Window tinting & valence question

I have a 2018 TRD ORP XP and need advice.

My rear windows are lightly tinted (from the factory I'm assuming). I want to go a bit darker and include the front side windows. What type of tint should I get (crystalline or ceramic) and should I have the factory tint removed or just have them tint over it?

Also want to paint the front & rear valence black (it's silver now). How do I remove those (is it a diy thing) and what is 'plasti-dip'???

Thanks!

 

Crystalline or ceramic depends on your budget. Some does not want to spend more money on crystalline and just settle with ceramic. With crystalline as per specs you get more heat energy reduction vs ceramic.

With my experience crystalline is pretty strong as well. When a big rock hit my windshield and shattered the tint hold all the glass without making a mess.

You might also want to see if there are crystalline installers near you. As per my shop not every tint shop is allowed to install crystalline.

 

Window Tint:
OEM tint is in the glass, not a removable coating. After-market tinting is a film applied over the inside glass.
Check your state laws for legal tint levels.
Go to a reputable tint shop and talk with them about how high a tint level you are likely to get away with. They can show you examples.
Here’s a good link for reference: Others have said the front valence can be removed easily, the rear needs you to remove the bumper first. Check this link:

 

You can buy the TRD Pro valences for really cheap. That's what I'd do, personally. Most paint, though.

I dunno about tint. Obviously there have been advancements since I was younger and liked that look. I was under the impression that Ceramic was high end.. last I checked, it was about $500 for a vehicle. How much does Crystalline cost? I've had the "old" non-ceramic 3M tint before and was happy with it. Not sure if it would last more than a decade without fading, though...

 

I think I paid $400-$500 for 2 front windows and front windshield. Can't remember exact amount I paid.

 

My 4Runner was tinted (front two side windows) by the dealer before I bought it. Who knows what's on there.. I probably don't want to know lol. I need to get it removed and something of quality applied before it starts to fade. Or maybe they used a quality product like Crystalline? LOL

 

I masked and then plastidipped the valences. Took 2 hours and cost $7. Came out really clean, holds up well, and is reversible.

 

I raptor lined my valances and roof rack.

 

I have 3M Crystalline installed on my TRD Pro. I went 20% on top of the factory privacy tint and 40% on the front two windows. Overall, I am very happy with the heat rejection and look of my rig. I have no issues seeing when I am margining lanes at night or looking in my rear view mirror. I went 40% upfront because here in good ole’ California, it is illegal to have tint on the front windows. I wanted to be less obvious when I am riding around town.

 

I have a few quarts of unused Raptor liner (left over from painting the bed cap on my truck) and was thinking about using for the valences on my 2021 OR and for the sliders I’ve got on order. Any chance you could share a pic of how they look ??

thanks....

 

https://youtu.be/9mziq8mWj4k

 

Awesome!

Thanks for sharing the walk around. Looks terrific!!

 

Good choice.
Since the stock fronts measure 77 VLT, rears 32, back 29, I tinted my fronts by 45% to approximately match the rears. But the windshield illuminates the front interior so much it still looks legal to CA LEOs.

 

I tinted over factory tint. went with ceramic tint.. went with 30% on fronts ( rolling the dice in CA.) , 20% side and 5% rear window.. the 1st mod I did to the 4R..