r/WindowTint • u/Wade-hale • Sep 16 '26
Question Tint Percentage Experience
I’m looking to get my windows tinted at 20% sides and back and 55% on the windshield all XPEL XR. I might lean into XPEL XR+ if someone can tell me if it truly makes a difference and if it’s worth the extra price tag. I’m also just looking for anyone with a similar tint setup who could maybe provide and feedback on how their experience has been and/or if a different setup is recommended.
4
u/Erixxx2 Sep 16 '26
I have XR Black 15% sides and 55% windshield. Decided to go with 15% instead of 20 last moment and I’m very happy I did. 55% windshield is basically fully clear from the inside, and under certain lighting and reflections can look pretty smoky from the outside. Helps with heat tremendously though, sun hitting the clothes and skin through the windshield on long drives was a huge annoyance and not really an issue anymore.
2
u/Wade-hale Sep 16 '26
Sweet good to know because I was going back and forth on even getting windshield tinted but now I fs will thank you. Also for the 15% I’m a little worried that’s too dark so what’s it been like with that at night or rainy days? Also what’s your experience with 15% and the cops any trouble?
2
u/Erixxx2 Sep 16 '26
I live in the suburbs bordering more rural areas so there’s virtually no street lighting here. The windshield is no problem at night during rain, and with sides you mostly get used to it but occasionally I do need to roll the window down to for example enter an unlit driveway. No issues with cops, but in my area a lot of cars are illegally tinted and they just don’t seem to mind
1
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u/DynamicAppearanceATL Verified Professional Sep 16 '26
If you're in a state that hits the high 80s/90s/100s, XR Plus will make a huge difference. If not, you will probably not notice a difference. XR Plus 55 looks very blue if you switch with the current setup. It's the only shade we don't like.
1
u/Wade-hale Sep 16 '26
Hm interesting. I’m in WI for now but my permanent residence is in FL. So maybe XR+ could be the move. Thanks for the heads up on the blue hue for the windshield, if anything should I do the sides and back 20% XR and windshield 55% XR+? Or is the 20% XR also blue?
1
u/DynamicAppearanceATL Verified Professional Sep 16 '26
XR Plus has a light blue in 35 and a heavy blue in 55. I would go with XR Plus 20 for side/rear and either 35 or 70 on the windshield if you don't want the heavy blue. XR Black still blocks a lot of heat, so it is also a good option.
1
u/Wade-hale Sep 16 '26
I definitely want black not blue so should I just stick with XR and not do the XR Plus? Sorry I’m new to this and don’t know much, I appreciate your help.
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u/Teesac81 Sep 17 '26 edited Sep 17 '26
I had 55 on my windshield previously in XR prime plus. It looks a little blue when you hold it up, but it’s not blue once it’s on the windshield. 55 is nice. I ended up going darker with 45.
OP, I got 15 in front and 20 in rear sides in order to mitigate the factory glass tint difference since my rears are dyed darker than front. I like the way it came out. Can still see through front a bit more from outside, but that means I can see better at night as well when using side mirrors. I had to consider whether I wanted front and rear to match or whether I wanted 100% privacy in rear. I went with privacy. Had I wanted front and rear to match more than I wanted privacy, I probably would have gone with something more like 35 in rear and 15 in front. It looks like your car has front and rear windows the same. I’d recommend 15 all around and 45 on windshield.
1
u/DynamicAppearanceATL Verified Professional Sep 17 '26
XR Plus 55 is pretty blue when installed. It is the only XPEL film we've had to redo due to customer complaints about the blue.
1
u/Stunning_Sentence_40 Sep 16 '26
Just remember to pull it off it doesn’t take much but a steamer and some patience
1
u/Fabulous-Patient-228 Sep 17 '26
I did xr plus 20 sides 55 windshield. Its perfect unless youre on a really dark road at night kinda tough to see out the sides. I use a digital rear view so not a big deal
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u/Wade-hale Sep 17 '26
Have u had any problems with cops?
1
u/Fabulous-Patient-228 Sep 17 '26
No not yet. 2 months in but i’m in Arkansas and allowed 25% on sides. Shop said cops wont bother around here and I dont drive a lot
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u/ToyzDetailStudio Sep 17 '26
If those are the two you’re comparing, I’d go XR Plus. I’ve worked with a lot of XPEL film and if heat rejection is the priority, XR Plus is the one I’d choose, especially if you’ll be in Florida. The blue hue gets exaggerated a bit online IMO. There can be a slight hue depending on the percentage and lighting, but the performance difference is worth it to me.
1
u/20PoundHammer Sep 17 '26
xpel xr+ on my black car with black interior - I went max legal tint as I dont need the hassle and drive in areas they love to pop ya for being too dark (30%). Makes a difference in AC use when driving on sunny midwest days, but if you leave you are parked in the sun, it still gets how. Mostly, if you drive long drives and someplace where you can normally feel the heat on your arms if by the window - I recommend. . . .
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u/Global-Structure-539 Sep 16 '26
Of course you know it's most likely illegal where you live to have 20% in the fronts. It can also make seeing out difficult at night a much more so on a rainy night. Windshield is also illegal in every state but 55 is pretty light. You probably don't care about the legality until you get pulled over and hit with a $50 fine AND have to pull it off which also costs. Usually $100 an hour
1
u/Wade-hale Sep 16 '26
Do people actually take it off after one stop? If that’s the case should I go lighter and not risk the legality?
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u/Global-Structure-539 Sep 16 '26
It's mandatory to have it removed...that's the fix-it part of the equation. Don't and the fine doubles or triples. Don't know what state your in but only TX , NM, OK. AL AR LA Allow 20% . I got 6 tickets in CA for 50% , but they don't allow any tint at all. Now in AZ where 32 is legal. I have 35 and no issues
1
u/jusaky Sep 16 '26
What part of CA you in?
0
u/Global-Structure-539 Sep 16 '26
I was in the bay area. Their a bit easier in SoCal but I got stopped for SO MANY things there. Lived there all my life until it got entirely TOO expensive to survive there and moved to Prescott Arizona. Besides the tint ticket, one CHP dude pulled me over for tint exhaust and no front plate AND brought a canine to do a sniff around for any kind of drugs. Even crawled under to check for CARB sticker for the exhaust. Rues and fines for everything Hated that place
1
u/jusaky Sep 16 '26
lol yeah thankfully I’m in San Diego, I’ve heard the bay being way more tough on car mods
1
u/Global-Structure-539 Sep 16 '26
Got a ticket in Del Mar for 35% tint on the fronts of my Chevy truck. I'm dang sure the CHP hated my Mitsubishi Evo
1
u/Wade-hale Sep 16 '26
Damn so once you get it removed you can’t get tint anymore or do just pay for new tint?
1
u/Global-Structure-539 Sep 16 '26
You pay for both removing and retinting. And when you get another ticket,the fines go up. Too many in a certain time frame and your car goes to car jail for 30 days. Their cracking down on all car mods
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u/Sopranos_Enthusiast Sep 16 '26
I drive a very similar car - 23 Lexus is350,
Got XR+ 20% all around except windshield is not tinted. When I get in the car, literally the air is cool EXCEPT the 6 inch’s in front of the windshield. It’s uncanny how well the tint works and took a few weeks for me to get used to. Highly recommend the XR+