1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Clear Tinting front window

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by DLack33, Jun 13, 2016.

  1. Jun 13, 2016 at 4:46 PM
    #1
    DLack33

    DLack33 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3559
    Messages:
    64
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dylan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Slate Tundra SR5
    Here in Texas it is illegal to tint your front windshield below 6" from the top of the windshield. Where I am getting my windows tinted has a clear wrap option they do to keep heat out, and where I am moving to there is no room in the garage so my truck will be out in the Texas sun all day. I was wondering if anyone else has tried putting clear film on your windshield to keep heat out and dashboard from cracking, etc. I read somewhere that it is great for keeping your truck cooler and blocking UV rays, but at night disperses other car's lights and can blind you. I know several people who have loved the tint job this shop has given, but could not give me opinions on the clear film option because they have not had it done. Anybody who has had it done I would appreciate hearing from you, thanks.
     
  2. Jun 13, 2016 at 6:11 PM
    #2
    DLack33

    DLack33 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3559
    Messages:
    64
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dylan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Slate Tundra SR5
    Planning on doing that, thanks :)
     
  3. Jun 13, 2016 at 7:42 PM
    #3
    ChucklesToy

    ChucklesToy New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2016
    Member:
    #3129
    Messages:
    983
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chuck
    Round Rock, TX
    Vehicle:
    2024 Tundra Limited 4X4 Nightshade Blueprint
    BAK MX4, window tint, TRD skid plate
    Yes, I live in Texas and have had it done - it really is cooler. I had clear ceramic tint (88% light transmission) on the windshield, sunroof and all of the back windows and 35% on the front windows (The back windows are "stained" but the IR and heat rejection is poor). The tint is not completely clear. Let me explain...Technically, it is NOT illegal to tint the front windshield, as long as it meets the definition of "clear" tint. Window tint listed at 70% light transmission or higher is considered a "clear" film (completely clear would be 100% light transmission by comparison). IR films and ceramic films are designed to block and reduce the most amount of heat without having to be very dark. TXDPS says, "A clear (un-tinted) UV film is allowed anywhere on the front windshield without a medical exemption being required." You can see more at https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/rsd/vi/consumerinfo/windowTint.htm

    I read about the night time issue, but it seemed to be more the case with some of the older film. I've had it on for 3 weeks and have not seen any distortion at all; it does seem to reduce the day time glare. No issues at night. I had mine done at Xpel of Austin with their ceramic film that has been out for about two years (lifetime warranty). I was there having Xpel Paint Protection Film installed on my front bumper / hood / grill area and noticed they were tinting a Tesla "helicopter view" windshield. They let me watch and I was quite impressed. They work on a lot of high end cars (Lamborghini, Tesla, Aston Martin, Porsche, Bentley, McClaren to name a few). Another customer was there to pick up his new Ford F150 which they just tinted the windshield and sunroof. He let me look at the finished product and I was impressed. It turns out their installer has tinted ~70 windshields and I like experienced installers. I was able to watch while he installed it which turned out great.

    The best thing of all is that my dash and steering wheel are much cooler. I used to put a Sun Shield in the window whenever I parked. Otherwise, the steering wheel would be too hot. I haven't had to use the Sun Shield since having the tint installed and no burned hands! I would do it again.
    I hope this helps you...
     
    Wynnded and DLack33[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  4. Jun 13, 2016 at 8:05 PM
    #4
    Nor7

    Nor7 Chilton Manual Guy

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2015
    Member:
    #1989
    Messages:
    1,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tundra Limited CM, 5.7L
    That's pretty neat, I might look into it someday. But I've lived in texas almost, you don't need to worry about the dash board cracking, never happened to any of my vehicles.
     
  5. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:20 AM
    #5
    DLack33

    DLack33 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3559
    Messages:
    64
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dylan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Slate Tundra SR5
    Super helpful, thanks for taking the time to type that up! I'll ask my guy if he has the same stuff you had, will let you know what I decide to do.
     
  6. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:21 AM
    #6
    DLack33

    DLack33 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3559
    Messages:
    64
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dylan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Slate Tundra SR5
    Good to know, but I'd still like to get some heat reduction haha
     
  7. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:44 AM
    #7
    Nor7

    Nor7 Chilton Manual Guy

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2015
    Member:
    #1989
    Messages:
    1,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tundra Limited CM, 5.7L
    Let me know how it goes. Personally I use a sun visor and it helps out ALOT.
     
    DLack33[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. Jun 14, 2016 at 9:57 AM
    #8
    ChucklesToy

    ChucklesToy New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2016
    Member:
    #3129
    Messages:
    983
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chuck
    Round Rock, TX
    Vehicle:
    2024 Tundra Limited 4X4 Nightshade Blueprint
    BAK MX4, window tint, TRD skid plate
    Haven't used my "sun visor" or Sun Shield since the install and it's even cooler than it was with the Sun Shield. It even reduces the glare a little since it really is a little bit tinted. I would have never thought about doing this before seeing it in person...
     
  9. Jun 14, 2016 at 10:44 AM
    #9
    FunGuy

    FunGuy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2015
    Member:
    #1942
    Messages:
    44
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    Vehicle:
    Toyota Tundra TRD
    I did my truck. I live in the south, and wile I was in Miami had mine done. 3m is one of the best out there. I had the sides tinted to better match the back, and had the lightest 3m tint added to the whole windshield. It has helped a lot. My wife is from Miami and worked for years in the tint shop where mine was done. They tint many many vehicles including the celebrities vehicles like that everyday to keep the heat out. If done right you will not see any lines and it will be very hard to tell its on. Two negatives, At night when backing my trailer, i sometimes lower my windows to help me see better. And my radar detector had a smaller radius of detection, but not enough to worry about. The quality of the tint will make a difference. Hope this helps. On a side note, I use polarized sunglasses and don't see and rainbow with the 3m. Also, it helps at night when someone's high beams are on, or one of thoses guys with led lights, that look like high beams, but the justify that its ok, because its low beams. (Soap box)...lol
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2016
  10. Jun 14, 2016 at 12:23 PM
    #10
    DLack33

    DLack33 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3559
    Messages:
    64
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dylan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Slate Tundra SR5
    Will do, hopefully get it this week.
     
  11. Jun 14, 2016 at 3:45 PM
    #11
    tacouser

    tacouser New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2015
    Member:
    #1056
    Messages:
    193
    Gender:
    Male
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2015 SR5 Tundra Dbl Cab 4X4
    Bilstein 5100 rear, Klein train horns! Swing Case, Tekonsha P3 brake controller, Bed LED's, Weathertech window visors and floor mats,Retrofit Source Fog Lights, Bakflip cover, Ford Rapter hood leds, Hellwig rear sway bar
    I live in Chicago, it gets hot here, but not like Texas. I had the 3M Crystalline film installed on my 2015 last year. Sorry to say that I dont feel much of a temp difference on the wind shield vs the side windows. For the money I was charged I feel it was a waste. It may help with the UV protection. But as far as keeping the heat out, save your money.
    Just my .02.
     
    DLack33[OP] likes this.
  12. Jun 14, 2016 at 7:43 PM
    #12
    DLack33

    DLack33 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3559
    Messages:
    64
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dylan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Slate Tundra SR5
    Thanks for advice, I need to find out what type of clear film I am getting.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top