stock tint
stock tint
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 86
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not to hijack, but I have an 05 extended cab with the swing open rear half doors, and a sliding rear glass. I've always wondered which glass was tinted from the factory, and what was done aftermarket. I bought it used. I can definitely tell the front sides were done after, crappy job, but if I was to get new tint, would I just scrape off the fronts or do I scrape off the rear sides and rear slider as well?
thx
thx
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 21
From: Broken Arrow, OK
Front windows/windshield are not factory-tinted. All rear doors/glass has factory-tint. roughly 18-20%.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,031
Likes: 45
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Don't start scraping the rears and back, they are made of glass that is tinted itself, like an old green coke bottle. It is not "applied tint", it's the glass itself that is tinted.
On your fronts, the tint is applied to the class, you can feel the edge. Get a warm day, start a corner with a clean razorblade, and slowly pull. Then clean the glue off with amonia fortified window cleaner and a new razor blade and light pressure.
Google " remove window tint " for videos and writeups.
Yeah, factory is pretty near 18-20% as I recall checking mine with tint meter. Fronts are not clear, they are actually about 75 - 80% VLT factory .... I've seen variences. If you apply 20% film to 80% glass, multiply 0.20 X 0.80 and you'll see the result 0.16 or 16 % VLT is the result.
It's like if you can imagine light starting out as 100 pennies, the applied tint allows 20% get through it, so 20 pennies get to the glass. Of those 20 pennies, the glass only lets 80 percent though, or 8/10 .... that's 16 pennies of the 100 that get through it all.
You'ld be surprised how many window tinting dudes that do not have any understanding of what I just wrote. Many think glass that's not limo dark is clear, it's not!
Before you get a tint dude to do your glass, find out if he even has a tint meter. He should.
Lastly, please do what you want, it's your money to spend or throw away ....
.... but just a word to the wise. LEOs are being targeted for assaults with increasing frequency, LEOs are training constantly for threats, and LEOs are looking harder at ways to put the odds of surviving attacks in their favor. Increased enforcement of existing window tint laws is part of that effort. Before tinting your front side glasses, you might do well to check your state laws (and those of states you frequently drive through as some state laws apply only to instate registered vehicles, some like Va's law applies to any vehicle operated within the state regardless of registration state).
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1052
Don't kill the messenger, I'm just posting an example. 
When I stopped one and it was like 20% or darker on front side glasses, I didn't care what state it was registered in, it was too dark (I have seen two layers of 20% limo tint on glass and my tint meter read 3 or 4 % VLT .... why not just paint the damn glass I wondered?)
If it was lighter like 35-40% VLT which is illegal here but was maybe OK in their home state, I usually let it pass with a warning.
On your fronts, the tint is applied to the class, you can feel the edge. Get a warm day, start a corner with a clean razorblade, and slowly pull. Then clean the glue off with amonia fortified window cleaner and a new razor blade and light pressure.
Google " remove window tint " for videos and writeups.
Yeah, factory is pretty near 18-20% as I recall checking mine with tint meter. Fronts are not clear, they are actually about 75 - 80% VLT factory .... I've seen variences. If you apply 20% film to 80% glass, multiply 0.20 X 0.80 and you'll see the result 0.16 or 16 % VLT is the result.
It's like if you can imagine light starting out as 100 pennies, the applied tint allows 20% get through it, so 20 pennies get to the glass. Of those 20 pennies, the glass only lets 80 percent though, or 8/10 .... that's 16 pennies of the 100 that get through it all.
You'ld be surprised how many window tinting dudes that do not have any understanding of what I just wrote. Many think glass that's not limo dark is clear, it's not!
Before you get a tint dude to do your glass, find out if he even has a tint meter. He should.
Lastly, please do what you want, it's your money to spend or throw away ....
.... but just a word to the wise. LEOs are being targeted for assaults with increasing frequency, LEOs are training constantly for threats, and LEOs are looking harder at ways to put the odds of surviving attacks in their favor. Increased enforcement of existing window tint laws is part of that effort. Before tinting your front side glasses, you might do well to check your state laws (and those of states you frequently drive through as some state laws apply only to instate registered vehicles, some like Va's law applies to any vehicle operated within the state regardless of registration state).
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1052
§ 46.2-1052. Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties.
A. Except as otherwise provided in this article or permitted by federal law, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle on a highway with any sign, poster, colored or tinted film, sun-shading material, or other colored material on the windshield, front or rear side windows, or rear windows of such motor vehicle. This provision, however, shall not apply to any certificate or other paper required by law or permitted by the Superintendent to be placed on a motor vehicle's windshield or window.
... etc ...
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, whenever a motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of such vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, any or all of the following shall be lawful:
... etc ...
C. Except as provided in § 46.2-1053, but notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, no sun-shading or tinting film may be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such motor vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of the vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and the sun-shading or tinting film is applied or affixed in accordance with the following:
1. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the rear side windows or rear window or windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce the total light transmittance of such window to less than 35 percent;
2. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the front side windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce total light transmittance of such window to less than 50 percent;
3. No sun-shading or tinting films shall be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle that (i) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent or (ii) produce a holographic or prism effect.
Any person who operates a motor vehicle on the highways of this Commonwealth with sun-shading or tinting films that (i) have a total light transmittance less than that required by subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a traffic infraction but shall not be awarded any demerit points by the Commissioner for the violation.
... etc ...
D. The Division of Purchases and Supply, ... etc ...
measurements made by law-enforcement officers shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points.
E. No film or darkening material may be applied on the windshield except to replace the sunshield in the uppermost area as installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
... etc ...
G. Nothing in this section shall prohibit applying to the rear side windows or rear window of any multipurpose passenger vehicle or pickup truck sun-shading or tinting films that reduce the total light transmittance of such window or windows below 35 percent.
H. As used in this article:
... etc ...
A. Except as otherwise provided in this article or permitted by federal law, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle on a highway with any sign, poster, colored or tinted film, sun-shading material, or other colored material on the windshield, front or rear side windows, or rear windows of such motor vehicle. This provision, however, shall not apply to any certificate or other paper required by law or permitted by the Superintendent to be placed on a motor vehicle's windshield or window.
... etc ...
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, whenever a motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of such vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, any or all of the following shall be lawful:
... etc ...
C. Except as provided in § 46.2-1053, but notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, no sun-shading or tinting film may be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such motor vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of the vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and the sun-shading or tinting film is applied or affixed in accordance with the following:
1. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the rear side windows or rear window or windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce the total light transmittance of such window to less than 35 percent;
2. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the front side windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of this Commonwealth that reduce total light transmittance of such window to less than 50 percent;
3. No sun-shading or tinting films shall be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle that (i) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent or (ii) produce a holographic or prism effect.
Any person who operates a motor vehicle on the highways of this Commonwealth with sun-shading or tinting films that (i) have a total light transmittance less than that required by subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects shall be guilty of a traffic infraction but shall not be awarded any demerit points by the Commissioner for the violation.
... etc ...
D. The Division of Purchases and Supply, ... etc ...
measurements made by law-enforcement officers shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points.
E. No film or darkening material may be applied on the windshield except to replace the sunshield in the uppermost area as installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
... etc ...
G. Nothing in this section shall prohibit applying to the rear side windows or rear window of any multipurpose passenger vehicle or pickup truck sun-shading or tinting films that reduce the total light transmittance of such window or windows below 35 percent.
H. As used in this article:
... etc ...
When I stopped one and it was like 20% or darker on front side glasses, I didn't care what state it was registered in, it was too dark (I have seen two layers of 20% limo tint on glass and my tint meter read 3 or 4 % VLT .... why not just paint the damn glass I wondered?)
If it was lighter like 35-40% VLT which is illegal here but was maybe OK in their home state, I usually let it pass with a warning.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Okeechobee, Fl
Don't start scraping the rears and back, they are made of glass that is tinted itself, like an old green coke bottle. It is not "applied tint", it's the glass itself that is tinted.
On your fronts, the tint is applied to the class, you can feel the edge. Get a warm day, start a corner with a clean razorblade, and slowly pull. Then clean the glue off with amonia fortified window cleaner and a new razor blade and light pressure.
Google " remove window tint " for videos and writeups.
Yeah, factory is pretty near 18-20% as I recall checking mine with tint meter. Fronts are not clear, they are actually about 75 - 80% VLT factory .... I've seen variences. If you apply 20% film to 80% glass, multiply 0.20 X 0.80 and you'll see the result 0.16 or 16 % VLT is the result.
It's like if you can imagine light starting out as 100 pennies, the applied tint allows 20% get through it, so 20 pennies get to the glass. Of those 20 pennies, the glass only lets 80 percent though, or 8/10 .... that's 16 pennies of the 100 that get through it all.
You'ld be surprised how many window tinting dudes that do not have any understanding of what I just wrote. Many think glass that's not limo dark is clear, it's not!
Before you get a tint dude to do your glass, find out if he even has a tint meter. He should.
Lastly, please do what you want, it's your money to spend or throw away ....
.... but just a word to the wise. LEOs are being targeted for assaults with increasing frequency, LEOs are training constantly for threats, and LEOs are looking harder at ways to put the odds of surviving attacks in their favor. Increased enforcement of existing window tint laws is part of that effort. Before tinting your front side glasses, you might do well to check your state laws (and those of states you frequently drive through as some state laws apply only to instate registered vehicles, some like Va's law applies to any vehicle operated within the state regardless of registration state).
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1052
Don't kill the messenger, I'm just posting an example.
When I stopped one and it was like 20% or darker on front side glasses, I didn't care what state it was registered in, it was too dark (I have seen two layers of 20% limo tint on glass and my tint meter read 3 or 4 % VLT .... why not just paint the damn glass I wondered?)
If it was lighter like 35-40% VLT which is illegal here but was maybe OK in their home state, I usually let it pass with a warning.
On your fronts, the tint is applied to the class, you can feel the edge. Get a warm day, start a corner with a clean razorblade, and slowly pull. Then clean the glue off with amonia fortified window cleaner and a new razor blade and light pressure.
Google " remove window tint " for videos and writeups.
Yeah, factory is pretty near 18-20% as I recall checking mine with tint meter. Fronts are not clear, they are actually about 75 - 80% VLT factory .... I've seen variences. If you apply 20% film to 80% glass, multiply 0.20 X 0.80 and you'll see the result 0.16 or 16 % VLT is the result.
It's like if you can imagine light starting out as 100 pennies, the applied tint allows 20% get through it, so 20 pennies get to the glass. Of those 20 pennies, the glass only lets 80 percent though, or 8/10 .... that's 16 pennies of the 100 that get through it all.
You'ld be surprised how many window tinting dudes that do not have any understanding of what I just wrote. Many think glass that's not limo dark is clear, it's not!
Before you get a tint dude to do your glass, find out if he even has a tint meter. He should.
Lastly, please do what you want, it's your money to spend or throw away ....
.... but just a word to the wise. LEOs are being targeted for assaults with increasing frequency, LEOs are training constantly for threats, and LEOs are looking harder at ways to put the odds of surviving attacks in their favor. Increased enforcement of existing window tint laws is part of that effort. Before tinting your front side glasses, you might do well to check your state laws (and those of states you frequently drive through as some state laws apply only to instate registered vehicles, some like Va's law applies to any vehicle operated within the state regardless of registration state).
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...+cod+46.2-1052
Don't kill the messenger, I'm just posting an example.
When I stopped one and it was like 20% or darker on front side glasses, I didn't care what state it was registered in, it was too dark (I have seen two layers of 20% limo tint on glass and my tint meter read 3 or 4 % VLT .... why not just paint the damn glass I wondered?)
If it was lighter like 35-40% VLT which is illegal here but was maybe OK in their home state, I usually let it pass with a warning.
Last edited by 06' Ford; Mar 9, 2011 at 05:45 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 21
From: Broken Arrow, OK
I have the equivalent of 5% tint on my truck on all glass, except the windshield which has the 5% eyebrow. I love the fact that I don't have to run my A/C hard in the summer, and that people can't see into my truck easily. However, if I'm pulled over, I roll my front windows down before I'm even pulled over to let the LEO see anything he wants to see for his/her piece of mind.