Tint Decision Help - 35 & 20, 20 all around, or 35 all around

[emerscape]

Have to get my wagen tinted before the end of september (long story) so need to make a decision pretty quikly (this isn't rocket science). Essentially I can't decide between these three options:

1. 35% all around
2. 35% front windows and 20% back windows
3. 20% all around

I had 20% all around on my previous Jeep Cherokee but it was annoying to get inspected because in MA the darkest you can have the fronts is 35%. Wasn't a huge hassle, only got denied once in 4 years. I did like the look, but if 35% front and 20% back gets me pretty close then I'd rather not deal with the inspection issues.

Does anyone have any pictures that can help me make my decision? I've seen some pictures on here but would be helpfull to get all three combinations to evaluate.

 

[nikhsub1]

Seems stupid to go with 20 on the fronts if you need to get inspected. Seems to me your decision should be going 35% in front and 20% rear (which is exactly what I've done) or just go 35% all around.

 

[emerscape]

any reason to go with 35% all around vs. 35% front and 20% rear? Does having inconsistency in the tint between front and back look bad?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Cogen Man]

Option #1. My $0.02.

 

[Fordcougar]

I went with 35% all around, instead of 35/20. I really don't like the way the mismatched tints look, I'd rather a uniform look.

I had 20% all around on my other car, had to have it changed when I moved states, I still hate the way it looks, but I don't care to change it now.
But our JSW is SolarGuard(27)35% all around, its a nice balance.
Here are a couple images, now with the tan interior the windows can seem lighter.
Depending on angle, it can look light or dark.

With your black car(and I assume black interior) it'll look different.

 

[btcost]

I just did 35% all around today. I'll post some pics soon

Platinum Grey/ black. so with the black interior, in all but direct sunlight, it looks really dark.

I see your in Boston!

go to tint-king in Billerica, MA
they are the best. While I was there a Golf TDI was just getting finished

Tint King will do darker rear if you want

 

[crashtested]

I went with 35% all around, instead of 35/20. I really don't like the way the mismatched tints look, I'd rather a uniform look.

To each their own I guess.
Here is mine with 50/40/30

 

[ksing44]

To each their own I guess.
Here is mine with 50/40/30

I think the fade looks great! it is something I would consider if were trying to get tint in my state, Pennsylvania, that does not allow anything on the front. My shorter Golf TDI might not be long enough to pull it off, but it does look good on the JSW.

 

[GraniteRooster]

I think the fade looks great! it is something I would consider if were trying to get tint in my state, Pennsylvania, that does not allow anything on the front. My shorter Golf TDI might not be long enough to pull it off, but it does look good on the JSW.

I have the same problem here in NH - no front tint allowed. Considering 35% myself, but hmmmmm... I agree the fade looks good! 50/35 maybe?

 

[stump]

Here are few of mine..20% all the way around...

 

[BovvyD]

I did 15 in the back and 30 up front. Looks nice, also helps with the glare at night.

My last car had 5% on all the windows (previous owner) and it was god awful. Plus the tint was ****e, so it didn't block much heat.

 

[ksing44]

I have the same problem here in NH - no front tint allowed. Considering 35% myself, but hmmmmm... I agree the fade looks good! 50/35 maybe?

One good thing about a fade for a state that allows no front tint, it may make it look less obvious that the front has any tint. It will be darker than normal, but may not look like it is compared to the rear. Then a little blend to avoid the dramatic transition which I don't prefer. I think I would likely try to do the same as the JSW on my Golf TDI 4-door. I have the 3rd small window in the rear, so I could do that the darkest along with the hatch and then transition to the rear passenger window and on to the front driver's side window.

 

[GraniteRooster]

One good thing about a fade for a state that allows no front tint, it may make it look less obvious that the front has any tint.

Same thought occurred to me - might try 85/50/35 or 85/35 and see if it would sneak by. I'd like to have something on the fronts.

FordCougar and Stump - you guys with your smoothly tinted white wagons are killing me - they look awesome!!! I would so prefer 35% all 'round, but pointless tint laws in the "Live Free or Die"

 

[veedubfreak]

I went 30% all around because I can't see for crap at night and didn't want it too dark.

 

[Rbet]

I did 35 on the front and 20 in the rear on my Golf, I also got 5 on the upper portion of my windshield. As I was waiting for them to finish my car btcost showed up to get his JSW tinted. I also would recommend Tint King in Billerica, the guys do a great job there and will go over all your options with you.

 

[sway162]

20% or 35% all around looks great....much cleaner IMHO. I will tinting mine 20% all around soon. With the panoramic sunroof, it really isn't all that much darker during the day.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I added 32 to stock tint and probably am in the high 20s overall. Haven't had any trouble with inspection in MA, but I have a pretty lenient inspection station (PM me if you want to use them). They've never checked the tint. I was talking to btcost about this the other day and initially said I wasn't really happy with the tint and wouldn't do it again, but I do like the car staying cooler. Only thing I don't like is backing up at night.

 

[skwirlmaster]

I'd go with the 35 all around if your interior is black. its dark enough.
Here is mine with suntek carbon - 55 up front and 35 rear.

 

[skwirlmaster]

here it is again. I couldn't figure out how to post a pic at first.

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[axnels2]

Just a heads up... I recently installed a metallic 29% tint which I really like, but it rendered my Garmin and phone GPS useless inside a car.... Be warned, If that's important to you. I find 29% great in eliminating glare and definitely keeps my car cooler.

 

[GraniteRooster]

Just a heads up... I recently installed a metallic 29% tint which I really like, but it rendered my Garmin and phone GPS useless inside a car.... Be warned, If that's important to you. I find 29% great in eliminating glare and definitely keeps my car cooler.

What brand tint?

 

[BovvyD]

Go with ceramic, no problems with reception.

 

[mischievousMk6]

I went with 35% all around. I don't care for the split % look front to back. Not too dark, not too light IMO...

Pictures are hard, because the same car with the same tint will look different depending on how bright outside, what angle the sun is at, and camera settings. Hope this helps anyways.

 

[AndySRT]

I'm getting mine done this weekend 35% all around. I'll post pics as soon as it is done.

 

[Fordcougar]

mischievous is correct about photos of tint. I would say his pictures are very representative of 35%

 

[axnels2]

What brand tint?

I am not sure but I think its sunguard...

 

[btcost]

Pics as promised:





This one shows my 300D which also has 35 all around

 

[romka7]

I got 20% all around and have no issues. I, also put llumar air blue 80 on the windshield, can't even tell its on there, but it still rejects 99.9UV and 47% heat. Might also be an option for those that can't tint your front doors due to laws.

 

[btcost]

I would love windshield tint, but here in MA the inspection sticker goes there. and it gets scraped off and replaced every year

 

[BovvyD]

I would love windshield tint, but here in MA the inspection sticker goes there. and it gets scraped off and replaced every year

They do a cutout where the sticker goes.