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      07-11-2019, 05:01 PM   #309
55parallelM3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zohaibkhawaja View Post
Looks great. Would love to see some pics of 25% directly from the side and 15% from directly behind.
Better?
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      07-11-2019, 05:44 PM   #310
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zohaibkhawaja View Post
Looks great. Would love to see some pics of 25% directly from the side and 15% from directly behind.
Better?
Awesome thanks. 25% looks lighter than I thought. Maybe it's just the contrast against the 15% behind it.
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      07-11-2019, 09:08 PM   #311
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zohaibkhawaja View Post
Awesome thanks. 25% looks lighter than I thought. Maybe it's just the contrast against the 15% behind it.
Yeah it does seem kinda lighter than you'd expect, the sun was shining right on it too. I don't mind it, it gives me a respectable amount of privacy/less to see for the crackheads, and is less likely to attract the fuzz lol.
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      07-12-2019, 09:34 PM   #312
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneknightr View Post
Thoughts after a few days:
  1. HUD: We all know that wearing polarized sunglasses makes the HUD hard to see (which I hated). After tinting the windshield, the HUD is clear as day when wearing my polarized sunglasses. That was a nice surprise.
  2. All the bubbles are gone, which is a relief. Tint around dot matrix is meh, but I've read in other threads that it's a lot of work to get a clean application around them.
  3. While I love the tint, I'm having some slight regret about playing it safe. I kind of wish I went a shade darker (CR60 all around with CR70 on the windshield).

This weekend is going to be hot and sunny and we're driving up to Napa on Saturday. It'll be the first test to see if the UV and heat reduction work.
CR60 is still not going to be satisfying for you lol. Cops in California don't usually pull people over until it's about 35% (Actual VLT) or lower in the two front doors. From my experience and observations, you can drop down to about 35%-40% for the two front doors and you should be good mind you not driving "passionately".

I had a few of my friends get pulled over (FOR TINT ALONE) at 20% (Actual of 20-28% VLT).

So future reference, my recommended tint % for California would be 35-40% (actual VLT %) Two Front Doors, Rear Half 20-30%, Front Windshield 70-80% (50-60% if it's not 3M Crystalline). 50-60% 3M Crystalline has a brown hue and is obvious.

With 35%-40% front and rear being darker, it gives it a nice fade. Also, this allows you to run cheaper tint in the rear since you don't sit in the rear. Ceramic front and with the rear with semi-metallic or nano carbon.

Also -- if you don't run a front plate, that's another reason to get pulled. So you don't want dark tint AND no front plate. That is like a higher risk.
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      07-12-2019, 11:31 PM   #313
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneknightr View Post
Thoughts after a few days:

HUD: We all know that wearing polarized sunglasses makes the HUD hard to see (which I hated). After tinting the windshield, the HUD is clear as day when wearing my polarized sunglasses. That was a nice surprise.
Ooohh.. I wonder if it would be very noticeable having just a 8*11" piece over where the HUD projects just so polarized glasses can be used
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      07-13-2019, 01:25 AM   #314
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3M 20% CS all around
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      07-13-2019, 09:50 AM   #315
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Originally Posted by danchee View Post
Ooohh.. I wonder if it would be very noticeable having just a 8*11" piece over where the HUD projects just so polarized glasses can be used
I don’t think so. It didn’t make a difference for me.
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      07-13-2019, 11:29 AM   #316
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Originally Posted by N1rve View Post
I don’t think so. It didn’t make a difference for me.
Maybe the tint has polarizing elements to it and the rotation on his made it possible to see it. I know if I turn my head, the HUD shows up but driving with head turned/tilted 50 degrees gets tired
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      07-13-2019, 03:28 PM   #317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danchee View Post
Maybe the tint has polarizing elements to it and the rotation on his made it possible to see it. I know if I turn my head, the HUD shows up but driving with head turned/tilted 50 degrees gets tired
You can always try it lol. But I would rather just tint the entire windshield if I were you instead of a piece. You'll at least benefit from the heat rejection and UV ray blocking.
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      07-14-2019, 10:09 AM   #318
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My luck with LE is pretty bad when it comes to front tint. So far it's 2 for 2 getting ticketed whenever I tint the front
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      07-15-2019, 11:35 AM   #319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by N1rve View Post
CR60 is still not going to be satisfying for you lol. Cops in California don't usually pull people over until it's about 35% (Actual VLT) or lower in the two front doors. From my experience and observations, you can drop down to about 35%-40% for the two front doors and you should be good mind you not driving "passionately".

I had a few of my friends get pulled over (FOR TINT ALONE) at 20% (Actual of 20-28% VLT).

So future reference, my recommended tint % for California would be 35-40% (actual VLT %) Two Front Doors, Rear Half 20-30%, Front Windshield 70-80% (50-60% if it's not 3M Crystalline). 50-60% 3M Crystalline has a brown hue and is obvious.

With 35%-40% front and rear being darker, it gives it a nice fade. Also, this allows you to run cheaper tint in the rear since you don't sit in the rear. Ceramic front and with the rear with semi-metallic or nano carbon.

Also -- if you don't run a front plate, that's another reason to get pulled. So you don't want dark tint AND no front plate. That is like a higher risk.
Thanks for the additional insight! We don't have a front plate on but I bought the Sto n Sho (plate in trunk) just in case we ever get pulled over. For now, I'm going to stick with what I have. I don't want to spend another $800 just to redo everything.

With that said, it was 80+ degrees in wine country on Saturday and the 3M and Llumar tint worked wonderfully. Direct sun on our legs and arms was fine and our black leather interior was just warm to the touch even when parked in full sun. Well worth the money for those on the fence!

Quote:
Originally Posted by danchee View Post
My luck with LE is pretty bad when it comes to front tint. So far it's 2 for 2 getting ticketed whenever I tint the front
How dark was your windshield tint and what brand?

Quote:
Originally Posted by danchee View Post
Ooohh.. I wonder if it would be very noticeable having just a 8*11" piece over where the HUD projects just so polarized glasses can be used
That would look so odd if you did that. Like N1rve suggested, just tint the entire windshield and you'll be happy.
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      07-15-2019, 12:09 PM   #320
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneknightr View Post

How dark was your windshield tint and what brand?
It was a very light 3M. Don't remember the exact model as I quit doing it years ago. Problem is WA state doesn't allow tint other than 6 inches at the top.

It's no big deal, just have to wear non polarized to see the HUD.
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      07-16-2019, 10:01 AM   #321
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      07-19-2019, 12:27 PM   #322
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I need to tint my car, no clue where to start. It's hot as hell here in Atlanta, and my car bakes all day outside at work.
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      07-19-2019, 12:47 PM   #323
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Originally Posted by mindspin311 View Post
I need to tint my car, no clue where to start. It's hot as hell here in Atlanta, and my car bakes all day outside at work.
Definitely do ceramic. Llumar Formula One Pinnacle is the way to go imo. 3M Crystalline is the best but much more expensive.
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      07-20-2019, 10:10 AM   #324
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Dropped the car off today to have 40% crystalline installed on 5 windows and 70% on the windshield.

As some have mentioned, the crystalline 40% has a bit of a green/gold tint compared to many films that are more blue/black. Interestingly, the 70% has that traditional blue/black hue, so the sides and windshield don't match well. The mismatch was quite apparent from a front 3/4 view when he put some samples on the car.

I ended up going with 35% 3M color stable for the sides/back and 70% crystalline on the windshield because the colors and appearance matched more closely. Total cost was $300 less as well.
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      07-20-2019, 10:42 AM   #325
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Racer20 View Post
Dropped the car off today to have 40% crystalline installed on 5 windows and 70% on the windshield.

As some have mentioned, the crystalline 40% has a bit of a green/gold tint compared to many films that are more blue/black. Interestingly, the 70% has that traditional blue/black hue, so the sides and windshield don't match well. The mismatch was quite apparent from a front 3/4 view when he put some samples on the car.

I ended up going with 35% 3M color stable for the sides/back and 70% crystalline on the windshield because the colors and appearance matched more closely. Total cost was $300 less as well.
I have used 3M Colorstable in the past prior to switching to Formula One Pinnacle. It doesn't have the greatest heat rejection but is a good film nonetheless. Would love to see some pics of your setup.
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      07-20-2019, 02:32 PM   #326
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mindspin311 View Post
I need to tint my car, no clue where to start. It's hot as hell here in Atlanta, and my car bakes all day outside at work.
I would suggest one of the following:

Llumar FormulaOne Pinnacle
Llumar FormulaOne Stratos
3M Crystalline
Prestige Films Photosync

Any of these films will perform incredibly well with the heat in Atlanta. I've had 2 of the 4 I listed and they were solid. What you don't want is a budget film. Go for a ceramic or hybrid film.
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      07-29-2019, 02:23 PM   #327
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clark_Kent View Post
I would suggest one of the following:

Llumar FormulaOne Pinnacle
Llumar FormulaOne Stratos
3M Crystalline
Prestige Films Photosync

Any of these films will perform incredibly well with the heat in Atlanta. I've had 2 of the 4 I listed and they were solid. What you don't want is a budget film. Go for a ceramic or hybrid film.
Was quoted $600 for Llumar Pinnacle, including the windshield. Seems fair?
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      07-29-2019, 03:06 PM   #328
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Originally Posted by mindspin311 View Post
Was quoted $600 for Llumar Pinnacle, including the windshield. Seems fair?
Yeah, that's a fair price. Tint shop around is $575 for the full car plus full windshield.
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      07-29-2019, 03:08 PM   #329
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zohaibkhawaja View Post
I have used 3M Colorstable in the past prior to switching to Formula One Pinnacle. It doesn't have the greatest heat rejection but is a good film nonetheless. Would love to see some pics of your setup.
I agree, I don't like 3M CS. There are films that out perform it that are the same cost. I would skip anything 3M IMO, there are better films out there with better heat rejection properties.

Llumar or Suntek in my book.
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      07-29-2019, 04:14 PM   #330
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mindspin311 View Post
Was quoted $600 for Llumar Pinnacle, including the windshield. Seems fair?
I'm not sure I can answer that question but that's about what they're charging in the Atlanta metro area. I would advise against putting Llumar Pinnacle on the windshield. I suggest Llumar Air 80 or Air 90 or Crystalline 70 or 90 on the windshield.

If you have not seen the films in person I suggest seeing them in person first before throwing down that kind of money. Visit the shop, look at the installer's work and see if you can sit in a vehicle that has the film you're interested in.
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