To tint or not? Any regrets?

[Kamuelaflyer]

What about tinting the rear sides or hatch for heat reduction to help keep my kid from frying in the back seat? Does the factory tint on the rear windows already do a good job of heat rejection or would putting a layer of 60-70% ceramic tint on all side windows be worth it (I don't want something that is hard to see out at night)?

The rear sides are already at 80% built in tint. Check your state laws regarding tinting to see if you’re allowed to go darker. Out here, you could, but they’re already quite dark.

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[kirkus02]

What about tinting the rear sides or hatch for heat reduction to help keep my kid from frying in the back seat? Does the factory tint on the rear windows already do a good job of heat rejection or would putting a layer of 60-70% ceramic tint on all side windows be worth it (I don't want something that is hard to see out at night)?

intrigued by this question too. I went and got my two front side windows tinted (35% XPEL Prime XR...looks GREAT, will post a pic soon). When the guy was done, he recommended that i put some kind of film on the rear windows too for heat rejection. I appreciated that it was a total soft sell, I would've been turned off if he was pushing it too hard. But all that, it got me thinking to ask the good people on the forum their thoughts on if the factory tinted rear windows offer sufficient heat protection? Similar to @db4z, I have a child cruisin in the back!

 

[SnBGC]

What about tinting the rear sides or hatch for heat reduction to help keep my kid from frying in the back seat? Does the factory tint on the rear windows already do a good job of heat rejection or would putting a layer of 60-70% ceramic tint on all side windows be worth it (I don't want something that is hard to see out at night)?

So far all of the rear seat passengers have been comfortable. No issues with the factory tint on rear doors or the glass roof. This is during the daytime in extreme temps. 115+ degrees.

I am blown away by the heat rejection capabilities of the glass roof. I am aware of the sun of course but not enough to consider installing a shade.

I did tint my front doors and a visor band on the windshield. Made a huge difference.

 

[BMT1071]

So far all of the rear seat passengers have been comfortable. No issues with the factory tint on rear doors or the glass roof. This is during the daytime in extreme temps. 115+ degrees.

I am blown away by the heat rejection capabilities of the glass roof. I am aware of the sun of course but not enough to consider installing a shade.

I did tint my front doors and a visor band on the windshield. Made a huge difference.

Did you go with a ceramic film, or just relying on the lower light transmission?

 

[Fury16]

intrigued by this question too. I went and got my two front side windows tinted (35% XPEL Prime XR...looks GREAT, will post a pic soon). When the guy was done, he recommended that i put some kind of film on the rear windows too for heat rejection. I appreciated that it was a total soft sell, I would've been turned off if he was pushing it too hard. But all that, it got me thinking to ask the good people on the forum their thoughts on if the factory tinted rear windows offer sufficient heat protection? Similar to @db4z, I have a child cruisin in the back!

We too have kiddos in the backseat. So far no complaints from them but I wonder if we shouldn’t consider a film for heat rejection. I’m unsure if the factory rear windows offer any heat rejection or not. Anyone know the answer?

 

[SnBGC]

Did you go with a ceramic film, or just relying on the lower light transmission?

Yes, he used Suntek ceramic. We went as dark as is legal for AZ.

 

[BMT1071]

Yes, he used Suntek ceramic. We went as dark as is legal for AZ.

That looks great!

 

[db4z]

Just doing the front windows would be cheaper. Looks like texas allows any darkness for the back side windows and 25% for the rest. I would also like to know if the factory rear and roof tint has good UV protection.

 

[sockmeister]

What about tinting the rear sides or hatch for heat reduction to help keep my kid from frying in the back seat? Does the factory tint on the rear windows already do a good job of heat rejection or would putting a layer of 60-70% ceramic tint on all side windows be worth it (I don't want something that is hard to see out at night)?

We too have kiddos in the backseat. So far no complaints from them but I wonder if we shouldn’t consider a film for heat rejection. I’m unsure if the factory rear windows offer any heat rejection or not. Anyone know the answer?

The factory tint does not have the same deliberate heat rejection qualities as a good tint film would have. Any heat rejection is due to the smoked factory glass, which rejects a percentage of all light.

Short answer: Yes, it has some, but it would have a lot more if you applied a window film tint, too, especially those which reject IR radiation.

The roof glass and windshield have IR rejection from the factory.

 

[db4z]

The factory tint does not have the same deliberate heat rejection qualities as a good tint film would have. Any heat rejection is due to the smoked factory glass, which rejects a percentage of all light.

Short answer: Yes, it has some, but it would have a lot more if you applied a window film tint, too, especially those which reject IR radiation.

The roof glass and windshield have IR rejection from the factory.

Ok thanks. Then maybe I'll plan on just putting a light 80 or 90% ceramic tint (~50% total solar energy rejection) on the back windows and then something darker on the fronts. If it doesn't make the back passenger windows noticeably darker then I can probably skip the little rear quarter windows.

 

[zhackwyatt]

Ok thanks. Then maybe I'll plan on just putting a light 80 or 90% ceramic tint (~50% total solar energy rejection) on the back windows and then something darker on the fronts. If it doesn't make the back passenger windows noticeably darker then I can probably skip the little rear quarter windows.

I have 35 all around, 70 on front windshield. It's a little hard to see out the rear through the rearview mirror at night. Maybe one step up for the rear and back windows would be better.

 

[krafty81]

Did the max in CA which is only 70%. I drive up and down the coast and it makes a huge difference in heat coming in, plus the windows just look "slick" with a bit of tint. 250 at my local place, used top of the line 3M.

 

[Kabish]

Did the max in CA which is only 70%. I drive up and down the coast and it makes a huge difference in heat coming in, plus the windows just look "slick" with a bit of tint. 250 at my local place, used top of the line 3M.

Have to be careful though, 70% is the darkest it can go on the front windows. Given the glass already has tint, you are basically putting clear tint on so you need to go with the good stuff to get the heat rejection.

I used to have a F150 and had 35% put on my driver/passenger windows. Owned the truck for 4yrs and never once had an issue. Place where I get my tint done had said 35% is the sweet spot for police. Go much darker than that, and you might have issues.. Believe the back passenger widows were 18%. That said, if a cop wants to be a prick they can nail you for the front tint.

 

[CarbonizedHex]

Just got my Carbonized Gray tinted today, they said rear was 28% so I opted for 25% on front and 70% ceramic for the windshield to limit heat as much as possible. Looks great with all one tint color, similar to post #36. Will be parked in the sun this weekend and will try to remember to report back!

Edit: forgot to add the cost, I paid 80 for the front windows and 170 for the windshield

 

[timbop]

That said, if a cop wants to be a prick they can nail you for the front tint.

In NJ you can't tint the front windows or the windshield at all. I live in a large suburban town with an oversized police department that views itself as a revenue generator. We've got over 70 bored cops in a quiet town of 45,000 people.

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