I have never tinting a car before and I see that there is Clear Tinting now. I am looking for Heat Reduction mainly. I also have a Sunroof. Do I go with 3M Crystalline 70 or 90 or Llumar Air 80 or is some other brand or degree. And what price should it cost to have install]Please educate me; this is all new to me. Any links and advise would help.

 

What makes you want clear? Is it because of the law in your state or visibility?

I would suggest something that is carbon or ceramic those have the best heat reduction and UV protection.

 

I move around a lot, but I am looking for heat reduction mostly. I am leaner to the ceramic. Is 3M the best and worth the price?

 

I have never used them so I really don't know. I have Suntech Carbon/Ceramic on mine 35% up front and 15% in the back.

Just because you move around a lot that should not hurt your decision on what you choose. Just don't go super dark and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Do you like the Suntech Carbon/Ceramic? Carbon does not block phone interference?

 

No the one that blocks cell phone reception is metallic. I say carbon/ceramic because when I originally got mine tinted in 2009 it was ceramic and I went and had my windeshield strip redone and the guy was telling me it is now known as carbon.

As far as what I think about it? It looks good even though it is a little more expensive and it during the day it doesn't look that dark.

 

Thanks

 

Any opinions or has anyone have use Prestige Spectra PhotoSync. How does that compared to 3M Crystalline?

 

I work in the tinting industry and have experience with LLumar, SunTek, and 3M (crystalline only). Where I work, we do not use 3M (overpriced, and comparable quality to the others).

I currently have the AirBlue on my windshield, and 5% all around. In terms of heat reduction, the AirBlue is going to be minimal compared to a shaded carbon or ceramic film. In the 2 years I have been here, I have never heard someone ask for "clear" tint all around ..

May I ask why you want clear?

It'd be one thing if you were asking for opinions of a carbon/ceramic shaded film vs the AirBlue or Crystalline .. but you're asking for opinions on two different types apples here. Specs will spit out numbers, but our senses, what we see and experience between the two films will not be noticeable. At all.

What WILL hinder opinions of one film versus the other, is how and by who it was installed. Installation will more than likely sway peoples' opinions more than anything else. Quality on both is excellent. Since you're comparing two films that are both EXTREMELY comparable .. I say, pick one.

 

I have never had a car tinted. I want heat reduction and I don't want to look too dark. I do not want to have a problem with my Cell Phone reception. Help

 

The ones that have been mentioned will not hinder cell phone reception. When you make your decision make sure that they do not use a metallic tint.

 

Just get a 50% tint all around. It won't look too dark and no cop will ever pull you over for it. Gives the car a classy look. Remember, the % tint is how much light comes into the car. So 5% is limo tint. Higher number means less tint.

My car has 50% up front and 30% in the back. These photos don't really give a good rep of how much lighter the fronts are though. When you see it in person, 50% is more subtle.

 

This. Carbon and ceramic tints will not have any effect on cell reception. Most brands offer both.

It sounds to me like you have your mind made up on the clear tint. If you want it light, I agree that 50% will be a good choice. I live in FL so car ridea are genuinely rough without tint!

Are you actually researching? No offense, but the percentages can be found on the websites for all brands and speak for themselves. Most are within 5-7% of each other, so you absolutely will not be able to tell the difference.

 

ive been having this debate myself. in my region, they pretty much stick with just llumar, and of the three "main" choices - ATC, ATR, and CTX, it seems that ATC is the best choice overall..

it has the worst heat reduction, but ATR is metallic and can interfere, and I hear CTX is very very reflective on the inside and also has a blueish hue to it.. can you comment on that? I'm asking a local shop to work on 2 of my cars (small sedan and mini cooper) and they're asking 425 - is that fair?

 

ATR was the "standard" tint we used on most vehicles. I had 5% ATR all-around in my previous vehicle (Acura TSX) and did not have any issues with interference. My MINI now has 5% all around and AirBlue windshield with no issues. Especially with our garage door, which seems to be super sensitive.

What state do you live in? If I ever quoted a customer $425 for two cars, they'd look at me like I was bonkers. For a small sedan and a MINI Cooper, our price would be $120 per vehicle. $130 for a standard mid-size sedan. However, shops in NY for example would easily charge close to $200 just for a standard mid-size sedan, which makes me

 

:( STL.. yeah they charge quite a bit..