kray17

Since the search engine ignores 2 letter words like 3M and CS, can anyone tell me about this tint?

I want to get a non metallic tint, and i can't find anyone in san antonio that does Formula One Pinnacle, and Mother's want to charge me $400 for Huber Optic, but they'll do the 3M CS for $275 which is a better price.

Other than that i can't find anyone in san antonio to do non metallic/ceramic type tint

yendor

Go with the 3M CS it is really nice! Color wise it is a truer gray/black color as opposed to the Huber or Formula One Pinnacle which has a greenish hue to it. Formula One which is made by the same maker as LLumar is made by a company CPF which is in turn owned by a company Solutia which is in bankruptcy. In my opinion 3M films have a better (clearer) adhesive. Pinnalce films tend to produce more optical distortion than some of the other brands. Stick with 3M, in my opnion cheaper and much better!

kray17

thanks for the great info, this helps... i was wondering what the color was like of the 3M film as well....

Hawhyen51

Here's more info about 3M CS Auto Film. As far as optical distortion, I'm not sure what yendor is referring to (looking through the rear view mirror?). I can honestly say, I don't think it's any worse than other films. I've used 3M and Llumar on my previous vehciles and recently F1 on my TL.

yendor

First let me say that I currently own both types of film - F1 on my TL and 3M on my other car. Granted alone they both look great but the differences are. The F1 film adhesive and/or film has slight "cloudiness" or haze when sunlight hits it at certain angles (yes, the car is clean) that never appears on the 3M car. Also the F1 film has much more "orange peel" when view at an exteme angle (looking across the glass rather than through) that is also not apparent with the 3M. Don't get me wrong the F1 is nice but in my personal opinion with both cars side by side the 3M wins hands down. Also the 3m was $275.00 installed with moleskins vs 375.00 for the F1. If I had to do it over with the TL I would definately go 3M.

Hawhyen51

yendor, thanks for clarifying .... the term "optical distortion" is quite misleading and wasn't sure in what context you were referring to. BTW, I've never noticed "orange peel" on the F1.

AMIC

I'm still trying to decide what tint to get and this 3M stuff sounds like a good possibility. I asked the Mother's here for a quote and they told me $299. I'm gonna have to see if I can get them down to $275 which is what it sounds like everyone is getting.

MR1

Another vote for 3M. I had to go to their site and call to find distributers in my city. Well worth the trouble and the savings is just a bonus.

kray17

I just got a new 06 TL and it had "factory" tint on it, but it's not very dark... how would i find out what kind of tint is on it? and i take it someone would charge me extra to take it off and put new tint?

yendor

If it's the "factory" tint it is in the glass which is normal and your tinter will be able to just apply the tint. If tint needs to be removed it is usually around $75.00 to remove it.