I'm considering a tint of my PIP and I like the heat-blocking capabilities of the Solar Gard HP Supreme window film my local dealer carries. However, as a metalized film, it is spec'd by the manufacturer as not being as 'signal friendly' as non-metalized films like carbon (3M) and ceramic. Does anyone have any experience with this product or something similar in terms of whether it negatively affected the Prius electronics, your cell reception, radio, etc.?
I've never read any concrete evidence, but the tint shop I used to go to said that metallic films would affect cellphone and GPS reception. So he always suggested going with the old school dyed films or with a ceramic film. I was also told metallic films fade the fastest, although they are generally all warrantied for life against fading. Again, I have no first hand experience with metallic films, so I dont know, just relaying what I was told. But if you're after heat rejection, I believe ceramic is the best. Although it is also the most expensive. The last 3 cars (including my PiP) that I tinted, was either all ceramic, all dyed, or a combo of both.
My last two cars had metallic. For the PiP I went with ceramic and it is SOOO much worth it. The heat reduction is amazing, and the clarity of the film is much better. Very happy with it. With my 5 month old in the back seat, 20% ceramic keeps her cool and private so I don't need a shade for her.
Would you mind sharing what specific ceramic tint/film brand/line you ended up going with? Did you go 20% for all windows? Thanks
That's exactly what I heard too. I'd rather not take the chance and regret it, so I think a ceramic might be a better choice. Do you know what specific ceramic film you ended up going with for your PiP and what %s you chose? Thanks for your time!
My guy used modaco ceramic. I did 30 on the front two doors and little windows, then 20 for the back doors and hatch. Hatch looks likes its solid black, blends with the fin nice. I would do the same tint again in a heartbeat. Thinking of getting 80% on the windshield to block the heat as you can really feel a difference. But the windshield alone I'd like $150. I paid $325 for the tint.
Your other thread on this exact subject has been removed since it only had posts explaining you had replies here. Please, in the future, don't post the same thing more than once in multiple forums. Thanks.
I got the regular Madico Charcool 35% on all windows (including the little one in the hatch) except for the rear hatch itself, which is 20%. The windshield was done with Solargard Ultra 75%. I was actually going to go with the regular Madico all around, but it was $30 more to get the ceramic on the windshield as opposed to the Charcool. If I was going to do it over again, I would've just gone with Madico ceramic (Wincos) all around. Not sure what I was thinking back then.. but it probably had something to do with saving some money after buying a new car . My last car was done with Formula One Pinnacle ceramic. Its about 7.5 years old and still holding up well (both in fading and adhesion).
I had my wifes done in her 2011 Prius IV full dark in the back, 1 step lighter in the rear and 2 steps lighter in the front. It came out really nice. For mine I had them do full dark in theback and rear then 1 step lighter in the front. From the inside looking out it's no difference. From the outside looking in it's a little different. I also had an eyebrow done on mine. The shop used like Luminar I think it was called? There logo is red/white. They had the machine that pre cuts the tint perfectly. I'm pretty sure mine is a majority solid tint. I had always thought the solids (metal) tint lasted longer and reflected heat better then the Dye's. I have had zero issues with cell phone reception, GPS or even communicating with the car through my phones apps from my office. I talk on my phone quite a bit in the car with the phone in my left pocket. Probably the worst reception position.
The ceramic tint should only boost the cost of your job about $100, and it's a much better investment. You can even go lighter - like 35% all the way around - and still get decent heat rejection. Just depends on the look you want. But metallic tint and radio waves (that includes the kind from the sun that we call heat) just don't always play that well together. Some have no problems, others have nothing but problems. A good, strong signal is even more important if you have the nav unit. That might be a more important consideration than the cell-phone consideration.
I agree. I think you CA folks have a few more tinting business options than folks like me in the sticks There are some folks in nearby Colorado that will do the 3M's "ceramic series" (CM 30) which seems like a good choice. I hear lots of good stuff (including here) about the Madico Wincos, but I can't find a dealer/installer around here. My big disappointment was learning that tinting the front windshield was illegal; the dealer looked at me like I was asking for crack pipes when I mentioned it ...shows you how out of touch I am with the tinting business! I'm coming from a Jeep which is about as aerodynamic as a block; small dashboard and a more vertically-angled windshield. The Prius has that huge expanse of dark, horizontal dashboard that just bakes with all that windshield space...I could care less about windshield darkening/privacy, and I can certainly understand the safety concerns that would motivate a law that would keep people from really darkening their windshield. I just want to dial back the heat a little with something clear or very lightly tinted, but not sure I can find anyone to do such "illegal" work...
It's also illegal in California, but police, especially in Southern California, don't seem to care, if it is not too dark. It's really up to what mood the officer is in.
In MA, we have to get Inspection sticker every year, The inspector had me stripping the tint film because it does not meet the 35% VLT requirement.
