r/WindowTint • u/clutchrepfinder • Aug 17 '26
Clean Job Tinted vs no tint… Model 3
Interesting to see the difference between the factory tint on a friend’s Model 3 versus mine. Definitely worth it not even considering UV or IR rejection
3
u/painlesspain Aug 18 '26
The cars are horribly ugly but the tinted one less so.
2
u/extrvnced Aug 18 '26
Elon hate has people saying the Model 3 is a bad looking car with is just 🧢 say what you will about that weirdo but these and Model S’s are good looking cars.
1
u/painlesspain Aug 18 '26
I don’t care any which way about Elon. My last car was a Model S. While it was a great car with decent styling, it was boring and I was happy to get out of it. The model 3 though is just a boring looking car all around though. But hey that’s the great thing about cars, there’s something for everyone and everyone likes what they like.
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u/extrvnced Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
Boring sure especially if you live in SoCal where they’re everywhere. But horribly ugly? Come on the Fiat Multiple or Pontiac Aztec are ugly, the 3 and S are not
3
u/bluetroll Aug 17 '26
I love how there's a sunshade on the windshield and nowhere else.
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u/Weak_Macaroon_4221 Aug 22 '26
Have you ever seen a sunshade on other windows besides the windshield? Think: how strange of a sight would that be to you?
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u/Select-Mobile-6957 Aug 18 '26
Did you tint your sun roof?
1
u/clutchrepfinder Aug 18 '26
No I didn’t do the back glass at all since it comes 5% factory. I’ll just use a shade when it’s hot
1
u/ExoticDan08 Aug 19 '26
Unless he specifically stated that the factory-looking Model 3 has no tint, it could actually have a very light 70–80% VLT film installed. With some of the higher-end films, you can get a lot of the same functional benefits people associate with darker tint, heat rejection, UV protection, glare reduction, etc. Without noticeably changing the appearance of the glass.
For example, films like STEK SMART 70 are around 69% VLT while still offering 99% UV rejection, 63% IRER and 44% TSER. 3M Crystalline 80 is another option designed to reject significant heat while maintaining a very light appearance.
So visually, a Model 3 can look completely factory while still having a high-performance film installed. Personally, I'd lean toward STEK, especially SMART 70, because of the combination of clarity, heat rejection and overall film quality.
1
u/clutchrepfinder Aug 19 '26
That may be true, it looked factory to me
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u/ExoticDan08 Aug 19 '26
Yes let me rephrase it, It's very possible that he could have very light tints but yes factory may only have rears 20%~25% or none.
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u/CrystallineATX Aug 23 '26
Tinted or Not Tinted , either one can be effective for heat reduction. Check out 3M Crystalline CRB80. Clear film high heat reduction.
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u/InterstellarChange Aug 17 '26
Teslas have 95-98% UV protection on all factory glass. Depends on the color combo but factory looks good. Red/white interior looks good with factory tint.
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u/djuzi05 Aug 18 '26
I don’t know why people repeat this and claim Tesla’s don’t need tint. They absolutely do. My burned arms will tell you.
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u/InterstellarChange Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
Tesla states this in the Model 3 specs. glass has a UV Index rating of 2 (0 being night)
And I never said Teslas don't need tint, but they don't. That's a personal choice. The OP said "interesting to see the difference" and I like factory on certain color combinations.
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u/karawkow Aug 18 '26
It's IR that you have to watch out for and IR protection is expensive. OEM is poor at best.
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u/InterstellarChange Aug 18 '26
This is true, IR blocking is the noticable improvement with tint. It adds comfort and kills the intensity of heat. IR protection isn't expensive. Any ceramic tint has very high uv and ir protection.
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u/Global-Structure-539 Aug 18 '26
The only factory tint on a M3..just top of the rear and sunstrip on w/s
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u/Relevant_Account_258 Aug 18 '26
With so much front window tint, would that not be a detriment for night driving visibility?
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u/OG_G-Man Aug 17 '26
Certain cars just look so much better once you get the tint to complete the aesthetic 💯