Has anyone installed tint on their STS-V?

Kadonny said:

If so, what percent? Any effect on of the cars features? (trying to think if this would effect anything on the car)

The car just begs for darker windows.

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First thing I did when I got the car. I went 20% all around and man, what a difference. It feels cooler, looks much better and you feel like you have privacy. Before I had my windows tinted, I felt like everyone could see me through all the big windows of the car. Mine is silver and the car looks awesome, but with your STS-V being black, it will contrast very well and give you the killer stealth look. It did NOT affect anything on the car at all. Radio reception and everything is still ok.

SG

I agree. Adding window tint has always made the car look better. I'm a fan of extreme dark tint. I have double limo tint on the back half of my race car and limo on the front two. It was so dark you couldn't see in with a maglite pressed up on the glass. That was a long time ago and driving with tunnel vision isn't as much fun as it used to be anymore =)

Still, window tint is a good thing. Not just for cosmetic reasons, but it helps to keep the interior alive longer by reducing the UV rays.

AERO1 said:

First thing I did when I got the car. I went 20% all around and man, what a difference. It feels cooler, looks much better and you feel like you have privacy. Before I had my windows tinted, I felt like everyone could see me through all the big windows of the car. Mine is silver and the car looks awesome, but with your STS-V being black, it will contrast very well and give you the killer stealth look. It did NOT affect anything on the car at all. Radio reception and everything is still ok.

SG

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I have the Platinum also. I've been kicking around the idea of tint. I think 20% may be a little too dark for me, but I'd love to see some pics. Got any?

Kadonny, my STS-V is black like yours and I have all windows tinted (except the windshield of course). It was installed when I bought the car so I don't know the percentage, but I would say it is close to limo tint. Definitely gives it a great stealth bomber look. It also makes the chrome strip below the windows really pop.

I can post a picture if you are interested in seeing what it looks like.

All of my cars are tinted(3). My "V" has Limo Tint front and rear. I have noticed NO reduction of nav, blue tooth, Onstar, radio or rear window defroster performance.

i'll be going with the 30% when i can find it. Local guy here wont buy it and all he has is 20 (too dark) and 35. 35 looks ok w/ an all ebony int but would prefer a tad darker. I've seen 30 on a black int car and it is just right. Glad to hear there are no issues.

Kadonny said:

If so, what percent? Any effect on of the cars features? (trying to think if this would effect anything on the car)

The car just begs for darker windows.

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Had my 07 done 4 days ago 20&35% rear window a little darker, but donot forget to tell the installer NO aftermarket glass tinting with metallic film on back window. The metallic film in some tinting materials will interfere with or distort the incomimg radio reception. Got this info. from owner manual.

Thanks for the reply guys. What is limo, 15% maybe?

Pics would be great! I have to watch what my state limitations are here in PA, I seem to think 35% is the darkest we are allowed to go, but I'll look into it.

Kadonny said:

Thanks for the reply guys. What is limo, 15% maybe?

Pics would be great! I have to watch what my state limitations are here in PA, I seem to think 35% is the darkest we are allowed to go, but I'll look into it.

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i have 20 percent on mine..but already got a ticket the first two weeks..los angeles is the worst for that, being black on black i think the back 15 all around and front two should be 35 percent..when i take my front off for the fix a ticket im going for 35 in front..plus i hate not seeing well at night out of the front windows being to so dark.you can see mine on the thread i posted a while back.."SOME PICS"

thefred,

I will snap some pics and email them to you. Email me at: [email protected] and I will reply with some pics. I don't think 20% is too dark at all. I think it is just right and I can see fine at night.

Kadonny,

Limo is 5% which is too dark. I wouldn't go darker than 20% all around. 35% is ok on the front two windows, but I feel that with the summers we have here in So Cal, 35% isn't enough to keep the heat out.

SG

Damn! I just looked at the PA code and they say 70% is the max. 70%? Give me a break, is there any tint at all?

I'll have to check with a tint shop and see what they say with the laws. It seems most states limit the front to about 30% and the rears mostly unlimited.

Kadonny said:

Damn! I just looked at the PA code and they say 70% is the max. 70%? Give me a break, is there any tint at all?

I'll have to check with a tint shop and see what they say with the laws. It seems most states limit the front to about 30% and the rears mostly unlimited.

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Kadonny,

Here in CA, it is illegal to have ANY window tint on the front driver two windows period, but that never stopped me or anyone else out here that has it. Cops out here really don't bother Cadillac owners. They go after the dirtbag kids and gangbangers.

SG

AERO1 said:

Kadonny,

Here in CA, it is illegal to have ANY window tint on the front driver two windows period, but that never stopped me or anyone else out here that has it. Cops out here really don't bother Cadillac owners. They go after the dirtbag kids and gangbangers.

SG

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It is the same here in NC. Very minor tint is allowed here, but a lot of people have darker tint like mine because of the heat. Cops leave you alone unless you are some punk looking kid or gangbanger (yes we have those here too). Heck... I was even pulled over a few months ago for an expired license tag in my Eldorado (oops!) with tinted windows, and they said nothing. Just last Friday night, I went through a DUI checkpoint at 2:00 AM in my STS-V with tinted windows, and again, nothing. I guess I just look to darned old... I mean respectable. LOL

Hey gentlemen love those V's. I personally have a Black 03 DHS with 10% window tint all the way around. I haven't had any problems with radio reception but one little thing I have noticed over the years is that the twilight sentinal will flip the lights on and off (or back to the daytime running lights) if the light conditions are right. A small problem but just thought I'd chime in. One other little detail to consider is the color of your interior. If it's neutral your windows won't appear as dark as a dark interior.

Keep 'em out of trees gentlemen.

Here in Chicago, Window tint is a no-no on the front side windows. I opted to go with 50% on those windows and 35% in the back though. I have a platnum car with black interior. It looks great!

With the black interior, it makes the tint appear a lot darker.

VelocitySTSV said:

Here in Chicago, Window tint is a no-no on the front side windows. I opted to go with 50% on those windows and 35% in the back though. I have a platnum car with black interior. It looks great!

With the black interior, it makes the tint appear a lot darker.

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If I do it, that's probably what I'll do. I assume you can still see in the windows pretty easily, that's in the law too.

Just got back from the tint place. They said there shouldn't be a problem with a metalic tint and the FM antenna. But I decided to go with the Ceramic tint as to ensure I have no problems. The difference between the two (besides ceramic tint being more expensive) is that ceramic tint does not reflect like a mirror as does the metallic tint. To see what I am talking about look at the factory tint on the back of a expedition or explorer. It looks dark but not like a mirror. the only reflection is the glass itself. Then look at a car that has had the windows tinted by a less expensive tint. It looks like a mirror reflection. I like the dark but natural look so I opted for the ceramic tint. Maybe you guys in states that are not allowed to have tint the ceramic tint might be a better option as it looks factory. I never really liked the " orange or silver sun glasses look" that most tinted cars have so I was very happy to see the duller/darker tints come out.

I live in the windy city also but went with 20% all the way around. so far no problems with the po po. Its only a 25-35 dollar ticket around here anyways. Also most of the time no proof is needed that tint was removed either. Took pictures of my car before the tint was installed anyways just in case. Hopefully if it ever is needed I can use those. I figured if a cop is going to pull you over for window tint, he is going to pull you over for window tint, no matter how dark or light it is, so I decided to go with the uniform look. I think it looks better personally.

I put 5% on the back sides and rear on my black 07 STS-V, which is perfect, makes the crhrome trim pop and still can see out from inside just fine. I am planning on doing 25-50% on the front sides, just debating on if it is worth the hassle in CA.

Just a note, to do it right you need to remove the back dash, which in turn requires the back seats to be removed. I would not allow the tint company to perform. Luckily my wife works for a Cadillac dealership so it was not much of an inconvenience.