Window Tint Poll/Opinion

[DurtyByrd]

Let me first say, I know there are a number of tint related threads all across the forum and I have read through a lot them. My goal with this thread is to get some updated opinions from people who have installed the specific films that I am currently looking at. I have included a poll for those who have an opinion but don't really wish to elaborate on it.

The following is the list of films and prices that are available to me (trying to keep it legal at 35%):

[table="width: 300, align: left"]
[tr]
[td]3M Crystalline CR40[/td]
[td]$475[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Suntek CXP45[/td]
[td]$340[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Suntek CXP35[/td]
[td]$379[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Llumar CTX40[/td]
[td]$325[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]FormulaOne Pinnacle 35[/td]
[td]$455[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Any suggestions on which film I should go with are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Mark_888]

I have Formula One Pinnacle and like it a lot. But 3M Crystalline CR40 has "Total Solar Energy Rejected" of 60%, and the Pinnacle 35 TSER is rated at 55%, so CR40 wins on that measure. The Pinnacle 35 is obviously a little darker (lower VLT), so it will give more privacy if that is desired. Both are excellent products.

http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/662303O/3mtm-crystalline-automotive-window-films-brochure.pdf
http://www.formulaone.com/pdf/FormulaOneSpecSheet.pdf

 

[thejhump]

I got Pinnacle on my Casablanca a couple of weeks ago and it is wonderful. Made a thread with pics if you want to see what it looks like

 

[DurtyByrd]

I have Formula One Pinnacle and like it a lot. But 3M Crystalline CR40 has "Total Solar Energy Rejected" of 60%, and the Pinnacle 35 TSER is rated at 55%, so CR40 wins on that measure. The Pinnacle 35 is obviously a little darker (lower VLT), so it will give more privacy if that is desired. Both are excellent products.

Thanks for input! I'm not too worried about the minimal difference in heat rejection, so would definitely trade that 5% diff for a little darker tint. I've read that the Crystalline tint also tends to have an amber-ish color to it, not sure how I feel about that.

- - - Updated - - -

I got Pinnacle on my Casablanca a couple of weeks ago and it is wonderful. Made a thread with pics if you want to see what it looks like

Glad you are enjoying the new tint. I went and checked out the thread you made and your car looks great! I really like the color of the Pinnacle tint against the white.

 

[Ragnar]

Wondering if tint is necessary for my Genesis.
Retired,car spends probably 70% of its time garaged.when it is outdoors the rear side door and rear window shades are up, also have the excellent gold foiled windshield sunward which is used whenever the car is left out for extended times.
This is in Phoenix Az. Which summer temperatures can get ridiculous hot ,last few days have hit 118-120 degrees,
Sooo' basically 4 of 6 windows have protection from the sun,one thing I've learned since purchasing our Genesis is to park With the sun facing at either 6 o'clock or 12 o'clock whenever possible.
Thoughts gentleman....?

 

[Rloyola0426]

I myself have Suntek CXP18 on all the windows, including the sunroof but not the windshield. For the windshield, I have CXP80. If you are going to use a heat rejection tint, (which is the only type worth using if you are going to tint your windows, imo) make sure you include your windshield as it is the largest window in the car. Covering all the other windows means nothing if your windshield isn't blocking any solar energy. I tinted my sunroof too for the same reason. It allows me to drive with the cover open regardless of how high the sun is and the light or heat from above is never overpowering. Helps a ton in these Southern California summers.

https://www.suntekfilms.com/files/8268_suntek_indv_specsheet_auto_CXP.pdf

 

[Mark_888]

Covering all the other windows means nothing if your windshield isn't blocking any solar energy.

Only problem is that it is technically illegal to add any tint on the windshield, except top 5-6 inches. However, it is very difficult for the police to see a 80 VLT tint like CXP80 if the other windows are darker. For people who have to put inspection and other stickers on the inside of their windshield, I would imagine that tinting the windshield is not so convenient.

Personally, if I have to park my car in the sun, I use a windshield reflector. My other windows have Formula One Pinnacle 50.

 

[Lord Humunculous]

actually, it is state/muni, no fed dot reg for non commercial passenger motor vehicles anymore, here it is 81% transmission (which HAD to be intentional, the blue 80 has been wildly popular since the day it came out and the author and supporters of that change probably thought they were going to have a cash cow waiting, but in the texas sun, it is virtually impossible to see) you can still limo tint, or even solid tint to the as1 line, that fed dot rule is still active. Ultimately it is a non issue because the uv and heat benefits of tint are also available in clear, just slightly less effective.

to the op, i got CTX and I love it, 20% roof, rear glass, rear doors, front doors, blue 80 on the front, seems to be what everyone gets. I was gonna go back and do limo down to the as1, but im moving to colorado from tx fairly soon, and the little problem areas may not be such an issue up there. I would say i don't know the local laws up there, but i don't think its going to be an issue, every car I have rented in aspen has seriously dark tint.

 

[DurtyByrd]

Thanks for all the great info everyone! I ended up going with the CXP 35 due to cost and faith in the installer. I got all windows including the windshield (80% on windshield).

Here's the catch though....when I went to pick the car up, he told me that they ran out of CXP 35 after the car before me had it installed. He said that he upgraded me to Rayno S5 for free. He said he didn't notify me because he didn't think I would mind the upgrade...not sure how I feel about that, but it looks good so far. I'm just scared about how it will handle the test of time since Rayno appears to be a fairly new product.

Anyway, I guess this thread can be closed if the moderator wants to. Or I can post pics if anyone is interested in the Rayno line of tints.

 

[Mark_888]

Here's the catch though....when I went to pick the car up, he told me that they ran out of CXP 35 after the car before me had it installed. He said that he upgraded me to Rayno S5 for free. He said he didn't notify me because he didn't think I would mind the upgrade...not sure how I feel about that, but it looks good so far. I'm just scared about how it will handle the test of time since Rayno appears to be a fairly new product.

Anyway, I guess this thread can be closed if the moderator wants to. Or I can post pics if anyone is interested in the Rayno line of tints.

In looking at the Ryano line of Tint Films, S5 is a hybrid carbon tint and nano ceramic film that combines attributes of Carbon Film and Nano-Ceramic films. The S5 does not reject quite as much total solar energy as pure nano-ceramic films for the same VLT (such as 35%, etc), but it probably has a darker look that some may like. The S5 (black carbon tint) also does not reject as much solar energy as the Rayno S7 or S9 hybrid films (both charcoal carbon tint) for the VLT 35 films.
http://www.raynofilm.com/phantom-specs

Carbon films are subject to "some" very minor fading (unlike 100% ceramic), but they have far less fading than the cheaper dyed films that many dealers use when you ask them to tint your car. Suntek CXP films are also a hybrid carbon tint and nano ceramic film, unlike the Formula One Pinnacle or the 3M Crystalline which are pure nano-ceramic.

Threads are usually not closed unless they get out of hand. Someone will reply to this thread 5 years from now.

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Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Lord Humunculous]

Someone will reply to this thread 5 years from now.

guaranteed, and not just reply, but reply as if it were brand new, necrobumpin like a baws

 

[Ambush]

Let me first say, I know there are a number of tint related threads all across the forum and I have read through a lot them. My goal with this thread is to get some updated opinions from people who have installed the specific films that I am currently looking at. I have included a poll for those who have an opinion but don't really wish to elaborate on it.

The following is the list of films and prices that are available to me (trying to keep it legal at 35%):

[table="width: 300, align: left"]
[tr]
[td]3M Crystalline CR40[/td]
[td]$475[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Suntek CXP45[/td]
[td]$340[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Suntek CXP35[/td]
[td]$379[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]Llumar CTX40[/td]
[td]$325[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]FormulaOne Pinnacle 35[/td]
[td]$455[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

Any suggestions on which film I should go with are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I am so late.
Your list is very nice. As a tinter (hobby) I have never had the pleasure of using Formula One Pinnacle. You have to be a money making shop to get even a sample. I hear it is good. Best of the best.

3M I really like too.

SunTek (I dont care what series) will change. The color is not stable from my experience. I installed the carbon on my accord in 2009 and it is changing to a light color.

Llumar I have used with good results but for me they are $$.

I have not read the thread all the way through but
I have installed MaxPro + Johnsons film. The Johnson Ceramic is not bad but I cannot get it cheaper since I dont have a shop. MaxPro is nice but I can see (it has been a year) on my Genny where it is kinda turning brown maybe? I do not know.

There is a company call Flex Film (www.flexfilmplus.com). The owner is EXTREMELY nice. They have the best looking CERAMIC (rejects heat the best) I have seen.

But if you only have access to the ones listed, please go with Pinnacle (Ceramic) or 3M (colorstable).

Just my $.25



--Ambush

 

[Fgpalmer71]

I understand the OP has already made his tint decision, but for those that come to this thread in search of info I decided to go with the 3M colorstable series (carbon tint). I went 20% on all the windows except the windshield. Haven't done that yet, but when I do I will go with the lightest 3M ceramic film. I'm happy with the tint, but not so much the install. I have some tiny spots on 4 of the 5 windows done where it looks as if the glass wasn't properly cleaned before the install. I have been going back and forth with the shop that installed it and have been told that basically that's how it is. BS. I've had the same place install all my tint for the past 22 years, but the owner retired and closed up shop. Went with a new place. The old place used a razor blade on all of the windows and every single tint job (about 10) came out flawless. This new place couldn't have done the razor blade cleaning. I'm going to eventually have to have the tint peeled and redone as I can't stand all the small imperfections that I'm seeing.

But I am very pleased with the actual film itself. The difference in UV blockage between the carbon and ceramic was minimal IMO (went with the 20% carbon and the comparable ceramic was 30%). I couldn't justify the additional cost for the ceramic as my Genny see's the garage all of the time.