20% or 30% tint on side windows?

[mjezzi]

I did some AI assisted calculations on what tint levels match with the factory tint on rear windows as described in the other post that measured the factory VLT percentages. Here are the results:

30% front most closely matches rear windows.
20% front would match rear windows with factory tint + 70% tint.

I can’t decide which way I want to go. I have 30% tint on my other cars, but I feel like there’s not much privacy.

If I go 20%, would it feel too dark at night?

please don’t recommend anything outside of these two options.

Thanks!

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[Cyber_Punk_SFL]

I’ve tinted my last 3 Tesla’s with 15% llumar IRX on the front windows, and it has been perfect. Still can see at night for the most part. I agree 30% is not enough if you want privacy, only 5%– 15% give you that. I also tint the front windshield as well to reduce light coming in the front, this helps cut down the overall ambient light in the vehicle.

 

[bongulous]

I pretty much did a uniform match, 20% front 70% rear and to be honest it’s decent but not crazy privacy. Driving at night with 20% is not really an issue at all in my opinion. But if privacy is mainly what you’re looking for 20% isn’t enough and you’ll have to go darker.

 

[L3it3R]

30% ceramic on the truck and the model 3 - plenty dark since it makes it a bit difficult to see in my unlit neighborhood at night

 

[rlhamil]

The legal level of window tint varies by US state (also doubtless varies in other countries). I found this:
https://tintwiz.com/window-tint-laws-by-state

 

[mjezzi]

I’ve tinted my last 3 Tesla’s with 15% llumar IRX on the front windows, and it has been perfect. Still can see at night for the most part. I agree 30% is not enough if you want privacy, only 5%– 15% give you that. I also tint the front windshield as well to reduce light coming in the front, this helps cut down the overall ambient light in the vehicle.

If I’m not willing to go to 15%, I wonder if I should just forget about 20% and stick with 30%

 

[mjezzi]

I pretty much did a uniform match, 20% front 70% rear and to be honest it’s decent but not crazy privacy. Driving at night with 20% is not really an issue at all in my opinion. But if privacy is mainly what you’re looking for 20% isn’t enough and you’ll have to go darker.

Sounds like if I’m not willing to go below 20%, I might as well give up privacy and go with 30%.

 

[mjezzi]

30% ceramic on the truck and the model 3 - plenty dark since it makes it a bit difficult to see in my unlit neighborhood at night

This is what I have as well. Not much privacy, but really enhances the look, still legal in Colorado, and great heat rejection.

 

[mjezzi]

I just picked up our cybertruck today. When I asked the guy what the factory tint was, he said it’s 20% and 20% on the fronts would match. I asked what the Y has in the rear (because we own one) and he said 20% too. I told him we have 30% and it looks like it matches. He said that tint is a little funny, both can look like they match.

He also said if I add 70% to the back windows, they will look darker and you need 15% in the front to match.

Anyways 30% would have been more practical and would have looked it matched fine, but I went with 20% just to have a bit more privacy since there’s so much cybertruck hate out there.

 

[bongulous]

I just picked up our cybertruck today. When I asked the guy what the factory tint was, he said it’s 20% and 20% on the fronts would match. I asked what the Y has in the rear (because we own one) and he said 20% too. I told him we have 30% and it looks like it matches. He said that tint is a little funny, both can look like they match.

He also said if I add 70% to the back windows, they will look darker and you need 15% in the front to match.

Anyways 30% would have been more practical and would have looked it matched fine, but I went with 20% just to have a bit more privacy since there’s so much cybertruck hate out there.

Idk if you got it done yet but this is how it’ll look with the tint match. Looks great and I have no issues seeing at night.

 

[Cyber_Punk_SFL]

I just picked up our cybertruck today. When I asked the guy what the factory tint was, he said it’s 20% and 20% on the fronts would match. I asked what the Y has in the rear (because we own one) and he said 20% too. I told him we have 30% and it looks like it matches. He said that tint is a little funny, both can look like they match.

He also said if I add 70% to the back windows, they will look darker and you need 15% in the front to match.

Anyways 30% would have been more practical and would have looked it matched fine, but I went with 20% just to have a bit more privacy since there’s so much cybertruck hate out there.

Yeah your not likely going to notice a 10% difference so both 20% and 30% will look similar when placed next to each other and most people will hardly notice a difference. I’m picky and go for 15% on my front sides for privacy.

 

[Jack27]

Disagree with thinking the 30% is not noticeable difference from 20%. We did 30% on our first M3 and it was a bit to light. That had black interior. I did 20% on my second M3 with white interior and it was way darker and better
I did 20% on my CT all around and roof with 70% windshield and it’s perfect match to the rear and darkness
The thing about 30% is you will find many times during the day in the sun when you look at it isn’t dark enough yes it will look perfect at night but the 20% is good day and night
IMO

 

[Ken in Miami]

When I had mine wrapped they called their tint guy who installed pre cut side windows to match the tint on back windows and it looks like a match ( you cannot see in if no lights on in car. He did the front windshield very dark. I’m sure you could get stopped for it. I have had many police in Florida drive by me without incident. Here what would most likely happen is a citation that would require compliance. I am in at 250 all windows so no big deal if I had to remove. In the keys and south Florida you will bake without good tints in the summer. The sentry mode catches many people cupping their hands to see into vehicle.
My windshield is very dark, almost too dark on some nights. Have the tint guy match it to your preference.

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