Once you've decided to tint your car, the fun question is: how dark? Tint shades are described by their VLT percentage — and the lower the number, the darker the glass. But "best" isn't just about looks; it's about balancing style, privacy, visibility and staying legal. Here's how to choose.
How tint percentages work
Remember: VLT is the percentage of light that gets through. So a higher percentage is lighter, and a lower percentage is darker. A 5% film is nearly black; a 70% film is barely noticeable. Note that the final look also depends on your factory glass, which already has its own tint.
What each shade looks like
70% VLT — barely there
Almost invisible. Mainly used for heat and UV protection rather than looks, and the go-to for staying legal on front side windows. Great if you want the benefits without a visible change.
50% VLT — light
A subtle darkening that cuts glare and heat while keeping excellent visibility. A tasteful, understated choice.
35% VLT — the classic
The most popular "factory-plus" look. Clearly tinted and stylish, with good privacy in daylight, but you can still see out easily at night. A superb all-rounder for rear windows.
20% VLT — dark and private
Noticeably dark with strong daytime privacy — hard to see in from outside. Popular on rear glass for a sporty, purposeful look. Visibility at night is reduced but manageable for rear windows.
5% VLT — limo black
The darkest available — maximum privacy, near-total blackout. Reserved for rear windows only. It looks dramatic but you'll notice reduced rear visibility at night, so it's a style-first choice.
What's legal on the front?
This is non-negotiable in the UK: your front side windows must let at least 70% of light through (combined glass + film), and the windscreen at least 75%. In practice that means only the very lightest films — or no film at all — on the fronts. All the darker shades above (35%, 20%, 5%) are for your rear windows, where there's no legal limit.
How to choose the right shade
- Want privacy and a bold look? Go 20% or 5% on the rears.
- Want a classic, balanced finish? 35% on the rears is the crowd-pleaser.
- Mainly after heat and UV protection? A quality ceramic film in a lighter shade (50–70%) blocks serious heat without going dark.
- Fronts: keep them clear or use a legal 70%+ film to match the vibe while staying road-legal.
A popular combination is 35% or 20% on the rear windows with clear or very light fronts — sleek, private and completely legal.
See it before you commit
Percentages are hard to picture in the abstract. At Wizz's Wraps we'll hold sample shades against your car so you can see exactly how each one looks on your glass before we fit a thing. We'll also make sure whatever you choose keeps you on the right side of the law.
Book Window Tinting in Stoke-on-Trent
At Wizz's Wraps in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, we've tinted everything from daily runarounds to show-stopping supercars. Every install uses premium, professionally cut film, is fitted in our clean indoor bay, and is backed by our workmanship guarantee (1-year installation warranty plus 3–5 years on the film itself, depending on the product).
We only fit tint that keeps your car road-legal where the law requires it, and we'll happily talk you through the right shade for your vehicle. Pop in to 31a Parsonage Street, Tunstall, ST6 5HL, call us on 07533 621258, or request a quote through our website. We're rated 4.7★ across 182 Google reviews from drivers across Staffordshire.
