Model S - Window Tinting

[efusco]

I am a novice on window tinting, never had any car tinted before. I visited my local tinted shop and he recommended the Llumar film. Any ideas or comments on this brand? My intent of tinting my Model S (upcoming) is for blocking the heat in my area during summer, not for looks or try to keep interior magical. I don't want to do the front windshield except may be the top 4-5" assuming there is no tinting on Model S (correct?), only the side windows and hatch back window. I am concern about difficult to see at night if I go to 35% (legal limit in NC). What if I do 40%, 50%, etc? Comment?

Even with tint to 20% i've never had an issue with seeing out of the vehicle. It's kind of like being inside a house with no lights on and looking outside. You can see what's outside better than with the lights on, but people can't see inside at all. I'm sure there's some amount of light blocked that is measurable for seeing out, but I think the "safety" aspect is mostly hyperbole from law enforcement that want to be able to see into the car.

 

[yobigd20]

but I think the "safety" aspect is mostly hyperbole from law enforcement that want to be able to see into the car.

While that's certainly one of the reason's that tint on side windows is illegal in most states, the biggest reason that it is actually illegal is for your OWN safety (at least this is what was told to me on multiple occasions by cops in NJ .. I used to have 15% tint on my side windows so I got stopped all the time).

Side windows are engineered as breakaway glass for your own safety. In an accident they quickly shatter into thousands of small pieces so if your head jolts to the side there is no big shards of glass to cut you up. However, with the aftermarket tint film on the windows, in the event of an accident the film interferes with the "breakaway design" and holds all the shattered pieces together glued to the film. If your face hits that it will rip your face off or do some serious damage. They said they've seen this happen many times and it is not pretty. I even asked my family relative about this who was 27 years as an officer and he said the same thing. He also said it scared the crap out of him approaching any vehicle with tint since he could not see inside (he was an officer in Camden NJ so you never knew what you were going to deal with there).

One time I was in Baltimore and someone tried to break into my car with an ice pick - the whole window shattered but stayed together in one solid piece. They never got into the car, I guess they went to a different car after that. But looking at it I would agree that it would seem a bit frightening if that folded inward in an accident and my face was slid across it - yuck.

But in the end that still never stopped me from putting tint the side windows in all my vehicles though hah

 

[EarlyAdopter]

The curtain airbags should significantly reduce the risk of cheese-grating your face on broken side window glass.

 

[jandkw]

efusco, "Even with tint to 20% i've never had an issue with seeing out of the vehicle." Does this apply seeing at night? Do you have the 20% on the front windshield and still can see at night with no issue?

 

[dcopperfield]

I just got 20% tint on my black tesla. It really finishes the car off nicely and gives it a super- cool look.
I will try and post pictures this evening if anyone is interested.

 

[yobigd20]

I just got 20% tint on my black tesla. It really finishes the car off nicely and gives it a super- cool look.
I will try and post pictures this evening if anyone is interested.

nice! Please do, I plan on getting black when I get my finalize button and I was going to tint mine too so I'm really curious what 20% will look like.

 

[highedu]

I just got 20% tint on my black tesla. It really finishes the car off nicely and gives it a super- cool look.
I will try and post pictures this evening if anyone is interested.

Please post as many pics as you can at different angles.

 

[dcopperfield]

Here's my tint job:

 

[HFh]

I'm trying to imagine that with grey or even black wheels....

 

[Oreo]

That's magical dcopperfield!
I especially liked the picture showing the back window.
When I'm debating White Pearl Vs. Black There are so many black areas on the car, so when tinting like this it just looks more complete on a black Model S.

 

[Laumb]

Did they tint the pano roof aswell?


_____
Tapatalkin' from iTalatut.

 

[dcopperfield]

nah, i didnt really want that tinted as i live in seattle and need some sunlight every now and again

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

This is with 3M 20 in front / 50 on all rears
Also from Auto Image in Belmont

20 is pretty light and you can see in/out decently of the front windows
I think I like the 50 in the rear vs 35 because it makes the front look not tinted/factory light tinted since it it not CA ok

 

[jandkw]

dcopperfield, with 20% on your side and rear windows, what is your vision at night? Can you see clearly?

 

[dcopperfield]

Visibility is fine. Can see well-- I think the 20% was perfect

 

[ddenboer]

Had my windows tinted at AutoImage (http://www.autoimagetint.com) in Belmont today with Llumar film at 15%. Looks great (pics forthcoming) and kids were quite happy with the sunny drive home today!

 

[strider]

Had my windows tinted at AutoImage (http://www.autoimagetint.com) in Belmont today with Llumar film at 15%. Looks great (pics forthcoming) and kids were quite happy with the sunny drive home today!

Excellent! Looking forward to some pics. Trying to decide on what % to get. Wife doesn't want it too dark.

 

[Lloyd]

Mine is being done today also with Llumar, 50 rear and 15 front. Photos also if it is not raining.

 

[Zextraterrestrial]

Did they tint the pano roof aswell?


_____
Tapatalkin' from iTalatut.

The pano is dark enough that you can't see (most) stars on a clear night

 

[Lloyd]

Here is Llumar 50 and 15 installed on mine.