Factory Glass Tints

[jimmydub]

Anyone know the exact level of tint a MK3 GTI came out of the factory with?

From what I've read, the general consensus (or assumption) is factory standard tint for any manufacturer/model is 70%.

[barrym381]

Anyone know the exact level of tint a MK3 GTI came out of the factory with?

From what I've read, the general consensus (or assumption) is factory standard tint for any manufacturer/model is 70%.

you might find its 30% as legally they need to let 70% of the light through but these rules are new and the mk3 is not so I may be wrong 

[jimmydub]

you might find its 30% as legally they need to let 70% of the light through but these rules are new and the mk3 is not so I may be wrong 

yes sorry, that's what i meant of course, 70% light through so 30% tint.

I'm aware of the legality's, but just wondering if the factory tint is definitely 30%

[jv]

I reckon it's lower than that. The tint level on new mk7 GTI rear windows is a lot darker than the mk3 ever was and that is 65% (or 35% if you look it at the other way around).

(and you can spec 90% tint from the factory)

[jimmydub]

I reckon it's lower than that. The tint level on new mk7 GTI rear windows is a lot darker than the mk3 ever was and that is 65% (or 35% if you look it at the other way around).

(and you can spec 90% tint from the factory)

Interesting info thanks.

I'm of course thinking about tinting my car this year; she's completely black inside and out, and gets very hot in summer. Ideally I'd like the fronts bang on 70% (legal) so i can go considerably darker in the rear, say 50% so the contrast doesn't look stupid.

So for arguments sake, if the fronts are 90% i could add a 20% film to achieve the 70%.

I spoke to a somewhat popular company today who said all the glass would have to come out, which seems mental and not really a road i want to go down. They also don't have the light measuring gauge, which i'd assume would be a standard (if not least well handy) tool to have, if you're in that trade.

[barrym381]

the rear can be as dark as you want its the front 2 that have to let 70% of the light through I learned the hard way a good few years ago now when I had 2 muppets tell me to take the tints off at 2am or they would not let me drive any further 

[itavaltalainen]

Dark means light gets absorbed..... absorbed light equals heat (although depends if IR / near IR gets absorbed - cp shiny Al that gets scorching hot in sunlight). Sure you want to add more tint to your car windows to make it cooler in the summer? :p

[jimmydub]

Dark means light gets absorbed..... absorbed light equals heat (although depends if IR / near IR gets absorbed - cp shiny Al that gets scorching hot in sunlight). Sure you want to add more tint to your car windows to make it cooler in the summer? :p

Ok fair point. but i'm pretty sure ALL types of tint exclude a percentage of IR and UV rays; which has gotta help. And at least the leather gets protected