How dark is factory tint?

[jered22]

How dark does Ford tint the rear windows? I want to tint the front windows to match but would rather not go darker or lighter than the back. I live in NY so our legal limit is 70 percent all the way around. Something tells me that the factory is a little darker than 70 percent. Any ideas?

 

[Walk03XLT]

I was told on my 03 that the factory tint was 20%. In KS I couldn't get the front windows that dark to match. I believe it was 35% I had to go with. This was a while ago so I hope my memory is correct. I would think that newer models would be the same.

 

[ExpyPlowGuy]

20% will be your closest match to the rear windows when looking at them from the outside. From the inside you will notice a slight difference looking out.

 

[jered22]

20% will be your closest match to the rear windows when looking at them from the outside. From the inside you will notice a slight difference looking out.

Ok so consider me "stupid" to the percentages of window tinting but I live in NY and the law says that the fronts have to be 70%. Now I know when you are talking abou the law having to allow 70% of the light to pass thru.... when you talk about the strength of the tint I hear alot about 20%-35% is the tint really that far off from the written law or does 20% tint = 80% of the light to pass? Does that make sense?

 

[walnuts4x4]

I have 20% tint on mine... technically been told in NY its too dark... even 35% is too dark for NY law... but I've been lucky so far... but 20% matches the factory pretty good...

 

[jered22]

I will probably go with 35. I have a good friend who is a Trooper in NYS and he said that he only stops and writes tickets for tint when they are extreme. If they drive by and can see inside then they usually won't stop you. Thats his opinion of course you never know which cop is having a bad day and wants to write for nothing. I think I will try the 35% and see what happens.

 

[GAINMOB]

left up to cop...in VA...its a secondary offense...must violate something else...i.e stop light...stop sign...etc....THEN they can ticket you for the tint...out of state tags come handy...going 5% on top of my 15% that is on top of the factory...5% only on fronts...35% or 20% on windshield with 5% visor...THIS SUMMER!!!

 

[jered22]

left up to cop...in VA...its a secondary offense...must violate something else...i.e stop light...stop sign...etc....THEN they can ticket you for the tint...out of state tags come handy...going 5% on top of my 15% that is on top of the factory...5% only on fronts...35% or 20% on windshield with 5% visor...THIS SUMMER!!!

Yeah secondary offense that's pretty much what he was saying.. He's been a Trooper for almost 15 years and he has only pulled over once for the tint alone... Very rarely ever tickets for it unless it is insanely dark. Thanks

 

[jered22]

Do you know anyone in this forum who has the front tinted windows on a 2010-2011 EL? I would like to see a picture before I commit.

 

[Racenut]

Ok so consider me "stupid" to the percentages of window tinting but I live in NY and the law says that the fronts have to be 70%. Now I know when you are talking abou the law having to allow 70% of the light to pass thru.... when you talk about the strength of the tint I hear alot about 20%-35% is the tint really that far off from the written law or does 20% tint = 80% of the light to pass? Does that make sense?

In regards to tint numbers the % is the amount of light that will pass thru the tint.

Example: 20% tint means that 20% of the light will transmit thru the tint.

Also a key thing to remember is that alot of states have regulations on the reflectivity of the tint. Many of them do not allow this type of tint because the officers can not see in the vehicle.

The reflective tints are usually the best ones because they have a metallic layer to them that reflects the heat, but again make sure to do plenty of research into your local laws first.

 

[GAINMOB]

Do you know anyone in this forum who has the front tinted windows on a 2010-2011 EL? I would like to see a picture before I commit.

can remember his name...not an EL but he has like 2 layers of 5% all around...15% on winshield with a 5% visor tint...cant think of his name...has the RE 15 in the back...

 

[tallsville]

freeway i think you are talking about dexter. and here are links that give you each states tint laws

http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=11300

 

[GAINMOB]

yes...dexter...all i could come up with was 'D'...thx talls

 

[JTKustoms]

Going along with what everyone else said, 20% is the best match....stock tint varies but is usually between 18-22% I've heard

 

[Coyote1]

I recently went by a local tint shop where I live in Florida and they had a tint meter, the rear windows are tinted from the factory at 20% on my 01 Expy. I was told I should be able to use 20% aftermarket film and it should be an almost an exact match on the front and still be legal.

 

[Bedrck47]

I recently went by a local tint shop where I live in Florida and they had a tint meter, the rear windows are tinted from the factory at 20% on my 01 Expy. I was told I should be able to use 20% aftermarket film and it should be an almost an exact match on the front and still be legal.View attachment 20183

Welcome to the forum You just replied to a thread that is over 5 years old and hasn't seen any activity since Mar 28, 2012

 

[08T1]

I just had my front windows tinted 20%. No pics. But I had every intention of tinting the entire vehicle.
20% is very close to the stock ford tint. It blended very well.
I really doubt you would regret just 20 on the front.

JMHO

CJ

 

[Adieu]

I will probably go with 35. I have a good friend who is a Trooper in NYS and he said that he only stops and writes tickets for tint when they are extreme. If they drive by and can see inside then they usually won't stop you. Thats his opinion of course you never know which cop is having a bad day and wants to write for nothing. I think I will try the 35% and see what happens.

Wasn't the whole idea of tint so that you CANNOT see inside???

 

[MBohn]

Wasn't the whole idea of tint so that you CANNOT see inside???

Depends. Here in south Louisiana, Im adding ceramic tint to help with heat. Some add it for looks, some for function, some for privacy.

 

[Kevin08]

Last couple vehicles I’ve done 20% on front doors. I thought 5% was way too dark and never considered it. But since I’ve had the strip across top of windshield done 5% and now can’t imagine going any lighter. BUT I’d only go that dark on side windows if vehicle has reverse camera and the park aid sonar. People just don’t teach their kids not to walk behind running vehicle like my parents did.
Maybe Tesla will put electro chromatic side glass that lightens in Reverse gear and Ford will copy the tech, lol.