Window tinting

[1996QShip]

Well it's hotter than Hades down here in louisiana. So I've decides to have my car windows tinted. This is the first time I've ever shopped for tint before. So I need some advice. First off, I don't really care about privacy. I would just like my car less hot when I get into it. I've been quoted prices for ceramic tint $350. And metallic tint $160. What y'all think? Is Ceramic that much better than metallic? Next is there some other type of tint I haven't considered? Lemme know

[qship96]

first stay away from dyed tint as it fades and turns a purple color. A full metal tint is great at heat reduction, as is the ceramic tint- the big advantage of the ceramic is it does not interfere with in car electronic signals of all the gadgets of newer cars, not much of a benefit to us older car owners except portable cell phone users and portable gps systems that do not have external antenna.

All tint from the cheap to ultra expensive block 99% of UV {ultraviolet rays} the BIG BIG difference in performance comes from the IR {infra-red} also known as HEAT blocking ability......if blocking heat is your main priority {it is mine} then look at the performance statistics of this category and choose the highest I.R. rejection tint film that fits your budget.....big hint, the degree of "darkness" in a tint film HAS LITTLE to NO impact on its performance to block heat, just visible light- many are fooled into dark limo type tint thinking they are getting great heat blocking ability, they are not- it is the I.R. rejection number you want to concentrate on

[Infinitiguy19]

I would be interested in window tint is if did not tint the windows at all and just blocked Infrared radiation. Unless of course it had a green tint to match my car (Need for speed...).

[qship96]

I have 50% tint all around and it is barely noticeable, yet blocks 43% of the heat {IR} . On the windshield {yes the whole thing, except for a small cutout near the mirror for the Valentine One to look out of as police laser is actually infrared light} I have 70% 3M Crystalline that blocks 59% of the heat, although illegal, not one cop has bothered me in the 2 years it has been on there, as it is nearly invisible it is so light colored{ but in my opinion is the MOST important piece of glass to tint if you really want to block the sun from roasting you, as the sun coming through the windshield directly hits your body. 3M crystalline comes in light shades up to 90% that are almost totally clear looking {keep in mind the lower the number the darker the tint with 5% being limo tint}


Article of interest http://wot.motortrend.com/3ms-window-fi ... z1MH2xvMJD

[maxnix]

Visual light rejection has no correlation with infra-red rejection.

You don't want metallic if you use cell phones or radar detectors.

Ceramic is worth it. Look at Huper Optik Stark 30, Formula Ceramic, and the exception to the ceramic rule but works like one, Wincos.

[BadQ45t]

I have only one of my rides with tint, I went Ceramic on my Z and it is a little darker than legal and only once in 5 years did I got a comment from a cop. Funny he'd pulled me over as I was for sure "profiled" while in Hillsborough, CA, and when he found 2 white 50 year olds (my wife and I) he was a little embarrased. Told me to remove the side window tint when I had a chance, it was illegal and apologized for pulling me over.

I would go ceramic if this car is a keeper.

[1996QShip]

Wow! This stuff is complicated. I've read the 3m article along with countless others. It turns out the "facts and figures" many regurgitate are a farce. It turns out the only numbers they can't fudge are solar heat coeffecients. But nobody talks about them! Suntek makes a carbon nonmetal line which seems to be leading the pack for me. Does anybody have any experiece with they're CPX line? Also please respond if you know of other lines which I should consider

[BadQ45t]

The most important thing with a tint is the installer and how much they will back up their installation work. Funny I had mine done by a shop in LA "Al & Ed's Car Stereo" where i had bought tons of stuff over the years and the owner ended up killing his business!!!!! But the install was flawless and I have not had a seconds problem since install 7 years ago (I looked up my receipt).

I think the key will be to find a good installer locally that knows what they are doing and will back it for years to come. Ask around your locals and find someone that knows how to do it and can back it. Especially with you down in Louisana there will be plenty of heat so anybody that has been around for 10+ years should be a good place.

[1996QShip]

Well. I ended up getting Suntek Carbon on my car. After tons of research. I chose not to get a metal film because it's supposed to interupt cell phone signal. Also I didn't get ceramic as I didn't see a big difference in the heat blocking from the sun. I also do not have any anecdotal evidence of metal tint blocking cell phone reception But this stuff seems to be a good compromise. $169 installed with a lifetime warranty.

[mcrews]

pics???