I have a friend that wants to tint her car. She is getting limo tint all around (except the windshield). My question is, is limo tint legal? I always thought limo tint was 5% and wasn't legal in southern cali. Can someone tell me whats the most you can tint and still be legal? Thank you.

 

limo is not legal. it depends on where you are, i think here in FL it's 35%, don't quote me. your shop will be able to tell you (if they can't, don't get it done there)

 

in California ANY tint on the front drivers side or pass side windows is illegal. You can go limo on all the rest.

 

Correcto. You can get the benefit of UV protection by using a clear window film instead of a tinted film. I did a clear on both doors and the windshield of my Z. You can probably get away with this provided the cop doesnt make you scratch your windows to prove you dont have film on them. But yet, technically any film on the doors or the windshield is illegal, again, thats california state law. It does change from state to state.

 

I had 35% on my fronts and limo on the small sides and rear when I was in Cali. No cops messed with me, but if you give them a reason they will.

 

The California Motor Vehicle Code "Material Obstructing or Reducing Driver's View" section 26708 gives the provisions for tinting windows including the driver's side.

ETA: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

 

As people have already mentioned,
it's illegal to have tint on windshield, driver side window and front passenger window. On everything else, you can paint them with black and it won't matter.
Having said that, if your friend is living in Irvine and if she drives nice car, the cops won't usually stop you. http://g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71546
By the way, what's the meaning of "GO FOR BROKE" under your user name?

 

wtf is a clear window film?

 

Clear window film is exactally what it sounds like. Its like window tint film without a darkening agent (titanuim, charcoal, or aluminum). It has the same UV protectant properties without the cooling effect that darker tint has. Most people dont like to darken their windshields with window tint but still want to keep their dash boards and interiors from fading due to sun exposure. This is where "clear window film" comes in. Most people dont even notice that its there, but they do notice their interiors last quite a bit longer than their other cars without it. I've been applying it for years in my shop.

 

oh ok thanks. i want the blackness

 

Luke, what should be reasonable charge for front windshield? My tinter is quoting me $175 for just the front windshield at 80%. But its a full ceramic film. He'll do the remaining 5 for $200 (non-ceramic)

Also, since I want a non-metallic film, will it be the same quality as metallic? Quality to me means scratch resistance, fade/color change resistance and longevity. I don't want to pay for a full ceramic film on all windows, so it will be the basic dye film.

 

$175 seems like a bit much. 120 bucks at the most is what I would charge regardless of the material. He is however, giving you a pretty good deal on the remaining windows. All tints these days are made and darkened with some type of metal or mineral. Previously, they used dyes to make them darker. After time, these dyes would break down causing a gas to form under the film, thus the bubbling and purple effect. Most tint shops these days, if they dont want angry returning customers, will use the newer style quality films and even offer a lifetime warranty against fading, cracking, bubbling, and turning purple like my shop does.

To answer your question though, if the shop you are going through is reputable (not low budget) you shouldn't have a problem with any type of film you go with. For your front windshield I would recommend something that is not only light, but non reflective like a charcoal base film. This will prevent unwanted attention from the "fuzz" and will also allow you to see at night. No matter what kind of film you use, you will still benefit from the UV protection. Your interior will thank you later. Most, if not all films these days are scratch resistant and 99% UV protectant, even clear.

Do you happen to know which brand of film he is using? Solar Guard, Madico, 3M? All three are ones I use and are all top notch in quality. Happy tinting!

 

Z glass already has UV protection in it (don't know if the OP friends car is a Z though).

Chris

 

yeah in FL its 35% up front, and 20% in rear. that's the average range for most states.

 

Correct, all glass has UV deflection properties, but not nearly as much as window film. Its just another added layer of protection. I use ultraviolet detection cards to demonstrate the UV protection properties of my film using a piece of 350Z glass for all of my customers. You would be surprised how much UV actually transmits through Z glass even with the quote un-quote "factory UV protection." Its cheap insurance for your interior, thats all.