SoCal Tint Master thread - specs and recommendations

[g12BMW]

We need a thread with the best films and the best installers out there.

This is intended for SoCal.

I will focus on the Total Solar Energy Rejected, IR Rejected (the burning feel) when avail and the middle-of-the-raod ~ 30% VLT films for specs mentioned in here.

I have emailed the manufacturers which don't list a IRR figure on their specs sheet and will update as I hear back from them.
There is no standard in the automotive tint film industry that holds each manufacturers up to the same rules for measuring the same part(s) of the IR spectrum using a rigorous methodology. So keep in mind the IRR figure doesn't paint the "whole" accurate picture when presented by lesser companies out there.

Please consult the respective specs pages linked to for more details.

Note: 3M Crystalline CR20 20% VLT, 62% TSER was announced at SEMA this year but won't be avail in retail locations until Jan 2017 at the earliest.
Crystalline has some optical quirky color characteristic and some avoid it for this reason, e.g: of the purple look on the rear windshield on the Tesla S models.

At the time of this writing, the best film available is

Spectra PhotoSync Performance
SPH35 32% VLT, 75% TSER, 95% IRR
http://www.prestige-films.com/docs/p...eet_072114.pdf

Followed by:

Ceraluxe Quantum Ceramic®
CLX 33 33% VLT, 65% TSER, 82% IRR
http://www.prestige-films.com/auto_ceraluxe.shtml

Hüper Optik Ceramic Series
C30 30% VLT, 63% TSER, 86% IRR
https://huperoptikusa.com/automotive/

And finally:

3M Crystalline 40
CR40 39% VLT, 60% TSER, 97% IRR rejection
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/6...tomotive-w...?

Madico Wincos
Wincos 30 33% VLT, 57% TSER, 91% IRR
http://www.madico.com/wp-content/upl...Spec-Sheet.pdf

Llumar Formula One Pinnacle
Pinnacle 30 33% VLT, 56% TSER, IRR not listed
http://www.formulaone.com/pdf/FormulaOneSpecSheet.pdf

Alternatives:

SunTek
CXP 35 33% VLT, 53% TSER, IRR not listed
http://www.suntekfilms.com/files/Sun...o_comp_CXP.pdf

LLumar CTX Series
CTX 30 CH SR HPR (Charcoal) 33% VLT, 51% TSER, IRR not listed
http://w3.llumar.com/pdf/en/LLumarSpecsAutoDomestic.pdf

Not mentioned here: films with a TSER < 50%.





Next, the installer skills are just important as the film in my opinion:
Experience and passion for cars and tinting + experience working on a particular vehicle to know how to deal with its inherent difficulties and quirks (dot matrix on some BMWs and P cars, huge windshield on the Tesla cars etc.).
No cutting around the 3rd brake light, no cutting through the rubber gaskets while cutting the film on the glass, tint front and rear windshield with one piece etc.

Also, the attention to details:
clean and clutter-free work space, tint the window up to the edge and respect for your private property: no damage, blade marks on the glass, smudges, marks, dirt, shoes marks, water left anywhere in the car.

Finally customer service: prompt reply and attentive to questions and concerns, working to grow their reputation, not to make a couple of bucks.

Please add your recommendations and I will update this post.


Based on personal experience:
G5 Tint in Pasadena was ok.

Avoid Extreme Autowerks in Cerrito and The Tint Pros in Huntington.

[Malu59RT]

Just a note for those considering Madico Wincos, the tint can leave a very unusual smell in the car. I had the tint on my Viper, one of my Lexus's, my brother's Lexus, as well as several friends in their vehicles (as a friend is a local installer). All of us have experienced a smell that can only be described as someone tracking dog poop into the vehicle.

On my 7, I had the Photosync installed on the front windshield, and the Huper Optik 20% done on the sides and back window. No unusual smells to report, and I will have to report back on heat rejection once we get into full swing Texas summer.

[Almaretto]

Have you ever used DUB-IR?