Anyone got their Prime tinted

I think that's the going price for this tint. At least they have a price chart that is consistent everywhere vs.... hum... I think I'll charge this today and tomorrow it might be different.

 

If looking to do this job in the Bay Area, Black Out Tint In Petaluma is who I use and Jon does a great job.

The Prime was the second car he did for us, and it turned out well .

Good luck if Tint is in your future .

 

Has anyone had their lower hatch window tinted (yes - I know it has factory tint on it). I had the car done in ceramic and the tint above is darker than below from the inside. Annoying! The tint guy said he would not do it - thought the window was plexiglass and it would scratch - during cutting - is that true? Anyone had theirs done?

 

I had mine done with no problem.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

No it too dark already

 

Does the Prius prime have a as1 line on the windshield? I didn't see one unlike my Prius gen 2 that does.

Also during tinting the rear window it seems like some odd ink came off the rear. Guessing there is some odd dye on the edges. Anyone have the same?

 

llumar CTX 15 on rear windows, 35 on the lower hatch (w/ factory tint) and Air 80 on front. No tint on windshield. $325 in ZIP 93436 (only llumar dealer around and $120+ cheaper than 3m etc dealers)

This installer does not offer CTX 20 or 30, just 5, 15, 35 and maybe 50 or something. I have 35 on my VW, and we wanted a bit darker this time. The 15 is great - does not affect visibility looking out, which is what we were worried about. I do believe that llumar CTX is the best bang for the buck in ceramic tints. The Air 80 combined with a sunshade also does a great job at keeping the vehicle cool when parked in the sun. Very noticeable difference (my VW is a wagon and having a quality tint helps so much - same for a Prius with that huge hatchback glass)

These pics were more to show the wax job I just did, but are the only tint photos we have.

P2 by MTN posted Nov 5, 2019 at 3:27 PM

P1 by MTN posted Nov 5, 2019 at 3:27 PM

 

Anyone get theirs done with 3m chrystalline? I did mine with suntek cir and although nice its a step lower than llumar Pinnacle one. I assume same at the ctx. Well the guy I used in San Diego only did the front 2s with cir and tried scamming the rest with a lower end suntek tint which figured out through doing irr tests and solar radiation tests so going to redo it with higher end tint. Even though it's only a 7% difference in stats between the formula one and the suntek cir real world difference is very noticeable. So I imagine the next step up will be even more so.

 

Many here have, and others still haven't. But going forward it would be great if people who've had tint installed could post informative comments that include things like :

• The name of the shop, location, and person who installed the tint
• The chosen tint(s), and on how many windows
  
• The total out the door price paid for the work
  
• Product expectations or disappointments, customer service and warranty care (if needed or used)

Doing the above will help others find quality tint at affordable pricing, while supporting local shops in your area.

The tint data listed below is a bit dated, please help by adding to this knowledge base whenever possible.

** NOT MY POST(S) - copy and pasted from another forum ** :

After visiting several tint shops in my area, I returned home very confused, having heard differing story lines from the sales people. So I took the time to research this issue. Thought I would share the comparative list I generated in the process.

• TSER stands for Total Solar Energy Rejected. TSER includes visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet energy. The higher the percentage, the higher the percentage of solar energy deflected. Some companies use Infra Red Rejection (IRR) as a guide to the level of heat rejection. However, IRR only covers a fraction of TSER. Internationally, TSER is used as a guide as it is a more accurate method of measurement.

• VLT is Visible Light Transmission. It is the amount of visible light that passes directly through filmed glass. The darker the tint, the lower the VLT.

• List sorted in descending order, most effective heat reduction technology at top. Ranking determined by comparing the spread or ratio between the TSER (Total Solar Energy Rejection) to VLT (Visible Light Transmitted).

Example : 3M Crystalline 90, (3M’s lightest tint shade) has a TSER of 34. You could find similar heat rejection in 3M’s cheaper film, 3M Color Stable Series of tints, but you’d have to go with the darkest (50 tint) in that series. Tinting laws vary by state, and the darker tints may not be legal in your area, or even desirable for that matter. Notice also that some of the lighter tint shades can do a much better job of blocking heat than even the darkest limo tints.

#1
VLT = 32 | TSER = 79 … TSER = Spectra Photosync SPH35
VLT = 44 | TSER = 71 … TSER = Spectra Photosync SPH45
VLT = 55 | TSER = 67 … TSER = Spectra Photosync SPH55
VLT = 66 | TSER = 64 … TSER = Spectra Photosync SPH65
VLT = 75 | TSER = 58 … TSER = Spectra Photosync SPH75
Composition : Solar Adaptive Nano Technology, Signal Safe
PhotoSync® - Prestige Film Technologies

#2
VLT = 39 | TSER = 60 … 3M Crystalline 40
VLT = 60 | TSER = 53 … 3M Crystalline 60
VLT = 69 | TSER = 50 … 3M Crystalline 70
VLT = 86 | TSER = 34 … 3M Crystalline 90
Composition : 200+ Nano Layers, Signal Safe
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/6...s-brochure.pdf

#3
VLT = 06 | TSER = 75 … Huper Optik Ceramic 05
VLT = 15 | TSER = 73 … Huper Optik Ceramic 15
VLT = 21 | TSER = 68 … Huper Optik Ceramic 20
VLT = 30 | TSER = 63 … Huper Optik Ceramic 30
VLT = 34 | TSER = 61 … Huper Optik Ceramic 35
VLT = 40 | TSER = 55 … Huper Optik Ceramic 40
VLT = 52 | TSER = 50 … Huper Optik Ceramic 50
VLT = 60 | TSER = 43 … Huper Optik Ceramic 60
VLT = 71 | TSER = 48 … Huper Optik Ceramic 70
Composition : Nano Ceramic, Signal Safe
https://huperoptikusa.com/wp-content...s_Ceramics.pdf

#4
VLT = 05 | TSER = 65 … Formula One Pinnacle 05
VLT = 18 | TSER = 61 … Formula One Pinnacle 15
VLT = 33 | TSER = 57 … Formula One Pinnacle 30
VLT = 43 | TSER = 53 … Formula One Pinnacle 40
VLT = 54 | TSER = 49 … Formula One Pinnacle 50
Composition : Nano Ceramic, Signal Safe
Press Releases | News & Events | LLumar Window Films -

#5
VLT = 10 | TSER = 63 … Madico Wincos 10
VLT = 23 | TSER = 59 … Madico Wincos 20
VLT = 33 | TSER = 57 … Madico Wincos 30
VLT = 50 | TSER = 51 … Madico Wincos 45
VLT = 66 | TSER = 49 … Madico Wincos 60
VLT = 75 | TSER = 45 … Madico Wincos 70
VLT = 89 | TSER = 23 … Madico Wincos 90
Composition : Madico's website isn't clear, but does specify it is signal safe.
http://www.madico.com/wp-content/upl...Spec-Sheet.pdf

#6
VLT = 04 | TSER = 66 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 05
VLT = 18 | TSER = 62 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 20
VLT = 32 | TSER = 58 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 30
VLT = 38 | TSER = 56 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 38
VLT = 42 | TSER = 53 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 42
VLT = 46 | TSER = 52 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 46
VLT = 51 | TSER = 51 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 50
VLT = 70 | TSER = 49 … Global QDP Ceramic Charcoal 70
Composition : Nano Ceramic, Signal Safe
http://www.globalwindowfilms.com/pdf...ifications.pdf

#7
VLT = 06 | TSER = 59 … SunTek CarbonXP 5
VLT = 16 | TSER = 56 … SunTek CarbonXP 18
VLT = 33 | TSER = 53 … SunTek CarbonXP 35
VLT = 40 | TSER = 50 … SunTek CarbonXP 45
VLT = 53 | TSER = 48 … SunTek CarbonXP 55
VLT = 64 | TSER = 44 … SunTek CarbonXP 70
VLT = 80 | TSER = 44 … SunTek CarbonXP 80
Composition : Non Metallized Nano-Hybrid, Signal Safe
http://www.suntekfilms.com/files/Sun...-specsheet.pdf

#8
VLT = 17 | TSER = 54 … Johnson InsulatR 20
VLT = 33 | TSER = 50 … Johnson InsulatR 35
VLT = 43 | TSER = 46 … Johnson InsulatR 45
VLT = 65 | TSER = 50 … Johnson InsulatR 70
VLT = 76 | TSER = 42 … Johnson InsulatR 80
VLT = 82 | TSER = 18 … Johnson InsulatR 85
Composition : Nano Ceramic, Signal Safe
Insulatir - AUTOMOTIVE | Johnson Window Films

#9
VLT = 05 | TSER = 60 … Llumar Charcoal CTX 05
VLT = 18 | TSER = 55 … Llumar Charcoal CTX 15
VLT = 33 | TSER = 51 … Llumar Charcoal CTX 30
VLT = 38 | TSER = 50 … Llumar Charcoal CTX 35
VLT = 43 | TSER = 43 … Llumar Charcoal CTX 40
VLT = 54 | TSER = 40 … Llumar Charcoal CTX 50
Composition : Website Isn't Clear, But Is Described As Signal Safe
http://w3.llumar.com/pdf/en/LLumarAutoSpecsUS.pdf

#10
VLT = 18 | TSER = 64 … Sun-Gard GP Max 05
VLT = 40 | TSER = 44 … Sun-Gard GP Max 20
VLT = 47 | TSER = 40 … Sun-Gard GP Max 35
VLT = 68 | TSER = 24 … Sun-Gard GP Max 50
Composition : Website isn't clear
http://www.madico.com/wp-content/upl...Spec-Sheet.pdf

#11
VLT = 09 | TSER = 57 … 3M Color Stable 5
VLT = 19 | TSER = 51 … 3M Color Stable 20
VLT = 39 | TSER = 40 … 3M Color Stable 35
VLT = 52 | TSER = 35 … 3M Color Stable 50
Composition : Nano-Carbon Polyester, Signal Safe
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/6...s-brochure.pdf

#12
VLT = 10 | TSER = 51 … Solar Guard Ultra Performace 10
VLT = 20 | TSER = 49 … Solar Guard Ultra Performace 20
VLT = 34 | TSER = 43 … Solar Guard Ultra Performace 30
VLT = 43 | TSER = 40 … Solar Guard Ultra Performace 40
VLT = 64 | TSER = 37 … Solar Guard Ultra Performace 60
VLT = 73 | TSER = 37 … Solar Guard Ultra Performace 70
VLT = 76 | TSER = 40 … Solar Guard Ultra Performace 75
Composition : Ceramic Nano Tech, Signal Safe
Ultra Performance - SolarGard

#13
VLT = 05 | TSER = 47 … Llumar Charcoal ATC 05
VLT = 18 | TSER = 44 … Llumar Charcoal ATC 15
VLT = 23 | TSER = 39 … Llumar Charcoal ATC 20
VLT = 38 | TSER = 35 … Llumar Charcoal ATC 35
VLT = 43 | TSER = 33 … Llumar Charcoal ATC 40
VLT = 59 | TSER = 26 … Llumar Charcoal ATC 50
Composition : Website Isn't Clear, Or I Missed it.
http://w3.llumar.com/pdf/en/LLumarAutoSpecsUS.pdf

#14
VLT = 08 | TSER = 46 … SunTek Standard Series 05
VLT = 20 | TSER = 40 … SunTek Standard Series 20
VLT = 38 | TSER = 38 … SunTek Standard Series 35
VLT = 41 | TSER = 34 … SunTek Standard Series 40
VLT = 50 | TSER = 29 … SunTek Standard Series 50
VLT = 70 | TSER = 26 … SunTek Standard Series 70
Composition : Dyed Construction. Website isn't declaring signal safe, but also isn't listed
as metallic, so I assume it is signal safe.
http://www.suntekfilms.com/files/ind_auto_Standard.pdf

--

One thing to keep in mind is in the more expensive tints, it is the IR Rejection (in both the 780-1700nm and 900-1000nm ranges) that set them apart from the lower tier tints. I only list it here so you can see where the difference is. But most people don't put expensive IR tinting like that on cars, they tend to put them on commercial building windows.

#15
Xpel Prime XR Black
VLT = 05 | TSER = 66 | IR (900-1000nm) = 85 ...XPEL Prime XR Black 5
VLT = 15 | TSER = 65 | IR (900-1000nm) = 85... XPEL Prime XR Black 15
VLT = 20 | TSER = 64 | IR (900-1000nm) = 85... XPEL Prime XR Black 20
VLT = 30 | TSER = 59 | IR (900-1000nm) = 85... XPEL Prime XR Black 30
VLT = 36 | TSER = 58 | IR (900-1000nm) = 85... XPEL Prime XR Black 35
VLT = 46 | TSER = 52 | IR (900-1000nm) = 83... XPEL Prime XR Black 45
VLT = 54 | TSER = 50 | IR (900-1000nm) = 84... XPEL Prime XR Black 55
VLT = 68 | TSER = 40 | IR (900-1000nm) = 89... XPEL Prime XR Black 70
Nano-Ceramic, Signal Safe
http://www.xpel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/XPEL_PRIME.Spec_.Sheet_.USA_V1.7.pdf

#16
Xpel Prime XR PLUS
VLT = 05 | TSER = 71 | IR (900-1000nm) = 98 ...XPEL Prime XR PLUS 5
VLT = 18 | TSER = 66 | IR (900-1000nm) = 97... XPEL Prime XR PLUS 20
VLT = 31 | TSER = 61 | IR (900-1000nm) = 97... XPEL Prime XR PLUS 30
VLT = 38 | TSER = 59 | IR (900-1000nm) = 97... XPEL Prime XR PLUS 35
VLT = 45 | TSER = 58 | IR (900-1000nm) = 97... XPEL Prime XR PLUS 45
VLT = 67 | TSER = 52 | IR (900-1000nm) = 94 .. XPEL Prime XR PLUS 70
Nano-Ceramic, Signal Safe
http://www.xpel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/XPEL_PRIME.Spec_.Sheet_.USA_V1.7.pdf

Hope this is helpful

 

I had my windshield tinted about a week ago and so far so good!
I paid total $200 for all windows. The only glass that didn't get tinted was the lower hatch short vertical section which appears to be already darker from the factory.

 

Where did you get it tinted and what tint did they use? did you ask? Thanks

 

I got tinted at Magic Auto Sound in Long Beach. I don't know what brand I got but I know it's NOT the expensive ceramic type. They gave me 5-year warranty on my tint. I've known the owner since late 90's. If you will be going there, PM me I will give you some info how you can save $$ AND make sure they do the the quality job for you.

 

Got my windows tinted in February and it was a nightmare. Paid $300 in St.Charles MO for Global Window Films brand QDP Ceramic. 5% eyebrow strip, 35% front windows, 18% back windows, and 5% rears. Also had him tint my headlight side markers for $20 more.

Tells me my window visors have to come off which was fine as they needed to have the tape replaced anyhow. This is needed so he can trace the window shape onto the tint. Picked up the car to see he went out of his way to get tape & add the visors back on. However he put the tape on in sections which allows rain to come through the gaps so I have to redo those. No big deal, just annoying & wish he left them off.

Really wish I had paid more, listen to others & went elsewhere. Was told IF I take the side marker tint off there might be a cut line. Was not planning in removing them so sure.. Dickhead messed up so there is a cut line in my headlight inches in front of the tint.

Next comes the lint and goofy cut. There were lots of white spots of lint on the rear window and front passenger was cut funny which was not visible with the windows up. The sun strip also looked lacking, like it should go down further as there is no asci line.

Go back to complain & he offers a redo. I agree but noticed there is a scratch on the rear baby window. Appears to be a crack then asked groups & it's cut from a blade. Brought it to Tinters attention who said he was not cutting near there & blamed the factory that assembled the car.

Tell him ok I'll ask the dealer but find more cuts on a different window. Nicked a seal even so the evidence says tinter cut my windows.

Took it back to show him. Still says he didn't do the rear cut scratches but admitted to the front window cuts & said his insurance agent will be contacting me. Said they will deal with it & I'll have to get it tinted again elsewhere but he could fight the claim if he did not want to be nice.

What a headache but it's my first brand new car & I didn't damage it so why should I have to live with someone else's errors.Yeah it's small damage but still.


Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Well to be straight, his price is lower than usual by like 100 or 200.. but yes he did do some odd cuts there. My car looks fine.

 

Paid $300 for a tint says it all. For ceramic? Ofcourse it was a scam from the let go. Real ceramic is expensive. Only do computer cut film like me and use 3M crystalline. Make sure from official dealer on 3m website.. do your research next time you retint

 

Wherever you leave . ? I got a guy 250 for 2020 prime

 

Anyone have recommendations for a quality tint shop in Boston? I have a couple of pre-lockdown quotes, but I may as well use this time to weigh more options. Many thanks in advance.

 

Your car looks awesome! Got mine done at the dealer for $220.00

 

Picked up my Prime Limited last week and got it tinted on Friday (yesterday) with 3M Ceramic IR tint which is their latest. It is still curing so the effect is not stable yet. 4th vehicle done at this shop. A friend I trust told me 3M is the best 10 years ago so I went to the 3M shop in my city and their Yelp reviews are pretty decent.

3M is careful about who their dealers are. I used the one in Santa Clara, CA. Price was $600 cash, pretty decent for Silicon Valley where the cost of living here is near the highest in the country.

3M comparison: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/automotive-window-solutions-us/automotive-window-film-simulator/

My advice is simple. You get what you pay for as long as you do your homework and use a service like Yelp to reinforce what your friends tell you. Most people tint a car once so their sample size is not enough to really give you a fair assessment of the shop. My first two jobs were Color Stable which was their cheapest tint. It is stable but it lacks IR (heat) rejection. My third job was Crystalline for my wife's rig because she wanted superior heat rejection which she gets. It keeps her RAV4 Hybrid very cool. When I went in for my Prime I was going to get Crystalline but the owner convinced me to try the new Ceramic IR. It is cheaper and the IR heat rejection is only slightly less than the top-end Crystalline. I did 15% on the rear, 35% on the front doors and 70% on the windshield. You can't even tell the windshield is tinted but the heat rejection was pretty good today with no clouds in the sky here.