Window Tint - Does it really help

I live in Tucson and has lived in Phoenix for many years. I tint all my cars. On my new Prius I have the new DigiFilm Nano Black NB3540. I reflects 90% of the heat factor. Get stuff. I can tell the difference between this new Nano and other film I had installed a couple years ago. The price was $239.95. Little expensive, but well worth it.

 

Make sure you check the warranty on the 3M product. i know the Llumar carries a lifetime warranty.

 

How do tints hold up to baby and toddlers hands?

I would assume that puppy nails would scratch it?

 

Anyone any suggestion what optimum tint should be for rear windows?

I'm planning to have a new Gen III tinted this week, and thinking of 50% for front sides, and 35% for back. I like a light tint in front for safety at dusk, but am unsure if 35% in the rear is dark enough to make a worthwhile difference. On the other hand, the aesthetics of too strong a contrast between front and back also concern me.

 

I was told by a person that tints car windows that the metallic tint can interfere with cell phone signals. Can someone respond to that?:focus:

 

I was told the same and am going with Formualone Pinnacle which is non-metalllic.

 

i don't think 50 on the front and 35 on the rear would look bad. that is a popular combination. it also depends on your interior color. the darker the interior, the darker the tint will look.

 

I had 35 done on all windows except the windshield. Looks good on a BRM with dark gray interior

 

Formula One and Llumar are made by the same company. Both are top tier films.

www.formulaone.com notice the Llumar logo on their home page

www.llumar.com both owned by Solutia.

 

From what I've gathered on the net and talking to my tint guy, it can interfere with the electronics. Not a lot, but if you are getting the NAV system, I would just pay the extra $100 and get the ceramic film.

I went with Llumar Pinnacle ceramic film and paid $250. It would have been $160 for the Llumar metallic film. I just didn't think spending $1800 for NAV and then skimping on the tint made any sense. I'm very happy with my decision.

 

I also just had Pinnacle 35 done on our BP with dark gray interior. The combination of light color and dark interior really works well with the moderate tint. The place we picked up our car had a BP with the bisque interior (different film brand but still 35). It didn't seem nearly as dark.

 

Yes.

If that is not a detailed enough answer, then let me elaborate...

Yes. Yes. Yes.

 

I just had my front roll-ups done in 3M Crystalline. It's great for side windows. I talked to the tech and he said he would not recommend for the front windshield. When you hold the film at an angle it renders a distorted, blurred vision.

 

Dbacksfan, I don't have any research or study to back-up my claim. I have empirical experience. My previous car had window tint, which I sold on a Sunday. The following day I went to the dealership and purchased my Prius. As I was driving around I felt a noticeable difference in the heat in the car and on my left arm. I took my Prius in to have the windows tinted (30% on the sides and back, which keeps me below the legal tint limit of not more than 27% overall aggregate of all windows). Again, I notices a marked difference in the reduced heat I felt in the car and on my left arm.

Yes, tinting where you are and where I am is very worthwhile. In Seattle, maybe not so much . . . --TK

 

Reading through all the posts in this thread, no real good responses so far. I will add an actual study (all be it small and not the greatest from a purely scientific point) soon to this thread. I got my car on a Thursday evening and had the windows tinted on Tuesday morning. I parked the car in sun and took some measurements every hour inside the car (used a outdoor thermometer that goes up to 150. We'll compare pre and post window tint and see how much diff. it makes in this car!

 

Actually the windows are 75% from the factory (except for the lower rear), so 30% is going to give you an aggregate of 22.5%.

 

True. If you have Misty Gray or Bisque, I bet they won't notice the difference because a dark interior can make a tint appear at least 10% darker.

 

925PriusGuy, question about your V model. Mine is due in soon. Got a VIN for the vehicle last week. Is there some basic tint on the car already on the V? Or is it the lackluster version? Whom do you recommend to have this done by? How do you like your V? What are the 17" tires like? Ride any worse or better? Any more ground clearance?

 

This is true.. I just had all my windows tinted. I did the sides and back with the Llumar Pinnacle ceramic tint and I also got the front windshield done with Llumar AirBlue tint. This front tint is horrible. It distorts so bad that I can not drive it at night because the headlights distort so bad. I called the shop that tinted my window and he said that due to the pitch of the window it will not work, so they are going to remove it..

 

Hi Hazzum:

I am not sure if you had your windshield done from a pure 'tint' aspect or to give you a bit more protection, but I came across this website that advertises a windshield film that can go on the windshield and gives you protection from rock chips, etc. No harm to check them out once you get the other film removed.

ClearPlex Invisible Windshield Protection Films .::. Manufactured by MADICO

Take care.....