Recommend a good tint for front windows

[Ape Factory]

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!

 

[DdYHrse]

I am not sure the brand, but I got the darkest legal front window tint that Texas would allow and had the dealership put it on all the windows. I know the factory windows already had some tint on the back windows and I was a little worried it would be too dark at night, but it is totally fine. It was pricier, but I had a bunch of Ford pass points when I finally got mine and went with the ceramic tint on all the windows. I did not do a clear on the on the windshield, but I may soon. The ceramic tint makes a very noticeable difference with the heat. This black Bronco is cooler inside than my previous white F150 was in the summer. I will always be going with ceramic tint from now on. It was like $700, but well worth it in the hot as F DFW area. The ceramic stuff supposedly blocks like 99% of the UV as well so it will protect your interior better too. I am a fan of it for sure.

 

[Ape Factory]

My dealer would just farm it out so I'll likely just go to one of the area businesses that specializes in tints/wraps. But duly noted on the ceramic and I'd heard that before. Any help with the brutal summers here is very much welcome.

 

[TurboS]

I've always had Ceramic tint installed, various creditable brands and they have all held up well in Michigan but we don't have the intense sun/heat as the southern states. A good installer in your state/area will be able to recommend a ceramic tint that fits your requirements. I just had the front door windows tinted and are close in darkness to the passenger door windows however the rear/hardtop windows are a lighter tint. I will probably go back and have the hard top windows also tinted just for a balanced (darker) appearance from the outside.

 

[dvegas]

I did a bunch of research on window tints. I finally chose the Llumar Pinnacle ceramic. It has great clarity and also has very good infrared heat rejection. Since you are in Texas, that heat rejection is important. I only did 30% on front windows and 70% on windshield. You might want to go darker. I used to live in Las Vegas, and had darker tint on my cars. It would sometimes be difficult to see at night, even with city lights. Would prefer to see out the windows if trail riding at night.

With the IR and UV rejection that ceramic tint offers, even putting a clear 70-80% on your windshield will keep down a lot of the heat. You might want to put this on your rear windows that are already stock tinted, just for the infrared heat rejection.

 

[TurboS]

I did a bunch of research on window tints. I finally chose the Llumar Pinnacle ceramic. It has great clarity and also has very good infrared heat rejection. Since you are in Texas, that heat rejection is important. I only did 30% on front windows and 70% on windshield. You might want to go darker. I used to live in Las Vegas, and had darker tint on my cars. It would sometimes be difficult to see at night, even with city lights. Would prefer to see out the windows if trail riding at night.

With the IR and UV rejection that ceramic tint offers, even putting a clear 70-80% on your windshield will keep down a lot of the heat. You might want to put this on your rear windows that are already stock tinted, just for the infrared heat rejection.

I attached a couple pictures after tinting so you can see how the 30% on front windows looks compared to stock tint on the rear windows. It's just a tad lighter on the front windows. Happy with my choice.

Welcome to BroncoRaptor.com! Nice job on your Raptor, looks great and as with all the OEM features the your window tint is also very functional. Thank you for you insight and experience.

 

[dvegas]

Welcome to BroncoRaptor.com! Nice job on your Raptor, looks great and as with all the OEM features the your window tint is also very functional. Thank you for you insight and experience.

Thanks for the warm welcome TurboS! Love my new Braptor. I aways say function over aesthetics, but if you can have both, then do it!

 

[Ape Factory]

That looks good dvegas. I have an appointment on Tuesday to do at least the front drivers and passenger windows. They use Xpel nano-ceramic which has very high heat and UV rejection (supposedly better than 3M) and they're based out of San Antonio as well.

https://www.xpel.com/products/automotive-window-film?srsltid=AfmBOooE-SqDz-YEHb7OJ4unxVjJIZKl4JBC_d7MHwPwvSKkJvaOi3iE

If they can closely match front to the rear passenger windows without going too dark, I'll likely have all four done. I don't think we're allowed to do the windshield here, just a strip at the top which I've never cared for looks wise.

I'll have to do the rear cargo side windows at a later date as I'm part of the recall for windows falling out and my rear MIC is getting replaced as soon as they're back in stock. I'm hearing mid-May for availability.

 

[dvegas]

I initially was going to do Xpel, since that's what the dealer offered. After doing a deep dive on Reddit, I chose the LLumar. I don't want to mess up your plans, but there are complaints that the Xpel can give a bluish hue and can also be more hazy in tangential lighting situations. The bluish hue in Xpel is more apparent the lighter the tint, and is most noticeable in the windshield.

The 70% and 80% tints for the windshield are, for all intents and purposes, clear. I wish I had known this when I lived in Las Vegas as the IR heat reduction with the "clear" ceramic tint is very noticeable. Especially since the windshield is the largest piece of glass in your truck. Living in Texas, I'd really consider it. It really just appears clear. I believe that most tint testers go over the window on both sides, so it would be very difficult for anybody to test the minimal tint on the windshield anyway. Just my thoughts, for what they are worth.

 

[Ape Factory]

I did not know that about the clear ceramic and will definitely have them do that. I use a sun shade religiously year round when parking outside during the day.

Xpel does have two variations listed, one is black/gray in tint and one is blue in tint. I'll discuss with them on Tuesday but in the meantime I'll look into Llumar.

 

[TurboS]

Expel now has windshield PPF to guard against abrasions, cracks, and chips. 100% clear film but also has UV protection.

 

[LATXAg]

Totally agree with you guys, ceramic is the way to go, went with 15% on front and then did various on rear and back to blend the look… went 50% on the shield to round it out and continue the heat rejection… it’s actually illegal for Louisiana, but ceramic clarity is great and have no issues with seeing or law enforcement (have some friends that can’t believe it’s actually that dark… we will see if that holds out).

 

[dvegas]

I was just reading through the mods with the biggest ragerts thread in the Bronco6G forum and somebody listed the windshield PPF. It apparently scratches if you use your wipers and there is grit on the windsheield!


This is the Reddit thread that really dissuaded me from the XPEL. Even the non-blue tint has the blue hue.

 

[Ape Factory]

I might stop by on Monday and look at what they have and go from there. I definitely don't want the blue tint look since my "accent" colors are red (tow hooks, badass light mounts and grab handles).

I found a Llumar installer right around the corner from my house. I went to that shop every so often for performance-oriented alignments shop owned by former NBA player Tim Duncan. He hangs out there every once in a while but I don't bug him. Notoriously shy but easy to spot, LOL.

On front windshield, I agree. It'd have to be on the inside. There is a lot of dust/grit in my neck of the woods and it would eat up a windshield PPF in a month or two.

 

[TurboS]

Totally agree with you guys, ceramic is the way to go, went with 15% on front and then did various on rear and back to blend the look… went 50% on the shield to round it out and continue the heat rejection… it’s actually illegal for Louisiana, but ceramic clarity is great and have no issues with seeing or law enforcement (have some friends that can’t believe it’s actually that dark… we will see if that holds out).View attachment 15321View attachment 15322

Welcome to BroncoRaptor.com! Your dark tint looks great! Do you happen to remember the brand?

 

[LATXAg]

Welcome to BroncoRaptor.com! Your dark tint looks great! Do you happen to remember the brand?

Thanks for the welcome, loving the BRaptor… suffering the MIC top issue like many, but hopefully that will be handled appropriately by Ford

Went with SolarFX Plus… readily available in the area and top notch installer / friend.