I live in a very hot climate and this season is cranking up the heat fast. I’ve read about tint shops installing clear ceramic film on the windshield to reduce heat and uv. Has anyone here tried that with any success? Also curious with anyones success doing ceramic tint for the whole car.
Been researching this as a DIY project... The front UV tint, which is barely a tint is also helpful for reducing the severity of oncoming headlights. From what I've seen of the installation it's not easy and the material is expensive because Prius windshields are huge so you don't really get a second chance once you make your cuts. So I'm thinking my strategy is going to be working with vinyl wraps and tint on smaller stuff and then as the grand finale I'll do the windshield.
Yes I would do it I have not done it on my Prius yet however I did do it on my wife’s Highlander. It has helped so much with heat. I do everything myself however with tinting I have attempted several times and I will not do tinting myself I paid to have it done. I live in California I had the whole car done in 2019 for about $300.
FYI; In most states tinting the windshield is illegal. In California, tint is illegal from the front doors forward; front doors included. I know shops do it; but you can be ticketed for it. Just a friendly warning and if you need to replace your windshield, due to rock chip or a crack walking across your glass - you may have to do it again...
I have 3M Crystalline ceramic tint on my Mercedes and it helps ALOT with the solar rays AND UV rays. Blocks like 98 or something ridiculous percent of the rays and keeps the interior a lot cooler. The only reason I got it installed was due to bringing my dogs everywhere with me.
You are correct illegal in CA. We still did a very light tint and have not had a problem. Hopefully our luck continues.
I'm so tempted to learn this skill... At the same time installing plastic screen protectors on my smart phone has never gone well and suspect it will be that but worse? But maybe not? I keep watching videos online of people doing this work... Suspect install shops have a very clean space to prevent problems from a single spec of dust causing a customer complaint that ruins the whole job? Plus if it's all you do every day, you get good at it...
I have tried several times with Limited success. A total of about a dozen cars. I have gotten better but still not happy with it. I agree with you a clean shop is a must. I would end up with hair in the tinting or crinkling it due to wind. It is definitely an art.
