calvin_hobbes

I know that this subject has probably been mulled upon umpteen number of times, so apologies in advance

So, since its summer time here in atlanta, i am feeling the need to tint the windows of my '05 grey RL. Legal limit in GA is 32%. I checked around a couple of places out of which almost all of them offer full ceramic tinting service (for 5 windows) for $350-$425. The ceramic tint being formulaone pinnacle, or 3M or Llumar. There is one place (an acura certified tint shop, used by my acura dealer) that offers service for $525. Obviously i barfed on the idea at first and out of curiousity asked for the reason behind ridiculous price. The sales person responded by saying that the type of tint being used: Huber Optik makes it more expensive.

Do any of you guys have experience w/ this Huber Optik tint? In your opinion, ts it worth the extra $150?

Chas2

Sounds good, but who knows? Appears to be a ceramic with high heat rejection.

http://www.huperoptik.com/

Godwhacker

and its German...JA! JA! JA!

VOdoc

I haven't sprung for any tint yet as the laws in California give me pause, but in my research I came across this:

http://www.johnsonwindowfilms.com/IR.php

Might be worth a try. Comes in various densities that should be at least close to street-legal, and blocks more IR (heat) than the typical film.

calvin_hobbes

lol.. das ist gut...

Godwhacker

Sie müssen die deutsche tintin kaufen!!! JA!



Actually, I don't know the German word for window tint...."tintin" sounded close...

vluu

I went with Formula One Pinnacle Ceramic tint. It's by far the best tint I have ever had. I got 50% all the way around the car. Paid about $320 for it. I would recommend Formula One. Btw, no issues with Nav or XM either, that was my biggest concern. Here's the RL after the tint.

Mike_TX

There's two schools of thought on tints - pay the big bucks for something like ceramic, or get the 100 buck dyed tint and spend the money you save on something else you like or want.

I personally opted for the latter, since I've paid to tint 5 cars over the past 18 months. Forking over $400 or more every time I did it would give me heartburn.

The argument goes that dyed tint will fade. And of course it will, as will all tints. It takes 5 -7 years to do so, though, and I don't keep cars that long. Even if you do, if you use a good tint shop it'll be guaranteed for life and they'll redo it.

Here's the RL with 35%:



... and from the inside looking out:



I find the plain old dyed tints keep out about as much of the heat, and (so they tell me) the same amount of infrared as the high-dollar tints. So I've totally quit buying the expensive tints and I haven't regretted it.

Just my 2 cents.

.
.

lumpulus

Mike, why are you giving your dealer free advertising with that front plate?

synth19

I agree with Mike... I need to get my window's tinted soon... it makes a big difference. Anyone experience 50% vs. 35%? I have 35% on one of my cars, it's great, but illegal in IL. 50% is also illegal, but not as noticable. Just wondering if 50% is worth it since it's pretty light. thanks

tasdisr

Does anyone know of a good tint installer in Cincinnati, OH?

acuralvr1

Interesting they're using the word "Huber". It's a derviation of Uber which is being used these days to describe anything "super fantastic"; i.e. Uber skiing, Uber hiking, Uber moutain biking, etc.

synth19

^ they got it all messed up... uber is not spelled right.. neither is Optic. heh

Mike_TX

Oh, I'm not, Lumpy - that pic was taken when the car was new. I gave in shortly thereafter and mounted my front plate like Texas wants me to.

.
.

calvin_hobbes

spelling was my bad

Huper Optik would be the correct name

So, this afternoon, i went into the tinting shop and had a first hand look @ what each tint does.... HuperOptik is one helluva nice tint, however, it didn't go well with my lakeshore metallic color... so i ended up going with nanotech full ceramic plus (Solar Energy Rejected- 55% Continuous)... both these films were comparable feature-wise (with HuperOptik being 54% rejection), however, a difference of $200 in price.... after speaking with the tint shop owner, even he agreed that nanotech was the best fit... my car looks smashing now (not that it wasn't already)... i plan on posting some pictures over the weekend...

btw, after speaking with a couple of tint shops, all seem to be of the opinion that nanotech and huperoptik are better ceramic films than Llumar, 3M, formulaone etc.... i know this statement might spark some debate, but don't shoot the messenger As Mike said, it all depends on what you want to do with your money

NavyDoc333

I have 30% Llumar tint... non-metailc, with a lifetime warranty (Nationwide at any shop that installs Llumar - including cost to remove old tint) against fading, cracking, peeling. I had it done up here in Morristown TN for $150. AFter the guy did it, he said he would have to charge the next RL owner $175, because it took more labor hours than he thought secondary to some sort of trim arround the rear window they had to work around. I've had it 1yr. It's been great. Much cooler cabin. It would be a 3.5hr drive for you, but if it saved you a couple hundred dollars...it would be worth it. No Nav probs to report either.

By the way.. I had Formula 1 in the past on a Volvo wagon...and I loved it. I was great too. They also have a lifetime nationwide warranty.

neuronbob

Sorry I missed this yesterday, synth. I run 50% in Ohio. It's not that light in real life. That brings my total light transmission to 37% (assuming stock 75%?), which is also illegal in Ohio, but is not as noticeable as puting 35% on. Some old pics from just after I had the tint installed:

SpicyMikey

Curious....does anyone know if they use different glass for cars bound for Florida? My RL already seems to have tinted glass which is pretty effective. I know my Toyota Sienna has even more tinted glass for all the back passenger windows.

calvin_hobbes

Thanks for the tip doc... for insulatir 40IR (*my tint*), original charge was $400, however, the shop gave me a discount of $100 :-) Given the gas mileage on the RL, the $100 odd dollars extra that i could have saved would have been easily blown away in the gas required for the round-trip (@ ridiculous $3+ / gallon).. hehehe..

how do i add pics?

GoHawks

II need to host pictures, but I'm running 35% on the sides and 15% on the rear. Llumar

I've been lucky with not getting stopped in Illinois, but my brother has received two tickets with his TL. He has 35% all around.