So I scheduled an appointment with the tint guy. He ran down a list of his available films and the two I am interested/undecided on are 22% or 32%. I have a BBP on black leather so I know it's going to appear a bit darker. Legal is 50% front and anything else on rears/back, but I am not concerned with this.

So, should I do 32% all around, 32% front and 22% rear/back, or 22% all around?

By the way it is a '08 coupe. (obviously because of the BBP, but I know someone probably would have asked)

Thanks or your opinions. (I'm so damn indecisive!)

22% on the front where 50% is the legal limit is going to draw police attention. I did very similar numbers and got harassed all the time. You don't want to give cops reasonable suspicion to pull you over. I suggest doing 32% up front and 22% back and rear. That 10% may make all the difference. Also, at least with my last car, the factory windows had a 5% reduction built into the glass. So your 32% might end up closer to 27% when the film dries. Likewise, the 22% will be 17%. 17% is CLEARLY illegal and will lead to problems. In VA, that's a $100 ticket. I received 3 such tickets, turning my $180 tint job into a $480 tint job. Not really worth it IMO.

Im in NY and the cops here can be dicks, I have nhbp and went with 20% all around. Haven 't been hassled yet. Here is a pic
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff134/Jays2k01/100_1038.jpg
Just keep in mind that going dark on the front windows makes it a little tougher to see at night. Besides that go with the 20 all around :D

I live in GA where 32% all around is legal, but every car I have owned has had 15% all around with no problems. My 08 sedan has 15% on the rear windshield, 5% on the back doors and 35% on the front doors to keep the pigs off my back. Usually a tint ticket only happens if you get a ticket for another infraction. The 5% looks so good on my sedan too, I suggest that everyone get it.

I have 15% all around. Still Somewhat legal. Just roll down your windows if pulled over.

Heres a picture of my sedan. Dont joke on the hub caps, just bought it 2 weeks ago. Haha. Im actually looking for some factory honda rims if anyone has upgraded thiers and wants to sell thier factory ones let me know.

I'm in GA as well. While I was having a few installs done yesterday to my car I asked about tinting. I'm not sure he'll do less than 32%. His suggestion was to get 32% (actually 35% since once it dries it will look like 32%) all around. If I decide to do it I might ask if I can get the rear windows a tad darker.

i'm having the same questions about my NHBP with black interior sedan. I have a 10am appointment tomorrow and I can't decide if I wanna do 35% all around or 20% in the back and 35% in the front... Or maybe 25/35 if they have 25 available. I think it's going to be a spur of the moment decision...

I ended up 32% all around and looks great. Plenty dark to look the look and can still see deecently at night.

cant go wrong with 30%, not a cop magnet while looking very classy!

i ended up doing 20% on the back windows and 35% on the front 2 windows. looks pretty sexy on the nhbp sedan. definitely the best mod you can do imo. i'll post pics in a few days.

anything up around 32% and higher seems like a waste of money to me. But i guess you cant take the risk of cops. THEY ARE ASSHOLES

anything up around 32% and higher seems like a waste of money to me. But i guess you cant take the risk of cops. THEY ARE ASSHOLES

KB11, may i suggest that the language be dialed down a bit? :yes:

i also have tints that do not follow regulations and have had my own share of brushes with officers -- both the good and those of "that" kind. however, i still do not believe that these warrant generalizations on how or what they are.

besides, i honestly believe you lose nothing by showing people respect and giving them the benefit of the doubt. :)

just my .02 cents...

and by the way, i hope you enjoy your stay here in DA! welcome! :)

I second the motion of what parkaash has stated. You don't know you who may be talking too... ;)

I wasn't meaning for it to sound like that. I was just saying 35% is higher than some stock tint. Then i was meaning that i guess that is the only option for some people depending on where you live and how the cops see the whole tint thing. Didn't mean for it to sound bad

OK i'll put in on this. I am in NC where legal is 32%. You WILL not pass inspection here as it is computerized and it will NOT print a sticker if something does not pass the specs. The shops won't even install illegal tint because so many under cover inspectors will come and try to get them to install say "5% tint" on the car. If they do, it's a healthy fine for installer. Here's what you need to ask yourself... Do you really wanna get pulled over for tint? Odds are that it will happen when you need to get to work or the bank before they close on a Friday, etc...lol. Anyway my .02 is get legal. Tint is expensive as it is to make it cost even more with tickets with the tint job and going to court or to dmv... If you have the extra time and money to waste, by all means go that route.

anything up around 32% and higher seems like a waste of money to me. But i guess you cant take the risk of cops. THEY ARE ASSHOLES

I wasn't meaning for it to sound like that. I was just saying 35% is higher than some stock tint. Then i was meaning that i guess that is the only option for some people depending on where you live and how the cops see the whole tint thing. Didn't mean for it to sound bad


the tone in the generalization and language used in the second part of your first statement above -- taken in the context of having light and/or non-legal tints on a vehicle -- is miles from your second statement that explained in much greater detail what you meant. coupled with the capitalization, it DID sound off...

my point being that we can express our opinions in a way that helps discussions along so that we all benefit from it.

(i'm stepping off my soapbox now. :D)

Anyone have knowledge of 3M Crystalline tint?

I've got a health condition which makes direct sunlight a bad thing.. So I want to get SOME tint on my Coupe. But I love seeing my interior, and I'm reading that Crystalline is virtually clear, while still blocking the UV rays and also deflecting nearly as much heat as standard tint films.

Got my 35% installed all around and it looks great. The installer will not go any lower due to reasons already noted in previous posts. I'm very happy with it, my intention wasnt for it to look ghetto, but just to block UV rays and keep some heat out.

OK i'll put in on this. I am in NC where legal is 32%. You WILL not pass inspection here as it is computerized and it will NOT print a sticker if something does not pass the specs. The shops won't even install illegal tint because so many under cover inspectors will come and try to get them to install say "5% tint" on the car. If they do, it's a healthy fine for installer. Here's what you need to ask yourself... Do you really wanna get pulled over for tint? Odds are that it will happen when you need to get to work or the bank before they close on a Friday, etc...lol. Anyway my .02 is get legal. Tint is expensive as it is to make it cost even more with tickets with the tint job and going to court or to dmv... If you have the extra time and money to waste, by all means go that route.


There are many places in brooklyn where you can pass an inspection even if a car is about to fall apart :naughty:

just curious. I thought the 08 accord comes with factory tinted. Mine 08 Accord ex 4 doors seems like it is factory tinted and I think it's a little too light. I was planning to have it tinted 35%, legal in WA, but not sure if the factory tinted will have to come off first. if yes, that will be extra charge :-)

Im in NY and the cops here can be dicks, I have nhbp and went with 20% all around. Haven 't been hassled yet. Here is a pic
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff134/Jays2k01/100_1038.jpg
Just keep in mind that going dark on the front windows makes it a little tougher to see at night. Besides that go with the 20 all around :D

Beautiful NHBP coupe!

That's what I would love my car to look like, however my provincial laws do not allow tinting of the driver & passenger windows. *sigh*

I chose a 40%HP. When combined with the factory tint, it yields a 35% which is the legal limit in MD. With my black interior, it looks darker.

http://www.gamenetusa.com/IMG_1564.jpg

Bad pick but you can see the rear window

I chose a 40%HP. When combined with the factory tint, it yields a 35% which is the legal limit in MD. With my black interior, it looks darker.

http://www.gamenetusa.com/IMG_1564.jpg

Bad pick but you can see the rear window
Is this an LX-S? Glad you aired on the side of caution. You will not regret it. Very sexy Accord.

Yes, LX-S 5MT with EX Sedan wheels.

To ZedsDead, did you tint over the 3rd brake light and did you tint over the dot matrix on the back? can we see a closer pic of the back?

To ZedsDead, did you tint over the 3rd brake light and did you tint over the dot matrix on the back? can we see a closer pic of the back?

http://www.gamenetusa.com/tint6.jpg

tail light cut out and yes... tint over dot matrix. It took a few days before it dried out. There are a few "bubbles" in that area but not noticable from outside.

Just for the reference, I also had my tint over the dot matrix and it too is ok, like last poster said, there are a fem spots that at close look are a little less adhered, but not enough to bother.

I specifically asked my guy to tint the third brake light and when I picked it up he said he couldn't do it because of the set up. I believe it would require pre removing the rear deck.

On the coupe, a certain amount of tint is almost a must as the huge back window makes the interior feel like a (hot) greenhouse in the summer.

BTW my tints have not drawn any undue attention from the cops so far... (though SMR is a color that makes a car hard to miss...)

I read on another thread somewhere (can't find it now) about the glue used for the dot-matrix to make it adhere better....

Does anyone remember what elmers product was used, and was there a tutorial for using it... I want it done right, my last accord looked like crap around the dot matrix and I will never have that again...

If you find the right shop, you won't have to worry about it. I first took mine to a local shop and they completely screwed it up. It looked like it was in a bubble bash. I found another shop CJ Sound in Houston, and they did the best tint job I've ever had on a vehicle. My windows are flawless. I did 5% in the back 3 and 20% on the fronts. I realize it's not legal, but it looks awesome and definitely keeps the car cool in the Houston heat. Having the back limo makes it difficult to back up, but I use the mirrors and camera, so I'm happy.
So do you want the car to look good, keep the sun or just obey the laws? I've never had a problem with my window tint even though it's always darker than legal. If you drive like an idiot, then the cops will stop you and fine you for the tint. Just drive normal.
If you really want to make it look clean, take out the rear shelf, so they can tint the complete window instead of doing the cutout for the 3rd brake light.

What's the legal tint percentage in California?