20325iT/DSC_0389-1.jpg

[Ryans323i]

Just gotta say, that Touring is :drool!

[dyintorace]

Just gotta say, that Touring is :drool!

Thanks and agreed. I miss it. Silver over black, manual trans, sport & premium pkgs. :(

It looked even better once I got the clear corners on. I got lucky and found someone selling OEM Touring clear rears, which are super rare. Once I found those, I jumped on them. I think what made the car look really neat is the painted body moulding. The PO did that, along with the roof rails, and it really made the car. When I see a Touring now, the black strip really jumps out at me.

[danewilson77]

Interesting! I will check out the ceramic options. I'd really like to replicate what was on my Touring (pics below). But since the car was tinted when I bought it, I have no idea what it was.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/tuckerryals/2002%20325iT/IMG_1693.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u274/tuckerryals/2002%20325iT/DSC_0389-1.jpg

Dayum :drool

Was the luggage rack paint matched?

[nike001]

I'd rock the hell out of that Touring.

[johnrando]

Tint percentage is the amount of light that is still being allowed through the film. So if you have 35%, only 35% of 100% of light is getting passed through into the car (well not really, but I'll get to that later).

When you apply tint, the meter readings (showing how much light is getting passed through) will always appear lower. Why? Because your OEM windows already have factory tint (very little though where you don't know).

For example, 35% on my E46 metered at 32%. The front windshield, which was 50% metered at 38%. See the difference? If you want to follow the law and be completely legal, realize that if the law is 35%, going with a film that's rated at 35% will probably yield you a ticket if you get pulled over, metered and the officer really wants to be picky and ticket you for 3-4% off.

If you want to keep light w/out being dark, look into ceramic tint. You can get the same UV and heat rejection at 50% as standard 20% film. It's a huge difference.

Here is the details on my Ceramic Film:

Visible Light
Film Trans ReflExt ReflInt SHGC UV Rejected Tser SC
MAC 3000 38% 16% 15% 0.43 99% 57% 0.50

Versus the standard Madico Film, on darkest Tint where TSER (Total Solar Energy Rejected) is only 51% (versus 57% with 30% tint)

See the difference?

Good info Ryan and Monk, thanks.

[dyintorace]

Dayum :drool

Was the luggage rack paint matched?

Yep. Luckily I sold the car to a local friend, so I still get to see it. :)

[MrMaico]

Mine showed 32% on the official NDHP light meter so I assume it's probably 35%. Not sure on the sunshade in my shots, black leather interior.

Here is a shot on an overcast day on my way home from buying it in Vegas. Window open to give some idea of what it looks like from the inside. Comparing the side windows to the untinted windshield from inside it isn't all that much of a difference.

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-333Ci/IMG0145/688428701_5kaEL-XL.jpg

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-333Ci/IMG0154/637069239_r6rs8-XL.jpg

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-333Ci/IMG0353/698703627_9FRHk-XL.jpg

Shade is probably closed on this one....

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-333Ci/aaaaa/1067856064_29VuS-XL.jpg

Found one with the sunroof open.....

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-333Ci/IMG0232/641118786_nMpDk-XL.jpg