Conflicted with TINT%!

[Wyattkb]

I also got the Suntek clear bra, awesome product. I'm debating on doing opticoat next.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by JB86'd

I'm thinking about window tint soon, but front side window tint is illegal in CA so I'm trying to compromise between dark enough to have some effect but not dark enough to draw attention...
I'm thinking 35% in the rear (I had 5% on my last car and rear visibility was shit) and 50% on the sides..is 50% going to be too dark?

Perhaps you can read what other people responded on this thread and look at pictures too? And maybe see what each percentage looks like in person. I've seen 20% in person and it looked perfect but been getting 50/50 feedback on visibility at night which is why I stuck with 35% on the sides and 20% on the back.

Plus, remember that the glass already is a little tinted. The person that did my tints checked the FRS and it said it was 70% already so I'm sure after getting the 35% on the sides, it's actually darker, if you know what I mean.

50% doesn't seem like it'd be too dark but I think you should see it in person to get a better feel of what you would prefer

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

I never factored in stock tint. Although, I'm not going to take it off now. I went with 30 and by that math, and even if stock is 80, that puts me between 21 - 24. No issues so far (knock on wood), but it makes me worry now.

I never knew about the stock tint either! I'm glad someone mentioned it to me because that did help with my final decision. Don't worry, no grey hairs allowed! I'm sure you'll be fine

[ts87]

well, when the headlights get hazy or get chipped, you can always upgrade to the JDM headlights....

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by frs10

post pix when u get it done

I will! Picking up the car tomorrow! Woohooooo

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by Wyattkb

I got the headlights clear bra'd because just like the paint they get rock chips and it will also prevent any UV yellowing or oxidization (nasty white film).

Overall it keeps everything looking brand new.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Never knew that. Thanks for the info! If you do get that nasty white film, you can always scrub it off though right? Though it probably is very tedious...

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by Wyattkb

I also got the Suntek clear bra, awesome product. I'm debating on doing opticoat next.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

What exactly is the opticoat? It sounds like a clear protective coating as well.

[kALMIGHTY]

Originally Posted by babylobster

What exactly is the opticoat? It sounds like a clear protective coating as well.

It's kind of funny that my car has all the things you're considering so I can maybe help out with this one too.

Opti-coat (or Opti-guard) is basically a secondary clear coat that you would get. Basically it only provides chemical protection, unlike a clear bra that physical protection so you don't get chips. The opti-coat is almost like a permanent wax, it keeps your paint looking brand new and every time you wash it even with just water and nothing else, it looks like your car was just waxed/detailed. Get the idea? It also protects against damage from road salts and what not.

The only thing is though that if you want to get this done, it should be done before you do a clear bra, because the opti-coat treatment goes on top of the clear coat after getting a paint-correction and then a clear bra on top. If you do clear bra first, you can still get the rest of the car opti-coated, but then any parts of your car that were already covered in clear bra will have all those fine scratches, imperfections sealed in and opti-coat won't be able to fix that.

I had mine opti-guarded (the pro version of opti-coat) the night I picked my car up, and then covered in Xpel-ultimate the next day (a higher end version of clear bra that self-heals any scratches that get on it. It really does work).

Hope it helps you and anyone else interested in opti-coat.

[mwjcyber]

Originally Posted by babylobster

I will! Picking up the car tomorrow! Woohooooo

Pics, or it never happened.

[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by babylobster

I never knew about the stock tint either! I'm glad someone mentioned it to me because that did help with my final decision. Don't worry, no grey hairs allowed! I'm sure you'll be fine

It is quite a grey area here in Ontario Canada since the police constables have discretion when it comes to whether tint is too dark (no defined percentage). I have always heard that if they can determine the gender of the driver, it is an acceptable percentage. I have always rolled down my window when pulled over for anything (out of courtesy and openness), so, I think I should be okay.

[Anomie]

Originally Posted by babylobster

I will definitely post up pictures! She's already done. Picking her up tomorrow CAN'T WAIT! Then I can speed without worrying about chips! Just kidding.

I went to 631 Coatings in Deer Park for the clear bra + tints. I don't know what opticoat is, to be honest. I got Suntek for both clear bra + tints, both which were recommended so we'll see as time progresses. I had people recommend places in Jersey too but I wanted to stay within New York. I didn't get full clear bra on the FRS and if you plan on getting that for yours at the place I went to, it is going to be a lot more than $1500, just a heads up lol. I'd clear bra the whole car if it wasn't so expensive just to be safe because there are a lot of stupid drivers in New York! But I'm not baller status and don't have a sugar daddy Most people from what I've been reading on the forum haven't gotten the whole car clear bra-ed either. Just the main areas that chips usually occur. Hope that somewhat helped!

Sry, by full clear bra I just meant full hood, front fender, rockers, mirrors, headlights. Def not the entire car cause that would be super expensive like you said lol.

How much did it cost at the place in deer park and which parts did you have covered?

[Ammunition]

Any update on your tint, OP? I'm curious to see how it turned out as I've been considering that same tint set up myself.

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by mwjcyber

Pics, or it never happened.

LOL. Haven't had the time to get good pictures after I picked it up...too busy with work and celebrating my birthday and then the following days, it was really cloudy or rainy so when a sunny day comes, I'll be sure to take pictures and post for everyone to see!

[babylobster]

Originally Posted by Anomie

Sry, by full clear bra I just meant full hood, front fender, rockers, mirrors, headlights. Def not the entire car cause that would be super expensive like you said lol.

How much did it cost at the place in deer park and which parts did you have covered?

Full hood, headlights, front bumper, front fenders, mirrors, rocker panels along with the bottom of the sides of the car (not sure what the technical term is - anyone? It's that little strip).