Hi,
Can someone point me to a discussion of the pro & cons of all the different window tint types? I've seen terms like 'heat rejecting', 'dyed', 'reflective', 'metallic', 'ceramic', etc. I'm not sure what to to ask for from installers, and don't want to be sold any snake oil. Qualities that seem important to consider:

• price
• durability
• appearance
• non-interference with signals (cell, radio, sat)
• heat reduction

If there are types that are best for specific windows (front sides, rear sides, rear, or sunroof), that would be good to know. My MA mentioned that tinting can foul up the auto-dimming feature on the rear-view mirror.

BTW, sorry for starting yet another tinting thread - I just couldn't find this particular subject summed up anywhere.

Thanks,
Pasta

 

why is snake oil so reviled? Ever hear a squeaky snake?

 

ceramic is a safe bet. I had a metalized film on my Subaru and my FM went to poop (embedded antenna). The MINI has an external antenna so this shouldn't be a problem, but if you are at all worried, do a ceramic based film.

quality of the film is only half.....good tint andaverage installer = bad job. average tint and good installer = good job. finding a good shop with good materials and a fair price is the grand slam.

I always used a local shop and Llumar Formula One for every ($300+ each) but went with Suntek Carbon from Carlos at Solar Solutions (a vendor here in the DC area and a supporter of this forum). His price was A LOT less and a year on I'm still very happy with it.

 

besides the radio, metalized film can interfere with radar detection, cell-phones, gps and bluetooth. Avoid it.

 

I never knew there were different "types" of tint, just different levels (%).

I jsut had mine done, 20%, all windows less the sunroof and windshield. Total cost was $125. Looks great and they did a great job. Make sure they take off your door panels to install it down low UNDER the rubber seal at botton of window. Otherise the little up/down when you open/close your door will rip the bottom up eventially.

 

The type is very important. If you get cheap films, they could change color (usually turn purple) on you or become fuzzy after a while.

 

Have had Llumar Platinum metallic film on all of my cars and it never has interferred with the V1 (edit, and come to think of it cell and bluetooth also fine). The detector always works good as ever when the tint is installed and the Platinum is very clear optically with a nice grey tone and just a hint of reflectivity in certain lights. One shop I went to tried to put on a different tint and it was obviously not on par, not sure if it was because it was non metallic or what, but it was noticeably not as effective at cutting glare & heat in spite of appearing darker.

Birdman, have you had the tint come up as a result of the window action? Based on what I've seen the installer has not opened the doors up on our cars (and I really wouldn't want them to honestly) and yet I've not had issues with the tint in spite of the up/down window action of the Minis and BMWs that have been tinted.

Next time around I might try ceramic if it does cut the UV even more, I need all the help I can get fending off freckles :P

 

Looks like the Platinum already has 99% UV blockage, maybe there is a type of clear UV blocking tint that could be put on the windshield for total coverage

http://www.tintcenter.com/films/llumar/l_pp_lu/

Btw, that site seems to have some info on a few brands, perhaps it will help in your decision.

 

Yes, tintcenter.com does have a lot of information. It's not clear how objective they are, but they seem better than any of the other sites I've surfed. They say: So, maybe metallized films aren't to be avoided? Maybe it's only an issue for cars with embedded antennas (as PGT mentioned)?

 

In sunny SoCal the sun beats down from the sunroof, any reason not to tint the sunroof?

 

I was actually thinking of limo blacking the sunroof. San diego + sunroof + all black interior = hot

 

I had the Limo done on both parts of the sunroof on my '06 jcw.....SOOOOO comfy now, its a must have in my book, up there with the auto up module, and sc pulley

 

I have 3M's & I love them,the car is much cooler.

 

i am looking at the Solar Gard Ultra performance for my front 2 and am even considering doing the windshield with it....i am told it is prety clear, and very pricey.

I took the door panel off the door and kicked myself for putting it back on before i took it in for tint. But now that i think about it, i dont think that removing the panel would give the installer any advantage other than better angles. the material that comes in contact with the glass is not on the panel....(i did not look into removing it once the panel was off)

 

Not necessarily...I have a small portable bluetooth GPS receiver for my Blackberry that I place on top of the the sunroof rollup under the glass. The sunroof has metallic limo tint...GPS appears to work fine.

 

I'm thinking of doing mine, but have heard horror stories of them cracking. Many of the tint shops in my area won't do them for that reason...anyone had this problem?

 

I personally have never heard of stories like that. If there were instances where it did, most likely a poor quality tint and/or a sketchy shop.

 

Possibly, but it does get hot in Texas! One shop (a very reputable one) told me this morning that they'll no longer do them, and another said they would, but that cracking is a possibility. I'm not sure where to go from here, as the inside of the car gets way too hot. I know that one place sells these roll-up shade things that fit between the glass and the factory shade, but I don't think they look very good. Maybe I'll just roast...