Is ceramic window tint worth the extra cost? I called to get pricing today and regular tint was $175 and ceramic was $379! Does it looks any different?
Thanks

 

Ceramic tint won't interfere with navigation systems, keyless entry, etc. Of course, depending on positioning of antennae metallic tint might not interfere either. Ceramic tint typically rejects more heat as well, but not all brands or types are created equal.

For ceramic, I got quotes ranging from $279 (FormulaOne Classic) to $400 (FormulaOne Pinnacle). I went for the Pinnacle and it does seem to reject significantly more heat than the metallic tint I've tried or even F1 Classic.

 

Good question... does ceramic tint look any different?

I know nothing about tint. I notice a lot of S-class Mercedes sedans with a tint that looks slightly reflective... For those of you who know, is that ceramic?
Whatever it is, that's the look I want for my Mini (once I get it).

 

wow, Thank you, this is very good to know...Very useful.

Pictures?

what is the tint that looks silverish almost OEM, is that ceramic

 

The color still depends on the manufacturer and model, although all of the reflective tint I've seen is metallic. This is FormulaOne Pinnacle 35%.

 

When I got my first black/black 07 vette and went to get it tinted, the tinter demonstrated the difference in heat transfer between 3M regular metallic and the Huper Optik ceramic, both at 40%. The difference was astounding. I have now done 2 vettes and the mini, including the sunroofs, with the Huper Optik. Depends a lot on how hot your area is, but with a black interior, I think it is worth the difference. Even in the afternoon, feeling the difference in the heat of the sun coming through with the window down, and then comparing it after rolling up the window, it's still "wow."
Costs more, but looks really great and smooth. THe film is multilayer, so drying time takes a little longer, but it's also very durable.
Fig

 

I didn't know anything about ceramic tint. Very interesting, as I've been considering having the MINI tinted.

My previous car had 100% metallic tint, which (at the time and place, at least) was the best available. It was guaranteed to never fade, unlike the non-metallic tints available, but it cost about $375.00. It was 28% transmissive, and had a slight reflective/metallic look.

 

The dealer I talked to said the Huper Optiks ceramic film had a slight "sheen" to it. So from what I've read here, this is not a big deal and shouldn't look metallic or overly reflective, and its heat rejection ability sound top notch. This sounds like the way to go for me, since being in Dallas, the summers can get brutal! I just wish it wasn't 2X the others!

 

Another vote for the Huper Optik. For $500, I got mine tinted 60% entire windshield, 50% for the rest, and 30% for the sunroof. Despite it's subtle look, the heat reduction is amazing. Almost no reflectivity.

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I'll chime in with my experience. Until my last tint install I had a series of cars with Lumar metallic tint - I loved it, it cut glare, had a nice tone, was top quality all around and, in spite of what is purported it never interfered with radar detectors, GPS, phone or anything else (perhaps this a brand specific thing, I don't know).

So I thought that was ideal, it did everything I wanted. Then when I was having the newest in the shop for a clear bra install I decided to just have them do tint to - the problem was they did not offer Lumar or have metallic tint in stock. I was left with the standard non-metallic tint or ceramic and I was not happy with the standard stuff in terms of how dark it looked and the other properties. I opted for 60% ceramic, didn't want it too dark and as they said it simply did not have to be to cut light and heat.

And they were so right, the ceramic cuts heat much better then the metallic and is a different universe from the regular stuff. It is optically clear, not very darkening and just simply does a great job on the glare and the heat which is huge for me. Now if only I could get clear for the windshield, the sun that comes through there is so scorching in comparison, seriously.

So that is my .02 - whether it is worth it is up to you, it was for me in the end and I paid even more then that.

Cheers

PS; the ceramic tint I got is not Huber Optik it is MADICO, which I have been told is actually related somewhere along the way, and is the same overall.

PPS: Just fyi, car with ceramic not photographed in my sig, those have metallic

 

I have ceramic tint on my FJ Cruiser and will definately be getting it put on my MINI S.....hope that states my opinion of the stuff well enough