Suggestions for Brand of Tint Films

[Panther]

Hello All,

Interested as to what your thoughts are on the different
Brands / Types of Tint Films. I've been looking at 3M Crystalline
and Llumar CTX Cerematrix.

Living in Texas it gets pretty warm here and the Sun is
brutal when the car is left out in it for an extended period of
time, or on long drives. So, I definitely would like any suggestions
or info on either of the 2 brands or any other suggestions.

I'm thinking of getting 35% on the Front Windows, 35-40% on
the Eyebrow and Moonroof, and 80-90% on the Rear Windows to
help with the heat.

Thanks and Take Care,

CK

 

[CX-5um]

Personally I'd go for a reputable brand and equally important a good installer/shop that is an authorized installer of that brand. That way your tint and labor are both covered by the manufacturer. Both tint brands you mentioned are likely more premium or equal ton my tint, Suntek CXP. Anyways here's my check list:


Name brand of personal choice

Authorized dealer

Lifetime warranty parts/labor covered by manufacturer

Consider Windshield tint (optional)

Consider moon roof ting (optional)

 

[Panther]

Personally I'd go for a reputable brand and equally important a good installer/shop that is an authorized installer of that brand. That way your tint and labor are both covered by the manufacturer. Both tint brands you mentioned are likely more premium or equal ton my tint, Suntek CXP. Anyways here's my check list:


Name brand of personal choice

Authorized dealer

Lifetime warranty parts/labor covered by manufacturer

Consider Windshield tint (optional)

Consider moon roof ting (optional)

Morning,

Thanks very much for your reply and your Checklist.

When I was looking into the Film Brands, both places that I'd
contacted were Authorized Installers, one place does one
film and the other does the other one.

I'd imagine that sure helps in AZ, our Heat doesn't even
get close to the Sun You have out there !!!

Take Care,

CK

 

[gova]

3M does not do films for years. They just stick their sticker on them. Llumar is the s*** to get - this is what my installer told me. I did and it worked great.

 

[KCSam]

I've had my windshied done 2 times now and it's still not right. The first time there were 6 little creases; 3 on the driver's side and 3 more on the passenger's. They weren't HUGE, but noticeable to me, for sure. The guy told me it takes up to a month for the film to settle and all the moisture to eventually evaporate. Well, that didn't happen. I took it back on Monday and he redid it. There is now 3 marks similar to the ones before. Once again, he told me to wait a month and they should go away. This time he said if they don't he will take a heat gun to it to make them subside.

Anyone else experience this when doing their windshield?

 

[Panther]

3M does not do films for years. They just stick their sticker on them. Llumar is the s*** to get - this is what my installer told me. I did and it worked great.

Howdy Gova,

Thanks for the info !!! Both of the Tint Places do the LLumar, and
the one I really liked was the one that did both 3M and
LLumar. He said that he liked Llumar much better since
it installed better and the overall results and longevity were
much better.

Take Care,

CK

 

[xxxmonoxidechil]

SunGard, and LLumar are what i have on all 4 of my cars. The 1st thing i ask when going to a new tint shop is what brand tint they use. I wont trust anything else.

 

[Panther]

SunGard, and LLumar are what i have on all 4 of my cars. The 1st thing i ask when going to a new tint shop is what brand tint they use. I wont trust anything else.

Hello xxxmonoxidechi

Thanks very much, I had really made my Mind up to use 3M but
have to say after hearing y'alls thoughts and impressions I think
I'll go with the Llumar CTX Cerematrix so there won't be any
problems with Cell or GPS Reception and also the quality of the
tint and color retention.

Thanks and Take Care,

CK

 

[Panther]

I've had my windshied done 2 times now and it's still not right. The first time there were 6 little creases; 3 on the driver's side and 3 more on the passenger's. They weren't HUGE, but noticeable to me, for sure. The guy told me it takes up to a month for the film to settle and all the moisture to eventually evaporate. Well, that didn't happen. I took it back on Monday and he redid it. There is now 3 marks similar to the ones before. Once again, he told me to wait a month and they should go away. This time he said if they don't he will take a heat gun to it to make them subside.

Anyone else experience this when doing their windshield?

Howdy KCSam,

I'd really thought about having the Windshield done with something to help reflect the heat out, but
my Eyes aren't what they used to be and I'd heard there was some distortion and an flares at night
which I definetly don't need anymore of that<G> What about just having the "Eyebrow and just the upper
portion of the windshield done? I know how frustrating this has to be but maybe it's just a really tough install
to get it right.

Good Luck and Take Care,

CK

 

[erhayes]

Hmmm. I never thought about getting my glass sunroof tinted. Wish I had. ed

 

[Joaks]

i've been using Vkool tints for years now (last 3 cars since 2009) and its pretty good on the heat and UV protection. currently using 5% on the backs (plus the 20% factory) wich gives about a 0 Light pass (i know i went overbaord on it) and on the front its 5%. None on the winshield and i dont have moonroof.

 

[Gio26NJ]

Cannot go wrong with Llumar products, I have the metallic ATR line on a couple of vehicles but that CTX Ceramic is some great stuff but was too pricy so I decided to just go with metallic. No interference with anything, interior stays cool to the touch (unless sun is facing windshield)

 

[Panther]

Hmmm. I never thought about getting my glass sunroof tinted. Wish I had. ed

Morning Ed,

I know, I'd not thought or heard of it before someone on the Forum
mentioned it.

When I'd mentioned it to the Tint guy when asking about things, he
acted like it was a normal thing, so I'll definitely be getting it done
with the rest of the windows.

Have a Great 4th of July !!!

Take Care,

CK

 

[Panther]

i've been using Vkool tints for years now (last 3 cars since 2009) and its pretty good on the heat and UV protection. currently using 5% on the backs (plus the 20% factory) wich gives about a 0 Light pass (i know i went overbaord on it) and on the front its 5%. None on the winshield and i dont have moonroof.

Morning Joaks,

Sounds like it really keeps your Car Cool !!! With old/ bad eyes I think it would be too dark for me,
but can sure see where it helps with the Heat.

Take Care,

CK

 

[Panther]

Cannot go wrong with Llumar products, I have the metallic ATR line on a couple of vehicles but that CTX Ceramic is some great stuff but was too pricy so I decided to just go with metallic. No interference with anything, interior stays cool to the touch (unless sun is facing windshield)

Morning Gio26NJ,

Thanks so much for your reply, and it's great to hear about you being so pleased with the
ATR. I'm hoping the CTX won't be that much more expensive, but here in Texas I think that will
be money well spent with our Heat and Sun.

Appreciate the Info !!!

Take Care,

CK

 

[CX-5um]

I've had my windshied done 2 times now and it's still not right. The first time there were 6 little creases; 3 on the driver's side and 3 more on the passenger's. They weren't HUGE, but noticeable to me, for sure. The guy told me it takes up to a month for the film to settle and all the moisture to eventually evaporate. Well, that didn't happen. I took it back on Monday and he redid it. There is now 3 marks similar to the ones before. Once again, he told me to wait a month and they should go away. This time he said if they don't he will take a heat gun to it to make them subside.

Anyone else experience this when doing their windshield?

The "installer" is as important or more than the actual tint product itself. Another overlooked biggie is "ease of installation" of the product. I'm not sure if these 2 factors had anything to do with your experiences but consider this, I have Suntek CXP 80 installed on my windshield for about 3 months now with no issues of creasing. The installer preferred this product as it was easier for him and his team to install it. This meant less time reinstalling later and more convenience for his customers not having to comeback as often. Just curious, which brand and product line did he install on your car?

Howdy KCSam,

I'd really thought about having the Windshield done with something to help reflect the heat out, but
my Eyes aren't what they used to be and I'd heard there was some distortion and an flares at night
which I definetly don't need anymore of that<G> What about just having the "Eyebrow and just the upper
portion of the windshield done? I know how frustrating this has to be but maybe it's just a really tough install
to get it right.

Good Luck and Take Care,

CK

I have -11 eyes. nuff said there lol.

My understanding is that 3M Crystalline 90 is supposed to be a choice windshield tint (I'm sure there's other excellent premium ones too). I heard it has good clarity yet with good heat rejection properties. Problem is it was too expensive for me. I negotiated for half the price at my eventual installer to have Suntek CXP 80 installed on my windshield. Its a lesser product. Lets 80 percent of light in and about 46-47 percent heat rejection. Initially yes it was cloudy is certain areas as trapped moisture caused some wavy distortion. Even so it was still clear enough to view/read signs. That went away after about a month to the point where its clarity was good. One suggestion is to visit a tint shop where they have these "lighter" tints on sample glass you can raise up and test looking into the sky.

Oh another thing about sunroof tints. Man I should've gotten it installed with the other tint. Major source of heat soak. Not an issue with he white CX-5 but the titanium flash mazda6 needs all the help it can get to stay cool. I don't even use the sunroof as a window. I'm considering even just "wrapping" it with 3m film to block it off completely.

 

[Panther]

The "installer" is as important or more than the actual tint product itself. Another overlooked biggie is "ease of installation" of the product. I'm not sure if these 2 factors had anything to do with your experiences but consider this, I have Suntek CXP 80 installed on my windshield for about 3 months now with no issues of creasing. The installer preferred this product as it was easier for him and his team to install it. This meant less time reinstalling later and more convenience for his customers not having to comeback as often. Just curious, which brand and product line did he install on your car?



I have -11 eyes. nuff said there lol.

My understanding is that 3M Crystalline 90 is supposed to be a choice windshield tint (I'm sure there's other excellent premium ones too). I heard it has good clarity yet with good heat rejection properties. Problem is it was too expensive for me. I negotiated for half the price at my eventual installer to have Suntek CXP 80 installed on my windshield. Its a lesser product. Lets 80 percent of light in and about 46-47 percent heat rejection. Initially yes it was cloudy is certain areas as trapped moisture caused some wavy distortion. Even so it was still clear enough to view/read signs. That went away after about a month to the point where its clarity was good. One suggestion is to visit a tint shop where they have these "lighter" tints on sample glass you can raise up and test looking into the sky.

Oh another thing about sunroof tints. Man I should've gotten it installed with the other tint. Major source of heat soak. Not an issue with he white CX-5 but the titanium flash mazda6 needs all the help it can get to stay cool. I don't even use the sunroof as a window. I'm considering even just "wrapping" it with 3m film to block it off completely.

Howdy CX-5um,

Thanks for your Reply and info, I think I'm going to just stick with the Eyebrow for right now,
will know more after I get things installed. Also, good to know about the MoonRoof, although the one
I've ordered is White, I still think it's the Glass that draws that heat in. My Wife's Mazda 3 is white, and you can feel Heat Coming
in and I didn't associate it with the MoonRoof until reading about having it tinted.

Thanks again for your tips and suggestions, I do appreciate it.

Take Care,

CK

 

[bgwilliams78]

Hey CK,

I don't know much about 'brands', however I would recommend going to a reputable dealer/installer and go with premium window tint. I just had my CX done last week. Matched front sides with back; tinted rear window to match limo, had windshield brow installed and tinted rear tail/third brake lights.

The place I get my tinting offers a life time warranty from fading on premium tint along with installation, defects etc.

Also, if you are out of city and get pulled over and are required to remove tint, they will remove at no charge and re-install new tint at a extremely low cost.

Regards,
Blair

 

[Panther]

Hey CK,

I don't know much about 'brands', however I would recommend going to a reputable dealer/installer and go with premium window tint. I just had my CX done last week. Matched front sides with back; tinted rear window to match limo, had windshield brow installed and tinted rear tail/third brake lights.

The place I get my tinting offers a life time warranty from fading on premium tint along with installation, defects etc.

Also, if you are out of city and get pulled over and are required to remove tint, they will remove at no charge and re-install new tint at a extremely low cost.

Regards,
Blair

Howdy Blair,

Thanks so much for the info, and I'd decided that I'd go with the Top Llumar Cerematric Film, and the
Installer is Authorized Installer and it's comes with Lifetime LLumar Guarantee.

I'll probably go with little lighter tints on the Front Windows,
the old eyes are as good as they used to be so I'll sacrifice a little
there but will get probably 35% or so on them.

Thanks so much for info, really appreciate it, getting excited
for mine to get here, it's on the Ship !!!!

Take Care,

CK

 

[KCSam]

Howdy KCSam,

I'd really thought about having the Windshield done with something to help reflect the heat out, but
my Eyes aren't what they used to be and I'd heard there was some distortion and an flares at night
which I definetly don't need anymore of that<G> What about just having the "Eyebrow and just the upper
portion of the windshield done? I know how frustrating this has to be but maybe it's just a really tough install
to get it right.

Good Luck and Take Care,

CK

I haven't experienced any issues with distortion or glare. I like it much better with the tint than without. Especially now that I am used to it. It's hard to sit in a car now that is without tint. The only difference I have noticed is in heavy rain. It just seemed a little darker out, but it in now way hampered my driving ability. It really wasn't that much of a big deal.

Do you have your sides tinted? I can't imagine how hot it gets in Texas this time of the year. Normally, it's really hot here, but it's been a very mild (rainy) summer.