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      10-10-2016, 08:19 PM   #1
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Car tint %

I'm planning on getting the BSM and was curious what tint % looks best for the car. I live in vegas so it obviously uncomfortably hot out here. From what I know you can tint the back and quarter panels any % you like. However the front doors are recommended at 35% but can get away with 15 -20%. I would like the car to be tinted dark but at the same time not too dark so that the tint matches well with each other. If I'm gonna tint the front windshield it would be lighter than the doors. I'm contemplating if I should tint the same % all around except for the windshield or have the back and quarter panels darker. Then doors just a lil lighter and windshield lighter even more. Also planning on going with LLumar as a possiblity and was told LLumar created suntek. Any opinions on that also?
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      10-10-2016, 08:32 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCHOI
I'm planning on getting the BSM and was curious what tint % looks best for the car. I live in vegas so it obviously uncomfortably hot out here. From what I know you can tint the back and quarter panels any % you like. However the front doors are recommended at 35% but can get away with 15 -20%. I would like the car to be tinted dark but at the same time not too dark so that the tint matches well with each other. If I'm gonna tint the front windshield it would be lighter than the doors. I'm contemplating if I should tint the same % all around except for the windshield or have the back and quarter panels darker. Then doors just a lil lighter and windshield lighter even more. Also planning on going with LLumar as a possiblity and was told LLumar created suntek. Any opinions on that also?
LLumar CTX 15 on the sides and back.

LLumar ATR 50 in the front.

Place I took it has tinted all my current cars and he recommended this film since LLumar has another type which sometimes interferes with the Comfort Access. Happy with how it looks and car is always cool inside.

Might seem a bit dark but 90% of the time I am cruising windows down to hear the cars exhaust.
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      10-11-2016, 02:22 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EL BAN View Post
LLumar CTX 15 on the sides and back.

LLumar ATR 50 in the front.

Place I took it has tinted all my current cars and he recommended this film since LLumar has another type which sometimes interferes with the Comfort Access. Happy with how it looks and car is always cool inside.

Might seem a bit dark but 90% of the time I am cruising windows down to hear the cars exhaust.

I'm gonna go to a tint shop to have them measure my current tint on my car since I forgot the % so I can gauge better to see what I would like. The BMW dealership actually does Window tinting and offers suntek but forgot to ask what grade. Did you think about doing PPF too?
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      10-11-2016, 06:31 AM   #4
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Its done, same day I picked up from the Performance Center, did XPEL Ultimate

Got couple pics in my thread, check the link on my signature.. wanted to do it before doing the trip back from SC so did it close to the Performance Center.
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      10-11-2016, 07:08 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EL BAN View Post
Its done, same day I picked up from the Performance Center, did XPEL Ultimate

Got couple pics in my thread, check the link on my signature.. wanted to do it before doing the trip back from SC so did it close to the Performance Center.
I can't believe I didn't notice that was your thread the whole time. lol..nice thread tho.
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      10-11-2016, 07:09 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCHOI
Quote:
Originally Posted by EL BAN View Post
Its done, same day I picked up from the Performance Center, did XPEL Ultimate

Got couple pics in my thread, check the link on my signature.. wanted to do it before doing the trip back from SC so did it close to the Performance Center.
I can't believe I didn't notice that was your thread the whole time. lol..nice thread tho.
Thanks! When does your car arrive?
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      10-11-2016, 07:16 AM   #7
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Thanks! You when does your car arrive?

Hopefully by next spring at the latest. I've been posting my updates on the allocations and waiting list thread to see if other people have updates as well. I'm currently #2 in 047 status waiting to get an allocation. I'm not sure if my dealership will be getting anymore for the remaining of the year. If not I should be getting it early next year.
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      10-11-2016, 07:18 AM   #8
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Oh the anxiety of the wait game!
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      10-20-2016, 11:20 AM   #9
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I'm on the other side of the spectrum with 35% all around.
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      10-20-2016, 11:57 AM   #10
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Here is some good information, see post #25...

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...1305484&page=2

I got into it a bit w/two of the F80 guys but one actually provided some helpful information.

Living in the desert like you do you will want an film w/high IR rejection, which will also allow you to go lighter if you chose. Personally, I would not go any darker than 20%, read: IMHO 5% is plain crazy. Avoid anything w/metal or ceramic in it.

The best choices "seem" to be in no particular order...
  • 3M Crystalline
  • LLumnar CTX
  • Spectra Photosync Tint
  • Suntek CPX
  • Wincos IR

Might want to also read up on FormulaOne Pinnacle not sure which version. I didn't research it but it kept coming up as an option.

I ended up going w/45% Suntek CPX side and back b/c I wanted to use a particular installer. I have also read but not confirmed that the 3M Crystalline issue has been resolved and the color is now between the glass and film.

Lastly, Eastman (as in Kodak) owns three of these brands, I think they are Suntek, LLumnar and FormulaOne but double check that.
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      10-21-2016, 01:12 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omasou View Post
Here is some good information, see post #25...

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...1305484&page=2

I got into it a bit w/two of the F80 guys but one actually provided some helpful information.

Living in the desert like you do you will want an film w/high IR rejection, which will also allow you to go lighter if you chose. Personally, I would not go any darker than 20%, read: IMHO 5% is plain crazy. Avoid anything w/metal or ceramic in it.

The best choices "seem" to be in no particular order...
  • 3M Crystalline
  • LLumnar CTX
  • Spectra Photosync Tint
  • Suntek CPX
  • Wincos IR

Might want to also read up on FormulaOne Pinnacle not sure which version. I didn't research it but it kept coming up as an option.

I ended up going w/45% Suntek CPX side and back b/c I wanted to use a particular installer. I have also read but not confirmed that the 3M Crystalline issue has been resolved and the color is now between the glass and film.

Lastly, Eastman (as in Kodak) owns three of these brands, I think they are Suntek, LLumnar and FormulaOne but double check that.


Thanks for the input. I've actually broken down to 3 choices I have in town. Formula 1 and Huper optik each has 1 authorized dealer in town. The other one is lummar ctx. I want to get forumula 1 but this shop doesn't offer a low enough tint % for me. The lowest they have is 35% and their reason is because of the law. I agree that I wouldn't want to go lower than 20% either. I'm planning on going to the Huper optik shop just to see what they have to offer and how those films look on the car. Based on my reseach Huper optik is the top of the line you can get and it's gonna cost the most. I would be satisfied just getting lummar ctx for a reasonable price if I don't go with the other 2.
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      10-21-2016, 11:15 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCHOI View Post
Thanks for the input. I've actually broken down to 3 choices I have in town. Formula 1 and Huper optik each has 1 authorized dealer in town. The other one is lummar ctx. I want to get forumula 1 but this shop doesn't offer a low enough tint % for me. The lowest they have is 35% and their reason is because of the law. I agree that I wouldn't want to go lower than 20% either. I'm planning on going to the Huper optik shop just to see what they have to offer and how those films look on the car. Based on my reseach Huper optik is the top of the line you can get and it's gonna cost the most. I would be satisfied just getting lummar ctx for a reasonable price if I don't go with the other 2.
Huper Optix is a quality film and requires an equally experienced installer. My understanding is they do not make a dedicated auto film, which is why it is so thick and requires experience to install. This was my first choice but I backed away b/c of potential CA issues.

Huper Optix offers three levels of film...HO Xtreme (a dyed film), HO Ceramic (what I wanted) or HO Select (a metal film). Xtreme is their low end, Ceramic some people have had problems and others not, Select is their top of the line but has ceramic (have not confirmed) and metal in it. I did find one recent install of Select where the fellow said he did not have a problem.

I called HO tech support and they recommended that I use their Autobahn Performa, which is an IR film. HO owns Autobahn and other than Performa the other Autobahn films are rebranded HO films.

FYI, if you do choose a ceramic the darker you go the more potential for interference. Some people with 35% said they did not have a problem but also did not say which HO film they used. The HO Select guy used 35% and said he did not have a problem but 35% (Drei) is the darkest Select gets.

As for IR rejection you may want to investigate (I did not) range of IR that is rejected. I did read some posts where people stated that the reason some IR numbers were so high is b/c the film only rejects a very narrow range of IR vs. the entire IR band.

Let us know what you use and how it works out for you.

Last edited by omasou; 10-21-2016 at 11:34 AM..
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      10-22-2016, 04:23 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omasou View Post
Huper Optix is a quality film and requires an equally experienced installer. My understanding is they do not make a dedicated auto film, which is why it is so thick and requires experience to install. This was my first choice but I backed away b/c of potential CA issues.

Huper Optix offers three levels of film...HO Xtreme (a dyed film), HO Ceramic (what I wanted) or HO Select (a metal film). Xtreme is their low end, Ceramic some people have had problems and others not, Select is their top of the line but has ceramic (have not confirmed) and metal in it. I did find one recent install of Select where the fellow said he did not have a problem.

I called HO tech support and they recommended that I use their Autobahn Performa, which is an IR film. HO owns Autobahn and other than Performa the other Autobahn films are rebranded HO films.

FYI, if you do choose a ceramic the darker you go the more potential for interference. Some people with 35% said they did not have a problem but also did not say which HO film they used. The HO Select guy used 35% and said he did not have a problem but 35% (Drei) is the darkest Select gets.

As for IR rejection you may want to investigate (I did not) range of IR that is rejected. I did read some posts where people stated that the reason some IR numbers were so high is b/c the film only rejects a very narrow range of IR vs. the entire IR band.

Let us know what you use and how it works out for you.


Yea if I was going with Huper optick I would get their ceramic film. I've also read their ceramic film will not have any interference with technology so that's not a concern for me. Any films with metal in them in general would cause signal interference, so HO select wouldn't be something I would look into. It's funny how I don't even have an allocation yet and I'm here preparing for my tint work already.
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      10-22-2016, 07:45 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCHOI View Post
Yea if I was going with Huper optick I would get their ceramic film. I've also read their ceramic film will not have any interference with technology so that's not a concern for me. Any films with metal in them in general would cause signal interference, so HO select wouldn't be something I would look into. It's funny how I don't even have an allocation yet and I'm here preparing for my tint work already.
You may want to read the links in the original post, specifically this one...

http://www.tintdude.com/forum/index....omfort-access/

I would also call HO Technical Support to confirm. Maybe you'll get a different answer.
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      11-12-2016, 11:07 PM   #15
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      11-13-2016, 06:30 AM   #16
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Have you guys with tint been doing the front down to the AS1 line? debating whether I want that strip or not.
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      11-13-2016, 07:19 AM   #17
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I'll be doing 35% ceramic all around.
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      11-13-2016, 09:20 AM   #18
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I decided against the strip on the front. I have not noticed a need for it on the M2 and on the X5 it would need to be below the AS1 line to help

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      11-13-2016, 09:33 AM   #19
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Quote:
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I'll be doing 35% ceramic all around.
Which brand are u planning on going with? Also what color is your M2?
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      11-13-2016, 09:48 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCHOI View Post
Which brand are u planning on going with? Also what color is your M2?
Llumar and AW. Shine Auto Salon Also doing Xpel front coverage.
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      11-13-2016, 01:14 PM   #21
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Quote:
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I'll be doing 35% ceramic all around.
Just read above someone mentioned not having ceramic or metallic in the tint material. Any reason they would say that and any reason you specifically mention you will be doing ceramic yourself?
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      11-13-2016, 02:47 PM   #22
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My installer explained that metallic tints can cause interference with the comfort access of the car, thus why he recommends using ceramic tints on newer BMW's. quikM2
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