Window tint issues and questions.

[Moby]

I know there are several threads dealing with window tint, but none actually address my issue, so I’m posting a new one. Please offer whatever information that you can.

My front windows were tinted by the dealer on my ‘21 Rubicon. The rear windows are the factory dark tint, and are fine. The front window tint, however, is causing serious issues. It is far too reflective on the inside. If the dash lights are illuminated at all, it reflects on the plastic used to tint to the point that it interferes with the ability to see. It is especially pronounced on dark, unlit highways. I spend a great deal of time on mountain roads in rural New Mexico and Nevada, and not having good optics or visibility through the front side windows is a safety issue because of wildlife. I have had Elk dart up to the road or across the road, and I literally could not see them because of the light reflections. The 35% VLT tint isn’t the issue; the reflected light is.

The dealer has agreed to remove the tint at no cost. I would like to know two things - what is the factory VLT for the front windows, and what tint would be recommended that does not have interior light reflection issues? I don’t really care about “heat blocking” or tint level as much as I do about having good vision in rural mountains with no additional light, other than my JT. I’ve never encountered this with any other aftermarket tint, and I have other vehicles with factory front windows that give good night optics.

So, what do you recommend?

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[The Welsh Griffin]

I have never had that on numerous vehicles being tinted, is there such a thing as it being put on backwards ? Why dont you stop by a detailing shop that does tintand ask before you believe the dealer.

 

[Moby]

I have never had that on numerous vehicles being tinted, is there such a thing as it being put on backwards ? Why dont you stop by a detailing shop that does tintand ask before you believe the dealer.
[/QUOT

I didn’t say the dealer was doing anything but removing what they applied. I’m planning on consulting a couple of well-regarded local shops for possible replacement tint. I’ve never had this issue, either. From what I’ve learned so far, it’s most likely due to a cheap tint. It has gotten “shinier” and more plastic looking as it has aged / been exposed to sunlight.

 

[The Welsh Griffin]

I didn’t say the dealer was doing anything but removing what they applied. I’m planning on consulting a couple of well-regarded local shops for possible replacement tint. I’ve never had this issue, either. From what I’ve learned so far, it’s most likely due to a cheap tint. It has gotten “shinier” and more plastic looking as it has aged / been exposed to sunlight.

Perfect , now you can put the Ceramic tint on.

 

[Vtur]

I'm not a tint expert, but i think the reflection is probably due to the glass being more flat than other vehicles. I noticed when i first drove my gladiator even without tint.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

I don't know about the tint, but just in case your dash is bright at night, there is a dial that sets it to night mode on the left hand side of the dash behind the steering wheel. It controls the cabin lights dimming.

 

[gatorwesty]

I get this on my 2022 overland without tint on the front and passenger windows. I live rural and drive dark mountain roads as well. I suppose there is a way to dim down all the dash lights but so far I have not tried.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

I ran 5% on my JK and had this issue, and run 5% on my current car and don't have this issue. Others mentioned the flatness of the glass, which could be an issue. Could also be the quality of the film. Some are more "glossy" than others and could be contributing to the reflection.

 

[Almost]

Having interior lights reflect on the inside was my biggest concern.

To start from the factory you can already see the screen on the back glass. To solve for this I turned my screen brightness down to 4 for everything within the menus. The back glass has a VLT of 22% and I put 70% Xpel ceramic on it to stop the heat (now 15% VLT) - I wasn't concerned about making it darker and was more worried about it being mirror-like inside. I saw no noticeable difference once done. On my front windows, I have xpel 20% and 70% on the windshield as well.

All that said, the higher-quality tint has finer ceramic particles which makes for a clearer film with less reflection and 'milky' look to it since it has better clarity. I'm going to guess your dealer used the cheapest tint around and it's making it worse. But first, start by dimming your screens if you haven't already.

 

[rharr]

if you don't care about heat control, then don't retint your windshield and leave it stock. They make ceramic heat control tint with a 70% vlt which looks clear, i run it and i don't have glare issues.

 

[Joe Gladiator]

same here when i backup and the screen comes on it reflects off the passenger side window and the back glass i can t see the passenger side mirror at all. All my interior dash setting are on the lowest settings. Its a dealer tint up front so i was going to have it changed next year since its too cold now. But ill have to see what a good tint place suggests.

 

[Moby]

I don't know about the tint, but just in case your dash is bright at night, there is a dial that sets it to night mode on the left hand side of the dash behind the steering wheel. It controls the cabin lights dimming.

I’m quite familiar with the dash light control, and that’s the major issue - doesn’t matter how dim the lights are, the reflection limits vision, and I do not want to drive at night with no dash lights at all.

 

[Moby]

I ran 5% on my JK and had this issue, and run 5% on my current car and don't have this issue. Others mentioned the flatness of the glass, which could be an issue. Could also be the quality of the film. Some are more "glossy" than others and could be contributing to the reflection.

It’s definitely the quality of the film. I’ve had other flat-windowed vehicles with tint that had nowhere near this issue. Usually, the tinting has been done by a dealer or previous owner. This is my first time in many years to need to find replacement tint. I’m looking for recommendations on replacement tint for the most part.

 

[rharr]

Find a shop that uses 3m brand ceramic tint, and don't buy the cheapest tier.

 

[Moby]

Having interior lights reflect on the inside was my biggest concern.

To start from the factory you can already see the screen on the back glass. To solve for this I turned my screen brightness down to 4 for everything within the menus. The back glass has a VLT of 22% and I put 70% Xpel ceramic on it to stop the heat (now 15% VLT) - I wasn't concerned about making it darker and was more worried about it being mirror-like inside. I saw no noticeable difference once done. On my front windows, I have xpel 20% and 70% on the windshield as well.

All that said, the higher-quality tint has finer ceramic particles which makes for a clearer film with less reflection and 'milky' look to it since it has better clarity. I'm going to guess your dealer used the cheapest tint around and it's making it worse. But first, start by dimming your screens if you haven't already.

I’ve got everything as dim as I can, and have it still be functional (I’ve always done in all my vehicles, BTW). I’m quite sure the dealer used very cheap tint, and if I used my JT as a mall-crawler, it wouldn’t be an issue, I’m sure. But being on dark mountain roads with lots of wildlife, I need great visibility, and this doesn’t provide it at all.

As an aside, the dealer where I purchased my Gladiator has a new owner, which may improve things like this. They are the ones who have agreed to remove the tint at no charge. The previous owner’s F&I guy slipped in nearly $2000 worth of “extras” that I specifically stated I did not want. They refunded all of the funds, but only after I involved higher-ups and even Jeep. Truly soured the entire experience.

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