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      06-07-2013, 12:00 PM   #1
1fastdoc
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Tint choices

Sorry for hitting a topic that may have been covered before but with new films and options coming out all the time, I've had a hard time finding much good info regarding the various, most recent tints.

The local place with the best rep installs mostly Madico Wincos ceramic (which from what I understand really isn't a true ceramic). They also sell some lesser stuff but this is what they recommend for best heat rejection. I'm familiar with the specs of the product.

There is also Huper Optic, Pinnacle, etc.

My M3 is Space Gray and I'm concerned with the Wincos because I keep hearing people refer to it's slightly blue hue. While heat rejection is very important, so is a neutral color. Clarity is the most important factor for me. I plan on around 20% all around but I also want to be able to see through it at night with ease.

Also, regarding ceramics, I've heard mixed stories regarding the Comfort Access feature of our cars. I won't care how good it looks if I have to actually pull my key out of my pocket every time.

So for those who have tinted their cars in the last year or so, what have you used and were there any issues?
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      06-07-2013, 12:18 PM   #2
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Madico ceramic 20% all around.

I have used Madico for years on several cars. No "blue hue" and no problem with comfort access.
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      06-07-2013, 12:59 PM   #3
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Pinnacle formula 1...awesome stuff
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      06-07-2013, 03:10 PM   #4
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Quote:
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Pinnacle formula 1...awesome stuff
+1
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      06-07-2013, 03:20 PM   #5
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Hyper Optic is the best but very pricey.
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      06-07-2013, 03:31 PM   #6
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3M for me. 20% on all windows 85% on windshield. No comfort access issues if that can happen.
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      06-07-2013, 03:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by okusa View Post
Hyper Optic is the best but very pricey.
That stuff^ is Tops, but it cost about $700 to $800 or more to tint a car with it.
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      06-07-2013, 03:50 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by okusa View Post
Hyper Optic is the best but very pricey.
Used this on my last 2 cars, very happy with it. And now isn't the time to try and go cheap on your $75K car.

As for comfort access issues, I do have it once and a while, less than 10% of the time I'd guess.
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      06-07-2013, 03:53 PM   #9
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3M 20% all around. Pretty good and not expensive.
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      06-07-2013, 03:54 PM   #10
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You are over thinking this. Its all the same stuff. Just go to a reputable place, pick the shade/% you want and call it a day.
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      06-07-2013, 05:58 PM   #11
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I used Prestige Photosync film on my wife's 328i. I got it down at Premier when they had a shop in Orange, but it has since closed. If I were to do it again, I would go with 3M Crystalline.

If neither of those are available for you then I would go Huper Optik.
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      06-07-2013, 06:17 PM   #12
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Have been using Johnson for couple years and im happy with it
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      06-07-2013, 06:48 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ibmike
Quote:
Originally Posted by okusa View Post
Hyper Optic is the best but very pricey.
That stuff^ is Tops, but it cost about $700 to $800 or more to tint a car with it.
not going to get into what film is best since everyone thinks that whatever film they have is the best.

what I can tell you is this. I have huper optik all around (including front windshield) and paid less than 600 for all of those items. excluding the windshield it would have been more like 400.

you just have to shop around.
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      06-07-2013, 07:07 PM   #14
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3M. No issues. But check your state law carefully (Google 'auto window tint laws') and this, of course, depends on how rigorously the laws are enforced. Also be aware that the windows come with a slight factory tint that is additive to the film's overall tint%. Oh and by all means do a search on this forum. There is a lot of very valuable information here. Good luck!
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      06-07-2013, 09:17 PM   #15
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I have Pinnacle F1 Ceramic 35 all around and love it. Heat rejection is great (especially when combined with the Air Blue 80 on the windshield), it doesn't interfere with Comfort Access, and it doesn't have any coloration. It's just a smokey black/gray, very OEM and natural-looking, not purple/orange/green like Huper and others. No experience with 3M so I can't comment on that.

And FYI 35% is dark enough for great heat rejection and an aesthetic improvement without being so dark that the tint draws attention to itself and pulls focus from the rest of the car's styling; it blends in and just looks like it belongs there.
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      06-07-2013, 09:29 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jphughan View Post
I have Pinnacle F1 Ceramic 35 all around and love it. Heat rejection is great (especially when combined with the Air Blue 80 on the windshield), it doesn't interfere with Comfort Access, and it doesn't have any coloration. It's just a smokey black/gray, very OEM and natural-looking, not purple/orange/green like Huper and others. No experience with 3M so I can't comment on that.

And FYI 35% is dark enough for great heat rejection and an aesthetic improvement without being so dark that the tint draws attention to itself and pulls focus from the rest of the car's styling; it blends in and just looks like it belongs there.
Im going to check this stuff out, all the shops in Michigan that where Huper dealers no longer carry it, they all(2,lol) told me No one bought it and it was to expensive to stock for no reason.
Like you where sayn, i really like the way the Ceramic looks with that smoky color, Ceramic of any kind is near impossible to find in Michigan tho.
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      06-07-2013, 09:34 PM   #17
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Using 3M 35% all around and couldn't be happier.
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      06-07-2013, 09:51 PM   #18
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I've used ForumulaOne Pinnacle 35 on my last two cars and liked it - quality tint that looked good; helped with heat/uv; and held up well over time. 35 is my legal limit but not at all too dark or hard to see at night. Not cheap though.
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      06-07-2013, 11:01 PM   #19
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3m and 35% all around and get compliments on look, very happy with my choice
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      06-07-2013, 11:08 PM   #20
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Llumar 30% ceramic on rear and side windows and Llumar Air Blue on front. Air blue is almost undetectable but it blocks a lot of heat.
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      06-07-2013, 11:19 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rabman5 View Post
Llumar 30% ceramic on rear and side windows and Llumar Air Blue on front. Air blue is almost undetectable but it blocks a lot of heat.
You get that done here in Michigan?
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      06-07-2013, 11:23 PM   #22
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You get that done here in Michigan?
Yessir.
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