996 Window Tint 35% or 20%

I have a black coupe and I wanted to get my mindows tinted this week. Having trouble deciding what level of tint to go with. It's difficult to tell on the small samples they give you. Should I go with 35% or 20%? What do you think looks better? Is 20% too dark, is 35% too light. Any imput or photos would be great. Thanks!!

I went with 50%

Check your local laws first. Around here, 35% is max for front door windows, and 20% around back. They do allow 5% for the third window back and farther (for limos). The single most important thing is to get really good film. Make sure it's Llumar, Solargard or one of the other premium metallic films. It really does make all the difference in the world. Personally, I think 35% all around is plenty dark. (Although, I don't really bother with it anymore on my own cars. I just wear sunglasses and be done with it.) Many moons ago, I managed a car stereo store that did 15-20 tint jobs a week and I found that most people who wanted nice dark windows (asked for 20% usually) were thrilled with 35% all around using very good metallic (often titanium-based) film. Especially on small coupes like 911s. It gives that dark look, keeps things cool inside but also is easy to see out at night (unlike 20%) and you hardly notice you're looking through it after awhile. -Paul

I think alot depends on your reasoning for the tint -- are you just trying to block some sun, or do you not want to be seen inside the car? I recently had one of my other vehicles tinted at 35% (the max in my state) and it is not nearly as dark as I would like. From the outside, you can basically see straight in. Compared to the back windows, which are darker, the front doesn't even look tinted at all. I agree you can't tell anything from the samples at the shop. That said, I've seen normal cars on the road with very dark front window tints, and have always wondered if they're just taking the risk of a ticket, or if theirs is legal for some other reason.

20% <img src="http://gallery.rennlist.com/albums/Craig996TT/Side71.sized.jpg" alt=" - " /> Craig

I wasn't to concerned about teh local laws in my state. MAybe I should be. I'm not sure if you are eben allowed any degree of tint on teh front windows but plenty of people here have it. I want the tint for both looks as well as function. Craig. I like the 20% on you're turbo. Not bad!! Anyone have photos with 35%

I have personally ONLY used 20% metalized tint on all of my cars for the past 3 years. The darkness level is a matter of personal choice. More and more, I hear of people being stopped by cops here in L.A. because of dark tint, but that does not deter me. IMHO 50% is a waste of time and money, but it will decrease your chances of being stopped by a cop. 35% is a bit too light for bright sunny areas, and will be a toss up whether or not you will get nabbed by cops. 20% or darker is the best for looks, sun protection, and temperature insulation. However, if you live in a high enforcement area, count on being stopped. Also, don't choose 20% tint if you have eyesight problems at night. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

Just say no.

yeah it's pretty subjective in LA weather or not they will ticket you for front windows etc. I used to have light tint, 35% and never got a ticket for it anywhere. However that was a mercedes AMG and I will say the best stealth mobile around. I was even speeding faster than a friend once in a mustang and the cop went for him over me! I debated getting tint again, but 2 factors. 1. It's difficult enough to see out of the rear and I didn't want to decrease visibility, although the look is attractive, but mainly 2. Sooner or later scratches will develop and they would annoy the hell out of me. Especially at night I would check my side mirrors and see scratches distrubing my view! Because of that I opted not to do it again. If you do get a ticket you have to remove the tint have it signed off then opt to have it put on again as another friend had to do.

Craig, Are those wheels 18's or 19's? They look very nice. I can't decide on which size to go with for my '03 C4S.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Redlinerobert: <strong>Craig, Are those wheels 18's or 19's? They look very nice. I can't decide on which size to go with for my '03 C4S.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">18 inch HRE 540Rs. Craig

35% all the way around <img src="http://a6.cpimg.com/image/7C/2D/9381756-78b2-02000180-.jpg" alt=" - " />

I am actually doing my requisite research on this subject as well, and I am in San Diego, CA. It is sunny here. Well, let me qualify that - Its usually sunny here except this year, and even then its still sunny here. I think I will do 20% at least, and that is for a few factors: Its a Black car with Black or dark grey wheels (still deciding) It make me feel better that people cannot see me (no weird reasons, just security) I will have a child with me at certain times, and would rather this not be known as well. The interior is black and other dark colors. The heat is unbearable in my other car, and thats just blue. My plan is to actually get 50 on the windhshield. My concern, (and please post if you know differently), is that my V1 will not work as effectively with one of the metalic films that are higher quality.

I just got my tint done last week and went with 35% all the way around. I tried a new ceramic tint (most are usually metalized or dyed) called Huper Optik and am very happy with the results. Ceramic tint has more heat rejection than the regular stuff. Also very pleased with the looks.

post pics if you can I would like to see the ceramic tint and would like to know what the heat deflection / non absorption differential is versus the metallic and non. thanks.

Brenden, why not get VKOOL for your front window?

i have %50 on side windows and 70% on the back side windows and back

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by BrendanCampion: <strong> I will have a child with me at certain times, and would rather this not be known as well. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Hmm...why would someone want to black out the windows so other people could not see that they have a child in the car...just kidding! About your V1 question: Tint will not in any way have an effect on Radar reception, but it will diminish the effectiveness of Laser detection. However, as has been said in numerous "window tint" posts in the past, the positioning of the V1 on the top of the windshield fairly well negates the chances that you will EVER receive a laser signal anyway, regardless of tint. This is because laser signals have very little beam dispersion (a couple inches), and they are usually aimed at the front fascia. Also, IMHO 50% for windshield is far too dark. If a cop catches you with windshield tint, you have 2 options: remove it on the spot with him present, or get your car impounded for being unsafe. I had 85% windshield tint on my last car. I would not do it again for 2 reasons: it causes some optical distortion and wreaks havoc with polarized sunglasses. Also, it is prone to scratching. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by SPR: <strong>post pics if you can I would like to see the ceramic tint and would like to know what the heat deflection / non absorption differential is versus the metallic and non. thanks.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">you can go to <a href="http://www.huperoptikusa.com" target="_blank">www.huperoptikusa.com</a> to get the specs on heat rejection. I used the stark 30 on my car. heres a pic <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/car.jpg" alt=" - " />

santicua, do you have any side-view pics of the car? I am trying to decide between 35% and 20% as well..

If you're going to tint your windows all around, I suggest you tint the winshield as well. If you are not concerned with the law, as I was told that tinting the winshield is also violation to the DOT board because the crash safety tests for winshields are altered when tint film doesn't cause the winshield to break out properly like without the film, it will complete the car very nice. On the porsche I went with 50% with semi reflective tint all around as I wanted the Mercedes dual pane window look that makes the car look more expensive looking. My BMW had tinted winshield and it made it look very nice. Go with 20% or 35% everyone who said that 50% is a waste is correct. 20% will be enough to make your car look drug dealer style, 35% is good. If you tint the winshield even just 50% on 35% side windows tinted it will get darker since there is less light in the cabin. I had a friend who tinted his old 60's Lincoln Continental Suicide doors cruiser with 5% tint all around even the winshield. He had to stick his head out of the window at night to reverse because the tint was so dark you couldn't even see the reflection of the brake lights when pinned to a wall.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by nealM: <strong>santicua, do you have any side-view pics of the car? I am trying to decide between 35% and 20% as well..</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">here you go.. <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/sc2.jpg" alt=" - " />

Car is being dropped off today for Tint. Two people (installers) recommended that I do 20% on the rear Window and 35% on the sides. They claim that the rear always looks lighter because of teh light through the winshield. They siad it would blend verynice. Should I believe them or go with 35% all around?

Anyone got a pic of a silver tint on a Porsche (preferably a silver Porsche) ?

I live in Florida and had a 2002 silver (with black interior) C4S with 20% tint all around. I found it dark and now plan on tinting my new 03 silver (with balck interior) 996 TT with 35% tint all around. Personally 20% looked great but was sometimes too dark. If your on the fence go lighter. Plus if you have a dark interior the lighter tint will still look fairly dark. Good luck.

I personally would keep it the same all around (unless you are thinking of tinting the windsheild)

Well the guy talked me into doing the rear window in 20% and teh sides in 35% and I have to say, I was very nervous at first but it came out great and blends perfect. With the rear windo being darker it darkend up the sides just a tad bit and makes it blend all around. I guess teh guy knew what he was talking about. A few people recomended doing this(tint companies). His reasoning was if I went with 35% all the way around, the rear window would appear lighter then the sides because when you look through the rear you have all teh light shinning in fron the windshield. Anyway, you can't really tell the back is darker which is good. I didn't want a major contrast. I can post pictures but if anyone is curious, I can send I private email.

Here is my car's tint job...unfortunately the pics were taken on an overcast day so it wont look exactly how it should. The film is 20% Titanium HD all the way around. I hope this helps somewhat.

Here's another.