Window tinting advice?

[scottdk]

Ceramic film is the most expensive film on the market currently (that i'm aware of) and great.

Planning to keep your car a while? Than do it for sure. Prices vary by region, so it's tough for me to know what is expensive for certain areas, but it does seem a little high.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

Getting window tint this weekend. 35% all around for $219 + tax. I will post pics maybe on sunday.

 

[Mark_888]

Ceramic film is the most expensive film on the market currently (that i'm aware of) and great.

Planning to keep your car a while? Than do it for sure. Prices vary by region, so it's tough for me to know what is expensive for certain areas, but it does seem a little high.

Huper Optik is higher than other ceramic films because it is thicker and harder to install correctly (more chance of a redo). It is really made for commercial office buildings and is very durable, but doesn't like even the slightest curve.

Not all films are the same, and not all ceramics are the same either.

 

[Mark_888]

Getting window tint this weekend. 35% all around for $219 + tax. I will post pics maybe on sunday.

Is that smoke, metallic, combo metallic/dyed, ceramic? Not all films are the same in terms of performance, characteristics, appearance, cost of film, and ease of installation (which affects the cost of installation).

That's like saying I paid $XX,XXX for a V6. Is that a Genesis V6 or a Sonata V6?

 

[Seattle Genesis]

Is that smoke, metallic, combo metallic/dyed, ceramic? Not all films are the same in terms of performance, characteristics, appearance, cost of film, and ease of installation (which affects the cost of installation).

That's like saying I paid $XX,XXX for a V6. Is that a Genesis V6 or a Sonata V6?

They told me its metallic tint. They had the ceramic for $289.00 I couldnt tell the difference by looking at it. Not sure about the performance of each.

 

[dataguy]

They told me its metallic tint. They had the ceramic for $289.00 I couldnt tell the difference by looking at it. Not sure about the performance of each.

With metallic, there's a good chance it will interfere with the terrestrial radio antennas in the rear glass. Won't affect XM, but may cause problems with AM or FM. There's a warning about this in the owner's manual.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

With metallic, there's a good chance it will interfere with the terrestrial radio antennas in the rear glass. Won't affect XM, but may cause problems with AM or FM. There's a warning about this in the owner's manual.

Thanks Dataguy.... Who was that masked man with all the information.... it was DATAGUY !!

 

[Mark_888]

They told me its metallic tint. They had the ceramic for $289.00 I couldnt tell the difference by looking at it. Not sure about the performance of each.

If you use a mobile phone in your car, you "might" have reduced reception with a metallic film. As mentioned above, on most cars a metallic film will affect the radio, but not sure where the radio antennae is on the Genesis (is that thing on roof only for GPS or does the radio use it also?)

Living in Seattle, you can probably go with a high quality (guaranteed not to fade) dyed or charcoal film since you are probably not particularly worried about the intensity of the sun's rays very often.

It is very difficult to tell the difference in film performance by looking at them. The very expensive ceramic films have a very high solar radiation and high heat rejection compared to a dyed film of the same VLT (visible light transmission). VLT is regulated by law in all states, and in Washington you are allowed no darker than 35% (reasonably dark for a state with not a lot of bright sunny days). You cannot apply a film to the front windshield except for the top 6".

 

[adadevil]

If you use a mobile phone in your car, you "might" have reduced reception with a metallic film. As mentioned above, on most cars a metallic film will affect the radio, but not sure where the radio antennae is on the Genesis (is that thing on roof only for GPS or does the radio use it also?)

Can't we just wrap the cell phone with the tint and see if we got any bars or not to check if the tint will interfere?

 

[dataguy]

As mentioned above, on most cars a metallic film will affect the radio, but not sure where the radio antennae is on the Genesis (is that thing on roof only for GPS or does the radio use it also?)

The terrestrial antennas are in the rear window glass. The XM antenna is under the fin on the roof. Even if you don't use AM/FM, in some areas, the XM broadcast is repeated via FM to compensate for line-of-sight loss to the satellite, so metallic tint could interfere there as well.

The GPS antenna could be in the fin as well, but traditionally, they're mounted near the dash. I don't know where it's mounted on the Genesis.

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[dataguy]

Thanks Dataguy.... Who was that masked man with all the information.... it was DATAGUY !!

Thanks...most of the information I learned from this forum

 

[Mark_888]

Can't we just wrap the cell phone with the tint and see if we got any bars or not to check if the tint will interfere?

You could. But make sure you understand that I am not suggesting you will get zero bars, only maybe reduced reception. I have read quite a few anecdotal reports from other people on the Internet about reduced reception, which is why ceramic films were invented (metallic films block heat about as well or better than ceramics). Even if you had a metallic film, remember there is no film on the windshield. Any not every cell phone is the same, and not every location is the same.

 

[Seattle Genesis]

OK.. thanks to all here, especially Dataguy, I will have the ceramic tint installed on Saturday. I called them today to let them know I changed my mind. $289.00 is not a bad price from what I can tell.
Thanks,
Seattle Genesis

 

[dataguy]

OK.. thanks to all here, especially Dataguy, I will have the ceramic tint installed on Saturday. I called them today to let them know I changed my mind. $289.00 is not a bad price from what I can tell.

As previously mentioned, it's hard to compare tint prices due to the different manufacturers, regional costs, and quality of the tint shop. As long as you're talking about all of the windows except for the roof and the windshield, that doesn't seem to be outrageous for ceramic tint. Be sure to ask them what manufacturer and brand of tint they're installing, if nothing else to be sure that it will be warrantied by the manufacturer if the shop goes out of business. For that price, it should come with a lifetime warranty on the tint.

It's a good choice not to take a chance with metallic, because it's hard and costly to remove tint on the back window, and then you'd have to pay to re-tint with ceramic anyway. Plus, apparently ceramic tint reduces heat better than metallic. Metallic is generally cheaper and is more resistant to color change, on the other hand.

 

[Mark_888]

There are several other threads in this forum on tinting, with more technical information about different tint films.

 

[mongo]

Just a thanks to everyone for the feedback. I've been out of town for a few days and am just getting caught up on the "important" stuff.

 

[Mark_888]

There are several different kinds of tint film, and there is a reason for that. If someone wants a specific recommendation on a tint film, the following info would be needed:

1. Where do you live? (auto tinting laws vary by state, and some places obviously get more intense sun than others and need more solar protection).

2. Is heat/solar reflection and UV protection very important to you?

3. Is the desire for a tint job more motivated by the "tint look" and desire for privacy, as opposed to keeping your car cool in the sun?

4. Do you have a budget in mind, or are you flexible on that?

 

[LLT]

I'm interested in this topic as well. Mark - I live in Virginia - we don't have desert temps, but it does get warm. I'm more interested in heat/UV protection than "the look" -- I'd prefer more privacy, but subtle (there's an easy one, eh?) If budget weren't an issue, what would you recommend? Thanks.

 

[Mark_888]

I'm interested in this topic as well. Mark - I live in Virginia - we don't have desert temps, but it does get warm. I'm more interested in heat/UV protection than "the look" -- I'd prefer more privacy, but subtle (there's an easy one, eh?) If budget weren't an issue, what would you recommend? Thanks.

Virginia has fairly strict tinting laws for VLT (visible light transmission), if you intend to comply with them (not sure how strict they are in VA):

VA Tint Laws:
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 50% of light in.
Back Side Windows Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Rear Window Must allow more than 35% of light in.

I would recommend Formula One Pinnacle 50% VLT. This is a ceramic film that is very high tech and has very good solar/heat rejection (43%), even the 50% VLT version. Since it is ceramic, it will not interfere with any mobile phone, radio, etc transmissions.

You could go darker (35% VLT) on the rear side and rear window if you wanted to if you don't mind different shades between front and rear. If you have a black interior, I think the Pinnacle 50 offers reasonable privacy, especially of hiding what is inside your car on the seat or floor when the car is parked.

This is the same tint as I have on my car. Musher51 also has this exact same tint, and he has photos of his car posted here:
http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/album.php?albumid=21

To locate a Formula One installer, go to this webpage and select "locate a dealer" at the top of the page.
http://www.formulaone.com/

I would estimate that the cost would be about $350 for this premium film with a high quality installer.

 

[MIKLO]

Wanted to get the tint right as the last car was a mess. If you search for tint places in LA you get a dizzying return of places that look like autobody shops, stereo equipment shops and car washes all claiming to do your tint right , even giving you a lifetime warranty. Problem is that if the car wash goes out of business so does that warranty. Find a pro-tint shop where all they do is tint, that is where you want to go. I called the autofilm manufacturers and they recommended some reputable dealers. Call Madico or Llumar and they will point you to the right place. Want to learn more about the auto film business try this link and get educated, only if you care about the appearance of your car of course. Shade is about personal taste.
http://www.tintcenter.com/

Well said,lucky for me my Genesis came from the dealer with tinting already done,4sure its a good job but I wish it was a little darker ,but my guess is that its as dark as the law in my state allows.BTW I got my sliver genesis in January and really love driving it although I only have 4600 miles so far,I am gonna do a road trip soon.

MIKLO