Hello! Long time no see Soompi-Car-forumers =D

I filled out my income tax stuff yesterday (you guys should too if you didn't yet!). With return that I will receive in... probably a month, I am going to spend a portion of it on window tinting!

So I have a question:
1) Is there something I need to know about tinting?
-certain "rules", types, maintenance, color (if applicable), procedure, etc
2) Approximately how much will it cost?
-I don't think it matters, but my car's a Sentra

And importantly, can you guys give me a recommendation on where to get it done? (if it's one of those big companies)
Better yet, if you live in Southern California, will you recommend me a place? (preferably southern Orange County because I live there)

Thanks all!
(more questions will follow )

3m tint, solargard tint....

u want to go with brand name tints....cheap tint will fade and turn purple and peel....

also if u use cheap tint when u decide to take it off you will have a real hard time

pricing for tinting windows correlates to number of windows and maybe size.

if you're tinting all 4 windows and the rear....prolly run you 150(cheap) - 200 dollars.

i tinted 2 small ass windows and a rear window for 100 bucks.

the shade of tint is determined by how much light is let through.

the lower the percentage the darker the tint

limo - 5% to barely tinted - 50%

usually 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 35%

if you want something dark id recommend 20%

thats what i have on my car...u can check pics out on my sig....

if you want something lighter 35% is the way to go....

youll prolly be pulled over by the local authorities with anything darker than 20%.

hope that helps

in california law is you can tint the back windows any %
the only ones you CANT tint is windshield and front 2 windows
BUT everyone tints them anyways lol (i think i have 35? in front and 15% in the back)
just an fyi

Hmmm anyone have pictures of a car with 35-40%?
I think Louisiana law is 40 for windshield and front windows; the back can be darker, but I want the tint on the car I'm gonna get to be uniform.

i think it might differt for differt cars...also black or dark interior will make it look darker than it really is

^ooo good to know
I didn't consider the interior.

like xpdavidd said it is generally around 150-200 depending on the car. Most shops I've been to have different levels/grades of tint. I suggest skipping the lowest and moving onto at least the semi-metallic ones which resist the sun better and repells more heat.

California law is no tint on the front two windows, but as long as you don't go too dark you should be ok. I think 50% is safe. I believe mine was 50 front/ 30 rear. The closer the tint % is (front back) the better it looks but I went 50/30 because I don't want trouble from the cops.

I got a front windshield visor tint which I recommend if your windshield doesn't come with the glass tint from factory. Just don't go more than... 12 inches? The tint shops should know.

Oh and make sure they have lifetime warranty on the films. If they don't, then don't even consider them.

Be careful with tint. There are some cars out there from car manufacturers that already have tint in the windows. For example, my friend's car has very light tint like 5% or whatever is. He didn't know it, but had tint done. Next week, he got pulled over and ticketed for illegal tint. Also, make sure the tint job is warranted. I don't want to waste my time and time again, to get tint re-done and pay for it. This is the reason why I don't tint because I don't know a lot of tint shops that are reputable. All tint shops are shady to me until I receive some feedback that the tint shop does quality work and good customer service.

You can put anything on nola cars. my little sister's car has 5% all the way around - the brake tag guys dont care, they just check to see if your lights, horn, and wipers work. You can always drive up with the front windows down too if you are worried about it. lol

As for the OP I would adhere to your state's laws if they are strict. I have 35% on my front windows and 20% on my back windows. I chose this combination because I wanted to stay legal and didn't need to give the popo another reason to pull me over. (they just love modded up cars huh?) It costed me 60 bucks to get tinted with 3m tint from this mexican guy at the Honda dealership. It never hurts to go up the the guy who actually does the tint and see if he would do your car 'on the side'. If you can't find someone who would do, then you would probably be looking at about $120 or so retail to get your car tinted.

My eyes are actually really sensitive to light, so I'm going to ask my eye doctor to test if I have some kind of hypersensitivity. If so, then I'm going to get 20's, maybe darker. If not, I'll just go 40's all the way.

How long does it usually take for people to tint a car?

40% is waaaay too light. i have 35% on the front and i always wish it were darker. 20% would be good. if the tinter is good and already has the layouts (patterns? templates? i have a brain fart...) then it shouldnt take longer than an hour. my car was done in 45 minutes.

^ Do you want it darker for aesthetic reasons, or because the sun is still a problem? I'm okay with the tint not looking so dark. The sun however, I despise.

i would like it darker because of light inside the car - the aesthetics i can really care less about, but i guess it is a plus also? 35% is a tad brighter than i would like, i think 20% or 25% would be the sweet spot. i would suggest against limo (5%-10%) if you needed any night vision. lol

^night vision's good
that's what i need when i go to fight crime with batman