Window Tint Question

Looking to do tint on my new 19 double cab. What brand is best and is ceramic really worth it?
If I were to just do the front to match the rear, what brand has the best match (color wise) and what percentage? 20%?
Say I do the whole truck what's the best percentage to get the rears to match the front? (10% front, 20% rear?
Also want to do the top of the windshield.

Let me know, post some pics of your tint.

 

It took me forever to find a place in socal that was under the $600-$500 I kept getting quoted.....that was to do all four doors, back window and sun roof.

I went with the mid grade 3m film, I don't think it was the ceramic.
Limo on the rear doors, sunroof and rear window, and I think two shades lighter on the front doors.

It came with the back glass tinted but I like it as dark as possible and also wanted to maintain a difference between the front and rear doors....otherwise I would have gone limo all over.
I guess it would have still been a difference if I did limo all over but I wanted to be semi legal.

When I was there I decided to do the front windshield and I think it was a mid shade 3m crystaline....that was the top of the line film that rejects IR. Of course a week later I got a chip in the front windshield and thankfully it was repairable!

factory...

Limo rears, lighter front, & even lighter on windshield

 

I got the 3M.....was expensive.....windshield, front and rear with back window.....~625......ill look to see what level.....but it really looks good and cuts down heat.......wjen i wear mu glasses that are transitions, they don't do anything when i get inside.and change when I get out so i know it works.....in SoCal got to be careful because you can't do windshield unless it is clear......mine is darker but you can't really tell....but i bet a CHP would...hehehe

 

I tint for a living, feel free to PM me if you want and we can discuss these things. everybody has different opinions/values on what matters most to them.

 

I did 18% all around, plus 65% on the whole windshield just for some UV protection. 425$ ceramic film, lifetime warranty.

 

I to wanted all 5 windows to match. I told him I wanted 20% on the front 2 and match the back 3 which have privacy glass to match the front. Tint guy has over 35 years experience so he knew what tint % to use on the back 3. He put 35% on the back 3 and 20% on the front 2. Afterwards he put the meter on them and all 5 read 14% VLT, (visible light transmission.) Just the look I wanted.

 

yup, that's what we do in our shop all the time. unless they just want the 2 front ones done.

 

I went with llumar ceramic. Used their pinnacle f1 film on all the doors and rear and their ceramic air blue 80 on the whole windshield. I think it was a touch over $500, but includes full lifetime warranty .

 

Is it just me that is in shock that people are paying $600 for Windows. My guy charges me $185 for 5 windows and has for years. Are other people paying $500+

 

Your guy is probably using cheap stuff

 

It's 3m. It's a pro shop and they do really good work which is why I'm surprised.

 

I hear you. The tint guy I use charged me $175. And it is not that he uses cheap tint. The guy has been doing tint in buildings and cars/trucks since he was in grade school. Started with his uncle. The guy guarantees his work as well as the tint no matter if you choose to go illegal with the tint %. One guy quoted me $260 for the same work.

The guys that charge big bucks do so because they know most people will not look around to save a couple hundred.

Look at those reviews... 5 stars across the board.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=clearview+tinting+effingham+il

 

I think since I've been going to him since 97 he's just giving me a friendly discount . I haven't seen a quote from anyone else in a long time . Inflation is a wretched whore. Stick with your guy if you like the work. The good ones will thank you for it.

 

The good 3M stuff is crystalline. Is that the film he is using? They get like $700 for a full truck here which does include full windshield.

 

Top is before, bottom is after.

I went with 20% all around. The fronts are noticeably more see through but still dark enough for my liking. I think 20% is the sweet spot with not going too light or dark. They used 3M tint all around, non ceramic. They didn’t do the windshield as that seemed a little excessive to me, especially for night time driving. Ran me $200 flat and it has a lifetime warranty.
For matching the rear you want 35%.

 

No it's not crystalline. I don't tint my windshield .

 

most guys I’ve talked to charge around $250-275 for just windshield

Got mine done at Temecula Auto Glass for $650 on 15 Aug 16, 9 days after I got truck.....It is 40% rear, 50% back doors and 70% front doors and windshield....It is 3M Crystalline.....He charged $400 and @250 for the windshield......great job and heat really less than without tint......Would I have them do it again....you bet...the 3M crystalline material is excellent...no radio interference and cut down IR because my glasses dont change color in transition......good stuff

 

I was about to day, I'll drive to where you are to get it done when we pick up the new 4runner lol.

 

I got a friend who I grew up with who does automotive and commercial tinting.

I got 20% on my driver and passenger windows and 12% around the rest of the truck. Nothing on the windshield though I wish I did go with something mild. I paid $175 for the above and based on how my other vehicles have held up its not crap. I also gave him a lot of commercial work at the business I help run, so I know my most recent price point factors that in.

 

So this is the stuff I should ask the place I got quoted if they use? Is it a 3m ceramic line? I know they use 3m and they have a ceramic option. I’m thinking of just going to do the 2 front windows to fix a tear I made in the passenger side and just upgrade to the ceramic instead of the dealer installed front tint.

Any one know the best percentage for front windows to match as closely to the rear/back factory tint? I seen mentioned above the best percentage for tinting all windows but not the closest match for just the front