Tinting Warning

[BaywayRic]

Note the following on page 4-108 of the Owner's Manual:

Metallic content in Window Tints makes for a better product, but the shop I went to said non-metallic was hardly distinguishable. I opted to follow the manual [to avoid warranty hassles] and had non-metallic LLumar installed on the rear window, and the premium metallic content stuff on all the side windows. Even though there is a 5% difference in tint level, you cannot tell the difference. [at least on a black car]

I had evaluated both LLumar and FormulaOne, and this shop guy promptly informed me, when you peal the onion, it's the same company inside. Both brand names come out of the same plant. No need to spend time agonizing over this one, buy on reputation, then price, then proximity to you. My guy was highly recommended by my salesman and charged $119.95 for the whole deal.

Another nice note, LLumar dealers advertise their film is "computer cut" for a precise fit. Go figure, I could neither register or insure the car because the VIN kept coming up as invalid, but the 2009 Genesis templates for film cutting are already in their computer. And, it worked perfectly and looks great.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Is all LLumar non-metallic? Or do you need to specifically ask for it?

 

[GenFan]

Note the following on page 4-108 of the Owner's Manual:

Metallic content in Window Tints makes for a better product, but the shop I went to said non-metallic was hardly distinguishable. I opted to follow the manual [to avoid warranty hassles] and had non-metallic LLumar installed on the rear window, and the premium metallic content stuff on all the side windows. Even though there is a 5% difference in tint level, you cannot tell the difference. [at least on a black car]

I had evaluated both LLumar and FormulaOne, and this shop guy promptly informed me, when you peal the onion, it's the same company inside. Both brand names come out of the same plant. No need to spend time agonizing over this one, buy on reputation, then price, then proximity to you. My guy was highly recommended by my salesman and charged $119.95 for the whole deal.

Another nice note, LLumar dealers advertise their film is "computer cut" for a precise fit. Go figure, I could neither register or insure the car because the VIN kept coming up as invalid, but the 2009 Genesis templates for film cutting are already in their computer. And, it worked perfectly and looks great.

You just blew my mind! I am completely lost. Are you saying that the owners manual recommends non-metallic on the rear and metallic on the sides?

 

[jwaters943]

Being cautious is good I suppose, but in my experience every car w/ an OEM Nav system will recommend against metallic tint in the owners manual. It's more of a precaution than a warning that if you use metallic tint you will definitely have problems. I had metallic tint on both my Pilot and GS430 and it did NOT effect the performance of the Nav. I have metallic tint on my Genesis and it hasn't caused a problem w/ my portable GPS. I do believe that the non-metallic tint offered by LLumar does not come w/ a lifetime warranty against fading/cracking and this is something only offered on the metallic tint. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

On a side note, if you're really worried about the metallic tint interfering w/ the GPS signal, but still want a high-quality tint film that won't fade you can always go w/ a ceramic tint like Huper Optik, but it's very pricey.

 

[BaywayRic]

Is all LLumar non-metallic? Or do you need to specifically ask for it?

LLumar has both. You need to specifically ask for what you want.

 

[BaywayRic]

You just blew my mind! I am completely lost. Are you saying that the owners manual recommends non-metallic on the rear and metallic on the sides?

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse. The manual only cautions about metallic films on the rear window, which might intefere with terrestrial broadcast signals, because the antennas are mounted in the glass.

 

[BaywayRic]

Being cautious is good I suppose, but in my experience every car w/ an OEM Nav system will recommend against metallic tint in the owners manual. It's more of a precaution than a warning that if you use metallic tint you will definitely have problems. I had metallic tint on both my Pilot and GS430 and it did NOT effect the performance of the Nav. I have metallic tint on my Genesis and it hasn't caused a problem w/ my portable GPS. I do believe that the non-metallic tint offered by LLumar does not come w/ a lifetime warranty against fading/cracking and this is something only offered on the metallic tint. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I spoke with several other folks who had Lexus and Caddy who had done metallic and said they had absolutely no problems. I chose to do the non-metallic specifically because of the radio, not the NAV. The GPS & XM antenna is on the roof and works great. The AM/FM antenna is embedded in the rear glass. In the tech package [not sure about the Premium] we have HD radio which works on the AM/FM sub carrier. I opted for safe vs. sorry. Same cost, almost the same performance, and I got the lifetime warranty for all hazards on the whole package.

 

[Simonwpb]

BaywayRic,
Looks like you did your homework on the tint!

For clarificaton the manual states:
"Avoid using metallic coatings... these can disturb receiving AM and FM broadcast signals"

 

[EdVoylesHyundai]

It almost guaranteed that metallic tint will interfere with your AM radio reception. Since most of us don't listen to AM, it should be a non-issue. We had to remove/redo the rear window on a car last year for this particular reason. Since no one here listens to AM, we were unaware of the issue. Trust me, you do not want to try and remove tint from a rear window with built-in defroster.

 

[njohnson]

Haha I've removed the tint from a rear window with a defroster in 90 degree heat and it was a NIGHTMARE!.

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[Sal Collaziano]

I would leave removal to a professional.. They have the chemicals needed to do the job right..

 

[Chuck]

I haven't even bought a Genesis yet and I'm learning so much from you guys and gals that's it's incredible. How in heck am I going to remember all the 'what-to-watch-for-stuff ' come purchase time? All you folks are so knowledge; thank God for that.
Chuck

 

[John M]

I had Llumar metallic on my Grand Marquis and had no problems. I have FormulaOne on my Subaru and it also has no radio reception problems. Of course both cars have in-glass antennas. I've been using the same tint shop for 16+ years and they also told me they Llumar/FormulaOne were basically the same company with different branding.

Metallic is the only way to avoid ending up with purple tint down the road. Dyes change color; metal does not.

I think they put that in the manual just in case some funky tint setup (sparkles, reflective, etc.) does create a reception issue. Any sane tint won't cause a problem.

 

[GS300rich]

Great info here guys. Tinting is a must here in Florida and definately dont want the tint to fade or turn purple so I will surely ask for metallic tint. I have metallic tint on my GS and it hasnt caused any problems with my radio reception or Sirius, as I have the sirius antenna mounted inside the car on the rear deck

 

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

I echo the thanks guys. Tinting is on my stuff to do list.

Something not mentioned, but it does come into play-- In car cell reception. I've got a long background in RF and the fact is that if you have any receiver inside anything metal, it will inhibit the reception in some way. Of course, the windshild is not tinted with anything metalic (as far as I know) but the more avenues there are for signal to get into the cabin, the better.

 

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

I just picked up my car from getting the sides and back glass tinted. I had them use Platinum Plus and they did a great job. I'll let the ripple work out over the next few days and then try to get some pics in my Album. (Llumar Platinum Plus-- http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/car-styler.html ). I DID check the AM radio and FM radio reception before and after tint and it is the same, best I can tell. I did NOT heed my own warning however to check the cell reception. Drat. But there are ways to fix that too if it ends up being a problem.

I'm thinking of getting the 'clear bra' put on as well. The tint guy does those as well. He's been doing these in the Denver area on super high end cars and now he's in Tyler, Tx. I read what some have said about the clear, and I'm really mulling it over. I noticed (actually the tint guy pointed it out) that there are a couple of smaller clear pieces on the verry bottom panel, just in front of the rear wheel wells! 3M makes that material and it appears to be super stuff.

BTW- mine was THE first Genesis they have seen and they all came out of the shop gawking at it!

 

[GS300rich]

what percentage of tint did you go with on all windows? Cant wait to see the pics. I have used Llumar for a long time and they have such a good quality product. The tint on my GS is over 6 years old and looks good as new

 

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

what percentage of tint did you go with on all windows? Cant wait to see the pics. I have used Llumar for a long time and they have such a good quality product. The tint on my GS is over 6 years old and looks good as new

GREAT question and I should know the answer. I THINK he told me 30%. I just went into the garage to see if he put a sticker on any of the windows to say, but no. He showed me the film in advance and I looked through it, next to the car, behind a window, said it was a legal and sensible tint (not so dark that other driver's can't see that someone is driving) and he gave me a confidence that his recomendation would be the smart buy. When I picked it up 2 hours later, he was right! Pics coming in about 3 days after it smooths (and I take the tape off of the window down switches that keeps my feeble mind from rolling them down!)

 

[BaywayRic]

what percentage of tint did you go with on all windows? Cant wait to see the pics. I have used Llumar for a long time and they have such a good quality product. The tint on my GS is over 6 years old and looks good as new

If you haven't pulled the trigger yet, and don't mind a short road trip, would be happy to hook you up with my guy in Tampa (just north of RayJay) My salesguy recommended and they were great. He does "Florida legal" which is 20%, and it has been super. $119.95 for total job +tax.

 

[genesis@genesisworld.com]

If you haven't pulled the trigger yet, and don't mind a short road trip, would be happy to hook you up with my guy in Tampa (just north of RayJay) My salesguy recommended and they were great. He does "Florida legal" which is 20%, and it has been super. $119.95 for total job +tax.

HA! Just a LITTLE road trip! I'm in East Texas. And yes, I pulled the trigger. I took pics this morning in mt driveway. I'll have them in the Album section later today. But thanks for the offer Ric!