[MineralGreyMetallic]

My car is going in for PPF and tint tomorrow, but I'm still undecided on whether I should tint the windshield.

Back in 2017 none of the shops I spoke with ever mentioned windshield tint. Today, they all do. Probably because they all charge $400 for it around here.

Thoughts and experiences would be helpful. I'm going with a ceramic tint (XPEL Prime XR Plus) so I believe there will be a blue hue. I'm ok with that. The installer is recommending 70%.

What I'm concerned with is night time visibility and visual distortions.

[Hunter399]

Yes, always do a slight tint on the windshield

[JABCAT]

We do the clear UV film on the windshield.

[xxyion]

Originally Posted by MineralGreyMetallic

My car is going in for PPF and tint tomorrow, but I'm still undecided on whether I should tint the windshield.

Back in 2017 none of the shops I spoke with ever mentioned windshield tint. Today, they all do. Probably because they all charge $400 for it around here.

Thoughts and experiences would be helpful. I'm going with a ceramic tint (XPEL Prime XR Plus) so I believe there will be a blue hue. I'm ok with that. The installer is recommending 70%.

What I'm concerned with is night time visibility and visual distortions.

Your location shows that you are in LA. I'd be careful about a windshield tint. ANY tint on the windshield is illegal in CA including tint banners. So just be weary about that.

That being said i did have PPF on my windshield for my GT4 and there was some slight distortion. I also noticed that if it was only slightly sprinkling, the wipers would generate a bit of heat due to the friction on the PPF and just be incredibly noisy. But this only happened in super super light rain or mist. In heavy rain it was fine.

[NewToM]

I was considering it but opted out and just tinted the other windows.

[two_three_two]

i will do clear ceramic on windshield most likely but i am skeptical of making the investment considering how many people have replaced them. i also look out the top 1/3 of the windshield considering my height so a sun strip is out.

[MineralGreyMetallic]

Originally Posted by NewToM

I was considering it but opted out and just tinted the other windows.

What % did you get on the sides/rear? Happy with it?

[NewToM]

Originally Posted by MineralGreyMetallic

What % did you get on the sides/rear? Happy with it?

I THINK I did 25% all around. Apparently darker than allowed in California but haven’t run into any issues and very happy with it.

[sullic]

I've done 70% on my recent cars and I am very happy with it. It isn't dark at all and is perfectly fine at night. I'm sensitive to light, so I find it helpful during the day, and also helps with oncoming traffic at night. Win-Win to me.

I'm now in VA and we need a medical except to be able to get the front windshield tinted. I have one so I'm able within the rules. You should check the rules for your state.

[Carefree]

I chose LLumar IRX 35 for the windows and didn’t tint the windshield. (Arizona)

Keep in mind a tint must comply with the state in which you’re driving. Some law enforcement can get prickly about it.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

We do the clear UV film on the windshield.

I did that on my B9 S5...biggest mistake in the sun down here.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by Hunter399

Yes, always do a slight tint on the windshield

Agree, do the entire windshield (not the top strip). I recommend going lighter than the rest of the windows, like 50%. If you want a real light tint, go 70%. I would just be cautious to go darker than 50% only for the facts that you like/want it that dark and how your local law enforcement treats non-compliant tint.

[rons e92]

I had Xpel Prime XR+ 70% on my windshield. I think it's perfect. You really can't even tell that it's tinted, but it makes such a difference with the headlights at night. It just takes that edge off and also really reduces glare.

The other thing is that it almost looks like none of the windows are tinted sometimes because the contrast between side glass and windshield is substantially less pronounced.

Had to get the windshield replaced and I think I might actually go 50% this time.

I have the same 30% film on all the other glass for context.

[Jerry333]

does it affect the HUD beightness?

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by rons e92

I had Xpel Prime XR+ 70% on my windshield. I think it's perfect. You really can't even tell that it's tinted, but it makes such a difference with the headlights at night. It just takes that edge off and also really reduces glare.

The other thing is that it almost looks like none of the windows are tinted sometimes because the contrast between side glass and windshield is substantially less pronounced.

Had to get the windshield replaced and I think I might actually go 50% this time.

I have the same 30% film on all the other glass for context.

Perfectly done.

[rons e92]

Originally Posted by Jerry333

does it affect the HUD beightness?

I don't remember noticing a difference when I had the car done, but I only had if for about a week before it went for PPF and tint. I had the windshield replaced about a month and a half ago and I didn't notice a difference then either.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

I did that on my B9 S5...biggest mistake in the sun down here.

Why? We've had zero issues & it's pretty sunny where we live.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Why? We've had zero issues & it's pretty sunny where we live.

In the morning and evening during the worst part of the rising and setting sun, sue to the angle it hit the windshield it produced this nasty reflective haze (not sure how to otherwise describe it) that made it a bear to see through (even my Maui Jims didn't help).

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

In the morning and evening during the worst part of the rising and setting sun, sue to the angle it hit the windshield it produced this nasty reflective haze (not sure how to otherwise describe it) that made it a bear to see through (even my Maui Jims didn't help).

Gotcha. It had to be either the type of film or the installer. We've had both Xpel clear film and currently have Llumar Air 80 series clear film. No issues with any hazing or glare on multiple vehicles.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Gotcha. It had to be either the type of film or the installer. We've had both Xpel clear film and currently have Llumar Air 80 series clear film. No issues with any hazing or glare on multiple vehicles.

It could have been. When put on at time of car purchase I don't recall the issues. Windshield was replaced a year after due to crack so it may have been what or how applied on the replacement windshield (I did notice it got worse over time)..

[MineralGreyMetallic]

Thanks for the input, guys.

I've decided on 70% for windshield and 30% around the rest.

Windshield is $400 at a lot of shops around here, so I'll just make sure they will remove it for free if I'm not happy with it.

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by MineralGreyMetallic

Thanks for the input, guys.

I've decided on 70% for windshield and 30% around the rest.

Windshield is $400 at a lot of shops around here, so I'll just make sure they will remove it for free if I'm not happy with it.

Unless its not dark enough for you, you should have no issues. Its perfect at night and should provide enough during the day without being too dark or drawing attention from the popo.