Tint?

I was just curious about what people prefer on their A3's.  Feel free to comment and or post pictures!

I'm wrapped in 15%.  I have a friend that has 10% on his F350 and it is too dang dark at night. Can barely see out it.  I voted 15%-20%
 

 

E;
At 15%, how's your visibility at night?  I've been putting off getting mine tinted - and am not even sure how dark I want it.  I definitely want to stay under the legal limit.  Which in Maryland is 35% LTV - which makes the 15% or 20% debate a moot point for myself.  Does anyone know what the current rating is on the factory glass on the Audis? 

The 15% is TOO bad.  The only time I wish I had gone with 20% or even 25% is when I am turning a dark corner (no streetlight) at night...which isn't very often.  Other than that, I like that people can't see in my car.  I remove my valuables anyway, but I like knowing that if anybody wants to take a look inside my car, they are going to have to be pretty darn obvious about it (I also close my Open Sky screens and put up a sun screen in the windshield)

Did you tint your Open Sky too or is it stock?

metallic tints are known to cause problems with remote keys, i.e. keyless entry, locks, windows, etc.
 
i preffer a light tint. 35% is dark enough for me

quote:

ORIGINAL: MBtoA3

metallic tints are known to cause problems with remote keys, i.e. keyless entry, locks, windows, etc.

And radar/laser detectors

quote:

ORIGINAL: BAMF
And radar/laser detectors

This is the main reason I have no tint on my A3 right now. I don't want to reduce the accuracy of the V1.

My first mod @ 20% which is street legal here.  Driver and passenger windows have to be 35%, but that's not a bad thing at night.
 
I love it and it keeps the car much cooler in the blazing sun.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BAMF

quote:

ORIGINAL: MBtoA3

metallic tints are known to cause problems with remote keys, i.e. keyless entry, locks, windows, etc.

And radar/laser detectors

 
I haven't had any problems at all with my key remotes and my K40 unit is installed in the front bumper, so no worries about my tint effing with my radar detector either! 
 
I have not tinted my Open Sky.  My tint guy that has done 3 cars for me (and 6 of my friends cars) won't do it.  I don't really see the need for it though.  When I park the car, I close the shades...and when I'm driving the OS is prolly open anyway.

at1ce how 'bout some pictures I want to do the same tint to mine that is 20% in the back 35 in the front but I would like to see how it looks first. 

Hey Sway,  here are a few for you as requested.  And no, I don't eat the junk at Popeye's but the owner is a friend.
 
 
 

 

I put in my vote for 15-20, but i think i have 23%, it looks like this in the day. 


Thumbnail Image

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeratain

quote:

ORIGINAL: BAMF
And radar/laser detectors

This is the main reason I have no tint on my A3 right now. I don't want to reduce the accuracy of the V1.

Simple solution.  Don't use a metallic tint.  There are plenty of quality ceramics on the market nowadays.  BTW, what is the V1?

one thing i didnt see mentioned in here was felt/moleskin.  i remember when i had my MB tinted, the guys over at mbworld were talking about tints and felt/moleskin applications.
 
do you guys have the same reccomendation?  I mean my tint guy knows what he's doin anyways, but I'm just askin.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MBtoA3

one thing i didnt see mentioned in here was felt/moleskin.  i remember when i had my MB tinted, the guys over at mbworld were talking about tints and felt/moleskin applications.

do you guys have the same reccomendation?  I mean my tint guy knows what he's doin anyways, but I'm just askin.

 
To be completely honest with you (and I may really be showing my ignorance) I have no idea what you are talking about.  Care to drop some knowledge?

quote:

ORIGINAL: AManCalledE

To be completely honest with you (and I may really be showing my ignorance) I have no idea what you are talking about.  Care to drop some knowledge?

 
 
lol, no problem.  basically its a liner on the inside of the door where the glass slides up and down.  to protect it from getting scratched.  this was a problem if you didnt have felt/moleskin for w203's [c class].

quote:

ORIGINAL: tonicboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeratain

quote:

ORIGINAL: BAMF
And radar/laser detectors

This is the main reason I have no tint on my A3 right now. I don't want to reduce the accuracy of the V1.

Simple solution.  Don't use a metallic tint.  There are plenty of quality ceramics on the market nowadays.  BTW, what is the V1?

V1 = Valentine 1 Radar detector. As for metallic tint vs. non-metallic tint, it can still reduce the range of the radar detector apparently:

Car and Driver supplied four tint-film samples, which we tested on clear window glass. Clear glass cuts laser range by about 25 percent, and all of the samples cut laser range by an additional 25-35 percent. Metallized films had about the same effect as ordinary tint films. (Source: http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt2.asp - although the study is linked back to 1998, but still seems like a feasible issue)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeratain

quote:

ORIGINAL: tonicboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeratain

quote:

ORIGINAL: BAMF
And radar/laser detectors

This is the main reason I have no tint on my A3 right now. I don't want to reduce the accuracy of the V1.

Simple solution.  Don't use a metallic tint.  There are plenty of quality ceramics on the market nowadays.  BTW, what is the V1?

V1 = Valentine 1 Radar detector. As for metallic tint vs. non-metallic tint, it can still reduce the range of the radar detector apparently:

Car and Driver supplied four tint-film samples, which we tested on clear window glass. Clear glass cuts laser range by about 25 percent, and all of the samples cut laser range by an additional 25-35 percent. Metallized films had about the same effect as ordinary tint films. (Source: http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt2.asp - although the study is linked back to 1998, but still seems like a feasible issue)

I think we are talking about two different aspects. Yes, tint does hurt laser range because it is cutting down the amount of light transmitted, and that's all laser is-- focused light. So in this case I don't think metallic tint makes a difference. For the record, I think the V1 article's reference to 'metallized tint' means tint which appears reflective from outside.

Now radar is also affected by tint, but not in the same way laser is. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think most tint on the market is metallic-based, whether it appears reflective or not. This is what intereferes with radar detection. Today we have access to ceramic tint, which will not interfere with radar detection. I'm not sure that ceramic was an option in '98 when the V1 test was done.

I could be wrong here, so feel free to correct me if that's the case. I couldn't find much hard data regarding the metal content of normal tint, nor any info regarding when ceramic was made available.

Yeah, I can't find too much studies or sources on the information outside of that old Valentine one. Tint isn't a huge deal to me, though I would eventually like to get it. Thankfully I'm in the Bay, so it's not quite as hot as LA or elsewhere - but the privacy would be nice.

Thanks at1ce i think that is definatly the way to go dark in the back and lighter in the front, and what is wrong with popeyes? it is better than kfc but not as good as cluck you haha. 

Hey at1ce;
Definitely looks good with the white. 
I need to keep my eye open for that car when I'm out that way again. 
BTW - Is that Popeye's the one on 90th just above Maple?  It looks awfully familiar with the Long Johns Silver's across the street. 

Good eye L7, that is exactly the location.  How often do you travel out this way?

It varies.  Some years, once a month then the next year not once.  Right now, I'm not sure - my travels seem to be limited to both coasts this year.  Kind of weird - nothing in between.  

Can someone post a pic of 30% tint?

It is what is legal in NY and I don't see the need to increase my chances of getting hassled... but have been meaning to do it at some point.