Tinting front windshield, worth it?

That doesn't sound right. I think you're about to find out if your installer is a stand-up person.
Hope it works out.
T

 

50% ceramic LLumar on front and 15% on sides (not so legal). Car is all black and rarely drive with the top up, so not too concerned about the side windows being less than legal.

 

It sounds like your installer left behind lint under the film.

 

Pretty sure that is true for side windows, but NOT front windshield. Only allowed a small strip at the top.

 

The insurance thing is what would keep me from doing it.

 

https://www.raynofilm.com/blog/automotive-window-tint-laws-by-state

The above URL has a breakdown by state. I think you can get a tinted windshield, but need a medical waiver. I suspect that also varies by state.
T

 

With the standard 80%-90% windshield tint the cops would never even notice. When I bought my e39 M5 it had windshield tint done already, and I didn't notice for months. Having had it on that car I will never have another car without it. It reduces cabin heat a lot.

 

Llumar Air Blue 80 on mine. Can’t tell. Legal tint on other windows. The black interior makes it look darker from the side, but front windshield looks stock. I think it helps with cooling. Hardly have to kick the fan up.

 

I'm no expert (after-market windscreen tints are illegal here in the UK), but that definitely looks like the windscreen wasn't totally clean when the installation was done, and they have trapped dust/dirt particles between the windscreen and the tint film (It would drive me nuts too!)

 

I don't think that is correct about after-market tints being illegal in UK. As far as I know, UK law does not distinguish between factory or after-market tints but stipulates that front windshield and front side windows must have up to 75% and 70% light transmission respectively, but all windows behind the driver can have any tint darkness levels. If the vehicle was first used before 1985, the windshield may be tinted with 70% light transmission.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/tinted-vehicle-window-rules

Marco

 

... which, as I stated previously, is pretty close to exactly what all car and automotive glass manufacturers windows are tinted to when produced to OEM tinted specifications.

Again, that’s why you don’t see new cars being offered with darker (than OEM tint) windshields or front side windows, as the dealer could be held liable in case of an accident/collision, at least in developed societies.
Perhaps in so-called third-world countries one can get a new car without any regulation restrictions...

Few years ago I produced small batch of obsolete/vintage windshields and other curved glass to a collection of a quite rare make/model vehicles being restored here in the U.S. and one of the requests was to have all windows manufactured with twice the OEM spec tinting.
When I stated such tinting being illegal, at least in E.U. and U.S., my comment was met with a hearty laugh and reply “The cars belong to a collection of a certain royal family and will end up being used in the country of their reign, so very unlikely any one will issue citations. Besides, even if they were being driven/operated in E.U. or U.S., they’d likely be wearing CD plates”
And yes, I still required signed release of liability.

 

Is there any noticeable degradation of wiper performance with the windshield film?

 

That's a great question. I have not noticed any on my Porsche, but I had just assumed the film was applied to the inside...T

 

Well, I have to admit I never thought about that!