window tint.......ceramic vs nano vs others

[DaveH]

any truth to how much better these other tints work compared to traditional Llumar films? big difference in price, and how do you know what you are even really getting?

 

[ltbaney1]

i had my windows tinted last year, they were pushing the ceramic big on the "heat blocking" I just kind of laughed and said I live in mission viejo, im not worried about blocking out 100+ temps. I just want the windows dark. went with some 3M film with a 10 year warranty at a fraction of ceramic and im happy.

another thing with ceramic, is if you wear polorized sunglasses the film can play hell on you. my old man had his windows and windshield ceramic tinted, and i cant ride in his truck with my sunglasses on. makes everything wavy. ive heard the same thing from a few people.

 

[Justsomeguy]

So i have ceramic and carbon and regular. Between regular and carbon there is definitely a difference. Beyond that. I think its snake oil

 

[FlyByWire]

Thake this for what it’s worth..

My oldest son worked for a very well known and trusted tint shop for several years. The owner has done all my cars and a couple of my houses. I asked him this very question and he said ceramic is absolutely not worth the extra money..

But there’s plenty of people that swear by it and will only get ceramic.

That said; I have the cheap shit on all my stuff and it’s been great.

 

[Cdog]

What's everyone paying for ceramic? I paid $400 mobile service in my garage for 15% all 4 windows with a brow on Leroy.

 

[braindead]

What's everyone paying for ceramic? I paid $400 mobile service in my garage for 15% all 4 windows with a brow on Leroy.

View attachment 1484921

I paid that much for a good shop in so cal to do just the front window and the brow on top

 

[TrollerDave]

any truth to how much better these other tints work compared to traditional Llumar films? big difference in price, and how do you know what you are even really getting?

Tint question

Have never been a big fan of tint as I've always felt like it's snake oil with some of the claims folks make about it's capabilities. However, after getting through my first summer with a new truck that has a panoramic sunroof and black leather interior, I'd like to try to keep the truck a...

www.riverdavesplace.com

My story from this thread -
On my old truck, I had the 3M, not sure if it was ceramic, but it was the higher end stuff and not super dark. It was difficult to see in from the outside and easy to see out, even at night. As far as the heat goes, It made a huge difference from no tint. Also after 15 years, the color didn’t fade like cheaper tint that turn a brown or purple color.

 

[EmpirE231]

What's everyone paying for ceramic? I paid $400 mobile service in my garage for 15% all 4 windows with a brow on Leroy.

View attachment 1484921

paid $500 for my truck all windows including windshield and around $750 for wifes tesla including windshield.

I was quoted something like $1500 from one of the higher end / known shops.... which I thought was crazy.... either that or I was lied to about our cars being ceramic

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Maybe a dumb question: Is this tint stuff replaceable? I can't see shit at night because of the tint. It's even on the windshield. It's old and scratched on the side windows.

Shitty 30 year old Ram headlights and tinted windows are a bad combo.

 

[TrollerDave]

Maybe a dumb question: Is this tint stuff replaceable? I can't see shit at night because of the tint. It's even on the windshield. It's old and scratched on the side windows.

Shitty 30 year old Ram headlights and tinted windows are a bad combo.

This video shows a couple different ways to do it and makes it look pretty simple.

 

[HBCraig]

I use ceramic to keep the heat out. I've taken all my vehicles to The Tint Pros

 

[bowtiejunkie]

any truth to how much better these other tints work compared to traditional Llumar films? big difference in price, and how do you know what you are even really getting?

To know what you're gettinr, either trust the shop is honest or personally verify the film and watch them install the stuff you paid for. The average customer probably couldn't tell a difference once installed. I know I couldn't. The price difference between non-ceramic and lower level ceramic wasn't too big, so I got the ceramic.

 

[eand28]

My truck I had all the windows + the windshield done with carbon back in 2021 for $400ish. Had ceramic done on my commuter back in October for $500. There is a somewhat noticeable difference in heat rejection.

 

[dezertrider]

3M Ceramic is GREAT!! I had it installed on my wifes car and my truck when we got them in 2016. Fast forwad to last year when we moved to Arizona the land of rocks. We both got chips and had to replace our windshield. It was very noticable right away. Cant touch the steering wheel with out Ceramic when getting in the car after its been in the sun. With Ceramic we never noticed the steering wheel being hot

I had it installed on my full size sun roof and itwork great

We couldnt find anyone in Havasu that would install 3M, Gatorwraps just told me they are doing tint again

 

[aftershock]

The tint rabbit hole is deep. A buddy of mine has a commercial tinting company and the general consensus is that quality tint the most important factor. Black truck? Its still going to be hot in your truck in 100+ weather regardless of ceramic or carbon tint. Have done my house windows in ceramic because he had scrap film laying around and it was night and day better vs no tint. It comes down to he heat block% (or IR rejection%) of the film, not so much ceramic vs carbon vs nano etc. Cheaper ceramic films of the same tint% have less heat block than higher quality carbon films. So, in other words, make sure the tint shop uses a quality film. They should have brochures of the film they use that tells you heat block and/or IR percentages.

 

[Runs2rch]

any truth to how much better these other tints work compared to traditional Llumar films? big difference in price, and how do you know what you are even really getting?

Out here Ceramic is worth it. Do the windshield also. Makes a huge difference knocking the heat down.

 

[Angler]

3M is all that is needed. It does last several years. My trucks is outside 24/7.
I wouldn't waste the money on ceramic, especially if the truck sits in the garage most of the time.

 

[TonyFanelli]

The shop that did my '72 F100 showed me three options and had a display with a heat lamp. I just wanted a 15% and seriously had no clue until I placed my hand in front of the three. The heat difference between the carbon and ceramic was an eye opener. I sprung the extra $ for the ceramic.

 

[17 10 Flat]

Live in Florida had ceramic installed all around (about $400) except windshield.

Big difference sitting in the sun.

 

[17 10 Flat]

The shop that did my '72 F100 showed me three options and had a display with a heat lamp. I just wanted a 15% and seriously had no clue until I placed my hand in front of the three. The heat difference between the carbon and ceramic was an eye opener. I sprung the extra $ for the ceramic.
View attachment 1485026

Nice truck by the way...