The Short Answer
Factory privacy glass is dark glass, and it is not window tint. It hides what is inside the car, but it does little to block heat, and it cannot be changed. Window film goes on top of the glass, rejects infrared heat and can match the front windows to the rear. Many owners keep the privacy glass and add film for heat.
What Privacy Glass Is
Privacy glass is glass that is dyed dark at the factory. You will see it on the rear doors, the rear quarters and the Rear Window of many SUVs, minivans and trucks. The color is in the glass itself, so there is no film to peel or bubble.
The dye mostly absorbs visible light. That makes the rear seat harder to see into, which is the point. It is a different job from heat control, and most privacy glass is not built for it.
What Window Tint Adds
XPEL window film is a separate layer applied to the inside of the glass. The nano-ceramic films are made to reject infrared, the part of sunlight you feel as heat. XR Black rejects up to 85% of infrared and XR Plus up to 96%. Both block 99% of UV, and Prime CS carbon film rejects up to 35%.
Film also does two things privacy glass cannot. It works on the front windows, which come from the factory in clear glass. And it lets you pick the shade, so the car looks like one piece instead of a dark rear and a light front.
Side by Side
| Feature | Privacy glass | Window tint |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Rear windows only | Any window |
| Heat rejection | Limited | Up to 96% IR with XR Plus |
| Choice of shade | Fixed | Your choice |
| Matches the front windows | No | Yes |
| Warranty | Part of the car | XPEL lifetime warranty |
Can You Tint Over Privacy Glass
Yes. Film goes on the inside of the glass, and it works on privacy glass the same way as on clear glass. The result is darker than the film alone, because the two stack, so a light shade over privacy glass looks much darker than the same shade on a front door.
Many owners tint only the front doors to match the rear and add film on the rear glass when they want the heat reduction. Ask for a quote on both setups.
What It Costs at Autograff
Prices are for most sedans, SUVs and trucks, before sales tax. Shade never changes the price.
| Coverage | Prime CS | XR Black | XR Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front side windows | $100 | $140 | $200 |
| Rear side windows + Rear Window | $200 | $250 | $350 |
| All side windows + Rear Window | $250 | $350 | $450 |
Teslas and a few other models have their own price list, which you can see on our Tesla window tint page.
The California Rules
California limits how dark the front side windows can be, and the rules differ for the rear. Privacy glass is legal because it comes from the factory, but film you add is judged by the same rules as any other tint. Read the basics in our California window tint laws guide and ask us before you choose a shade.
Which One Fits You
If the car is parked in a garage and you only want privacy, the factory glass may be enough. If it sits outside in the Valley sun, film is the part that helps with heat. Our automotive window tint page has every film and window option.
Heat and Glare in Practice
The rear seat is not the only place the sun gets in. The front windows and the windshield take the most direct light on a morning commute, and privacy glass does nothing there. A common setup is nano-ceramic film on the front doors and rear glass, so the whole cabin gets the same heat control and the same look.
Infrared is the part of sunlight you feel on your arm through the glass, which is why film on the front doors is noticed right away. If you also want the windshield, a light film is popular because it keeps the view clear. Read our windshield film guide for how much heat it blocks.
Before You Book
Tell us what the car came with. Some trims have privacy glass and some have clear glass all around, and the quote depends on which windows get film. If there is old film on the car, removal is added to the quote. We work from our North Hollywood studio and see drivers from Studio City, Sherman Oaks and across the Valley. You can pick a time on our online booking page.