Tint Windows on Sedan

Balzer94 · Jun 24, 2016

Hey all,
Im looking to have my windows tinted on my new car. Ive been trying to do alot of research on what will get you in trouble with the law.

I know 35% is the legal limit. One shop told me 50% was the limit. I would like to go dark but dont want the hassle of getting pulled over. Im debating between 20% and 35%. Interior is black, exterior is vivid blue (chrysler color)

What percentage do you have and what run ins have you had with the police?

mopar92 · Jun 24, 2016

I would go no lower than 40%. Remember if you do go lower and get pulled over and don't have an exemption you'll be tearing it all off and then replacing it, or paying someone else to do it. Much cheaper/easier to just go light dark and avoid the hassles.

bmodzelewski · Jun 24, 2016

i think most car windows have a tiny bit of tint to them already.. might be like 3-4 %

20ravens52 · Jun 24, 2016

Never had any issues with 35%, which is technically probably under 30% when you factor in the slight factory tint on seemingly untinted windows.

But I don't think I'd risk any darker in the Socialist Republic of MD.

AACo · Jun 24, 2016

Darkness depends on the brand/type of tint. 50-55% is the darkest tint you can legally apply in MD over factory glass. Factory glass already blocks out a certain percent of light, but varies by make/model/manufacturer.

That said, I had 35% on my previous vehicle (Suntek CXP film) and 35% on my new vehicle (Huper Optik Ceramic film). Two totally different looks, and the ceramic film is more transparent than the carbon. With a dark interior, your tint will look darker. I think 35-40% is the perfect blend of shade/glare reduction, and also a bit of privacy.

This is my opinion but if your decide on any film less than 50-55%, pick any percent. If your windows would be tested by the police, you will get a fix it ticket for film from 5% to 45%. It's either legal (50%) or it isn't. 50% will make your windows a bit darker, but might not be the look you are going for.

Balzer94 · Jun 24, 2016

I was looking at using 3m standard film ( not their crystalline film)

AACo · Jun 24, 2016

Balzer94 said:
I was looking at using 3m standard film ( not their crystalline film)

Have them throw a test/scrap strip on your window to see how it looks to you. A reputable shop will do this.

The legal question is simple, but the percent is more of a personal taste.

This is my car w/ 35%.

Xshot · Jun 24, 2016

I've had tinted windows for 15 years in MD and never an issue. Been pulled over a few times, just drop all the windows before the cop comes up to the car- it'll make him feel more comfortable too being able to see in the car.
I've had 10-20% and no issues. Just had 20% put on the wife's car and it's great, have 20% on my truck Windows as well. No problems from the fuzz, it's never even been a worry honestly.

Brikhaus · Jun 24, 2016

The legal limit is 35%. You meed to specify to the tint shop that you want them at 35%, not to put 35% film on, clarify that you do not want them lower than the limit. As someone else pointed out, factory glass already has a level of tint, so putting 35% film on top of that will take you too low, and it is a pain if you are one of the unfortunate ones that does get the inspection paperwork for it, and have to get it removed.

Balzer94 · Jun 24, 2016

I was having tint and sound in frederick do the work ill ask them to throw up a sample so i can have a look at how 35 looks

Xshot · Jun 24, 2016

Legal tint AND 35% is freaking pointless. Don't even bother doing it unless you're going to actually darken the windows.

INMY01TA · Jun 25, 2016

I had %20 on my old Trans Am and got pulled over just for the tint once. I removed the tint, had the car signed off, then re tinted. I now have a pick up and an suv, both of which came from the factory with %20 tint on the rear windshield and the rear windows. I had the front drivers and passenger sides windows tinted %20 to match on both these vehicles and never had an issue.

6-Pack · Jun 25, 2016

Balzer94 said:
Hey all,
Im looking to have my windows tinted on my new car. Ive been trying to do alot of research on what will get you in trouble with the law.

I know 35% is the legal limit. One shop told me 50% was the limit. I would like to go dark but dont want the hassle of getting pulled over. Im debating between 20% and 35%. Interior is black, exterior is vivid blue (chrysler color)

What percentage do you have and what run ins have you had with the police?

35% is the legal limit. Your windows come from the factory with about a 70% tint. Throw another 35% tint on top of it and you'll be at 24.5% (35% of 70% = 24.5%). A 50% tint applied to windows with 70% will yield the legal 35% tint (50% of 70% = 35%).

I put 50% 3M crystalline on my truck because I wanted just a little something to cut down on glare. My mom put 35% all around her car (including windshield) and hasn't had any problems.

reddobie0 · Jun 25, 2016

Xshot said:
Legal tint AND 35% is freaking pointless. Don't even bother doing it unless you're going to actually darken the windows.

Agreed!

20% on all my cars. I have had windows tinted since the early 90's and only had a problem with some local cop in my town in PA 20 years ago, who had a thing about tinted windows. I had 5% on an old truck of mine and it was too dark at night, plus I almost hit somebody while doing a u-turn in OC. I pulled that off and now stick with 20% on the sides. I tint over the factory tint in the back of my SUV and pick-up with 20% too. Percentages can look different on other vehicles because of the size of windows and the such. So 20% on a sedan might not look as dark compared to a smaller car with less light coming in through the windows.

If you do 35% I think you will wish it was a little darker especially on a sedan. If I would get pulled over at night I always turned interior lights on so the cop can see in the car better.

sbmike · Jun 25, 2016

Just had mine done a few weeks ago. Went 35% on the front two windows (was told by tint shop owner that is the minimum legal in MD) and 20% for the three rear windows. The idea of paying someone to take off the illegal stuff and pay again for more to be installed just to be tacticool just didn't appeal to me, so why draw attention? It's a sports car which already draws enough attention as it is. But that's just me. I don't judge others on their choices.

INMY01TA · Jun 25, 2016

sbmike said:
Just had mine done a few weeks ago. Went 35% on the front two windows (was told by tint shop owner that is the minimum legal in MD) and 20% for the three rear windows. The idea of paying someone to take off the illegal stuff and pay again for more to be installed just to be tacticool just didn't appeal to me, so why draw attention? It's a sports car which already draws enough attention as it is. But that's just me. I don't judge others on their choices.

Hate to tell ya but for a car the three rear windows have to be 35% and up. Only trucks/SUVs can be 20% on the rears so you're non compliant.

GTOGUNNER · Jun 25, 2016

If I am not mistaken, MSP no longer carries tint gauges. Roll ur windows down.

Xshot · Jun 25, 2016

sbmike said:
Just had mine done a few weeks ago. Went 35% on the front two windows (was told by tint shop owner that is the minimum legal in MD) and 20% for the three rear windows. The idea of paying someone to take off the illegal stuff and pay again for more to be installed just to be tacticool just didn't appeal to me, so why draw attention? It's a sports car which already draws enough attention as it is. But that's just me. I don't judge others on their choices.

35% is the legal limit. The Windows come from the factory already tinted about 50-70%. So in order to be actually legal you can only get about 50% tiny put on. Yours being 35% means they're actually illegal and below the legal threshold.
Good one smart guy.

It also has nothing to do with being tacticool. It keeps the interior cooler, keeps the interior from being screwed up by the UV, and keeps peeping eyes from seeing in your car.

Augie · Jun 25, 2016

GTOGUNNER said:
If I am not mistaken, MSP no longer carries tint gauges. Roll ur windows down.

They still write tickets and you go to a MD State Insection Station for testing, I do have the meter and I do fail for tint. I don't recall ever having a customer with a SERO for tint only, usually it's in conjunction with a light out

GrimReaper · Jun 25, 2016

15% on all my vehicles and have never had a issue. Just roll your windows down if you get pulled over or if a cop is next to you.

35% is worthless. Not dark at all

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Tint Windows on Sedan

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