Ibanez540r

iTrader: (1)

Just thought I'd pass along some useful information. I searched "Stock tint" and came up with a bunch of random threads, so don't know if it has been noted before. Anyway, I have access to a tint meter and just measured the stock percentage on my 2011 sedan.

75% light transmission. Certified and Calibrated tint meter.

For those of you who do not know the way % works - tint is classified by the allowable light transmission. So when you hear the common 50%, 35%, 20%, etc. the lower the number the darker the tint, the less light allowed to pass through the window. (You can not and should not add or subtract these numbers from each other as the calculations do not work like that. See the following)



...the interesting part would be to find out what % tint manufacturers factor into their calculations to determine their percentages. From what I hear typical automakers are in the 70-85% range. I would assume tint manufacturers use something in the 75-80% range. SO - that leaves at least a 5% discrepancy on actually tint, which would probably vary by manufacturer.

Kind of started to think out loud, but interesting. If anyone has access to a meter (or has a tint ticket with it on there) and can post their advertised % and actual % (Brand too) it would be cool to see.

malice9999

There's no such thing as "stock tint" as it's not an option from the manufacturer. If yours came with tinted windows, then it was installed at the dealership.

mystakin

iTrader: (2)

windows have a tint.. if its not crystal clear, there is a tint in the window. factory adds stuff to windows to give it useful properties, for example, reduce UV rays.

chuckie311

iTrader: (3)

so your telling my there is 75% tint on non tinted factory windows..

Ibanez540r

iTrader: (1)

Wow. Yes, there is "Tint" on every vehicle brand new from the factory. It's not a film like after market tint, but as previously mentioned it's stuff added to the glass. I know "75%" sounds like a lot, but it isn't. As an example, roll your window down half way and look through the window, and above the window. You'll see a difference. In our case, the light visibility is reduced by 25%.

MACS

iTrader: (3)

Mine has been reduced by a whoooole lot more than that. Mr. Tint made my shiat real dark!

malice9999

75% sounds like a lot because it is a lot and would be not only noticeable but unmistakable. Are you sure you're reading that meter correctly? I had a 20% film added to my car and for kicks, I had the installer measure it before (without film) and it was 93% light transmission.

mikelr

iTrader: (1)

Thats more what I would have guessed, 75% seems like too much for stock glass....

chuckie311

iTrader: (3)

its true i didnt think it was so but here is 2 different cars with no tint on them

YouTube - Window Tint Meter

YouTube - Tint meter on 70%, 35%, 20% window tint

roots4x

I don't believe there is ANY automotive glass that doesn't have a factory tint level. I'm not sure exactly how much but if I remember correctly, 75% is not atypical for stock window light transmission.

Ibanez540r

iTrader: (1)

Yes. 100% correct. They may have changed it over the years, or your guys meter is wrong. This is absolutely correct on a 2011 sport sedan. Remember, again, don't let the number deceive you. If you took 100% clear glass, which in home, auto, etc. is not common, our side windows are 25% less clear. ...watch the video below.

I think it is a wee tad darker then some, but not out of line for OEM. Like I said in OP, I think OEM ranges, with something like 80-85% being more common.

Exact meter I used. It comes with 2, 2in x 2in pieces of glass that have .. I think.. 19% and 35% printed on them. You slide them in to "test" the accuracy of the meter. If the test glass reads accurate, then it's accurate.

Nice find on the video. I'll admit I was a bit surprised of the number, guesstimating from the start it would be like 90%, so I can understand the skepticism.

Agree. They all have it. We might be a few percent darker then some, although I believe the Cadillac in that video was 74% stock. I'd estimate the OEM's to range from probably the darkest at 70% up to a more average of 80-85%.