5% tint gives a 2013–2018 Lexus ES 350 an extremely dark appearance with strong daytime privacy. On this black 2015 Lexus ES 350, we installed 5% standard film on all four doors and the rear glass while leaving the windshield untinted.

The tan interior did not make the windows appear noticeably lighter. From most angles, the cabin was almost completely hidden, although direct sunlight occasionally revealed more interior detail. Five percent is best suited to drivers already accustomed to dark tint because nighttime visibility and parking in poorly lit areas can be challenging.

This real installation included:

• 5% standard film on the driver-side front door
• 5% standard film on the passenger-side front door
• 5% standard film on both rear doors
• 5% standard film on the rear glass
• Factory windshield left unchanged

The customer may return to tint the windshield after first seeing how the 5% side and rear windows perform.

This article covers the 2013–2018 Lexus ES 350 body style:

• 2013 Lexus ES 350
• 2014 Lexus ES 350
• 2015 Lexus ES 350
• 2016 Lexus ES 350
• 2017 Lexus ES 350
• 2018 Lexus ES 350

The featured vehicle is a 2015 model, but owners of the other listed model years can use these photographs to understand how 5% tint may look on the same Lexus ES generation.

Exterior paint, interior color, sunlight, and viewing angle can change the appearance slightly from one vehicle to another.

The customer’s main goal was complete privacy. He wanted all four door windows and the rear glass dark enough to make seeing inside the Lexus difficult during the day.

Rather than tinting the windshield at the same appointment, he decided to start with the sides and back window. This allowed him to experience the privacy and outward visibility of the 5% setup before deciding whether to add windshield film later.

Standard film provided the dark appearance he wanted without requiring him to move into a higher-priced carbon or ceramic package.

During daylight, it was difficult to see through the windows of this Lexus ES 350. From most exterior angles, the cabin appeared almost completely hidden.

The amount of visible interior detail changed as we moved around the vehicle. When sunlight entered through the untinted windshield or opposite window, certain angles revealed faint shapes inside. Reflections and shadows made the interior considerably harder to see from other positions.

Five-percent film provides substantially more privacy than 15%, 20%, or 35% tint. However, no tint percentage guarantees that the cabin will remain completely invisible under every lighting condition.

A tan interior can make lighter percentages appear brighter because light-colored seats and interior panels reflect more sunlight toward the windows. On this Lexus, however, the tan interior did not make a major visual difference because 5% film allows so little visible light through the glass.

Someone standing close to the car in direct sunlight might notice more interior detail than they would with a black interior. From a normal viewing distance, the windows still maintained an extremely dark appearance.

This example shows why customers should compare tint percentages on real vehicles instead of relying entirely on a small display board.

Five-percent tint can work for everyday driving when the driver is already accustomed to extremely dark windows. It is not the percentage we would recommend for a first-time tint customer or someone who regularly struggles with nighttime vision.

During daylight, outward visibility is generally manageable because there is plenty of surrounding light. The adjustment becomes more noticeable after sunset, particularly when entering darker neighborhoods, driveways, and parking areas.

Drivers new to window tint should consider 15% or 20% if they want privacy with a more comfortable learning curve. Someone with previous experience using 5% may already understand its limitations and know when lowering a window is necessary.

At night, 5% film significantly reduces visibility through the side and rear windows. Well-lit roads and parking lots provide the easiest conditions, while areas with limited streetlighting can become difficult to navigate.

Parking may be the greatest challenge. Curbs, parking-space lines, pedestrians, and nearby vehicles can be harder to see through the door windows. Backing up may also require more reliance on mirrors, cameras, and surrounding lights.

Lowering a window can provide a clearer view while parking or maneuvering in a dark location. Although drivers can adjust to 5% over time, experience does not make the film physically lighter.

New Jersey restricts aftermarket tint on the front side windows and windshield of standard passenger vehicles. Drivers should understand the possibility of a traffic stop or citation before choosing 5% for the front doors.

The rules covering the rear side windows and back glass differ from the restrictions applied to the front window area. Medical exemptions also require state approval and supporting documentation.

Review our New Jersey window tint law guide before selecting a tint percentage.

For another real SUV example with a similar privacy-focused setup, see our 5% Kia Telluride window tint article.

The featured installation covered all four doors and the rear glass with standard film.

The 2013–2018 Lexus ES 350 is not eligible for the $99.99 or $149.99 promotional packages because this vehicle takes longer than one hour to complete.

Both specials cover the same qualifying side-and-rear tint package. The $99.99 option does not include a warranty, while the $149.99 option includes a warranty. These specials are limited to certain vehicles that our shop can complete in under one hour.

Financing is available for qualifying customers through American First Finance. Approval and payment terms are determined by the financing provider.

The appropriate film depends on the customer’s goals:

• Standard film: A practical option for customers primarily interested in appearance and privacy.
• Carbon film: A mid-level choice offering better heat rejection than standard film.
• Ceramic film: The highest heat-rejection option for customers prioritizing interior comfort.

The customer featured in this article selected standard film because complete privacy was the primary objective. Choosing carbon or ceramic in the same percentage would not automatically make the windows darker; the selected VLT determines the visible darkness.

Customers comparing performance and value can read our carbon versus ceramic window tint guide.

Visit our Lexus window tint photo gallery to see additional Lexus cars and SUVs tinted by Dope Tintings.

Real photographs make it easier to compare how tint looks on different exterior colors, interior colors, window shapes, and vehicle styles. The first image in this article is the featured photograph, followed by the remaining images in numbered upload order.

Dope Tintings Automotive Window Tint has more than 20 years of professional installation experience and has tinted more than 30,000 vehicles.

We can help Lexus owners compare film types and percentages based on privacy, appearance, nighttime visibility, heat rejection, and price. Customers should first determine what they want the tint to accomplish and then choose the package that fits their needs and budget.

Dope Tintings serves customers from Pennsauken, Camden, Cherry Hill, Maple Shade, Cinnaminson, Delran, Collingswood, Haddonfield, Marlton, Mount Laurel, Moorestown, and throughout South Jersey.

Dope Tintings
6830 N Crescent Blvd
Pennsauken, NJ 08110
Phone: 856-577-4119