Tint on my PPV

[blairian]

Went and had my 2013 Tahoe PPV tinted today! Looks so much better with dark windows. Can't stand driving around with everyone able to look in - I know - it's a mental thing.

Went with Madico Onyx film. Has a lifetime warranty, and it didn't break the bank for me. Going to throw a shout out to Mother's Window Tint on S. Lamar in Austin, Texas for doing a great job. Definitely not a chop job.

Took about an hour and a half, but it was well worth the wait.

Went with 5% on all the rears, which came with the factory deep tint glass, and 15% on the front passenger windows. Yes, I do realize that is in violation of the Texas tint laws, but being used for Police work, it is exempt. Went with 15% on the front to ensure that I still have some night time visibility. Depending on how it does, I may go and have the fronts re-done to 5%...

The tint made all the difference in the world to me on how it looks. Have a couple of touched up photos that were for my enjoyment, and also some untouched photos as well so you have a better look at it.

Enjoy!

 

[blairian]

Here are a couple of the PPV before the tint job.

 

[OHSIXX]

Looks sick........people riding next to you will wonder if they are gonna get pulled over......I'd slow down if I didn't get a look at the plates

 

[blairian]

Looks sick........people riding next to you will wonder if they are gonna get pulled over......I'd slow down if I didn't get a look at the plates

Thanks brother - people stay way back, lol. I have some custom vanity plates that will be going on her once I receive them.

I'm a Texas Navy Admiral, and the Texas Navy plate I have is "A4", the two characters of which are separated by a Texas silhouette...had them on my 2012 Passat (which was traded for this Tahoe), and that amazingly enough had a lot of people freaked. That was just your average foreign sedan...

 

[yates ™]

Get that windshield tinted

 

[blairian]

Get that windshield tinted

I'd like to, but don't know if I'll be able to find a good installer that will do that. Would like a much lighter tint if I do end up going that route - thinking 50% or so.

 

[yates ™]

I'd like to, but don't know if I'll be able to find a good installer that will do that. Would like a much lighter tint if I do end up going that route - thinking 50% or so.

I ran 50 on a few cars and 35 on all the others, do 35.

 

[blairian]

I ran 50 on a few cars and 35 on all the others, do 35.

I'm going to seriously think about it. I just get the feeling that is going to end up asking for way too much attention from the "undesire-ables"

 

[yates ™]

It is way illegal in Iowa and have never been asked about it.

 

[blairian]

It is way illegal in Iowa and have never been asked about it.

Fair enough. It is technically illegal as hell here in Texas. Even eyebrow tint has to be at least 25% transmission, and can't extend more than 5 inches below the top of the windshield - regardless of AS1 lines.

A little off- topic, but where in Iowa are you at? I lived a little stint in Mount Vernon by Cedar Rapids.

 

[yates ™]

About 2.5-3 hours south of where you lived.

 

[blairian]

About 2.5-3 hours south of where you lived.

Right on. Hated those winters...

 

[yates ™]

A little milder here but not much.

 

[Pooter]

Fair enough. It is technically illegal as hell here in Texas. Even eyebrow tint has to be at least 25% transmission, and can't extend more than 5 inches below the top of the windshield - regardless of AS1 lines.

A little off- topic, but where in Iowa are you at? I lived a little stint in Mount Vernon by Cedar Rapids.

Eyebrow doesnt need to have a certain transmittance that ive ever heard, just cant extend below the 5"s?

I have 5% all the way around on mine and brow, but I also have the medical exemption from the state, so no issues Driving at night isnt any worse with the 5% on the front doors either, I actually like having it all the same darkness as its easier for my eyes to adjust to other light sources. Id love to do the whole windshield if it wasnt for the inspection/registration stickers
The dark tint makes a real nice different in the heat of the texas summer.

 

[blairian]

Eyebrow doesnt need to have a certain transmittance that ive ever heard, just cant extend below the 5"s?

I have 5% all the way around on mine and brow, but I also have the medical exemption from the state, so no issues Driving at night isnt any worse with the 5% on the front doors either, I actually like having it all the same darkness as its easier for my eyes to adjust to other light sources. Id love to do the whole windshield if it wasnt for the inspection/registration stickers
The dark tint makes a real nice different in the heat of the texas summer.

Eyebrow tint rules:

(1) a windshield that has a sunscreening device that:

(A) in combination with the windshield has a light transmission of 25 percent or more;

(B) in combination with the windshield has a luminous reflectance of 25 percent or less;

(C) is not red, blue, or amber; and

(D) does not extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or more than five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield;

Above is the specific regulations for eyebrow tint in Texas. 25% or more has to be transmitted.

I sure wouldn't mind one of the medical exemptions...think I might end up going back and having 5% put on the fronts eventually.

 

[Pooter]

(1) a windshield that has a sunscreening device that:

(A) in combination with the windshield has a light transmission of 25 percent or more;

(B) in combination with the windshield has a luminous reflectance of 25 percent or less;

(C) is not red, blue, or amber; and

(D) does not extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or more than five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield;

Above is the specific regulations for eyebrow tint in Texas. 25% or more has to be transmitted.

I sure wouldn't mind one of the medical exemptions...think I might end up going back and having 5% put on the fronts eventually.

Its easy as can be to get, and keeps you in the good graces of the law, although Ive never actually needed it/used it yet. Ive had either 15% or 5% on any car Ive ever had, never been hassled for it. I guess having the window down before they come up and being respectful gives no reason to look things over for anything additional. Never understood how some get tickets for it in the first place? lol

Ill see if I can find the form again, its actually on the TX DPS website, go to your eye doctor, have them write/type a letter on your behalf of having photophobia and submit with your VIN on the form(up to 3 vehicles can be listed on the same form IIRC) to the state via fax, within a week you get your letter back to keep in the vehicle, also applies to future inspections. Good for however long you own the vehicle.

 

[blairian]

Its easy as can be to get, and keeps you in the good graces of the law, although Ive never actually needed it/used it yet. Ive had either 15% or 5% on any car Ive ever had, never been hassled for it. I guess having the window down before they come up and being respectful gives no reason to look things over for anything additional. Never understood how some get tickets for it in the first place? lol

Ill see if I can find the form again, its actually on the TX DPS website, go to your eye doctor, have them write/type a letter on your behalf of having photophobia and submit with your VIN on the form(up to 3 vehicles can be listed on the same form IIRC) to the state via fax, within a week you get your letter back to keep in the vehicle, also applies to future inspections. Good for however long you own the vehicle.

Righteous! And here I was thinking that it was going to be a tooth pulling and painful process.

 

[Pooter]

Righteous! And here I was thinking that it was going to be a tooth pulling and painful process.

Kind of shocking it so easy, I guess most of the lawbreakers or ones that should be hassled for it(like a reason for a stop/"contact") arent smart enough to use it/abuse it.

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/VI-4.pdf

 

[blairian]

Kind of shocking it so easy, I guess most of the lawbreakers or ones that should be hassled for it(like a reason for a stop/"contact") arent smart enough to use it/abuse it.

https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/VI-4.pdf

Heard that! I know just the eye doctor to talk to as well.

Well, not that it's any big secret. He's my regular eye doctor. But, nonetheless, I do get headaches and migraines from bright sunlight...like almost everyone probably does at some point. Looks like a piece of cake. Thank you!

 

[Pooter]

Heard that! I know just the eye doctor to talk to as well.

Well, not that it's any big secret. He's my regular eye doctor. But, nonetheless, I do get headaches and migraines from bright sunlight...like almost everyone probably does at some point. Looks like a piece of cake. Thank you!

No prob!

My regular eye doctor is super cool anyway, had no problem typing up a letter and faxing it to me, he even worded it that having darker tint would help with my medical condition. I think anyone that lives in Texas gets headaches with the dang sun in the summer, lol.

Looks like if you are a LEO you are also exempt from the laws also, but wouldnt hurt to have in the car when off duty.

Below are the exemptions to Window Tint requirements.

Vehicles used to transport passengers on a regular basis for a fee, (i.e., taxi, limousine, and buses).
Vehicles that are maintained by a law enforcement agency and used for law enforcement purposes.
Vehicles used by persons with medical permits. Drivers of these vehicles must present a letter of authorization from the Texas Department of Public Safety to gain this exemption.

Motorists may request a medical exemption from the Texas Department of Public Safety by submitting an application and a signed statement or prescription from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist. This statement should state that it is his or her opinion that the exemption is necessary to safeguard the motorist’s health.

Medical Exemption Application

Note: The medical exemption allows motorists to place a darker tint on the front side windows and the upper portion of the front windshield (top 5 inches or above the AS-1 line, whichever is less). The exemption does not, however, allow a motorist to place a sun screening device on the rest of the front windshield.