So I just had my Mazda tinted yesterday at a good tint shop an hours drive away. I got 30% on both sides, front and back, and matching 30% on the rear window. Charcoal/Black tint. They were a top certified 3M installer and I paid $285 for 3M's "Color Stable" tint (ceramic based),the top tint they carried that is never supposed to fade, purple, etc. Has a lifetime warranty and the guys said they stood behind it all the way. Anyone have this tint or a 3M variation? I know there are even nicer tints out there but I had less than $300 to spend and it seems like this is a solid quality tint. Their other 3M tint was nice but "could fadein 5+ years". So I opted for the top dawg. The guys strongly urged not to go with 15% because of harassment by cops, and since I live in a smaller city and we have lots of bored cops here I agreed. I get pulled over a few times a year regardless anyhow. I also wanted matching tint all around, as I think the lighter or no-tint up frontwith darker in the back looks strange. The 30% feels real nice when driving because it's barely, and I do mean barely, noticeable as far as appearing darker, from the inside. From the outside it does it's job and makes it hard to see in but not solid black. At night you still can barely tell from the inside. Anyone else have darker tint or opinions on 3M?




OK, finally took a few pics late this afternoon, luckily before the sun went down! Give me your opinion! And YES I KNOW MY TIRES AREN'T SHINED UP! I had just dried her up quickly with a sheepskin chamois and the rubber was damp. Didn't have time to waste so oh well....

 

My dad got the same stuff put on his Vette. Like you he paid for it, but with tint you get what you pay for. IMO. BTW got pics?

 

I will post some later... it's over at my Dad's in his garage curing up, even though they said it's completely unnessesary and could be outside (I have no garage). Call me paranoid!

 

Mine had darker tint from the dealer. I have 25% up front, 5% out back. I wouldn't have gone for a tint that dark myself, but have gotten used to it... sort of. I do not back down my driveway in the dark, or at least have a very hard tome w/it.
As you said, it does look a little funny that way if you look closely, but it's OK.

 

Wow, 5%. Yeah, it honestly is ridiculous (in a good way) how little 30% changed it as far as the driver's POV. But what a difference outside! I guess because the outdoors are under sunlight and therefore bright, and the car inside is so dark, it reflects light and makes the 30% seem darker than it really is pane-for-pane. Is 25% barely noticeable from inside too? Someone had told me tinting your car makes it look like you have sunglasses on, and at night it's even worse....but that must not take effect till the <15% range...

 

Even here in Texas I would've been happy w/20-25% all around. The 5 is sometimes a PITA, but I live w/it.
Spotting cars behind... especially the po-po can be difficult w/tint that dark.

 

I can imagine. Do cops have the blackgrills/hoods in TX too? Where in TX are you btw?

I probably would've opted a little darker if I didn't live indreary Oregon. 9 months out of the year it's cloudy and rainy here so 30% does the job, really.

 

Which cops? The State police, known as DPS (Department of Public Safety) around here, drive black and whites, the Sheriff's department drives camel colored Crown Vickies, the local po-po drive white, black, blue or blackand whites, depending on the town/city.
Now they've got the stealthy Chargers. Hidden lights and flip/flop logos that you may or amy not see. Black spot lights that blend in w/the side mirrors, etc....

We live in the country about 15-17 miles outside of the Austin area... the Greater Austin area, as it's usually called 'round here.

 

Specifics, specifics, specifics! Way to make mefeel incompetent!

I was generalizing the "cop" phrase I guess.I meant local I guess, as those are the ones most people see or get bugged by, at least 'round here anyway!

 

50 % front winshield

5% charcoal limo all the way around


very warm here in FLA. and have a black car