Tint plans and opinions

We've had the windows on a number of vehicles tinted with rather inexpensive Llumar or 3M metalicized tint with execellent results - $140 to have the four door windows on our Prius v tinted last month with 35% 3M metalicized tint. We did not have the small rear side windows or rear hatch windows tinted on the Prius due to the already poor rear visibility and that tinting the rear hatch would interfere with the automatic dimming mirror - learned that from experience - and I don't like the light scatter that results when tint is applied over defroster wires. We didn't have the tiny front side windows tinted either because ... well they were so small there didn't seem to be any point in doing it.

I wouldn't tint a windshield not matter how light the tint is. Even the slightest additional tint can make a car more difficult and even dangerous to drive on unlit rural 2-lane roads - particularly for older drivers. There is a good reason most states prohibit windshield tint film.

There is nothing wrong with mixing tint percentages although it probably looks better if it is all the same basic color. People in Europe don't seem to mind that the rear windows of the Prius+, Prius Van, etc. (name of the Prius wagon varies) are tinted darker than the front side windows at the factory.

 

My wife and I both have Blue Ribbon Metallic Prius v 5's (with the Advanced Technology Package). We had both of them tinted with Hüper Optik Nano Ceramic (30 all the way around / 50 windshield). It looks fantastic and does wonders in terms of keeping the car cool when in hot weather.

We considered the 3M Crystalline too, but opted for Hüper Optik Nano Ceramic due primarily to a preference for the hue of Hüper Optik when compared to 3M Crystalline. In either case, I think you'll be very happy with the 3M Crystalline in a 30/70 configuration on a Blizzard Pearl car.

 

I ended up getting Suntek CXP 45 all the way around except for right below the spoiler. The VLT for the 35 would have put it below the legal limit in Hawaii. I like it a lot so far, definitely helps cooling the car. Originally I was going to go with the cheaper Madico Charcool for 150, but I saw that he had Madico Wincos which is higher end and I was intrigued and asked him about it, and he said that was 300, but he had equivalent performance with Suntek CXP on sale at 250. He ended up only charging 230. I was happy to pay an extra 100 dollars for an extra 10% of TSER. 40% versus 50%.

 

MacP, You're funny.."not to garner too much attention".. Your V garners a lot of attention already.

No on the Winshield, that's so 80s & 90s. Ceramic 30 all the way looks classy IMHO.

 

I'm in San Diego and am looking at tinting my windows, can you post your contacts info? Thanks.

 

My friends shop is called Alvin O's Custom Window Tinting. He is off Ronson in the Convoy area. You can look up the reviews on Yelp and see that he is one of the top rated tinters in San Diego. He will be more expensive than many of the others around town but his quality is the best.

 

Planning to have a shop to install SunTek CXP 18% on rear windows and hatch. SunTek CXP 80% on front 2 windows.

Will post pic when done later this week.

 

Done with SunTek CXP 55% front/18% back eventually. Hope no cop will pull me over.....

 

Bought a 2012 V Model 5 on Tuesday and got the windows tinted the very next day. I went with one step below limo tint. I wanted them dark but, not to where I couldn't see at night. It turned out exactly the way I wanted them. Check out the before and after photos.
Before:
After: