Truck Window Tinting in Chicago: Your Truck Deserves the Best

What is truck window tinting?

Tinting is a process of application of vinyl films onto truck windows. It upgrades the look of the car and serves multiple safety and protection purposes. Pickup truck window tinting is not really different from any other types besides maybe the increased need for window protection. When the pickup truck is on duty, the window can be damaged or scratched and the rides can be long and expose the driver to exhausting sun rays.

The “fishbowl front doors” problem

Many truck owners can relate to this feeling immediately. The back of the truck is already dark, but the front doors are still wide open. It appears incomplete from the side. From inside the car, it feels like you are driving in a fishbowl.

That is not just us saying it. Truck owners talk about this online all the time:
“I have 15% ceramic on the front and 50% ceramic on the back overtop the factory. Matches the two very well.”

“I did however just get the windshield done with a ceramic tint at 50% and I’m in love with it. Moved down to TX last year and it keeps the glare down, and the heat out. My truck, even when it’s 108 here, has never been as hot as it was back in Michigan.”

That is why so many pickup owners start with the front two windows first. They are not chasing some wild custom look. They just want the truck to look even, feel more private, and stop having that “clear front doors, dark back doors” mismatch every time they walk up to it.

Factory rear glass is dark, but it is not the same as real film

Real film is applied on the inside of the surface and is meant to provide better heat, glare, and UV protection. Sources consistently make the same point when comparing the two: privacy glass typically doesn’t help reduce heat, while performance film is designed for that purpose.

The rear slider / big back glass issue

Some trucks have a large, sunny back window. Others also have a rear slider in the middle, which creates more edges and sections to deal with. In any case, the glass is positioned behind you and can release a lot of heat inside the cab. If you only tint the sides and don’t do the back, the truck might still feel too hot. The back sliders are also for letting air in and using the truck every day. This is why it’s important for them to fit just right.

Long-drive truck fatigue

Softer light coming in from the side. Fewer reflections coming from other vehicles and the road. A quieter taxi. Many truck owners don’t say, “I want less eye strain,” but they say, “I’m tired of the sun glaring at me every day.” It’s the same issue. Tinting can help make the drive feel less intense and tiring by softening the harshness.

Night visibility matters more on trucks than people admit

Truck owners must be truthful with themselves in this situation. Dark tint can look great during the day. The truck has to work during the night. You still need to reverse into parking spaces, look in the mirrors, watch for side streets, and handle rainy, poorly lit, or dark roads.

We don’t promote the “darkest possible” just because it seems interesting. The best choice is a setup that appears correct and functions well in real situations.

Many truck owners want a lighter tint for their windows in the front to keep their truck clean, while still providing heat and UV protection without affecting their ability to drive at night. XPEL’s official spec sheet shows that their PRIME films, such as XR Plus 70 and XR Black 35, can block 99% of UV rays. You don’t need to use very dark films to get good performance.

Types of truck window tint

The main purposes of truck window tinting are privacy and UV protection. Tinting Chicago offers:

• Sun blocking window film. Protects from UV, glare, heat. Reduces temperature inside the truck, making the driver concentrate more on the road and less on any discomfort from the heat.
• Polarized window tint. Works similar to polarized sunglasses, providing an extra layer of comfort from ultraviolet protection. And it looks cool!
• Car privacy window film. Provides privacy for the driver and passenger and also reduces exposure to the sun
• Clear window tint. Invisible film with strong UV and radiation protection properties.

Tinting Chicago customers can also choose high-end “technological” films:

• Dyed window tint. An affordable option that makes your truck look darker and reduces glare. It’s a good option if you want a neater look without using high-quality film for the entire thing.
• Metallic window tint. Created using small metal particles that assist in reflecting heat and sunlight. Metal-based films can make things more comfortable, but sometimes they don’t work as well as modern non-metal choices.
• Carbon window tint. Contains carbon nano-particles that reject heat and UV better than any other films. Gives windows of all vehicles a luxurious matte effect. Does not interfere with radio or WiFi signals.
• Ceramic window tint. One of the best technologies on the market with ultimate heat and UV rejection properties. Does not interfere with radio or WiFi signals.

3 rules of choosing the right window tint for your truck

1. Ask for professional help – There are so many different tinting options on the market today that it makes sense to ask a professionals before making the final choice. You can call Tinting Chicago 24/7 or book an appointment in the shop for a consultation, film demonstration (we have a special window display with the most popular tints installed) and a free estimate.
2. Explore sun protection properties – If your only goal is protection from glare and UV-rays — your choice is sun blocking or polarized films. Drivers that are looking for the highest quality and want an extra layer of strength and technology, install carbon or ceramic window tint (the most expensive of all). They both protect from solar rays and make your car window extremely strong. Often these films are metalized.
3. Choose film darkness according to law – The next step is to choose your film VLT, or visual light transmission which is set in a percentage (the lower the percentage, the less light that comes through the windows). In Illinois, the windshield cannot be tinted, but a nonreflective visor strip up to 6 inches from the top is allowed. For the front side windows, the legal limit depends on the rest of the truck: if the rear glass is factory tinted or darker, the front side windows can have a nonreflective film that allows at least 50% light through; in some other setups, at least 35% may be allowed.