When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Some of you know that, in March, I picked up a Q50. What you don't know is that I've lived with NO TINT throughout the Texas Summer. How crazy am I? This was because I think tinting the windows will take away from the lines of the car; car being black, windows being black. Also, I like that you can see the red interior from the outside of the car. In comes the dilemma. I'm revisiting the idea of tinting my car because I now look like this.
I'm thinking that a quality clear tint will solve this dilemma. Thing is, technically clear tint still passes natural light, which means that the cabin could still heat up while parked in the sun for long periods of time. Thankfully, I park in a garage at work. I also park in the garage at home so the car being parked outside for long periods of time are few between. Anyway, I would still like to get tint to block the heat of the sun rays. Anyone have any experience with clear tint? Oh btw, I won't be getting my windshield done if I do decide to get clear tint.
I know what you’re saying about dark tint on a black car, but what about a light tint, smoke vs limo. I didn’t even know they made clear. Seems pointless. I’d assume the glass already has some sort of UV protection built in, but maybe not?
I know what you’re saying about dark tint on a black car, but what about a light tint, smoke vs limo. I didn’t even know they made clear. Seems pointless. I’d assume the glass already has some sort of UV protection built in, but maybe not?
Dark tint / smoked, I think it'll still have the same effect. Yes, clear tint is a thing. You can get it in a range of UV protection just like black tint. Auto glass does have some UV protection but not much.
Some of you know that, in March, I picked up a Q50. What you don't know is that I've lived with NO TINT throughout the Texas Summer. How crazy am I? This was because I think tinting the windows will take away from the lines of the car; car being black, windows being black. Also, I like that you can see the red interior from the outside of the car. In comes the dilemma. I'm revisiting the idea of tinting my car because I now look like this.
I'm thinking that a quality clear tint will solve this dilemma. Thing is, technically clear tint still passes natural light, which means that the cabin could still heat up while parked in the sun for long periods of time. Thankfully, I park in a garage at work. I also park in the garage at home so the car being parked outside for long periods of time are few between. Anyway, I would still like to get tint to block the heat of the sun rays. Anyone have any experience with clear tint? Oh btw, I won't be getting my windshield done if I do decide to get clear tint.
FWIW: You may want to check out ( 3M Automotive Window Film Crystalline Series ) My experience with this tint, applied to my windshield, 2003 TLS, is totally positive. I can drive into direct, morning or evening sun light, without having to lower the sun visor! "
A clear breakthrough in automotive window films. The Crystalline Series rejects more heat than many dark films without changing the appearance of your vehicle, making it the superior choice for comfort.
Light tint rejects up to 60% of solar energy and up to 97% of heat-producing infrared rays for the ultimate in comfort.
Designed to enhance your view by allowing visible light into your vehicle while keeping heat out, so you can see clearly and safely.
Non-metallized window film lets you stay connected with mobile devices, GPS or satellite radio reception without interference.
Blocks up to 99% of ultraviolet (UV) light to provide a total Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 1000 for you and your passengers.
Sold and installed by 3M Authorized Dealer Installers, our films are durable, virtually maintenance-free and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
The Crystalline Series features a proprietary, multilayer optical film nano-technology that combines over 200 layers in a film that is thinner than a Post-it® Note. Improving comfort, protecting vehicle interiors and blocking UV rays are hallmarks of 3M™ Automotive Window Films. 3M was issued the first sun control window film patent in 1966, and our innovative window film products have helped provide protection from the sun’s harmful rays for 50 years. NOTE: Auto tint laws vary by state or province. Please check your local laws or ask your dealer installer for films that meet your local tint laws.
I LOVE THIS STUFF. IT'S NOT CHEAP, $200 - $250 for W/S alone, but it does what they claim it will do! 1 added benefit, oncoming headlight glare reduction, at night.
FWIW: You may want to check out ( 3M Automotive Window Film Crystalline Series ) My experience with this tint, applied to my windshield, 2003 TLS, is totally positive. I can drive into direct, morning or evening sun light, without having to lower the sun visor! "
A clear breakthrough in automotive window films. The Crystalline Series rejects more heat than many dark films without changing the appearance of your vehicle, making it the superior choice for comfort.
Light tint rejects up to 60% of solar energy and up to 97% of heat-producing infrared rays for the ultimate in comfort.
Designed to enhance your view by allowing visible light into your vehicle while keeping heat out, so you can see clearly and safely.
Non-metallized window film lets you stay connected with mobile devices, GPS or satellite radio reception without interference.
Blocks up to 99% of ultraviolet (UV) light to provide a total Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 1000 for you and your passengers.
Sold and installed by 3M Authorized Dealer Installers, our films are durable, virtually maintenance-free and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
The Crystalline Series features a proprietary, multilayer optical film nano-technology that combines over 200 layers in a film that is thinner than a Post-it® Note. Improving comfort, protecting vehicle interiors and blocking UV rays are hallmarks of 3M™ Automotive Window Films. 3M was issued the first sun control window film patent in 1966, and our innovative window film products have helped provide protection from the sun’s harmful rays for 50 years. NOTE: Auto tint laws vary by state or province. Please check your local laws or ask your dealer installer for films that meet your local tint laws.
I LOVE THIS STUFF. IT'S NOT CHEAP, $200 - $250 for W/S alone, but it does what they claim it will do! 1 added benefit, oncoming headlight glare reduction, at night.
Originally Posted by oonowindoo
yah Crystalline is the shit... in any %.
if you dont mind spending 1000 on tintz, then Cyrstalline is the way to go...
But i personally love dark tintz on black cars... you cant see the lines of black cars anyways.... so.... stealth mean look is what i like.
I can add another positive opinion for 3M crystalline. My side and rear windows are all ceramic tint, but my windshield is 3M crystalline. Worth every penny, especially on the windshield.
if you want some protection but not take away from the contrast of the black car to black windows, i would at least do 50% tint... with a dark interior it will look like 35% and with a light interior it will look like 70%... especially if you have the moonroof shade open...
on the Vagon, it has small windows... i did 35% on the front and they look almost equal to the 20% i have in the rears even with a light grey interior... if you want to see what 50% tint looks like, i'll take a picture of my windshield this afternoon...
The fishbowl look is awful. A light tint won't detract from the lines of the car - they are mostly on the body side panels anyway. Just go with a light tint as suggested.
if you want some protection but not take away from the contrast of the black car to black windows, i would at least do 50% tint... with a dark interior it will look like 35% and with a light interior it will look like 70%... especially if you have the moonroof shade open...
on the Vagon, it has small windows... i did 35% on the front and they look almost equal to the 20% i have in the rears even with a light grey interior... if you want to see what 50% tint looks like, i'll take a picture of my windshield this afternoon...
The darkeness of the tint does not reflect the quality of the tint or its UVA and UVB rejection. You might want to look at Huper Optik tints. At 70 percent, it will appear stock, but has high UV rejection and cooling properties. Dont' forget to tint your sunroof if you have one.
Got the car tinted this morning and then went for a ride at high noon to test its effectiveness. Works like magic! An almost transparent tint that noticeably blocks heat. Works as advertised. The cool thing is that I still have close to normal visibility as well. The tint I went with is the SunTek CXP80. You can review its properties here. Now I wait for the next 2-3 days for the film to settle. Thanks to all who chimed in!
I need to do this with the wife's car. She doesn't like dark tint and is nervous about getting pulled over for it (because she was in one of my cars, once lol) And two weak points about BMW is their windows don't feel or seem as UV resistant as other makes, and their AC units aren't as good.
I need to do this with the wife's car. She doesn't like dark tint and is nervous about getting pulled over for it (because she was in one of my cars, once lol) And two weak points about BMW is their windows don't feel or seem as UV resistant as other makes, and their AC units aren't as good.
I don't know if it is the same now, but when we had our 07 X3 Sport the glass was called "privacy glass". It wasn't designed for UV protection from what I understand. It also wasn't dark enough to be called privacy glass either.
I don't know if it is the same now, but when we had our 07 X3 Sport the glass was called "privacy glass". It wasn't designed for UV protection from what I understand. It also wasn't dark enough to be called privacy glass either.
I need to do this with the wife's car. She doesn't like dark tint and is nervous about getting pulled over for it (because she was in one of my cars, once lol) And two weak points about BMW is their windows don't feel or seem as UV resistant as other makes, and their AC units aren't as good.
MY AC is cold as fuck, too cold IMO, maybe because you didnt get the 6 cylinders
Just get the lightest shade of Cyrstalline.... best shit ever.
I can give another endorsement for 3M Crystalline. I have it on my TLX. I think they even make a 90% version which is practically clear. I've used Huper Optik as well and that is good stuff to. In this part of Texas you need good tint. I also have my windshield tinted with 80% ceramic. Not 3M because I felt the 90% was too light.
I never heard of clear tint before reading this thread but have to agree with a couple of posts saying black lines on a black car pretty much don't exist really (except in bright direct sunlight) usually. Dark tint on a black car looks to me.
yeah...id say its the same
to me.
My 65hp 4cyl diesel had the best A/C of all the cars I've owned.
