Jump to content

"Clear" Window Tint - Front Windshield.. Thoughts?


Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi all, anyone have experience with laying a clear/very light tint over the front windshield?

 

Seriously considering putting a 70 something % ceramic over the front windshield, mainly to help block out the heat.

 

My main concern is that I have read mixed things, some people say at night time when lights are shining in, it is distorted and the incoming lights actually looked scattered, if that makes any sense. I am not sure how severe that would be, or how annoying if that is actually the case.

 

 

So, any thoughts on clear/very light front windshield tint?

Posted

I think it would be a good idea to do it with the special UV tint that they make as long as it doesn't affect driving at night. I would never tint my windshield with regular tint, but that's just me.

Posted

Are you talking about just wanting to reduce heat when the truck sits? If so then just get a cheap windshield sunshade. If you could find a tint that's actually completely clear but just helps block UV rays then to me that's fine, but I personally don't like the idea of putting even a light tint on the windshield. Especially when it's illegal in most areas to tint the whole windshield.

Posted

I have 70% tint on my front windshield and have no issues. I think it really comes down to the installer and making sure they do a good job.

 

Been running it since December.

 

By the way it looks clear to me, I can't really tell it's tinted.

Posted

I think it would be a good idea to do it with the special UV tint that they make as long as it doesn't affect driving at night. I would never tint my windshield with regular tint, but that's just me.

 

Exactly yes I do not want to hurt night time visibility at all.

 

Are you talking about just wanting to reduce heat when the truck sits? If so then just get a cheap windshield sunshade. If you could find a tint that's actually completely clear but just helps block UV rays then to me that's fine, but I personally don't like the idea of putting even a light tint on the windshield. Especially when it's illegal in most areas to tint the whole windshield.

 

Not only when it sits, I do have a cheap sunshade. I also want to reduce heat while driving down the highway in those hot summer months. Even with the AC going, the sun just heats the heck out of the dash causing a lot of hot air. I don't want to go dark with the tint at all, I want light as possible for those reasons.

 

I have 70% tint on my front windshield and have no issues. I think it really comes down to the installer and making sure they do a good job.

 

Been running it since December.

 

Good to know.

 

 

I just thought of a downside to this - if I get a massive rock chip/crack, I'm gonna be out the cost of the tint, that'll suck!!!

Posted

I have the clear heat control on the windshield. Its expensive but well worth it in Florida. I think it was like $125

Posted

 

 

Good to know.

 

 

I just thought of a downside to this - if I get a massive rock chip/crack, I'm gonna be out the cost of the tint, that'll suck!!!

 

Ya I got behind an 18 wheeler with a lowboy trailer on the interstate and he was too lazy to spend 5 minutes to sweep it off. As I was passing him I heard all these little rocks or whatever they were slamming my windshield. didn't happen while behind him, started as I was passing him. I'm actually surprised it only got 1 place that turned into a crack. It was during the winter and the windshield I guess was still cold and once it warmed up from the defrost the crack appeared. Luckily all I have is the brow tinted and only cost $35 to retint the brow. Just kind of pisses me off that I probably only had the truck tinted for a couple months before it happened.

Posted

I have 70% up front and it doesn't affect anything at night. Can't really tell it's on there but got it for the UV protection. It does cut down a little on the heat while driving in the sun too.

Posted

I have 25% llumar on my windshield, no issues whatsoever with distortion. You won't even notice 70%!! Just make sure you have a reputable place install it.

Posted

I had my truck tinted about a 2 weeks ago after I picked it up.

 

I had the windshield done with 70% Ceramic. I am hoping that with that tint on the largest piece of glass on my truck will really help with the heat rejection going into my first AZ summer with my new truck.

I really get to start testing it out in about a month.

 

I'll report back after I have had time to really test it.

 

I can say I have NO visibility issues at night. And while very clear you can tell that there is some tint on it in the middle of the day. But it is not distracting at all.

Posted

I've had 70% and currently running the 3m top of the line tint, if I were to do it all again I would save or use the $400 for front windshield only tint on something else. To me it's not worth it, as the dash is still pretty hot after it's been sitting in the sun. But to each their own

Posted

I had my truck tinted about a 2 weeks ago after I picked it up.

 

I had the windshield done with 70% Ceramic. I am hoping that with that tint on the largest piece of glass on my truck will really help with the heat rejection going into my first AZ summer with my new truck.

I really get to start testing it out in about a month.

 

I'll report back after I have had time to really test it.

 

I can say I have NO visibility issues at night. And while very clear you can tell that there is some tint on it in the middle of the day. But it is not distracting at all.

Hey I'm in the same boat. 15 silverado from Iowa moving to PHX this summer(heard it's the best time to move). Strongly considering a clear tint over an ugly dashmat. Where are you from and where in AZ are you moving to?

Posted

Front tint in Canada is good for an automatic pullover by the police.

 

Living right across the boarder form you I see Michigan cars with tinted out windows pulled over allot here.

 

I also know some are so dark over there they almost hit me just coming up from behind.

Posted

I have 50% ceramic on my windshield. It's mandatory on all my trucks.

Posted

Hey I'm in the same boat. 15 silverado from Iowa moving to PHX this summer(heard it's the best time to move). Strongly considering a clear tint over an ugly dashmat. Where are you from and where in AZ are you moving to?

 

I am in Glendale AZ. (NW Phoenix) I am an AZ Native. I was just stating this was the first time I have had a tinted a wind sheild. So I am very curious to see how it does this first summer after doing it.

I definitely know what it is like with out the tint for sure.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Compression test? Weird noises? Fuel trims?
    • I suspect at some point in the near future, the hardware will be free and you pay a subscription to access the vehicle - alldata style.
    • I've been eyeing an upgrade to my tonneau cover for a bit now.  Intrigued by the BAK MX4 EZ-Lift with the torsion spring and went for the upgrade.  Thoughts and musings during unpacking, install and a few days of usage.   Once my order went into Realtruck, it took about 4 days to ship.  Unfortunately, FedEx Ground destroyed the box and contents and it was unusable upon receipt.  To Realtruck's credit, one email with pictures and an RMA was sent to me to send the first one back, and another unit was shipped out.  It arrived 3 days later, unscathed.   I opened the box and it looked like every other BAK MX4.   Biggest differences are the rails and retaining clamps, and of course the spring attached to the cover itself.     NOTE - if you are upgrading from a MX4 to the EZ-Lift, you will have to replace the rails.  The EZ-Lift rails have a notch cut in them to allow the new style retaining clamps to fit properly.  The new retaining clamps also have 2 knobs/carriage bolts and there are two tracks underneath the front panel. The strap clips are mildly different (more like the Undercover Flex clamps) in that the screws go in from the underside.  Personally I prefer these over the BAK clamps that use the nutserts that are a nuisance to install.  The remainder of the parts in the box (drain tubes, rail clamps, and bumper pads) are standard issue BAK.     I did not replace my front bed seal at the time because it seemed to be in decent shape.   BAK recommends shims on the GM trucks unless you place the clamps on the flanges about 1/3 of the way in from both the front and rear of the bed.  I shimmed the front and the middle, and initially placed the clamps equidistant.  This also turned out to be a mistake, because when I set the cover in place, the new style retaining clamps wouldn't clear the front clamp.   New style clamp inserted in the track:     And the issue which occurred because the front rail clamp was too far forward:     Once I removed the shim from the front of the bed, and slid the clamp back to the front flange, everything cleared fine.     The cover set on the rails without issue and I installed the strap clamps.  After I completed my adjustments, I pulled the pin to activate the torsion spring.  Mistake #3 on my part.  PULL THE PIN AS THE VERY VERY VERY LAST STEP!  The reason is, once you pull the pin, the torsion spring is activated.  If you have to loosen the front clamps and adjust the cover, the front panel will - by virtue of the spring, refuse to lay down.  The only way to get it to lay down so you can reinstall and tighten the clamps is to fully open the panel against the back of the cab, which will then allow the front panel of the cover to lay down and be tightened.  Not a big deal unless you haven't installed the foam pads yet (typically the last step) because minus the foam pads, you will need to place something between the frame of the cover and the back window so it doesn't get scratched.  The next time I install one I will install the foam pads before I pull the pin and activate the spring.   After using it for a few days:   The spring assist is great.  You literally can open it with one hand.  My shoulders aren't getting any younger and this was part of my motivation to swap out. The second panel latches and unlatches itself as you open and close the cover.  Neat in concept, however it took me a minute to get used to closing the cover and not hearing the "latching" sound that would tell me it was locked in place. The paddle handles are a huge upgrade and I wouldn't be surprised to see them become the standard across the Realtruck line.  They effectively eliminate the concern that a thief could coat hanger the cover open and get to the contents in the bed. I'm not sure why the very front panel on my cover has a different finish from the other 3 panels.  I have a request into Realtruck to find out if mine was not manufactured properly or if it was by design.   All in all I'm pleased.  Same level of protection, looks good, keeps stuff mostly dry (they all leak around the tailgate) and easy to install.
  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...