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      03-26-2020, 01:37 AM   #1
QUiKSR20
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G01 X3 What tint to match rear? * have searched

Just looking to see what percent / color to tint my front windows to match the factory rear windows. I do not wish to tint the rear windows. I just want to tint my front windows as light as I can to look uniform to the rear..

I searched up and down but most talked about tinting front and rear windows, I only want to know how to best tint the front two windows ( pass/driver )
to match the rest of the car. I am not looking for a super dark look just to match the rear and look OEM.

Thanks in advance fellas! If you have pics or examples what worked for you please post as this will help me.

** I DONT Want to tint anything else but my front two windows.
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      03-26-2020, 02:14 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QUiKSR20 View Post
Just looking to see what percent / color to tint my front windows to match the factory rear windows. I do not wish to tint the rear windows. I just want to tint my front windows as light as I can to look uniform to the rear..

I searched up and down but most talked about tinting front and rear windows, I only want to know how to best tint the front two windows ( pass/driver )
to match the rest of the car. I am not looking for a super dark look just to match the rear and look OEM.

Thanks in advance fellas! If you have pics or examples what worked for you please post as this will help me.

** I DONT Want to tint anything else but my front two windows.
I did 22% 3 layer ceramic on my front two windows, looks pretty damn close to matching. The fronts will always seem lighter than the rear depending on the angle, because of the massive clear window that is the windshield. I don't know if I would go much darker than 20% on the front because it would hinder your peripheral view at night. I had full 5% tint when I was younger and it looked cool as shit, but I had to roll down the windows at night to help see where I was going while reversing
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      03-26-2020, 02:16 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cjallstar View Post
I did 22% 3 layer ceramic on my front two windows, looks pretty damn close to matching. The fronts will always seem lighter than the rear depending on the angle, because of the massive clear window that is the windshield. I don't know if I would go much darker than 20% on the front because it would hinder your peripheral view at night. I had full 5% tint when I was younger and it looked cool as shit, but I had to roll down the windows at night to help see where I was going while reversing
Awesome thank you, Yeah its my wifes daily aka the family car we share ( I drive an F30 ) So I just want it to look nice and uniform to the rear
but not decrease drive-ability for her in anyway.
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      03-26-2020, 08:07 AM   #4
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No idea what you searched. But you would know that 20% is the way to go for what youre looking for.


Window tint options https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1600482


Front windows tinted to match. https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1511701


Factory tint + front tint https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1502221

Good luck.
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      03-26-2020, 08:22 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by suby01 View Post
No idea what you searched. But you would know that 20% is the way to go for what youre looking for.


Window tint options https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1600482


Front windows tinted to match. https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1511701


Factory tint + front tint https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1502221

Good luck.
Thanks, Mosts posts I found were front + rear... Must of missed those thank you.
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      03-26-2020, 08:30 AM   #6
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You could also call or stop by (if possible) a good tint shop or two and check with them. They do this of the time and I've found most of them to have good customer service.
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      03-26-2020, 08:31 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Bob in IL View Post
You could also call or stop by (if possible) a good tint shop or two and check with them. They do this of the time and I've found most of them to have good customer service.
Cool will do thanks, Just didnt know if there was a perfected formula at this point like " Yes get 3M Type xyz in ...% " which matches the factory".
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      03-26-2020, 01:31 PM   #8
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A good tint shop will have a VLT meter that would tell you the exact %VLT level tint you would need for matching.

The hard part is that most shops only provide certain levels. 15%, 25%, 35%... If you need 30%, you'll need to pick 25% or 35%. IMO, it would be better to err on the higher side and have the front tint be slightly lighter.
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      03-26-2020, 01:50 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by QUiKSR20 View Post
Cool will do thanks, Just didnt know if there was a perfected formula at this point like " Yes get 3M Type xyz in ...% " which matches the factory".
Another thing to consider, if it's important to you, is what % legal in your state. If it doesn't matter to you no problem on the %'s.
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      03-26-2020, 02:00 PM   #10
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You may be willing to accept this trade off, but people who tint the fronts have found that the dash tends to dim and become less visible.
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      03-26-2020, 02:08 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmicah View Post
You may be willing to accept this trade off, but people who tint the fronts have found that the dash tends to dim and become less visible.
Im assuming you mean the gauge cluster? Good to know thank you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob in IL View Post
Another thing to consider, if it's important to you, is what % legal in your state. If it doesn't matter to you no problem on the %'s.
In NJ nothing is legal on the front windows but as long as its semi light your usually not hassled.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alias1431 View Post
A good tint shop will have a VLT meter that would tell you the exact %VLT level tint you would need for matching.

The hard part is that most shops only provide certain levels. 15%, 25%, 35%... If you need 30%, you'll need to pick 25% or 35%. IMO, it would be better to err on the higher side and have the front tint be slightly lighter.
Gotcha makes sense, And I agree id rather go lighter than darker... Typically im not even a fan of tint at all but since this is an SUV and the back windows are already tinted I figured matching the fronts would just look nicer.

100% not looking to make it any darker than necessary, If the back windows were not factory tinted I wouldn't even be getting any tint to begin with.
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      03-26-2020, 08:56 PM   #12
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This is 20% in ceramic. Looks awesome on the outside, but honestly it can be a little dark at night, especially when turning. And yeah I feel like unless it's super bright and sunny, my instrument panel is usually dimmed due to less light in the cabin. Not that you asked, but if I were to do it over again I'd choose a lighter option in the front, like 30-35%.
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      03-28-2020, 02:04 PM   #13
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All good answers guys, Yeah ill prob go 30/35% on front.. Not looking for it to be dark, Just dark enough to look
uniform with the back or atleast better than the big variation there is not with no tint on the front at all.
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