quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:
I realize what the windshield tint could do for that GIANT hunk of glass up front. The problem would be when it gets replaced.
Around here, windshields last longer than Phx (less driving too), but I’m on my second one. If you get 3+ stars in the window my insurance company will want to replace it. Especially if there is a crack formed in your line of vision. I have glass coverage.

Edit to add: Beancooker, you have email inbound.

27 years of driving a quite a few cars never had to replace a windshield.
I guess even if insurance didn’t cover the film. You’re talking less than $100 to do just the windshield.

20 cars [22 counting the 2 for my wife since we've been married] since I got my license. Have cracked a couple windshields, but luckily haven't needed to replace one.

quote:

Originally posted by Beancooker:
I had the Tesla tinted in Phoenix. It was a lot of glass. The back window on a model 3 is huge. The whole top half of the car is glass. I had them use XPEL Prime tint (nano ceramic heat rejecting tint) I also had the windshield done in 85%. Side and rear windows were legal 35%. Sunroof was 20%. It was $1400 for the whole car. I would expect around 1000-1100 for a Ford Fiesta.

Huper Optik was the best back in the day. It’s hard to find and was very expensive. XPEL Prime is every bit as good. It’s not any cheaper, but it’s fantastic tint and more readily available.

I used Xpel on the recommendation of my detailer on our Model Y and have been very happy with the results over the last 2 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:
I realize what the windshield tint could do for that GIANT hunk of glass up front. The problem would be when it gets replaced.
Around here, windshields last longer than Phx (less driving too), but I’m on my second one. If you get 3+ stars in the window my insurance company will want to replace it. Especially if there is a crack formed in your line of vision. I have glass coverage.

Edit to add: Beancooker, you have email inbound.

27 years of driving a quite a few cars never had to replace a windshield.
I guess even if insurance didn’t cover the film. You’re talking less than $100 to do just the windshield.

Ha!
You’ve never had a Wrangler or Gladiator then. Have to replace mine about every year or two.

3M Crystaline on my last 4 family vehicles. What really impresses me is the heat/IR rejection is impressive. I had the windshield done with their lightest, 85% I believe. Illinois doesn’t allow any windshield tint but you cannot tell without a tint meter. Looks clear but really rejects the IR.

Another vote for FormulaOne Pinnacle ceramic. I’ve used this on several vehicles, most recently my wife’s new-to-us 2023 Acadia Denali. All the windows and both sunroofs for about $750 with a $100 off Groupon. Tint is a necessity here in Sunny Southern Arizona. I don’t do the windshields, as they get replaced frequently here. I’ve had probably a dozen windshield replacements over the years on several vehicles.

As others indicated, the ceramic tints are the way to go for maximum heat rejection. I used 3M Crystalline on several cars in the past and it was great, but switched to Xpel this time. Fewer tint shops were offering 3M and the Xpel was getting great reviews. Put 35% on sides and back and 70% on the windshield. I've had air 80 on another windshield for years and was worried 70 would be too dark but I was wrong. It's excellent.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
After having ceramic tint for years and year you forget how much it actually does.
Not had the chance to get the wife's Navigator to the tint shop since purchasing yet.
Man, driving around today was a quick reminder how much heat the ceramic tint actually rejects.

I would say 300 is a heck of deal for all the windows. I just had two front windows tinted with standard tint for $100.

Be careful about tinting the sunroof. I have heard they are a different type of glass and are more prone to shattering with tint.

shop around. current car i recently had done was $400. I always get the ceramic tint that helps block uv.

this time I got 35% on the sides and back and 50% on the front windshield. The entire top of the car is black glass so I didn't bother tinting it.

Last car was a mini suv so I only needed to tint the two front side windows and got 70% on the windshield.

Two cars ago I got 20% on the sides and back and 70% on the windshield I could not see at all at night leaving my driveway because it's not a lit street. I had to roll my windows down to make sure no one was walking their dog. lol

I've never tinted the sunroof on any car because they usually have a sunshade and I never use the sunroof.

with the 70% on the windshield, I still needed sunglasses on sunny days. With the 50% on the windshield, I only need sunglasses on REALLY sunny days.

Just got quoted $385 for ceramic tint , mobile, on a ‘24 VW Taos (all side windows and rear hatch). Scheduled for next weekend. Others quoted between $500 to $700 both mobile and in shop. 1st car in a while that has no factory tint whatsoever, feels like a fishbowl.

That’s great though, I’ll get to choose levels of tint to my liking.

quote:

Originally posted by SigFan:
Another vote for FormulaOne Pinnacle ceramic. I’ve used this on several vehicles, most recently my wife’s new-to-us 2023 Acadia Denali.

I'v use F1 Pinnacle ceramic on 7 or 8 cars, and have the new Audi Q5 to get into the tinter for the same treatment. The 2014 Ram 1500 Sport had all the windows tinted with F1 Pinnacle 35%, and it still looks like new.