Windshield tint heat blocking

You can’t really tell on mine even though it’s 70% it’s called “clear”

 

Question for users, any issues using polarized sunglasses with a ceramic film on the windshield?

 

I wear Costa Polarized glasses (I have three pair, different models). I see through the windshield/“clear” ceramic tint it as if it’s not there. I have zero rainbow, distortion, etc.

 

Good to know. My current non ceramic tint can cause some weird effects. I'll be replacing it with ceramic that's a similar shade.

 

Same here. Looking out the side windows gives rainbows and false colors on cars, and some electronic signs have blotches unless I tilt my head. I have polarized Oakleys.

 

Exactly the glasses I use. I switched to polarized for more eye protection.

 

That's a good idea. I got diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes in my mid-40's because of all the time I spent outside with regular sunglasses - polarized were not a thing in my younger days. Now in my mid-50's and I'm getting both eyes done next month. Protect those eyes!

 

Testing abandoned for the day. Temps won't reach 97. Will try tomorrow.

 

not for me. 70% 3M Crystalline and Maui Jims

 

Just curios if these glasses are better at looking as electronic devices? (Which is my biggest inconvenience having to take off my glasses to see better)


Edit - I mean Costa Polarized ones.

 

Effing weather won't give me a break for testing. Yesterday, it didn't get as hot as it was supposed to. Today, it's supposed to be 103 and no rain. Well, it's dark as hell out and I expect storms with all the rumbling going on.

Maybe tomorrow or later this week.

 

I think my father in law has one of those fancy thermometers you're all using ... if I can find time to get out to their place I'll borrow it and set my 4runner in the sun for a bit although we do have a cold snap coming in at the end of the week

 

Please do! As of now we have a high temp of 122 outside, but no dash temp. I'd like to see the temp of an unprotected dash at 110+.

 

A true temp test would be to have identical color 4Runners, one with tint and one without. Then park them out in the sun, side by side, and take a dash temperature reading after an hour.

 

More than just color, but you bring up a good point. Interior and seating materials/ colors would also need to be the same, as well as the exact type of window tint, sans windshield. I'm just going for a rough estimate.

Here's a video of exterior color differences in temps and they just happen to be 4Runners.

 

I have been tinting windows for close to 17 years now. I was a 3m direct dealer and used crystalline for about 6 years. I switched to xpel about 4 years ago and I will never look back. I personally have xpel XR plus on my 4 runner and it surpasses the 3M crystalline in more than one way. I have customers returning after 4-6 years with the 3M crystalline failing (bubbling and delaminating). Pay attention to the distance of the meters when they compare ceramic films. I personally tested multiple films on the roof of our shop. I placed llumar, 3m, xpel, suntek and solar gard on a single pain piece of glass and left it on the roof of our shop to see how they hold up. The xpel is still holding strong and so is the solar gard atm. The 3m crystalline and the suntek both started delaminating and hazing over. I will say that the 3m crystalline being a 250 nano layer film does absorb heat like no other. So best bet is to layer your tint.I personally have xpel xr plus as the first layer to take the beating and reject some heat then I have a layer of 3m crystalline on top of that to absorb the heat. Both 3m and xpel offer 70% which your windshield has a 70% light transmission from the process of making the glass. If you pay close attention to the logo on the glass it will say 70%VLT. Which stands for visible light transmission. Any window tint questions you have feel free to PM me I’ll gladly help you.

 

Thank you very much for that info. That really really helps. I would ask for xpel XR plus (near clear tint) next time if I decide to tint my windshield.

I have to ask the shop if they can leave a cutout to mount my dashcam. Lastime I had Viofo dashcam and it wasn't heavy for the 3M crystalline. (Shop didn't leave any space for dashcam mount). Now I have Blackvue and its damn heavy. Even the stock 3M tape failed after sometime and I had to get heavy duty 3M tape just to stick on to the glass. I think I most likely peel off the tint if it was stick on to the tint.

Too bad you are in NJ and I'm in CO, not able to meet in person and discuss for a possible plan. (No I never ask for discount on my mods work to share it on forum and youtube.)

 

Do you happen to know anything about Spectra PhotoSync® Series? Guy who did my PPF advertises this tint. Will end up using him to tint my windows at some point.

 

Updated OP.

Come to find out 08TXRunner is making my job super easy. His 4R is nautical blue, as well as mine.
Both of our vehicles are pretty much identical, with the exception of windshield film on mine and none on his.

It's currently 96 out. As soon as it hits 97, I'll take a reading and post results.

 

Final results posted!

Vehicles both nautical blue. Untreated dash temp at 202F @ 97F outside. Treated windshield dash temp 147F @ 97F

 

Their PPF is decent but their tint has lots of complaints on various forums. I personally run Autobahn i3 Ceramic on mine and like it. 5% on all of the rear windows, 30% on the front windows, and 56% on the windshield and moonroof. I've always run Air80 ceramic but wanted a darker look on the windshield so I went with 56%. The heat rejection is better and looks great. I posted the tech sheet below.

 

Excellent info. Thanks steelevo

Of course, the guy has gone off the radar again. After not hearing from him for a week or so trying to get him to fix the PPF around my hood scoop, he emailed back and said he had some medical issues and is back up and ready to go. Mentioned I wanted to tint the windows and told him to schedule me time for both that and the scoop. We're on day 2 now with no response. Calling him just goes to voicemail. Really highly rated guy in my area too.

/rant

 

Don’t forget your sweater!

I’ve got a temp gun at work. I can try tomorrow but I don’t know if I want to hate myself getting in the truck when I leave. Maybe I’ll put the sunshade and leave a part of the dash exposed to the sun.
Although, like @wax poetic said, it’s getting colder (only 113 tomorrow )

 

Hahaha, It's almost winter temps! I need a weekend up in Pinetop again soon! Where abouts are you in AZ?

 

Chandler/Gilbert area. I’m actually going to Greer for camping/hiking/mountain biking this weekend and might stop by pinetop on the way back! Looking forward to get away from the heat

 

Awesome, enjoy! Let me know if you ever want to meet up for a coffee or something one day!

 

If you want the best tint for your windshield, have XPEL XR+ window tint installed. The 70% XR+ is simply amazing at keeping the heat out of the cabin. Plus you cant tell its installed. This is really important while driving at night or at night off-road. Here are a couple of links. If you want to find a XPEL installer in your area, use their dealer locator.

Paint Protection Film Installer Near Me | XPEL Certified Installer Network | Find XPEL PPF - ULTIMATE PLUS, STEALTH, INTERIOR PROTECTION & More!

Xpel Prime XR+ Tint Test! #windowtint #xpel #tesla #atx #short #cars #automotive #teslaclub - YouTube

Xpel XR+ Window Tint real world rejection South Texas - YouTube

XPEL Nano-Ceramic Window Tint Ice cream Test - YouTube

Window Tint On My Porsche 911 Turbo S | XPEL Prime XR Plus - YouTube

 

I had the Xpel XR (one step below the +) installed on windshield (70% VLT) and front driver/passenger windows a year ago. I'm fortunate and live in a more temperate climate but have an appointment on Tuesday to tint the rest of the windows + sunroof. Huge difference in (perceived) temp through windshield on our other vehicle versus the 4runner.

I was hoping to show data and pics of the tinted and non-tinted windows for a side by side comparison but my cheap Harbor Freight unit can't read the glass, only the main surfaces (which are all the same temp as the interior incubates). Needed to upgrade my laser thermometer anyway, I'll see if I can get it here and take some readings before heading to the shop Monday afternoon for the tint.

 

I didn't think about the sunroof. On my trip back from Charleston this weekend, I opened the cover and damn there was a lot of heat coming through. Time to get that taken care of!

 

The tint shop I went didn't want to tint the moonroof. The owner said due to complaints of moonroof shatter they don't want to take liability.
How true is that statement? I have no clue and couldn't understand what's the connection between tint and moonroof shatter.