Recommend a good tint for front windows

[Ape Factory]

They just took the Braptor back to tint the windshield and front two windows. I'll get the rest done after they replace the top and re-seal the rear glass.

As I was sitting here waiting, I noticed how blue the windshield and front two windows look. Probably would have gone ok with Cactus Gray but not with any of the rear windows. Glad y'all turned me on to Llumar.

 

[Ape Factory]

Just a quick potato photo but definitely better than before! No verdict on clarity yet as any water will evaporate out in a few days but initial impressions are good. We had the hottest March on record so I'm sure it'll get put to the test once we hit summer.

 

[Rechinca]

I have been using the same tint guy for probably 12 years. He has tinted every one of my cars/trucks. He uses Global brand films and I have used ceramic exclusively the last 10 years. I think I have been running the 30% on the front doors and a 70% on the windshield. It has held up very well over the years with the oldest one I had being a Ford Fusion that we had for 10years (still would be using it but alas red light runner destroyed it in an accident last fall) and it has held up great! We get intense sun in the Central Valley in California. Global has held up extremely well for me and I’d recommend it. The 30% matches the factory well and the 70% is perfect.

 

[Ape Factory]

Yesterday was the first day I had a chance to use the tint in anger so to speak. Was 90+ yesterday and while driving in the afternoon, with the sun beating down on the driver's side, there was still a good deal of heat being transferred through the window. You could hold your hand next to it and feel the heat radiating through, no question.

I ran into a store, came back out and decided to test it vs. the rear window which hasn't been tinted yet. With no airflow, both should have heated up more than while in motion. I almost couldn't touch the inside of the window it was so hot. The rear window was, IMO, slightly hotter but I was expecting a dramatic difference IF the claims are true.

I also wasn't happy with the clarity when wearing sunglasses. I rock Randolphs which are glass lenses and I felt like there was a bit of haze looking through the driver's window and the front wasn't as clear as I would have liked.

Heading out today, the temps dropped significantly and I didn't have the same clarity issues. I've had some eye trouble lately so it could be that. Dunno...but there is a slight blue tint to the driver's and passenger side front windows. I'm almost wondering if they scammed me and installed something cheap. It was $600 plus tax for the two windows and windshield. They're going to do the rest for about $200.

Kinda wondering if there's any way to tell they used what they said they used. Any ideas?

 

[ChiliPepper]

I know it's impossible to match the factory tint on the back seat and cargo glass but does anyone have recommendations on what brand and level would provide a fairly good match? Want to get this done before we start seeing serious summer heat here in Texas.

Thanks in advance!

I had the front driver's and passenger's side windows tinted to match the back seat windows prior to delivery. I verified this by measuring light penetration before and after in comparison to the rear windows. It is almost too dark for low light, but it keeps the cabin very cool. I recall it was Xpel Prime XR+; the color match was perfect.

Don't buy anything cheap - it will give you a green tint and birefringence patterns - otherwise, you'll regret it every time you look out the window.

 

[Ape Factory]

Llumar is actually more expensive than Xpel and is supposed to be slightly better in some ways. I stayed legal on the front driver's/passenger's windows.

From what I've read, I should have received some sort of a warranty card with the roll number and what exactly was installed. My receipt shows Llumar for the windshield but not for the side glass. The best way to test is to take it to another Llumar dealer that has a meter.

We had a bit of a cold snap so I haven't had a chance to test it further myself. It sat in the garage for three days after the installation and I'm wondering if sunlight actually helped "set" the film and help any remaining water vapor to dry up. I didn't notice any clarity issues yesterday while driving around but I also had the top off. Last hurrah before the brutal summer arrives.

 

[Ape Factory]

So today I did an experiment before heading home, comparing the heat from the sun with the window down vs. up and there was a significant reduction in felt heat. Apparently if this is the case, it's likely a ceramic tint.

But here's where it gets murky. The shop has Llumar listed on its page which is why I switched to them in the first place. I reached out to Llumar themselves and found out they're not an authorized dealer. Llumar has no association with the shop. I may take it to another Llumar dealer and have them test it with a meter.

Still working on the haze thing, it's present. No distortion though so the clarity in that department is good.