Best brand for window tint?

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by Bullitt

3M seems superior! The odd thing is, I've read many recommendations for Huper Optik, although it offers only a 10-year warranty. There must be something better that Huper Optik has over 3M. Hearing about the problem with polarized eyewear is a let-down though. Formula One and Solar Gard provide lifetime warranties. How is 3M's warranty? If anyone knows, is it free of the polarized problem?

I have serengeti sunglasses but I'm not sure they're polarized. I plan to have the 3M tint installed this week if I can sneak out of work at lunch.

Edit: I just called.. Atlantic Shorline in VA beach does not carry the crystalline line of 3M film! They carry Vcool and colorstable cs. I need to do research on them.

Here's a comparison of 3M color-Stable vs. 3M Crystalline:

3M™ Color-Stable Automotive Window Films CS-35
38% Visible light transmitted
39% Total solar energy rejected (3M Crystalline 40: 59%)
40% Infrared rejected (3M Crystalline 40: 97%)
99% UV light rejected
7% Visible light reflected
57% Glare reduction
26% Solar heat reduction (3M Crystalline 40: 50%)

3M™ Color-Stable Automotive Window Films CS-50
51% Visible light transmitted
37% Total solar energy rejected (3M Crystalline 50: 56%)
30% Infrared rejected (3M Crystalline 50: 97%)
99% UV light rejected
8% Visible light reflected
42% Glare reduction
18% Solar heat reduction (3M Crystalline 50: 46%)

I won't have film installed at Atlantic Shoreline..

Update: I'm scheduled to have Huper Optik installed in Richmond this week! $350 + $50 for the moonroof = $400. He can get 3M Crystalline film but doesn't keep it in stock.

[natedog_1959]

Llumar 5% on my SVTF for the last 3.5 years. Looks as good as the day it was installed. Cuts out all the glare at night from the rear and keeps the car a bit cooler. Nate

[Bullitt]

^^ Isn't Llumar metallic based?

EDIT: To answer my question: No, Llumar has something called Axcess which is ceramic based.

[crzy4135i]

Originally Posted by Bullitt

^^ Isn't Llumar metallic based?

Someone needs to add the specs of all window film to one thread. I did research and posted data for the films available in my area. It does bother me that I'm having huper optic installed today knowing full well 3M crystalline performs slightly better.

[crzy4135i]

Update: I had the huper optik film installed today! Thanks goes out to "OzF16" for recommending the shop in Richmond.

Solar Eclipse
7438 Brandy Creek Drive
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
804 559-8998

Here's the post with pics:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...395#post176395

[Bullitt]

Came across V-KOOL. Looks like it is the true champ of high performance tints. It's properties are superior to 3M's new Crystalline tint. It also doesn't hurt to know that V-KOOL was chosen as one of the top 100 inventions of the past millenium by Popular Science and is used by NASA and the US Airforce. Here are the specs:

V-KOOL Clear 40 (vs. 3M Crystalline 40)
42.8% Visible light transmitted
64.5% Total solar energy rejected (vs. 59%)
98.3% Infrared rejected (vs. 97%)
>99% UV light rejected
10.3% Visible light reflected (vs. 7%)
?? Glare reduction (vs. 56%)
?? 79.3%* Solar heat reduction (vs. 50%)

*sum of TSR and TSA below; my guess only

Other specs:
20.6% Total Solar Transmission
25.7% Total Solar Reflectance
53.6% Total Solar Absorption
0.35 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
0.42 Shading Coefficient

http://vkool.publishpath.com/window-film-specifications

[RobLS]

Originally Posted by Bullitt

Came across V-KOOL. Looks like it is the true champ of high performance tints. It's properties are superior to 3M's new Crystalline tint. It also doesn't hurt to know that V-KOOL was chosen as one of the top 100 inventions of the past millenium by Popular Science and is used by NASA and the US Airforce. Here are the specs:

V-KOOL Clear 40 (vs. 3M Crystalline 40)
42.8% Visible light transmitted
64.5% Total solar energy rejected (vs. 59%)
98.3% Infrared rejected (vs. 97%)
>99% UV light rejected
10.3% Visible light reflected (vs. 7%)
?? Glare reduction (vs. 56%)
?? 79.3%* Solar heat reduction (vs. 50%)

*sum of TSR and TSA below; my guess only

Other specs:
20.6% Total Solar Transmission
25.7% Total Solar Reflectance
53.6% Total Solar Absorption
0.35 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
0.42 Shading Coefficient

http://vkool.publishpath.com/window-film-specifications

I also found that V-Kool has a “spectrally-selective” metallic coating.

[WishBone33]

So since V-Kool has "spectrally-selective" metallic coating........ does that mean its not good for our cars? really confused about the whole tinting thing now.

[Bullitt]

^ Yes, the only drawback of V-Kool is interference with radio waves.

[john970]

V-Kool is metallic, hence the superiority of crystalline (and the name...). I don't think 2-3% either way is noticeable, but killing my cell phone / CA signal is...

[WishBone33]

what about a carbon based tint? think its ok??