I'm going in to have my '06 windows tinted this Tuesday (7/05). The installer recommends Llumar metallic tint saying I may lose a few AM stations, nothing else. They also have Llumar non-metallic with the same lifetime guarantee but I lose some UV protection. I know Acura recommends against metallic tint so I'm looking for some real life experience and suggestions. Also, thinking of 30 0r 40%.

Thanks in advance.

LL

 

go for ceramic based tint.
UV reflection + heat protection without losing any AM/FM/NAV signals

 

What about Ceramic tint ? I just had it put on my wifes Pilot and it is very good against heat, pretty amazing actually.

 

justnspace beat me to it, but he is correct, you will have no loss in AM stations, or anything else.

 

I have this exact tint. Llumar ATR Series metalized window tint. 30% and 5%. Looks and works great for less $$$ than ceramic. I don't listen to AM, but I have turned it on to see if there was any loss like they claimed. I couldn't tell a difference. AM, FM, XM, Nav, and cellphones all work fine in my car. Lifetime warranty that any Llumar dealer has to honor isn't bad either.

 

^good shit!

 

oo7spy is correct, the metallic tint is a little cheaper then the ceramic, it just depends on what you want to go for and what your budget is. Personally I think the Ceramic is worth the $$$ but to some the savings is the deciding factor. The ceramic does block out a lot more heat then the metallic does, something I took into consideration when making my latest purchase.

 

Do RL's need moleskin to prevent scratching?

 

^^^ No.

Here are the Llumar specs from the tint shop I used.



Ceramic IS better, but not by too much.

 

I used 3M ceramic 50% all around and it do wonders for me. How much is the different in price if you upgrade to ceramic.

 

I'm using Huper Optik on my car, at 40% it blocks 54% heat while still maintaining excellent visibility at night. It's 3 layer ceramic, metal can't match that.

For Genesis I'm going with ESC 45 for all windows except the front which will have 60% on it and still block around 40%.

The price...I would say double that of a normal tint. Genny is going to cost me $600 all around. The guy is good, real good, I assume there's also the New York City charge...so I assume it'll cost less in other states. He is an authorized dealer/tinter for Huper Optik. I have it on my RL and it's excellent.

 

^omg, i love you.

I installed Huper Optik on my TL and its the best. PERIOD.

You guys are more educated on this subject than the 3G TL guys.
All they care about is looks not functionality.

I live in Houston, and its pretty damn hot. I need a tint that will keep my car cool in the summer. Huper Optik does a great job for covering my 5 windows, it would be better if I could tint my front windshield 70%.

It does look different than normal black tint, the ceramic creates a reflection look in certain lighting and distance conditions.

 

^ for you windshield, you can go with Llumar air 80, it's a clear ceramic, 78% light transmission. I have it, and I think it helps pretty well.

How would Llumar and Huper Optik compare?

 

In Texas we have inspection stickers on the windshield.
thats the only thing stopping me.

 

Huper Optik has the same solar rejection with more light transmission. So if you want heat out but light in, go for Huper. I personally wanted the black look and less light transmission, so Llumar works for my taste.

As for price, I paid $230 for the ATR series. My shop wanted $300 for the ceramic Llumar. So, Huper costs about 2x.

 

Went with 30% Llumar metallic. No radio issues so far. AM seems OK (was never great to begin with) and XM actually seemed a bit better with fewer drop-outs if I'd go under some thick trees. Nav works fine.

Sorry for the lousy iPhone picture:



LL

 

Looks nice! How much did they run you?

 

$180. Took about an hour.

LL

 

Interesting that you guys mention Huper Optik. That company is based in Houston, Texas. Had a friend that worked for them.

 

I always thought they were German based...I guess paying double doesn't make sense anymore

 

Got some quotes here in Orlando, FL
Audio Excellence--Johnson Window Films (Metallic Based) $179
Class on Glass----Madico Tint (Metallic Based) $139.95
Mobile Tint Guy---Suntek Tint (Metallic Based) 120
All Lifetime Warranty but I didn't know the specs of these tints and wanted to see if had any experience with these tints/brands?
I am not interested in AM but I might use Satellite Radio/Nav and I want the best spec for sunlight rejection (The Heat ..South FL)
I mentioned ceramic and I got the screw face....lol

 

Did some research got some quotes from a Tint Shop that has a good reputation. Huper Optic Ceramic quote is $289 and $20 extra for a windshield strip..or Huper Optic Metallic for $150...thoughts..? Do I need a strip if I plan to add a Escort Passport 9500ix in the future..?

 

You don't need a strip for the detector. If anything you will want to mount the detector below it. My V1 is located just below the AS-1 line per the manual so there is no interference.

 

Oh ok whut I was trying to say is can I place the radar within the strip for privacy(prevent theft) instead of removing it when going to different places if under the AS1 line? And with your radar do u always keep within the car?

 

I haven't tried its effectiveness behind the strip. The manufacturer recommends not behind it, but the V1 and Escort may be sensitive enough to not matter.

 

Since urs is behind the strip do u always keep ur radar in car mounted??

 

Don't want to Hi-jack your thread but I'd like to tint the windshield. I'm wondering if that will interface with auto day and night with headlamps and satellite.

 

I would keep it up at all times if my sun shades didn't hit it. I keep the holder mounted at all times and just take off the unit. Really, it is just below the AS-1 line and is difficult to see from outside unless you are really looking for it. I'll see if I can get a pic.

I can't see why it would since the sensor is going off pure light intensity, and you can adjust the sensitivity. I think you would have to go pretty dark to mess it up, and at that point it would be more of a safety concern than a technology concern. Also, it's illegal in most (if not all) states.

 

ooh i can chime in on this one... lol i have my windshield and my sun roof tinted and there is no loss of nothing lol... I got 35% on the windshield and 20% on the sun roof... overall happy with it...

all the other windows i have 35%... Privacy is a must...



and yes its illegal. but tints in my state is illegal period. oh well... ;(

 

I am gonna go with either
30% Huper Optik All around or
30% Front/15% Back/Passenger Windows
Ill leave the sunroof alone and add a 15% strip on the windshield
Thanks for all the help if I didnt research I would have ended up going for dye based tints...uggh

 

Here ya go.

Inside:


Outside in shade or dark:


Outside in the light:


Obviously, if you are in direct light, it is pretty noticeable. However, the back is so dark, that if there is shade or no sun on the windshield, it's pretty concealed.

 

Looks good...getting Tints on Fri
Next is Escort Passport 9500ix w/ Viel G4 Coating
I see now what you mean just under the AS-1 line
Does RD rattle or hit the glass when going over bumps etc..?

 

Not when I go over bumps. Just when my trunk goes bump.

 

This Sux called today to make appt for Fri w/ Ultimate Tint in Orlando and they are overbooked when he said he had availability the day before..would be willing to wait but going out of town Sat and wont be back until the 27th ...uugh
Called Huper Optik and found the the 2nd authorized Dealer in Central Florida who was willing to match the price of $289 from his original price of $350 but it would take several hours because he does 1 window at a time and takes the door panels off to make a like perfect cut...? has anyone heard of this..?

 

Every tint shop I called had computer cutters that made perfect cuts right off the roll. I'd be concerned if someone wanted to take all of the door panels off my car when every other shop doesn't. I'd worry about rattles when they put them back on.

LL

 

I never heard such a thing. My tint was cut through a computer system. Don't rush doing this. I'd rather wait and tint your windows upon your return.

 

There should be no need to take a door panel off, and I agree with LL that their craftsmanship would worry me. Patience is a virtue.

I saw my shop cutting the tint by hand. I thought it was a little wierd, but when I saw the job they did, I had no complaints.

 

lol ..thought it was funny myself and he did say its a 3-4 hour job...Yikes so I am going with the first Huper O authorized dealer who stated laser cut,1 piece rear and 1 1/2 job tops with a better price. He does work for the city (Police/Fire Department) along with Dealer n show cars. Just have to wait until the 27th..........Thnx for all the help will post pics when I get back

 

Got my tints done yesterday with a reputable tint shop that is an authorized Huper Optik Dealer. Went with 25% all around and left the windshield alone and kept the manufactor strip and left the sunroof alone.Here are some pics. Quality isn't that great took with a Tmobile G2 phone








Thanks for all the help

 

Nice. I went with 30%. Would have preferred 25% but they didn't have it and 20% was darker than I liked.

LL