tint law

[ziwang55]

whats the tint limits in minnesota

[Xaositek]

Minnesota Window Tint Law - TintCenter.com

[ziwang55]

thanks

[074doorSI]

search first....

there's like 62 threads on here about tint laws.

[darkdan]

50% NET!!!! All the way around.

The difference is NET means film + glass combined.

So a 50% film is usually illegal because it will meter 42% once it's on the glass (most automotive glass in about 75% VLT).

To get at truly truly legal install in MN you have to install a 60% to 70% film. Which....about 5 customers a year want me to put that on. Otherwise they get 50% and hope for the best.

[ziwang55]

what do u mean by film plus glass

[stealth]

The glass on its own is "tinted" to a certain degree. It is not crystal clear, so by adding a 50% tint to glass that is already somewhat tinted, you will be braking the tint law.

[darkdan]

Correct, most glass is already in the 75% range. About the lightest I've seen recently is 88% on a Hyundai. "Clear" glass is 94%.

Darkest I've seen is Evos that are at the 70% limit.

So once you put a 50% film on a 75% window it typically comes out at 42%. The cop has to be a real jerk to give you a ticket for it (since the law allows down to 47%), but it can happen.

I got stopped twice for my windows metering 42%. So I redid mine with 66% and now it meters 53%.

[Shane-o]

Is it okay to ask for recommendations on where to get your window's tinted in MN? Don't know if that's against forum rules or not, if so then just ignore me. I have a friend who had tint done on his golf and the place messed up his rear door locks, they were never the same. I want someplace that does an excellent job with the tint, knows what they're doing in the car, and is trustworthy.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by Shane-o

Is it okay to ask for recommendations on where to get your window's tinted in MN? Don't know if that's against forum rules or not, if so then just ignore me. I have a friend who had tint done on his golf and the place messed up his rear door locks, they were never the same. I want someplace that does an excellent job with the tint, knows what they're doing in the car, and is trustworthy.

I had my G35 and Si done at AutoVisions in Eden Prairie. They are the best around here and they are located in Eden Prairie. Some of the people from Minnesota here have had their windows done by them.

Auto Visions - Minneapolis Auto Tinting - Contact

[ziwang55]

well are they expensive and my windows are clear. so what should i ask the guy at the shop to do

[Shane-o]

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

I had my G35 and Si done at AutoVisions in Eden Prairie. They are the best around here and they are located in Eden Prairie. Some of the people from Minnesota here have had their windows done by them.

Auto Visions - Minneapolis Auto Tinting - Contact

Thanks, nice and convenient.

[darkdan]

For civics I charge $190 with Global Quick Dry Plus and $300 for LLumar ATX (Axcess).

And I do package pricing when people want to add paint protection film.

[ziwang55]

whats the difference between the two packages

[darkdan]

Quick Dry Plus is a non-reflective charcoal film warranted for life by the manufacturer against discoloration.

LLumar ATX is a non-reflective charcoal film using cermet technology to provide better heat rejection warranted for life by the manufacturer against discoloration.

So 35% heat rejection instead of 18%. Neither one will interfere with radio reception for cars with glass embedded antennas. If you wanted a 3M clear bra too I usually take about $30 off since you're a board member.

Of course, you could be like 074doorSI and say "Who cares about radio reception?" and go with the reflective bling bling films! =)

[ziwang55]

how is it reflective. and is it more likely to get my self pulled over with the reflective

[darkdan]

Originally Posted by ziwang55

how is it reflective. and is it more likely to get my self pulled over with the reflective

Well here is his car:



And here is a civic done in a NR dyed film (3M color stable 50%):



See how his windows look like a mirror even though they're 50%? Yet if you look at his driver's window through the windshield you can see how dark 50% actually is? It's all about the angle of light. On overcast days the windows are almost opaque at times.


The MN law allows up to 20% visible light reflection. However, reflective films give the illusion of being darker. So you might get pulled over because the 50% film (which meters 42% net typically) "looks" darker.

The biggest impact on how dark your tint looks is the interior color. The darker the interior the more it "sucks in" light and makes the tint look darker.