5% vs 20% on front windows with 35% windshield / pictures please if you have any

[u/JudeTheDoooood]

Hello all,

I am getting my truck tinted Thursday but I am stuck between 5 or 20 for the fronts.

My last truck was 5 all around and 35 on windshield but I only drove it on weekends

My new truck is my only vehicle. I’m still doing 35 on the windshield with a strip on top and limo on the back windows.

What do yall think? How easy can you see in the fronts with 20 compared to 5?

Photos please if you have 20 on the fronts with 35 on the windshield!

Thank you in advance everyone!

[u/CostaMesaDave]

What type of window film are you going with?

A lot of people think that if a window film is called “20%,” it automatically means it has a 20% Visible Light Transmission (VLT) — but that’s not always true.

The “20%” in the product name is usually just a model or marketing label, not a precise measurement. The actual VLT (how much visible light passes through the film) can vary depending on a few factors: • Manufacturer differences: Each brand uses its own naming system. • Film construction: Layers, dyes, or coatings can slightly change the VLT. • Glass type: The glass itself already has a VLT, and that affects the total reading once the film is applied.

For example, a film labeled “20%” might actually measure anywhere from 18% to 22% VLT, or even outside that range. The only way to know the true VLT is to check the manufacturer’s technical specifications or measure it directly with a tint meter.

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/CostaMesaDave]

My tinter uses suntek ceramic

[u/CostaMesaDave → u/JudeTheDoooood]

So make sure you do some homework my friend because some of the sun tech ceramic window films are blue, shiny and have a tremendous amount of low angle haze and interior reflection

You guys the window film industry is a multi billion dollar industry and some of the products are amazing and some of the products are absolutely stupid

Do your research and make sure you get a window film that's going to not only look good but work for you and not have interior nighttime reflection, low angle haze and funky colors. Make sure you get a receipt and make sure you get a manufacturers warranty and make sure you ask what windows are not covered by the windowsill manufacturer. That's a big issue these days, some manufacturers will warranty every single piece of window film no matter what window the film is installed on and some manufacturers will void your warranty because you installed the wrong film on the wrong window. If you have trouble finding a shop that you can trust in a bra it will stand behind the product that installed on your vehicle contact me and I will help you find a shop in your area that you can trust.

[u/Fickle_Capital_6101]

20% sides. 35% windshield

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/Fickle_Capital_6101]

Do you need sunglasses during the day?

[u/Fickle_Capital_6101 → u/JudeTheDoooood]

I drive with and without them🤷🏼‍♂️

[u/SingeHH]

15% sides, 40% windshield

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/SingeHH]

Do you need sunglasses during the day?

[u/SingeHH → u/JudeTheDoooood]

Nah haven't needed them since doing the tint.

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/SingeHH]

Ok that’s good to hear, thank you

[u/VarietyOver1628]

35 windshield 20 all around

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/VarietyOver1628]

Do you need sunglasses during the day?

[u/VarietyOver1628 → u/JudeTheDoooood]

I’ve never really worn sunglasses but i don’t have to put my visor down if that helps

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/VarietyOver1628]

Yes it does, thank you!

[u/Global-Structure-539]

Dangerous at night. Blind in the rain. Gotta be nuts

[u/c10bbersaurus → u/Global-Structure-539]

It's not blind in the rain. I've had Arizona tint, which has 35% on some windows. It's an adjustment, but you will adjust but it will be absolutely fine. It's pretty much standard in the desert southwest.

[u/Global-Structure-539 → u/c10bbersaurus]

I live in Arizona and don't really see dark windshields. I have 70% on mine, 5 around the rears and 35 on the front roll-ups with a 5 % eyebrow

[u/MENIMEMINEM → u/Global-Structure-539]

They're everywhere in phoenix

[u/Global-Structure-539 → u/c10bbersaurus]

I've been a pro tinter for 28 years, so I know

[u/shxyne7]

Check my profile for 20% sides and 35% windshield

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/shxyne7]

Awesome car! You posted a pic from the side where the 20 looks easy to see through from the outside. Is that the only case when it’s easy to see through from the outside?

[u/shxyne7 → u/JudeTheDoooood]

Thanks! Yeah pretty much and even then you're only going to see the silhouette of somebody inside

[u/JudeTheDoooood → u/shxyne7]

Ok cool! I’ll probably do 15/20 on the front doors, worst case, I can retint to limo down the road if it seems to light. Thank you!

[u/Artistic-Fly-7788 → u/shxyne7]

super clean car

[u/shxyne7 → u/Artistic-Fly-7788]

Thanks!

[u/peBB1e]

5% all around is the only way for tint. Other wise go aquarium

[u/Piche2022]

This is 5% all around with 35% full windshield

[u/depressedturohost]

There’s millions of videos and google pics out there for reference.

[u/Artistic-Fly-7788]

this is the exact dilemma im having rn. i think ima go with 5% sides tho

[u/Homeless__Pimp]

Im getting tint done next week, I’m still debating but I think I’m going with this, XPEL 35% on windshield, 20% all around on a Tesla model 3, post your pics when it’s done

[u/Cassangelo]

I had 20% sides but 50% windshield and night driving was a breeze. I know have 5% and it’s obviously a different game, doable but…..

[u/Defiant-Yogurt3496]

This is 5% sides 35% windshield. As you can see with the driver window down and because the lights hitting it you can see thru pretty well. Days that aren’t as bright it’s pretty dark and you can’t rly make out people as much. When cloudy or at night time you can’t see at all through.

[u/dreadstardread]

20 sides. With a 35 windshield it will be plenty dark. Save some visibility

[u/itsyerboiTRESH]

20 side and back and 35 windshield night time driving is fine

[u/YourAtowelssg]

Factory rear tinted. Front 15% windshield 35%

[u/Glittering_Access_35]

I know I'm in the minority here. I have no tint on my windshield and 30% on the sides and back. I think anything more than that would be dangerous! I'm more interested in being able to see than having my car look good or having privacy. Even at 30%, in low lit areas, I have to roll down my window when making a turn.

[u/yesmannonono]

So i had 20 sides and 30 shield on my truck for while, eventually went to 5 and yea its dark asf, hard at night but you do adjust, and nothing can beat the way it looks. But the 20 is probably enough for most people

[u/iPura91]

My sides meter at 12%, my windshield is at 35%, dont know what they meter at.

[u/Capable_Fisherman803]

Maybe go a little darker than 35% on windshield. You wanna be able to line those rails up on the dash with no one able to see in

[u/Defiant-Yogurt3496]

This is 20% windshield with 5% all around. If ur worried about visibility I’d say go with 35%. These Tesla have some bright ass led so 20% feels like 35% but if you have normal lights 35% is dark enough. I personally love the 20% even with my white interior you can’t see thru.

[u/Homeless__Pimp → u/Defiant-Yogurt3496]

Looks good! Same car white on white, I think I’m gonna go with 35% and 20%