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Window Tint Recommendation

bojangle said:
This! ^^^



An arrest or citation requires probable cause of a violation. So if there is probable cause a ticket can be issued. But beyond that, no special equipment is needed. If the front windows look darker than factory standard, they are not legal in California.

From CVC 26708 you referenced earlier...



So the 88% UV material has to be clear and colorless. If it looks darker, it's illegal.



Beyond any impound, and beyond any safety implications of tinting front windows, those who do so in California are willingly giving police a reason to stop them at any time for no other reason. So you'd better be sure insurance is current. Better be sure that license isn't suspended. Better be sure you didn't have one too many drinks. Better be sure there is nothing illegal in the vehicle...no one on parole or searchable probation in the vehicle.

I would ask, is it really worth giving the government a "free pass" to stop and detain at any time? Maybe. Just food for thought. I can tell you I have absolutely made arrests and issued misdemeanor citations resulting from tinted window stops, including DUI, without actually writing a ticket for the tint in many cases. Tint can cost a person a lot more than just a non-correctable ticket for tint.



Correct! Although it is up to officer discretion. Intentional equipment violations can be cited as correctable by the officer, or not.




There are legit safety concerns with tinted front windows and windshields too. There is reduced visibility at night, which could lead to a collision. Imagine hitting a pedestrian in dark clothing at night, crossing in an area without good street lights. Secondly, in the day time it can lead to problems too. You can't make eye contact with other drivers when their front windows are tinted. This can lead to right of way / communication confusion and the like, leading to collisons.
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Ahhh, guess i was just interpreting the colorless thing a bit different, that makes sense though.

I hear ya on not getting f*cked with on the tints. If i lived in CA i'd either not do it at all so i wouldn't have to worry about it, or I'd do it like i currently have it done. No point in doing the front sides if you don't want to do the windshield either. Don't do it at all or go balls out :laughing

As for me, i'm not going to tint my vehicles based on out of state laws, that's just silly. If i get a ticket for it out of state, sorry, that cops being a dick. Most states allow the fronts to be tinted though afaik so it's generally not an issue. The windshield...well... :shhh :laughing 30% is about as light as you can find honestly. All my sunglasses are darker. The safety concern is minimal to major depending on the darkness of the tint. Personally i think the reward outweighs the risk.
 
For 8 years in California I had the drivers and passengers doors of my truck tinted. A few day before I was planning to leave California I get pulled over for the tint. I can't even remember how I dealt with it but I remember he didn't cut me a break and I did leave the state on schedule.
 
I have something like 60% driver sides, 40% passenger sides, 20% rear. It looks nice, provides some function, and has a low probability of triggering a ticket because the gradient between driver and passenger side tints makes it hard to see that the driver side tints are non-OEM.

I don't understand why anyone would want heavy tint on the front window. It really impedes nighttime visibility, and it's generally not hot enough here during the day to justify it. You might get "used" to it, but it definitely is not safe for nighttime pedestrians or bicycles, who are already hard to see even with no tint. Completely agree that aggressive front tints should get ticketed.
 
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mercurial said:
I have something like 60% driver sides, 40% passenger sides, 20% rear. It looks nice, provides some function, and has a low probability of triggering a ticket because the gradient between driver and passenger side tints makes it hard to see that the driver side tints are non-OEM.

I don't understand why anyone would want heavy tint on the front window. It really impedes nighttime visibility, and it's generally not hot enough here during the day to justify it. You might get "used" to it, but it definitely is not safe for nighttime pedestrians or bicycles, who are already hard to see even with no tint. Completely agree that aggressive front tints should get ticketed.
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Ever been to bakersfield?
 
If in Bakersfield Id be driving with one of these and a periscope out the roof.


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anyone now of a shop that will do a boat on the SF Peninsula? I even called Mr. Tint amd he's like, "Boats??? Fuuuuuuuuuu......"

Preferably a mobil unit. :laughing
 
Blankpage said:
For hiding what shenanigans those valley girls are up to while your driving
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Why hide it I got plenty of air horns blown in my direction from 18 wheelers that could see the shenanigans I had them up to in the front seat.

Shhhh don't worry that was just because some guy up front brake checked the truck nothing to do with us honestly. :teeth
 
One thing to keep in mind regarding front window tinting. Some windows come factory tinted at that 88%. So anything you add will stack and be illegal.

And Vince @ Omega Tintwerks in pleasanton was who I went to with my old subaru. He was the goto for that community.
 
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