The VLT of factory tint is usually between 70% and 85%, however it depends on where the vehicle is originally shipped for sale as the original equipment tint level applied to the glass (by dying the glass and the adhesive layer used between the safety glass) may vary.

Since your vehicle was [presumed] destined for original sale in England, yet failed the MOT test for taxis, it is likely that your vehicle's windows have had aftermarket film tint applied to the OE window glass thus lowering the VLT beyond what is allowed in your country. If that is indeed the case you'll need to remove the aftermarket window tint film and then test the OE windows for their exact VLT and then (if you wish) reapply aftermarket window film tint that does not exceed your country's MOT test maximum. Be sure to test each window because, depending on various options, the front side windows can differ from the rear side windows.

 

Hey whats up? i recently put ceramic tints on the 4 side windows and rear. as the weather gets hot, I started thinking, "i should of did the front as well".

then I thought, maybe I just get a sunshade to reduce the cost.

so i searched. it appears the most popular brand is Covercraft. then upon reading some reviews, it appears that the Covercraft sunshade doesn't really reflect. it's just silver.

so then I started thinking maybe i just tint the front window, clear ceramic and get a cost effective sunshade.

2016 gs 350 f sport w/sensor

 

1. I have the Covercraft and it is a good choice, it's silver and reflects much of the heat; doesn't need to be UV-reflective because the light's not getting through to your interior. The one negative is that it's bulky, not light and flexible like most other sunshades, but the fit is impeccable.

2. Clear ceramic tint is an option that many have praised, but no matter how good it is, the tint will still allow more light and heat in than the Covercraft. But with that said, I had metallic tint, one step below ceramic in the Formula One line up, on my last car for 15 years, all around except the windshield, where I used an inexpensive sunshade. Although my car was garaged on weekends, it took all that the Florida sun had to offer during the week, and the interior was not damaged by UV rays, so tint does work to protect interiors.

If I was in your shoes I'd ask myself how long I was planning on keeping the GS, if more than 3-5 years, I might lean more to tinting the windshield, and still use a lightweight inexpensive sunshade. Less than that, I'd save the $100 bucks or so and still use a lightweight inexpensive sunshade. But if you like perfect fit, and clean lines, go with the Covercraft, not a bad way to spend $60.

 

Here in Texas, the ceramic tint is worth it. I have it on all my glass. The front windshield was $140 itself, but the peace of mind that my dash won't get cooked with UV is priceless.

I'm all about a good sunshade too, but I'm also occasionally lazy or forgetful and want something that protects my car against that.

 

Hey guys,

I plan on getting Xpel Prime XR Plus tint for all the windows + windshield this week. When I bought my car used I assumed it was 50% tint in the front and 30% tint in the rears. Upon checking lexus drivers, I see the note that the dealer installed 55% and 18%. TINT ALL WINDOWS (WINDSHEILD NOT INCLUDED) : ~|~16188 TINTED ALL WINDOWS TINTED FRONT AT 55% REAR AT 18%. From this note im not sure if they tinted the 2 rear windows + rear windshield? The moonroof also looks tinted but I assume thats the factory tint. When inspecting the moonroof tint and rear windshield the tint looks the same in terms of how there's a black bezel around it and I dont see any cutoff of tint film.

I plan on removing the old tints and applying 35% all around and 70% windshield. Can anyone provide insight regarding the rear tints and moonroof? Would I just have the tint shop apply a ceramic film on top? Also is it possible to call lexus and request a copy of the work order for that tint job to find out what tint they used ?

Thanks all

Will add photo of moonroof and rear after.

 

Sounds like they tinted the rear door windows and rear window at 18% and the front door windows at 55%. Moonroof seldom gets tinted. Should be able to ask the dealer and if it isn't on the work order they can tell you what brand they typically use. Depending on the dealership, this work gets outsourced to a third party working onsite so they might not have all the details in their system.

 

I believe the moonroof has privacy glass? so it maybe not be tinted with a film but instead from "factory". Ill take photos of the rear glass, roof, and overall outside look tomorrow in the sun. With the roof already having this darker shade, I was thinking of just adding 70% ceramic to keep the shade but add heat rejection.


adding photos

 

Installed 40% Ceramic tint all around today - before (factory tint):



and after:


Reduction in heat is *immediately* noticeable.

 

MBradshaw... looks 100 times better! But it looks a little light for 40%, I would have guessed closer to 70%. Here's mine with 50% on the sides and 35% on the rear windshield and sunroof, nothing on front windshield.

 

Looks really good.
I'm contemplating if I should get tint. I noticed my new GS is somewhat tinted also. I'll decide after PPF.

 



 

I hear you, and yours looks great too! I didn't want anything too dark, so it's perfect for me. Installer told me it was 40%, so that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Just *had* to do something about the heat with the black on black. Had a long drive over the weekend, and I think I could actually smell my arm starting to burn.

 

Great way to beat the heat.
LLumar Pinnacle Ceramic tint 15%, 35%, 50%

 

Looks good. I just got Xpel Prime 20% (except the windshield)

 

What's the heat rejection number for the XPEL compared to others like Llumar Formula One like?