[JSaid]

Hey all,

Anyone have ceramic tint installed and how do you like it? Was wondering how that compares to regular tints and if it holds up well over time.

I got some hazing/staining on the inside of one of the windows somehow and need to get it replaced but was wondering if biting the bullet and swapping them all to ceramic was worth it.

Also any issues with dimming and the car always thinking it's night time? I remember reading that a while back but I think light sensitivity can be changed with BimmerCode

[Ramos]

I haven’t seen metallic tint in years bro, almost every product out there now is ceramic. You almost have to go out of your way to find a cheap ass metallic tint.

It’s really a no brainer, Caramic looks better, no shine or reflection and has much better heat rejection for a given level of darkness compared to metallic. Also it does not interfere with electronics on the car.

Now there are levels and many price points for different grades of ceramic tint. I have used Llumar Fomula 1 - Pinnacle on my last three cars and I think it provides a great value for the superb film quality that you get. Usually runs around $500 or so (before inflation) to do 5 windows.

Keep it classy and do not go darker than 30% on the sides and 20% on the back window. Oh and do the whole side of the car at the same shade.

The rear side windows being darker than the front side windows is not a good look.

[JSaid]

Originally Posted by Ramos

I haven’t seen metallic tint in years bro, almost every product out there now is ceramic. You almost have to go out of your way to find a cheap ass metallic tint.

It’s really a no brainer, Caramic looks better, no shine or reflection and has much better heat rejection for a given level of darkness compared to metallic. Also it does not interfere with electronics on the car.

Now there are levels and many price points for different grades of ceramic tint. I have used Llumar Fomula 1 - Pinnacle on my last three cars and I think it provides a great value for the superb film quality that you get. Usually runs around $500 or so (before inflation) to do 5 windows.

Keep it classy and do not go darker than 30% on the sides and 20% on the back window. Oh and do the whole side of the car at the same shade.

The rear side windows being darker than the front side windows is not a good look.

Thanks for the info Im gonna upgrade to ceramic, just gotta wait for it to get a little warmer so they cure right (NY) would be nice to get rid of some bubbles in the rear glass and side windows too. I have 20% all around rn and love the darkness on all black I'll probably keep it the same, luckily no trouble with cops or inspections yet. Definitely not darker that's asking for it hahah

[TurtleBoy]

I have had ceramic put on in the middle of winter without any issues. Check with your installer but you should be good to go if you garage it.

[Ramos]

Actually he’s right, the car should be left in the sun for the tint to cure.

[LousyShot]

I went with XPEL Prime XR Plus 30% and I'm very happy with all aspects of it, might be worth a look.

[Geo_FF]

With modern tint, you don't have to wait for any weather in case you don't want to wait. Sun isn't required for the tint to cure, although it will take longer. And you shouldn't roll your windows down until it cures. So while it would cure in 1-2 days if left in the full sun, I was told to wait a week when it was overcast/rainy season for example. The installer will know best and will advise how long to wait until you're able to roll your windows down. Most reputable shops have lifetime warranties so you don't need to worry much.

[JSaid]

Yeah I had mine done last winter and garage kept it right after install but some small bubbles ended up forming after some time. Called my installer and he said it's because of the temperature and said around 60 degrees is the optimal temp for the adhesive to cure and suggested waiting for it to be warmer for a better install.

I put it off last spring/summer since the bubbles weren't too bad but I might as well get it all cleaned up now

[JSaid]

Originally Posted by Geo_FF

With modern tint, you don't have to wait for any weather in case you don't want to wait. Sun isn't required for the tint to cure, although it will take longer. And you shouldn't roll your windows down until it cures. So while it would cure in 1-2 days if left in the full sun, I was told to wait a week when it was overcast/rainy season for example. The installer will know best and will advise how long to wait until you're able to roll your windows down. Most reputable shops have lifetime warranties so you don't need to worry much.

Yeah I'll ask my installer about it maybe it's different for ceramic tint if I don't have to wait for warmth that would be great lol

[JSaid]

Originally Posted by LousyShot

I went with XPEL Prime XR Plus 30% and I'm very happy with all aspects of it, might be worth a look.

Looks great I think I'm pretty set on going ceramic, just need to figure out what brand my installer uses

[Geo_FF]

Originally Posted by JSaid

Yeah I'll ask my installer about it maybe it's different for ceramic tint if I don't have to wait for warmth that would be great lol

Same installer who did your bubbling tint? If it's a cheap tint that can definitely be a cause for bubbling due to cheap adhesive. Another cause could be a bad install like the surface wasn't prepped or cleaned thoroughly. I've read installers having no issues tinting in sub freezing temps fwiw.

[JSaid]

Originally Posted by Geo_FF

Same installer who did your bubbling tint? If it's a cheap tint that can definitely be a cause for bubbling due to cheap adhesive. Another cause could be a bad install like the surface wasn't prepped or cleaned thoroughly. I've read installers having no issues tinting in sub freezing temps fwiw.

Yeah same guy I was thinking it was because of cold + cheaper film, it looked great when I first picked it up minus some dust nibs and started bubbling later like the adhesive was starting to fail and more recently hazing and staining. Now that you mention it though maybe the dust/surface prep or install contributed to the bubbling starting, I brought it up in the original install but they said some dust and contamination was inevitable. Ill check with some different shops too and see what they say regarding temperatures and see who's got the best install/film. if colds not a concern all the better!

[tturedraider]

www.llumar.com makes some non-ceramic tint that’s very close to being just as good as ceramic. Being in Chicago I actually don’t have tint on my current car, but I’ve actually never used ceramic and I’ve never been disappointed with Llumar tint in over 40 years use in Texas and I am very picky.

35% all around. Look classy. Not gangsta. And it gets the job done.

[TurtleBoy]

Ive used Xpel, LLumar and GeoShield and have been happy with all of them. This is Geoshield ProNano Ceramic 20 all around with 50 on the windshield.

[JSaid]

Just found an installer that I've used in the past for older cars who moved locations to jersey 20 min away. Will probably go there now that I found him since it's the only tint jobs I've seen in person that were absolutely perfect and have held up for 10+ years. Looks like he's using Llumar FormulaOne, I'm thinking I'd go with the Stratos or Pinnacle series. Just reached out for quotes and to ask about temperature concerns let's see!

[Ramos]

Stratos is overkill, it’s for people who don’t want to go darker than 50 but still want good heat rejection.

Pinnacle is what I recommended in my earlier response.

[nm2003]

How to installers put the tinting on the rear windscreen?

Do they take the seats out, or do they put there knees on the rear seat to get to the corners of the rear windscreen?

If they use their knees, how well do the back seats resist leaving dents in the leather? Hopefully the installer is a skinny bloke

[zazzau]

I went with 3M ceramic tint - 25% and it gets the job done with heat rejection and aesthetics. I would go with any of the products mentioned in the earlier posts too like XPEL, etc., Either way you can’t go wrong; boils down to price point which will vary by shop and brand.

[Ramos]

3M is in a league of its own, but I wasn’t willing to pay that price.

[JSaid]

Got it, thanks for the advice everyone I think I'll go with Pinnacle!

[billnchristy]

I've got autobahn i3 on both of our cars. 28% and 70% windshield

[mjay2886]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Ive used Xpel, LLumar and GeoShield and have been happy with all of them. This is Geoshield ProNano Ceramic 20 all around with 50 on the windshield.

Yo what year is this car and regional locations that Cole is sick