Car customization is a great way to show off your personality. Many people like to customize their cars because it gives a sense of freedom. The ability to choose whatever kind of colors and designs you want can be very thrilling.
Many customizations also have very useful functions. Window tinting is a great customization that helps shield from the sunlight as well as give a sense of privacy.
People who live in California know how unrelenting the sun can be. There are many different degrees of darkness to choose from when wanting to tint your windows. So the question remains: how dark should you tint your windows?
To answer that question, you’ll need to ask yourself why exactly you want darker windows.
Heat Rejection
SoCal is sunny. That’s a fact. With the sun, we get plenty of heat, especially here in the Conejo Valley. From Simi Valley to Camarillo, car window tinting is practically a necessity. Tinting your car windows helps block out some of that heat while it’s parked out in the sun all day.
UV Protection
Speaking of sunlight, we’re also subjected to harmful UV rays on a daily basis. Car window tinting helps alleviate some of that, which is especially helpful for those with long commutes.
Privacy
If you want to keep those back seats private, whether for passengers or personal goods like computers or groceries or whatever, darker windows will help you out. You don’t have to be a celebrity for people to want to stare into your car. Keep it private by darkening your windows.
Aesthetics
Tinted windows just look better. It’s a scientific fact.
Many people choose to tint their windows for various reasons. It’s best to understand your own desires – what do you want from your tinted windows, how would you prioritize these features?
You should also be aware of the laws surrounding tinting. See our blog on CA laws on auto window tinting. Tinting is a customization that not only looks great but has many great functions, but be wise – don’t get slapped with a fine for having illegal tinting.
If you need some window tinting done, or if you have questions about it, give us a call – we serve all of Thousand Oaks and the surrounding area.
805.495.3967
Or, contact us online.
Each state will have its own different car window tint laws. California has its own laws, and it’s important to know what they are before you get your car windows tinted.
Our most important window tinting laws focus on these certain aspects: which windows you can tint, the darkness of the tint on each window, and the reflectiveness of the tint.
Which Windows Can I Tint?
It is illegal for the front windshield to have any aftermarket tint. However, car owners may apply non-reflective tint strips to the top four inches of the windshield.
The side windows and rear windshield may be tinted.
How Dark Can My Car Window Tint Be?
The front side windows must allow 70% or more of natural light through. The rear side windows can be as dark as you like. The rear windshield can also be as dark as a driver likes, but the car must have the rear view mirrors on both sides of the car.
Can I Use Reflective Tint?
No. Absolutely not. California specifically does not allow any window tint that is more reflective than normal glass. We get enough sunlight as it is, imagine a highway full of mirrors shining that light right into your eyes. It’s just not safe, and accordingly, our state laws do not allow it.
Can I Use Red Tint?
Nope.
It’s important to know the state laws for the state you live in. Conejo Auto Detail & Tinting is located in Thousand Oaks, CA; we serve the entire Conejo Valley, from Camarillo to Simi Valley and down to Simi Valley.
If you need more information on California car window tint laws, check out the CA DMV page.