Is there anything special I need to know about window tinting laws in Hawaii? If I remember correctly, a few years ago there was some debate and new laws implemented on this subject. I am planning to get them tinted here (at my usual place) before sending the car.

I usually get the rear windows (side rear and boot windows) dark, the front driver windows almost clear (for the UV blockage) and have a dark strip installed on the windshield. Any problems with this in Hawaii?

Thanks ahead of time for the input.

Dirk

 

35% for side and back windows. Windows on the front doors can also be tinted 35%. Front windscreen can be tinted the top 4 inches if I remember correctly.

If you had a truck or van, only the front windows have to be legal tint. The rest can be 5% or whatever you desire.

 

I guess I won't know what 35% is until I go to the installer but I am surprised to hear the same level can be tinted on the front too.

Thanks for the information.

 

I think this info is correct. I had my MCS tinted for about $145 except no front top 4" strip. Otherwise 35% all around and 7 year warranty. Do you have a sunroof?

 

35%, but you can get metered all the way down to 29% if you feel like walkin' the line I think anything under 29% is where you will get a ticket.

We got our sunroof done - you can get that pretty much as dark as you want - and it makes a huge difference over the stock sunroof tint!

 

Our tint law is reasonable considering our climate, but astounding to anyone coming from such unenlightened states as California, where I actually got a ticket for tinting my side windows 20%. That's an 80% tint in the backward percentage in the world of window tinting--means it blocks all but 80% of UV and light.

Ergo, our 35% is really dark--it blocks all but 35% of light. The tinting place I went to (BMW's referral) said I could have the back side and rear windows even darker, but I chose to keep it the same all the way around. $218 was the price for Formula One film. I could have gotten it done cheaper, but I wanted it done well, and it was.

 

Thanks everyone for the information.

If you are unlucky they are VERY strict here in Southern Cali., however, a lot of people chance it because there are so many cars here so unless you are driving recklessly or speeding, they think you won't get a ticket for the wrong type (or area) of tint. I have gotten a ticket just for tint in my old 328 so I don't chance it anymore - had to remove front tint and take it to CHP station.

SouthSeaSadie.......when you folks refer to percentages are you sure if refers to U.V. blockage also? My front windows on my M3 were barely tinted (dark) however the UV blockage was very high (higher than 80% blockage). I come from the plastics coating industry and we use clear U.V. blocking hardcoats also. I agree with you about not cutting cost on installation - with this type of service it really seems you get what you pay for.

 

The %age refers to light transmission and not UV blockage.

 

Here is from a recent post about tinting laws for every state:
http://www.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/tint/

For Hawaii it says
No windshield tinting- at all
35% tint for all windows- front rear and back.
No mention of darker rears and back if it is on a truck or van
No mention of a dark 4 inch strip at the top of the windshield.

You need to check the laws for the state through another source- this doesn't agree with the info above. :evil:

 

minihune,

Thanks for the post. It's strange because it says windshield tint is not allowed in California too - but it is allowed.

I think I want to go ahead and take advantage of Hawaii allowing 35 tint in front too, however, I am not sure if I should chance it out here since MINIs seem to attract police attention. Hmmm

 

>>SouthSeaSadie.......when you folks refer to percentages are you sure if refers to U.V. blockage also? >>

No, I think the UV blockage on my current tint is pretty close to 90% or more. That's the blocking percentage, not the reverse as the confusing numbers for the shade of tint.

 

Are Latka's windows 35%? I just saw Latka's car again and noticed the fronts are hella dark! I may have to wait to get the windows tinted in HI, otherwise, if I went for that look, I'd definitely get pulled over out here. Do most people go for the matching front and rears? Looks sharp but how is it at night?

 

Latka's MCS has tint that is darker than the 35% on my MCS. His may be 20%.

 

I spoke to my tinting specialist today.
Here is the lowdown as far as he knows and he has been at this job-his fulltime private business for many years.
Front windshield- if there is a dark area on the top edge of the factory windshield then you can tint it up to the area of the stock dark tint (maybe more than 4 inches) if the factory windshield has no tint then only a fairly small dark strip can be added to just the top area maybe less than 4 inch strip. On the Mini due to the curve of the top windshield this type of dark strip is hard to do.
All other windows- Due to the fact that the mini is NOT an SUV or Van then all other windows must be tinted no darker than 35 which is the legal limit. my car is compliant with all these. I have no front windshield tint.
That's all folks

 

Thanks again for the additional information and clarification.

 

You should be okay with a 35% film out of the box and a net % of 29% on your glass