gwickes

I live in Dallas and want to tint the windows of my 2009 TSX. Color of my car is Grigio / Ebony.

Have found highly recommended Pro Tint in Plano that has both Llumar and Huper Optik (ceramic). I am leaning toward Huper Optik (more expensive at $399 installed, but feel it will provide better heat blocking -- good for Dallas summers).

Pro Tint carries both 30% and the lighter 40% from Huper Optik. They are recommending the 30% on both sides doors and back window. I wonder if the 30% will be too dark on this color combination.

I would appreciate any opinions or comments regarding putting the 30% vs. the lighter 40% on the car from anyone that has a Grigio/Ebony colored TSX.

Thanks!

patcracks

I got 20% plain old regular tints on my griggio...it was 180 and the tints are perfect...dont know why everyone wants too spend so much on this ceramic and what not.

ed_423

+1 i think the regular tint is just finee, dont waste too much money on it

5thTo2nd

I've been wondering about this as well. I just did regular non-metallic tint on my car a few weeks ago but I noticed the price can double if going up to the premium tint lines. Any tint experts out there that can elaborate?

gwickes

Thanks for the comments... I put the 30% Huper Optik tint on my TSX today...given the amount of sun we get in Dallas and my ebony interior, I decided the extra money was worth it... Besides, I keep my cars usually 10 years, so the extra $200 for Huper is not so much over the life of the car.

So far, I'm real pleased with the look... not too dark at all... once I can post some pics, I will.

The Pro Tint guys said it will take at least 4 weeks for the film to dry and the "bubbles" and subtle ghosty streaks to disappear. The guys at Pro Tint really seem to know their stuff, so I'm pleased I found them.

patcracks

4 weeks? damn thats a long time

boydanger

if youre gonna keep your car for a while, paying for the more expensive stuff is the way to go.

mines a 3 year lease so i got 20% 3Ms all around. cost me $120

ressling

True. Ideally should only be 3-5 days max... maybe a week. Never heard of tint needing to dry that long.

ressling

I got 35% Llumar all the way around except front windshield for $229 in ATL. I am not convinced that there are major differences between types of film to justify the expense, when ultimately most people get tint for the look alone.

gwickes

The length of time to dry is well documented by Huper Optik. Its very clearly stated in their warrantee documentation. I suspect in our hot summer here, the time will be quicker than 4 weeks, but will let folks know.

As I recall, Pro Tint said the Llumar they offer (they have just Llumar and Huper) is a 3-5 day drying process, but due to a combination of things for the Huper (thicker, material etc), it does take longer to "cure".

Clearly, if you're looking for a dark look, Huper is not the way to go. However, I was more interested in heat rejection along with some darkening of the windows... so got the Huper tint.

gwickes

Just wanted to provide an update... drying on the tints (Huper Optik) was quite quick. First day had quite a few "whitesh" blogs/circles but by 3rd day most gone. And by the 5th day, there was nothing to be seen.

The tint looks great... and now that we are getting 100 degree days in Dallas, its great to have the tints on! Here's a couple of pics (before and after)... sorry the angles aren't exactly the same:

Early picture of car soon after getting the TSX:


Picture after the tints (30%) have been put on (both side windows and back):