Would you like to add a tint to the windows of your car? Whether such a choice is motivated by safety reasons or enjoying more privacy, it is worth knowing the difference between the available options.
This way, not only will you get the desired results, but will also make sure you respect the law.
Always check local regulations regarding car window tint, making sure your choice will not get you in any trouble.
The 35 percent window tint is legal in many states but may be considered too dark by some.
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What is 35 Percent Tint on Car?
The intensity of a car’s window tint is measured in percentages. The higher the percentage, the more light is allowed to get in the car from the outside.
Thus, tints with a lower percentage are more opaque, blocking light and curious eyes.
A 35 percent window tint ensures a good degree of privacy inside the car while allowing the driver to see outside as well.
This window tint is preferred by many drivers because it looks elegant on the car, without making it look too dark.
Is 35 Tint Legal in California?
The state of California has rather stringent laws when it comes to car window tinting.
According to the latest updates of the law, sedans, SUVs, and vans are allowed to have window tint, which is non-reflective, on the top 4 inches of the windshield only.
The front side windows should also allow light in for 80% in case of aftermarket films and 70% in case of factory-tinted windows.
Only the backside windows and rear windows can take any degree of darkness.
In conclusion, the 35 tints cannot be applied on the windshield or side windows for cars driving in the state of California.
Why is 35 Percent Tint Needed in a Car Window?
There are quite a few reasons people choose a tint for the windows of their cars. Blocking heat and UV rays are some of the reasons.
During hot, sunny summer days, tinted windows can reduce the heat inside the car and glare on the road, making driving a safer activity.
Privacy is another reason, together with discouraging burglars to break into their cars. A 35 percent tint is quite dark, allowing only 35% of sunlight to get inside the car.
But, at the same time, the driver and passengers can see outside without difficulties.
Thus, the tint is effective in reducing sunlight and heat, not allowing strangers to see inside the car either. Just make sure you’re allowed to use it in the state where you live.
35 Percent Window Tint on Car Buying Factors
01. Thickness
The thickness of standard window films ranges between 1 and 1.5 mm. Thus, the films are quite thin and could be damaged if they are scratched by sharp items.
Of course, you should not worry about this, considering that car shops ask for a good amount of money to remove window films (it is a rather difficult and time-consuming operation).
If you’re looking for something thicker, only safety films can be thicker, with thicknesses ranging between 4 and 14 mm.
They get this thickness through a procedure involving laminating together several layers of thinner film.
These thicker films can prevent a window from breaking into shattered glass, increasing the safety of those that stay inside the car.
02. Color
The color of window tint films is pretty similar to shade glasses. It is on the gray side of the color spectrum. The darker the film, the more black the windows will look.
The color of the window tint is meant to prevent glare, UV rays, sunlight, and heat from entering the car and creating discomfort or dangerous driving conditions.
It is like a thick filter for light, allowing only a part of the sun’s light to get through the windows.
So, apart from the aesthetics, tinted window films have a practical purpose, which explains why you can’t find window films in a larger variety of colors.
You can only select the shade, based on the amount of light and opacity you want to obtain from a window tint.
03. Durability
How much will a 35 percent tint last on a car’s windows? If the job is well done and quality materials have been used, a window tint can last up to 15 years.
For example, ceramic films are among the most durable, although their price is higher than the average and can get quite expensive if you want to do a van or SUV.
Of course, several factors influence the durability of window tints.
Heat, the number of UV rays the car is getting and the substances used for the car’s cleaning can preserve or damage the integrity of window tint films.
04. Installation
Tint films for car windows can be installed by a professional or can be a DIY project if you want to save some money.
However, in this case, you’ll need some patience and it would be a good idea to go for pre-cut window films that fit the size and shape of your car’s windows.
Also, if you want to install window films on your own, it is highly recommended to succeed right from the start.
It will be very difficult to take them off and re-install them again and again. If you do so, you’ll end up with air bubbles between the film and window surface.
If you want to enjoy well-installed 35 tint films on your car’s windows that last for a long time, choose the services of a reliable and reputable car shop.
05. Cost
The cost of getting a 35 percent tint film installed on your car’s windows can range between $150 and $600.
For this price range, you’ll get the standard, non-reflective film. If you want to enjoy higher quality materials, then be prepared to spend more.
For films made out of carbon, ceramic, or other special materials, you can pay anywhere between $200 and $800. The price will increase based on the number of windows you want to cover.
And in case you’ll want to remove the film from the car, due to various reasons, there’s a price attached to this as well. The removal of car window tint can cost between $25 and $200.
This cost can be even higher in some instances. Thus, it is worth considering if you need the tint and making sure your option is a legal one.
06. Time
It takes about two to three days for the adhesive of the tint film to be completely cured, in conditions of proper temperature.
This is why it is recommended to install tinted films on car windows during the summer months, but within a space where the temperature is controlled, allowing the adhesive to dry out properly.
Also, you should wait for another four to five days until you can roll down the car’s windows, making sure the tint is cured for good.
35 Percent Window Tint Before and After
If you are bothered by sunlight, heat, and glare while driving, or you want to create more privacy and comfort for your children in the back of the car, 35 window tint films can help you achieve all these.
After the installation of 35 window tint on your car’s windows, heat will be reduced and so will the light caused by the sun’s rays and bright street lights.
Driving during the day will become safer and more comfortable. Just make sure you respect the law when installing 35 window tint.
How Dark is 35 Tint?
As the name suggests, the 35 window tint allows 35% of light to get inside the car. More precisely, it has a VLT (Visible Light Transmission) of 35%.
So, allowing only 35% of light inside, the 35 tint is quite dark. Of course, there are darker tint options that will provide more privacy.
The 35 tint still allows people from the inside of the car to easily see outside. Considering that window tints range between 5 and 90, the 35 tint is somewhere in the middle.
Is 35 Tint Too Dark?
Before choosing the tint for your car’s windows, it is worth doing some research and seeing some examples of tints and how they look on cars.
Also, it is recommended to check local laws regarding window tints, since some states won’t allow the 35 tints (at least not on the windshield and front side windows).
But, besides this, you must decide how much light you want to get inside the car or how much privacy you need.
Do take into consideration driving at night with the window tint, especially if you consider using it on the front windows as well.
35 Tint at Night
Window tints for cars were created to prevent sunlight and UVs from getting inside the car, creating uncomfortable heat and glare while driving.
Thus, window tints have reflective properties and protect against sunlight and UV rays. At night, there’s nothing the window tint needs to reflect, as there is no light from the sun.
This way, the tint’s reflective properties will become null during nighttime.
It will be possible to see through them without issues, although street lights and headlights may be dimmed if you use tint for the windshield.
However, the law may not allow the use of dark tint on the windshield at all (pay attention to this aspect).
Benefits of 35 Tint on Car
The 35 tint is probably the most popular choice for cars when it comes to window tints. It is quite dark, while still allowing people inside the car to see outside without problems.
It offers an elegant and sleek design to the car and it is mostly accepted by local laws. It keeps heat and UV rays from bothering you during the day, allowing you to enjoy a good level of visibility at night.
Glare is also reduced and privacy is protected with the 35 percent tint. However, the quality of the tint installed on your car depends on how much money you’re willing to spend on this upgrade.
Disadvantages of Car Window Tint 35 Percent
The main disadvantage of using a 35 percent tint for car windows is reduced visibility at night.
Although there’s no light to reflect, the film that is meant to make windows darker during the day may affect visibility on the road at night.
Due to this reason, it may be a good idea not to cover the entire windshield with a dark film. In time, the tint may fade due to exposure to UV rays.
It can also peel off, delaminate and change its color. This can mean you’ll have to get it removed and install it once again (more money that will be spent).
The Basic FAQs on 35 Percent Window Tint
01. How Dark is 35 Percent Window Tint?
The 35 percent window tint is not the darkest option available. This tint will give windows a darker appearance, while still allowing the driver and passengers of the car to easily see outside.
The 35 percent window tint is one of the most popular tints because it gives the car a sleek appearance without being excessively dark.
As well, it is legal in most states, although it is always recommended to check local laws before applying tint to car windows.
02. What Will My Car Look Like With a 35 Percent Window Tint?
Many car drivers appreciate the sleek appearance 35 percent window tint gives to the appearance of a car.
This tint is darker than the 50 percent tint but lighter than 15 percent, which makes it the ideal middle-ground solution. The final look of your car will depend, though, on local laws.
You need to see whether you can apply 35 percent window tint on your front side windows or just your back side windows and rear window.
There are very low chances you’ll be allowed to apply window tint on the windshield.
03. Is 35 Percent Window Tint Legal?
The 35 percent window tint is legal in most states, but it is always recommended to check the local laws of where you live to be certain about regulations.
Some states will allow 35 percent window tint only on back side windows and rear windows, while others may allow it on front side windows as well.
The windshield is usually not allowed to display any window tint. In the best-case scenario, the local laws will allow the top 4 inches of the windshield to be tinted, with a non-reflective window tint.
Check your state’s law before applying window tint on your car.
04. Can I See at Night With a 35 Percent Window Tint?
Visibility during nighttime is usually not affected by 35 percent window tint. However, do expect to see darker images through the windows where window tint has been applied.
If you have no window tint on your front side windows and windshield, visibility on the road at night will not be changed, while driving.
A 35 percent tint on the backside wind from bright ows may prove to be useful if you have kids that fall asleep during nighttime driving, as it keeps them safe street lights that may wake them up.
Conclusion
The 35 percent window tint is the ideal choice if you’re looking for more privacy, less heat, less glare, and less discomfort created by UV rays.
It is dark, but not dark enough to keep you from clearly seeing outside the car when you want to look out the window.
Cars with 35 percent window tint look sleek and elegant. Plus, there are high chances for this window tint to be legal in your state, at least for rear windows.