1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Ceramic Window tints

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by HyperFX, May 11, 2012.

  1. HyperFX

    HyperFX NIMFY (not in my front yard)

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2011
    81
    35
    30
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    New window tint stats:
    Windshield: 60%
    Front sides plus tiny windows: 35%
    Rear sides plus tiny quarter panel: 30%
    Rear hatch top half (above spoiler): 30%
    Rear hatch lower half (below spoiler): Stock

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Cool. What brand?
     
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,842
    3,099
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Just got ours tinted today with ceramic tint as well. 35 percent all around, maximum allowable here.

    The tech told me they couldn't/wouldn't tint the small window below the spoiler because it is factory tinted + it's plastic, not glass. Anyone know if this is true? I thought it was glass.
     
  4. ChaiLove

    ChaiLove Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2011
    32
    2
    0
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    It is plastic
     
  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    My BS detector is going off. A number of members here have the lower rear hatch tinted. Specs say it's tempered glass. All windows are factory-tinted to some extent (29% on the lower rear hatch, 80% on the windshield, and ~75% on the rest).
     
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,842
    3,099
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks for the specs 32k, even if it is glass, then maximum allowable aftermarket tint is 35 percent transmitted light. So the 29 percent factory tint is already below that, but is allowed because it is OEM. At least for my local tint laws.
     
  7. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I am going to get mine tinted tomorrow. It will be a choice between the

    3M Crystalline

    or

    3M Ceramic

    When I made the appointment the shop owner said the Ceramic was more brown in color, so I have to see in person what he is saying. Both are pricey, with the Crystalline being about 50% more than the Ceramic.

    The darkest film they have in Crystalline is 40%. They also have a 90% which I may consider for the windshield, if I decide to go that route.
     
  8. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Your local tint laws say it must allow at least 35% of light in (aggregated). If you wished to stay legal, I hope your tint guy didn't actually use a 35% film because most of the windows are already tinted ~75% (in the glass), as it'd result in an aggregate of ~26% (0.75 x 0.35 = 0.2625).
     
    Shibikku and hoddy4 like this.
  9. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,842
    3,099
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    They are very aware of the minimum 35% standards, they always measure the factory tint before applying the film, so they know what they can apply and still be above the minimum 35%. Thanks.
     
  10. FUUFNF

    FUUFNF Forum Lurker

    Joined:
    May 1, 2007
    210
    30
    0
    Location:
    Long Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    It's definitely glass.
     
  11. commuter

    commuter Untitled

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2012
    16
    1
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Looks sharp. Where did you go, and if I may ask: How much did it set you back?
     
  12. fulltank

    fulltank New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2011
    230
    38
    0
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Love my tints! Tinting your window has to be the absolute easiest and most economical way to transform the stereotypical nerd car into a sporty car!!!
     
  13. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Wrong, wrong, wrong. It is tempered glass.

    If you bothered to look at the code etched on the glass you would see that it is not plastic.


    new iPad ?
     
  14. HyperFX

    HyperFX NIMFY (not in my front yard)

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2011
    81
    35
    30
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thank you. Much appreciated. I got this done at Auto Creations in Raritan, NJ. Depending on the quality & selection of your tint, the cost can run you from two hundred to five hundred for product and installation. I stand behind these guys with a firm testimonial of quality and craftmanship.
     
  15. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Could you at least tell us the brand for our information, considering it's ceramic? It doesn't really help to post pics without this information, unless you have some mobile tint guy install a no-name tint on the cheap.
     
  16. HyperFX

    HyperFX NIMFY (not in my front yard)

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2011
    81
    35
    30
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    They used Johnson Window Film which have a broad line of products from your house to your automotive needs. I purchased the "Insulatir" ceramic tint. Please check out their Web page.


    Johnson Window Films



    [​IMG]
     
    1 person likes this.
  17. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    4,050
    727
    5
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Lol @ 32k who had to ask what brand like 3 times. *sigh*
     
  18. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Sure, I'm still untinted and looking. You'd be annoyed if this many people post pics of their rims without revealing the brand/model :)
     
  19. AZGeek

    AZGeek Semi-informed Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    627
    144
    63
    Location:
    Arizona
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Just got back from the tint shop a little while ago. I went with the 3M Crystalline CR40 all around. It transmits 40% visible light and rejects 60% infrared and 99.9% UV.

    The shop owner had his car outside parked in the sun with CR70 and it was pretty amazing how much cooler the sunlight was on the shaded side of the film vs direct sunlight. I noticed a big difference on the ride home with the CR40.

    Aside from the high price, I was a bit annoyed that they didn't bother to wash the car afterwards. They did offer to wash it in two days, but I don't want to drive it around the way it is now. So it will get a wash tonight (by me) and then I will post some pics tomorrow.

    Lower back window? Not a problem. (It is glass, after all :rolleyes:)
     
  20. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,316
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Just take it to Premier Protective Films International in Orange, CA, and I am 100% confident that you will be satisfied with their Diamond Cut IR product and their workmanship. :D