I'm moving to LSU this Thursday and won't be able to keep my silver '04 Accord with Leather interior under a cover anymore, so I am interested in tinting my windows. Both my brother and my friend each have a silver '05 Accord, one with 13-15% and the other with 20% on every window except the windshield.

Is something like 13% too low to be able to see when backing up at night? I really can't decide.

The place I'm looking at having it done is very reputable but only offers 5, 13, 32, and 50, and I was leaning toward maybe something like 20-25%, which I can have done at another place I know of.

I used to drive a Ford Expedition, and I understand SUVs are generally tinted in the back with about 20%. Is this true? If so then I already know what it's like to back up in something with that low of a tint and that should help me with my decision.

Naturally I don't want cops' attention, but I'm trying to get a medical waiver.

I appreciate any advice or suggestions. What is 15-20% like when driving outside of a city?

 

Well my question is, do you want 20-25% light coming in or tinted? Every state has different standards on tints, some states have upto 50% tinted and some states don't allow your front 2 windows to be tinted. So, if I were you I would do some research first. Hope this helps.

 

As for as I know, 20% is cool on the rear glass, and any rear side facing windows. But, the front driver/passenger windows cannot be darker that 35%. I would suggest 35% all of the way around.....something with a good U/V rating. If you go 20% all around, you might attract attention. Also, I've noticed that tint seems to attract theives.....I installed my stereo gear discreatly, and run an Eclipse head unit with ESN, so it'd be useless to steal anyhow. I've never had a break in, just don't leave valuables in plain site. Also, invest in a good alarm with visable LED's before you tint the windows to prevent problems.......

 

I would strongly suggest that you check with either a local State Inspection Station or your local DMV on your states laws regarding tint before you put down your money.
I would hope you'll be alright, but some states get really funky over tint.

I ran afoul of an inspection station in Rhode Island which insisted that all non-factory tint be removed before they would approve an otherwise passing car.

Just a heads-up

P

 

In Lousiana the laws are as follows...40% on the front windows, 25% on the back-side windows, and 12% on the REAR window

I have 35% tint on a midnight black car and its looks tinted rather dark, Guy who did it said if my car were any other color then black it would stand out and look almost blacked out... I really recommend high 20's or low 30's to any car, otherwise you just get hassled ...

 

Chewbacca is right about the LA state limits. I just went to the place and looked at a few cars they had. The 32% looked good, as you could still slightly see through it but didn't look like it'd attract too much attention. The 13% looked good also, but you could barely see inside at all.

My friend's father is a dermatologist and I intend to call him later to ask if he'll sign my medical waiver just in case I am pulled over.

What about 32 on the front windows, and 13 on the rest? At the moment I'm leaning toward getting 32 on everything, and I really need to decide today so that I can have it done tomorrow before I move.

Does anybody know the factory tint on a 2004 Accord? I am under the impression that it is 80%, and therefore a 32% tint would actually be 25% visibility. This also means that the 13% is really 10%.

 

Yes 32% will alllow you to see through a little bit.....after you step back about 15 feet its pretty much black and you can see in after 10 or 15 feet back....and also at nite you really cant see in.......But like I said since your car is grey it will look even darker then mine....Even though you dont have my body style I will take various pics of my 35% tint on my accord....

 

I would go with 32% and I think you will be happy with it.....

Here is 35% on my midnight black accord....remember it looks like nothing because my paint is BLACK! Ive seen cars with 35% on white or grey and it looks real dark!

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....5NTQx

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....5NTQx

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....5NTQx

 

Looks nice, chewy. I think I decided to go with the 32% all around. Thanks a bunch.

 

I don't have tint on my accord, but I do have my civic tinted with 20% all around. My buddy has 35% on his 5th gen accord. His tint, in my opinion, doesn't do much. He is already thinking about going darker. The place I got mine done offered (for an additional price) a waranty of sorts, that if I get yanked by the fuzz. They will remove the 20% to pass the fix-it-ticket, and then reinstall it. They told me that all glass comes with some amount of tint from the factory. So when you add tint, make sure you don't increase over the legal limit (if your concered with that). I live in Maryland where the legal limit is 35%. But they said that if you have a 4-door, that you can tint the back door & rear glass as dark as you want. Now I know this may be different in other states, but I thought I would just throw that out there.

 

Not a problem, I think 32% is a good choice.... I live in Wisconsin where laws are 50% front and 35% back and rear...... I went 35% all the way around because Im not a fan of mutiple darkness tints on cars, just looks odd....and because of my midnight black paint, I dont get hassled, yet ......

But like I said since your car isnt black the 32% will look rather dark compared to what you saw on mine.....

Also when you goto a shop and he shows you the film dont get scared because the 32% looks like nothing, even 20% looks like nothing...... but as it's applied its gets darker once its on your car ......

 

i had 2.5% on my old mustang and i have 5% on my accord now..
nobody can see in and you can still see out. and thats w/wearin sunglasses all the time too ( prescript glasses). unless its night.
whenever i back up i have to either roll down my window and look or i open the door.

in florida, it has to be in the high 20's to be legal, i think 28%?. and thats only on the driver and passenger doors. the back doors and the rear window can be painted black and it would be fine.
heres a pic of what mine looks like w/the tint. cost me $148.00.

 

Ugh, It goes in an hour and I'm having second thoughts. Your 32 does look pretty light to me. I'm tempted to cancel and have 20 done somewhere else, or just go with the 13. My brother has 20 in his truck and says he wants it darker. The only thing stopping me from 13 is the attraction of cops to it.

Dammit, this is frustrating.

 

cops wont usually pull you over for the sole reason of having dark tint (unless you get real unlucky and get a cop that's a complete *******). but what usually will happen is when you get pulled over for something else (your wreckless driving, speeding, etc.) they'll either tell you to lighten your tint or add an another ticket for your tint.

it sucks

 

dont worry bout the cops. very rarely will they just pull someone for tint..you usually need to be doing something else illegal to get htere attention.
though... i will say..the 2.5% on my mustang did come off.

we had a cop in town who waws..lets say..over zealous about his position and pulled you for any little thing being wrong. well, he got me. i got a $35.00 ticket. i either had to pull the tint and then i woudlnt have to pay the ticket, or keep the tint,pay the ticket and risk being pulled again.

after he got fired for stalking his ex wife.. i put the tint back on

 

I have a 91 wagon and I am putting limo (5%) all the way around. The only way I will ever tint my cars. I just don't back up at night. Period. Otherwise I think you will be most happy with 20%.
Even though Louisianna cops are the worst I have ever seen or heard of, there cars will most likely be tinted darker than yours.

Unless you are selling drugs or otherwise on the local cops watch list then I don't think you will be a suspect just because your windows are a little dark.

I lived in florida and even 5% was not as dark as the cop cars, at least on a county level.

If you get a medical prescription for legal darker tint let me know. But since oem windows block all harmful cancerous UV rays a dermatologist prescription probably won't work. Tell them you have an eye condition i.e. astigmatizm or something and get an optical waiver.

Good luck and have fun on the panhandle.

 

Well I got the 13 and it looks pretty damn good. It's a little tough to see at night, but not so much as long as there's some light nearby.

My windows are still a bit dirty from their wash and I can't clean them for 5 days so maybe they'll be a little easier to see through at night after I can clean them. Overall, Tropical Shades in Covington did a really good job.

What do you guys recommend I use for cleaning my film? He said nothing like Windex (ammonia based, I'm assuming) but that I could use a wet rag and then a dry one. Are there any safe cleaners?

Btw, he used 13% Solar Gard.

 

I have always used the spray foam glass cleaners (i.e. invisible glass, ect.) on all my cars w/tint without any problems. Got any pics of the finished product?

 

What up man!!!... I think i've seen this car around... Do you live in pompano beach, south of sample road?