Window tint - best quality brand?

[FTP20]

I want to tint my car with high quality tint that cuts down on UV entering the cabin (leather damage) and that won't discolor over time. I want tint with a grey tone not one of the blue or purple hue tints I've seen on some cars.

Is there any accepted hierarchy of tint brands or ones to avoid?

[GivRoF36]

I'm sure you're going to end up with tons of replies and varying opinions, but I believe if you are looking for the best film at rejecting heat, you're going to want to look at crystalline film.

However, crystalline can have a somewhat bluish hint or if you have a color interior (i.e. I had red seats in my 435) it can sometimes pull from that in different lighting which was fine with me may not be satisfactory for you. (See the photos, side view is pretty standard but the angle view picks up some of the red from the interior - 40% Crystalline 3M)

I now have 50% crystalline (3M brand) on my M5 and that interior is Aragon Brown. The 50% seems to come off like a standard color tint. Though the car is blue so not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Next best option is ceramic tint from a heat rejection standpoint. No knowledge-base however on whether or not it as any colored hue to it though.

Best bet is to probably visit a tint shop or a few and get their advice/opinions on the best film that fits what you are looking for.

Good luck.

[MADBMWX5MC]

I have FormulaOne – Pinnacle Series on my X3 now...have had same since 2006 on my Mustang GT...and 13 yrs later is still looks like new.

[CigarPundit]

I got Presige Spectra PhotoSync 35% all around. Good stuff and I’ve been happy with it. It is a carbon ceramic. It’s grey; no blue tint whatsoever. From everything I’ve read and heard from tint shops, it’s comsidered one of, if not the best ceramic. Not cheap though.

I’ve heard good things about Crystalline too, but I have no experience with it. It does have a blue hue to it though.

[omasou]

I just had Suntek CIR 30 installed on the M2C. It's carbon (not dyed) and non-metallic ceramic. The heat rejection is worlds better than the Suntek CTX 45 I had on the M2.

Whatever you buy get carbon and ceramic then choose the installer not the brand.

[Yungsta]

Huper Optik I believe is the best when it comes to hear rejection, but will definitely come at a cost. I got some Rayno ceramic tint on my car and it does a great job keeping my car cool in the summer. You can't go wrong with any of the mid-high tier tints (3M, Llumar, etc).

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by Yungsta

Huper Optik I believe is the best when it comes to hear rejection, but will definitely come at a cost. I got some Rayno ceramic tint on my car and it does a great job keeping my car cool in the summer. You can't go wrong with any of the mid-high tier tints (3M, Llumar, etc).

I have Huper Optik on my current car - not a fan. Although, it does reject heat pretty well, it also "ghost" a lot if there's any curve to your glass when the sun hits it just at the right angle! We just installed 3M Crystalline on our newest car and like those a lot better.

[eatsleepboost]

Originally Posted by MADBMWX3

I have FormulaOne – Pinnacle Series on my X3 now...have had same since 2006 on my Mustang GT...and 13 yrs later is still looks like new.

+1. Had Llumar FormulaOne-Pinnacle on 3 cars now over the past 10 years and not a single issue. Great at keeping heat out.

[JDsX3]

I live in Nevada with tons of sun year round. The most effective tint I have found and currently have on my cars is 3M Crystaline. For example on my Corvette I have 90 on the windshield (virtually invisible under any lighting conditions and has no interaction with polarized sun glasses if you wear them, also, doesn't impact the clarity or brilliance of the HUD, and it is legal for use on windshields), and 40 on the side and back glass.

It does a great job at reducing heat transmission from the sun.

I have never had it develop issues on any of my cars over the years.

[Brandon818]

3m crystalline is one of the best. And it has a phenomenal warranty

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by omasou

I just had Suntek CIR 30 installed on the M2C. It's carbon (not dyed) and non-metallic ceramic. The heat rejection is world better than the Suntek CTX 45 I had on the M2.

Whatever you buy get carbon and ceramic then choose the installer not the brand.

+1 You want a good nano tint but there are several companies that make these. But after that, a quality install is most important.

[KingOfJericho]

Llumar, Huper, Global, 3M - all good brands. I never liked the look of ceramic tint. My buddy has run his own tinting business for 15+ years and he swears by Global. I've had it on my last 8 cars and no complaints. Matches the rear tint on SUVs as well.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I chose 3m Crystalline in 70% for my gray-on-black 335i. I have the film applied to all windows except windshield, but including sunroof. In the attached images, the sun is shining into the windshield and the sunroof shade is open.

[swanson]

I need tint on my Audi S5 SB BADLY! Its so damn hot in there. The other day at work it read 104!

[BeachM5nster]

Llumar is the original and best. their metallized film is what i have, and has the finish you want ~$350 all windows minus windshield with install here in SC. .

stay away from dyed film (llumar does sell that but its their cheapest and is what u say u dont want, but it wont purple like a film bought from walmart for $10).. the metallized blocks slightly less uv and heat than the ceramic .. but it can block cellphone signals, radio etc (PITA if u have a gated community fob) and the ceramic's finish is very similar to dyed film(words from the shop owner, they actually sold me the cheaper metallized bc we discussed in detail as i wanted the same iridium finish that you do.

the film that has the ceramic strength protection with the metallized finish is !surprise! their most expensive automotive film. ~$550+ for all m5 windows minus windshield.

and for your windshield- Air80 is a clear(slightly light blue but clear once installed on glass) and it rejects 80% uv and heat [hence the 80 in its name] with a transparent film. it really is amazing and u will thank it every hot day u get in your car if u put it on your windshield -~$175 installed.

[Germanauto]

What's the sweet spot (%) for UV protection/keeping the cabin cool and not making the cabin too dark?

I just moved to California and it's become a hassle with my DD. It already has a black interior and I don't want it to feel any more cave-like. But even with propping a couple windows and putting a sunshade the interior is so hot when I return even from 5 mins at the store.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

What's the sweet spot (%) for UV protection/keeping the cabin cool and not making the cabin too dark?

I just moved to California and it's become a hassle with my DD. It already has a black interior and I don't want it to feel any more cave-like. But even with propping a couple windows and putting a sunshade the interior is so hot when I return even from 5 mins at the store.

Personally, I hate dark tint, so ceramic is the best bet. I've had Huper and F1 Pinnacle in the past and Huper is my preference. The darkness level is subjective, but rest assured, even 70% is good for significant heat reduction.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by jmg

Personally, I hate dark tint, so ceramic is the best bet. I've had Huper and F1 Pinnacle in the past and Huper is my preference. The darkness level is subjective, but rest assured, even 70% is good for significant heat reduction.

Thanks. I also don't like the really dark look.

[Mach550]

I did XPel Prime XR Plus 45% on my windshield and XPel Prime XR 20% for the side and rear windows. Have had various ceramic films on different cars and this one has been the best so far.

[BMW F22]

I’ve had F1 Pinnacle film on previous BMWs and now the Porsche. I like the clarity and heat rejection on it. Not a fan of super dark tint so I’ve always gone with 35% all around with back windshield at 30% since it’s bigger so should be a darker shade to match better with other windows. On the Macan, the rear windows are tinted at 20% so I went with 30% for the front doors. This provides a nice blend - not exact but good enough without going too dark. It looks fantastic IMO. Anything below 30% and it’ll look dark, especially with dark interiors and/or exterior colors.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Thanks. I also don't like the really dark look.

Yeah, stick with 40% or above. I had 30 one one car and 40 on another when I lived there. The 30 got attention from the cops but 40 rarely did and mostly from stupid meter maids.

[BeachM5nster]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

What's the sweet spot (%) for UV protection/keeping the cabin cool and not making the cabin too dark?

I just moved to California and it's become a hassle with my DD. It already has a black interior and I don't want it to feel any more cave-like. But even with propping a couple windows and putting a sunshade the interior is so hot when I return even from 5 mins at the store.

that windshield being tinted (legally) is crucial to keeping temp down