Tell me about tint.

[Zoti]

I have never tinted a car in my life. I want to get the BRZ tinted.

I hear all kind of brand names and types of tint (ceramic etc.)

What should I go with?

For instance, I got quoted $120 for tint with Sun-Gard. Got quoted about $250 for ceramic.

What should I go with?

[kodyo]

This is what I did:
Got groupon for car tint from best recommended shop.
Went in. Upgraded from 30% heat reflection to 60% reflection for a little extra (1 step below the ceramic film, which seemed quite good, but was like $500).

Got 35% in the front (with stock windows this is equivalent to 30% due to haze). Got 25% in the back windows. Was told it didn't matter what you got in the back for texas. The percentages here are how much light goes through.

I believe I paid $250 total for that tint.

[Zoti]

I hear ya but I still have no idea what's good and what's not.

[Gunman]

Ceramics are good, in that they won't hinder cell phone reception, like a metallic can.

Go to the tint shops, and look thru the different brands out in the sun. Some may have different hues that you may not like. Look at the UV and IR rejection numbers, along with the darkness %.

I went with Suntek CXP for my BRZ, 45% all around, and a layer of clear IR/UV film on the windshield.

[retrosmiths]

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48216

[Zach3794]

I work for a window tinting company in southern ca, so I can give you some good advice. As far as brand names, all the big ones are equal, but don't cheap out on a no name brand. Stick to names like Llumar, Suntek, and Solarguard.

For each individual shade, the ceramic versions will give 10-15% more heat rejection. Ceramic only offers better electronics compatibility if being compared to a "metallized" film and not a regular dyed film.

Any film on the front windows will look lighter than the rear three due to the front getting more light from the windshield. (My car has llumar ctx 35 all the way around, and the fronts look significantly lighter.)

And last but not least, if reducing heat is your biggest concern, the windshield is the biggest offender. From the factory, windshields all come UV coated nowadays, so you don't need to worry about UV damage. What I'd recommend is a product like Suntek's ceramic 80%, or Llumar's AirBlue 80 film. That is 80% light transmission, so it won't affect your vision, but the heat rejection is almost 60%.

In my opinion, window film is something you want to do right the first time. I've seen places come to us after having their defrosters mangled by some idiot tinter that didn't know how to prep the back window. Many others gouge the film while installing, get shit underneath it, etc. And the worst of them use your bad mojo cheapo film that'll turn purple and bubble in a year.

Invest wisely my friend

[Zoti]

I ended up getting 25% on rear and side windows. Didn't do anything to the front as apparently it is illegal other than a small strip at the top of the windshield.

Paid $167 OTD for SunGard brand double layer with lifetime warranty.

[phanguy]

Originally Posted by Zach3794

I work for a window tinting company in southern ca, so I can give you some good advice. As far as brand names, all the big ones are equal, but don't cheap out on a no name brand. Stick to names like Llumar, Suntek, and Solarguard.

For each individual shade, the ceramic versions will give 10-15% more heat rejection. Ceramic only offers better electronics compatibility if being compared to a "metallized" film and not a regular dyed film.

Any film on the front windows will look lighter than the rear three due to the front getting more light from the windshield. (My car has llumar ctx 35 all the way around, and the fronts look significantly lighter.)

And last but not least, if reducing heat is your biggest concern, the windshield is the biggest offender. From the factory, windshields all come UV coated nowadays, so you don't need to worry about UV damage. What I'd recommend is a product like Suntek's ceramic 80%, or Llumar's AirBlue 80 film. That is 80% light transmission, so it won't affect your vision, but the heat rejection is almost 60%.

In my opinion, window film is something you want to do right the first time. I've seen places come to us after having their defrosters mangled by some idiot tinter that didn't know how to prep the back window. Many others gouge the film while installing, get shit underneath it, etc. And the worst of them use your bad mojo cheapo film that'll turn purple and bubble in a year.

Invest wisely my friend

legit? cause that's awesome. i've stayed away from tinting because not being able to see drives me nuts, but having less heat would greatttttttttt. i may have to look into this now. is the 80% light transmission really not noticeable at night? i mean as far as it looking dark. i hate having to roll down the windows at night in a tinted car just to see...

[Zach3794]

Originally Posted by phanguy

legit? cause that's awesome. i've stayed away from tinting because not being able to see drives me nuts, but having less heat would greatttttttttt. i may have to look into this now. is the 80% light transmission really not noticeable at night? i mean as far as it looking dark. i hate having to roll down the windows at night in a tinted car just to see...

With the 80% on the windshield, the only difference you should notice is the reduction in heat. It's the only shade I would consider for the windshield, because all others would arguably make it too dark and therefore dangerous. I have 35% on all the other windows because I like to see out my sides at night