Hi all just wanted to get some opinions. I'm looking into tinting my car and did some research about what's legal. Turns out 35% here for all windows is the darkest you can go here in HI. Looking at it that's still pretty light and I dont know if it's worth spending $ to even do it.

What do you all think? Are you guys running darker tints and if so do you get hassled alot for it? I don't really want to have the heart ache with the safety check and with po-po's that usually comes with running a darker tint, although it does look alot better. Anyways what do you all think, is it worth it? Suggestions?

 

Reason why:
1. Even at 35% tint, it makes the car look better.
2. Don't go cheap. Buy Metallic or Ceramic for max heat rejection. (This is were the cost comes in)
3. Help prolong the effects of fading and drying of leather by rejecting UV rays.
4. Makes the Sunny Hawaii commute a little more bearable.

As for the illegal tints (I don't have them) but my next door HPD neighbor said that HPD has not done a crack down check point in a long time. The only other time he would check is when he pulls someone over.

Safety inspection is easy to pass. Just tell the person that you want a safety inspection without tints. You save $5 and you wont need to remove the tints. I did this when I owned a Maxima with 10% tints (dye).

 

Usually if the place see's tint, they test it or tell you outright that you need to fix it.

You can go as low as 29% since there is a +/- 6 leeway

 

i was in your position. but i just went ahead with the 35%. my interior is black so it looks illegal...in the shade.

 

I have never heard of not testing tint being a choice lol. Safety inspectors will know if you have illegal tint or not. And if in doubt, they will simply bust out their tint meter to check. I had 5% before and yes it does look much better however, the consequence of getting hassled during a safety check inspection and the risk of getting a citation is really not worth it. Cop gave me a 6xx ticket before for no recon and I think per window was like 137 or something like that. If they were jacked up enough, they'd tag you for every window.

 

I purchased dye since it is the cheapest from the TnT list. Getting the metallic tint has consequences as well. For example, frequencies are distorted along with possible blue tooth problems. Ceramic is way too costly for tint when they cover lifetime warranty. If it starts fading, simply go back and have them change it. As for a tint installer, I believe they are all about the same. I just preferred to have TnT tint my car.

 

Big difference between factory glass and 35% tinted glass. Ceramic is expensive but the way to go. Also, consider the UV clear ceramic for the windshield. It really cuts down on the heat buildup.

 

All I know is when I got my first safety inspection, the Goodyear guy ask me tint or no tint. When ask what the difference was, he said $5. He told me that even though it said tints pass, Cops will still test. Went to that station for 3 1/2 years. Since Lexus does free testing and TnT only does legal tints, I went 35% and 70% in the front with my Lexus.

 

Thanks for all the info guys! I like the suggestions and the options. Just seeing full pitch black tint looks sexy but Definitely paying $100-some for a tint violation is something I am not willing to risk, neither is having trouble during safety inspections. I guess too having some tint is better than nothing at all. Hmm... And the debate continues.

 

I think it is. Got mine done at tint pro. Cool guys down there on ilaniwai. Owner has an is250 as well.

 

i had 10 or 15% on mine, had the IS for 2 years. never had a problem, just dont give them a reason to pull you over and add that onto their list of tickets. btw, it's 300 per window, to include the little corner windows tinted. so, 7 (minus the windshield) x 300 = 2100 your ticket goin be. you figure out if it's worth it or not.

and yes, it looks hella good.

i got my safety done out in waianae behind savers or whatever it was...just rolled in with my windows down. all he checked was the lights and horn and i was out.