Quality window tints? Pics?

[Black4runner]

I am thinking of getting the 2 front windows tinted on my 4th gen 4runner. The legal limit where I live is 32% +/- 3%. I would like to match the rear BUT I don't want to give cops a reason to pull me over. Also I figured that if I went with something close to the legal tint 25-35%, it would still look better than how it does without any tint on the front.

So what brand of tint is considered high quality?

Sunguard
Suntek
3M
Llumar
Formula One
Huper Optik

Any of these brands that I should stay away from?

Also does anyone have pics of their tinted 4runners? Preferably lighter tinted front windows.

I have Suntek on my sedan and it looks as good as the day I had it installed 4 years ago.

 

[Doozi]

Any reputable tint shop should steer you in the right direction. I think that my shop uses Llumar (at least that looks familiar) and what I've learned is that the metallized films are more stable. The shop told me that the pigments in cheaper films (that they don't even carry) break down and you end up with those purple-ish windows. I've had this shop do all of my cars over the years and couldn't be happier with the results.

I think that my front windows were done in ~28% (can't find my receipt), but I went in and told them that I wanted to match the privacy glass if possible and be legal... our legal limit is 27%. All in all, it matches quite well. You really can't tell any difference unless you find just the right angle, in the right light, from the outside. From inside, they look to be identical to the factory privacy glass.

~Doozi

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Any of those should be fine. I have 3M.

You don't want metallic film.

 

[Dispense]

I have 3M CS 20% on my fronts and Huper Optik 35% on my sunroof. I've heard good things about Llumar too.

 

[Doozi]

You don't want metallic film.

Why do you advise against metallic film?

I just confirmed that my front windows are the Llumar ATR Series (High-Performance Metalized Films), Charcoal ATR 30. They are not shiny or mirrored. Llumar has a Platinum Plus Series that is reflective. Some people do say that metalized films will interfere with cell phones or GPS units, but I have never noticed any issues even when I have had all of the windows of a car done in metalized film.

~Doozi

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Why do you advise against metallic film?

I just confirmed that my front windows are the Llumar ATR Series (High-Performance Metalized Films), Charcoal ATR 30. They are not shiny or mirrored. Llumar has a Platinum Plus Series that is reflective. Some people do say that metalized films will interfere with cell phones or GPS units, but I have never noticed any issues even when I have had all of the windows of a car done in metalized film.

~Doozi

It's just what I've read. I don't have experience with metallic tint. I've also read where it might interfere with radio, navigation, phone, and look a little different.

If they had a sample to look at I might consider it. I've been satisfied with nonmetallic, cheaper tint though.

 

[broncosi]

ive heard the same. I also have 3M tint and have had it for the past 4 years. i have my windshield done as well

 

[Uneek]

Pigment based film are the ones that turn purple over time.

Metallic film doesn't fade as with pigment, but it can affect radio reception and GPS tracking.

Then there's ceramic based film that over advantages over both pigment and metallic, thus the most expensive.