Q5 Tint Questions (I searched a lot)

[Kruppa]

I know there are a ton of tint threads, I did quite a bit of searching and reading through old threads and still have some more specific (ok, very specific) questions/requests for pics and I’m hoping for Q5 owners to chime in. You will see I keep referencing Formula One Pinnacle - the place I trust the most closest to me uses this and I've had solid prior experience.

I currently have F1 Pinnacle 40 on the two front windows which is 43% VLT and meters at 37% when installed. This must mean the front windows have ~85% factory tint (85% * 43% = 37%). The rear factory tinted windows meter at 27% (surprised Audi is so light – my old Grand Cherokee metered at 18%). It goes without saying my fronts are currently lighter than the rears. I’ve seen a Q5 with Pinnacle 30 (33% VLT) that must have metered at 28% which is right on target with the factory rears. I’ve seen many people with tint in this range and say it matches the rear perfectly. While technically it matches perfectly, it doesn’t look like a match in real world applications because of all the light that floods in through the windshield. The next shade of F1 Pinnacle beyond 30 is 15 (18% VLT) which should meter around 15%. I would imagine this would look almost identical/maybe slightly darker than the factory rear.

Assuming I go with Pinnacle 15 (18% VLT) on the front, I’m trying to figure out if I could get away with tinting over the rear windows and still have a uniform darkness front to back (again, real world application realizing light will come in through the front and I won’t tint my windshield). Pinnacle 50 is 54% VLT which on top of 27% factory tint should be 15% and match my fronts technically, but that will give me the same problem of it not really matching due to the windshield light. I suspect however it would be less noticeable once you get down that low on VLT.

Sorry, that was a lot of detail, so this is what I’m hoping to see/find out.

1) Does anybody have F1 Pinnacle 15 installed on their Q5 front windows that can post a picture? I looked a few pages back in search results and couldn’t find any. I guess 20% of other brands would be close enough in terms of darkness but would love to see the exact tint.
2) Does anybody have their Q5 rear windows tinted (over the factory tint) that can share what % they had installed and the final % metered? Pictures would be great.
3) Regarding the panoramic sunroof the two most popular option seems to be Llumar Air 80 for a clear look or around 20% of the popular brands (Formula One Pinnacle, Huper Optik, etc.) I’m interested to see pictures from the inside of owners who have 20% tint installed on the pano roof and if they feel like it effects visibility significantly. Passengers all love the pano, especially people in the back seat, so would hate to ruin that.

I highly doubt anyone has F1 Pinnacle 15 front/F1 Pinnacle of some % on all rears and could share pictures or their experience with matching, but that would be fantastic. Thanks!

[connoisseurr]

Just picked up my Q5 and had 3M Crystalline installed on all windows to be 20% around. I didn't ask my tint guy what was on the rear and trunk windows but the reading came out to be 22% for the rear and 23% for fronts. Pretty darn close.

I do plan to get the pano tinted. I agree, it ruins the view for passengers, but even 50% on the pano will help. First day without rain we've had in almost 18 days and the sun was definitely heating up the black interior. When it gets to be in the 90s-100s in my area, that's something I will definitely want, especially since the pano shield isn't opaque.




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[SQive]

The Crystalline comes in a nearly clear that is just as effective at blocking radiant energy.
Me, I've got 10% on my slab-o-glass roof.

[connoisseurr]

The Crystalline comes in a nearly clear that is just as effective at blocking radiant energy.
Me, I've got 10% on my slab-o-glass roof.

Absolutely - I actually had this on my previous vehicle - Infiniti G37 IPL coupe in pearl white. I don't like the black windows with a white vehicle and no one believed me when I told them the windows were tinted.

The only reason I'd go darker for the pano is to also decrease the amount of visible light entering the car (easier on the eyes of the passengers in the rear).

[riceboy22]

I can partially help you. I've got Pinnacle 50 on both the front and rear and Llumar Air 80 on the windshield and pano. I've considered going darker on the front to match, but my primary reason for tinting was heat rejection. I'm just not ready to deal with getting pulled over for tint, especially with a kid in the back seat.

Here are some pictures that show the front and rear contrast and also one with the windshield. I don't have a meter so can't give you end result readings. The rears are dark enough that I've had to roll down the window for toll booth operators for them to see there is a third (small) person in the back seat.

[Q5 Bob]

I have 3M 50% on my driver and passenger side windows and nothing added on the rears. It's noticeably lighter in front, but I wanted to stay with the legal %'s in IL for vehicles with privacy glass in back. I considered the 90% Crystalline on the windshield but decided against it.

[e.Mills]

I think that the local shop used pinnacle. Don't judge the pollen... My garage spot is being used for a project.

50% up front, 20% back and 10% AS1 line. Fronts came in at 47% on the reader. Didn't do the top... Tinter guy said it would crack my roof. Wive's tale?




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[Kruppa]

Couldn't be happier with the decision and it looks very uniform front/back. Pinnacle 50 rears, Pinnacle 15 fronts. They meter 18% rear and 15% front.

Pictures aren't that great, I'll post some nice ones later but here's a few for now. As always it totally depends on the angle and distance. From 10 feet away or so they are very dark. When it's sunny you can see the silhouette of somebody and I like the look a lot.

I drove 50 miles last night and had no issues with visibility backing up or out the side windows. I do notice it looks a little weird looking out the back window with headlights at night - where the defroster lines are it's almost blocking out all the light so it kind of looks like shutters if that makes sense. I've seen a lot of other people talk about that so I knew it wasn't out of ordinary and should get better after it cures.








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[riceboy22]

Looks great. Makes me want to redo my fronts in the 15 as well! Do you not have to worry about getting ticketed for that where you are?

[Kruppa]

Looks great. Makes me want to redo my fronts in the 15 as well! Do you not have to worry about getting ticketed for that where you are?

I have a tint exemption waiver in MA so no issues with annual inspection or tickets, but on my old Jeep Grand Cherokee I had 20% and never once had an issue in 3 years driving around city/suburbs. If you look mostly stock and have a SUV it's pretty rare to get hassled around here.

[BG SQ5]

Looks pretty nice! Thanks for sharing. What did the whole job cost you? I think this may be my next move in when it comes to tint.

[Kruppa]

Between living in the middle of Boston with no driveway, hose etc. and my parents town having a full water ban this summer (yes all 7 days a week) it's very dirty but took a few more pics to show the tint - still loving the decision and very uniform front/back















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[hypoluxxa]

Limo on the back & sunroof
20% Front