Gonna tint front windows on my GX460. Xpel dealer 30 minutes away. Llumar dealer 1 hour away. These 2 will be my choices to choose from. My heart is leaning towards Llumar. Tried and true. Any suggestions? How many of you did your windshield? My understanding is the factory tinted rear windows have no IR (heat) protection. Did you address that issue or not bother. I know to go ceramic. I’ve never had a car this nice and I want to minimize my potential mistakes. I have seen some films are bluish. I want the film match the factory color. Not the darkness.
Tinting Questions
- Thread starter Gebo
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2022
- Messages
- 264
Window tint is great unless it's a dark rainy night and you have to roll down the window to see good enough to make a turn. I always go with solid black in a mid grade tint.
The feeling of tight skin on my face prompted me to seek window tinting.
All but the front door windows and windshield are tinted from the factory.
There's a new "Tint World" near me (store #100) and their estimate came to $662.15. ...and I must say, the estimate is very complete.
I'd bet there's no place in the English-speaking world where this document is lacking.
They had a selection of films as well as heat lamp-powered, side by side demo panels in the store.
I continued to shop.
The owner of a sharp looking, independent detailing shop told me he uses top quality film. All the scraps I could find seemed substantial.
$100 per door and $200 for the windshield.
Questions about how the inspection sticker would look AND not being certain how LEOs look at film in the first place led me to having the sides done only.
They're a dead match to the factory treatment. The interior is noticeably cooler.
I couldn't be happier.
Still, the question of how the inspection sticker is dealt with is something I'll have to learn.
Perhaps leaving a corner un-filmed is the way to go?
All but the front door windows and windshield are tinted from the factory.
There's a new "Tint World" near me (store #100) and their estimate came to $662.15. ...and I must say, the estimate is very complete.
I'd bet there's no place in the English-speaking world where this document is lacking.
They had a selection of films as well as heat lamp-powered, side by side demo panels in the store.
I continued to shop.
The owner of a sharp looking, independent detailing shop told me he uses top quality film. All the scraps I could find seemed substantial.
$100 per door and $200 for the windshield.
Questions about how the inspection sticker would look AND not being certain how LEOs look at film in the first place led me to having the sides done only.
They're a dead match to the factory treatment. The interior is noticeably cooler.
I couldn't be happier.
Still, the question of how the inspection sticker is dealt with is something I'll have to learn.
Perhaps leaving a corner un-filmed is the way to go?
I hd mine done on my geo prizm many years ago and had bronze tint 20% put on. I don't think ceramic tint was a thing when I had mine done. Is 3M tint non an option? I'd go Llumar personally.
You don't want regular ceramic tint on the windshield, and in my state any tint on 100% of the windshield is illegal. However, Llumar makes a windshield specific tint called Air Clear in 80 and 90 that is nearly invisible to avoid that situation and you get the IR blocking capability from a ceramic tint. Suntek also makes a windshield specific film called Coolsight, only available in 90.
All of my cars with rear tint got film to address rear IR (heat) issues. Go with whoever installs them better in your opinion/better warranty/reputation is my vote. Llumar is good stuff, but Xpel is solid too IMO. I'd go with whatever their premium film is to avoid any second guessing on quality issues if you're worried about making potential mistakes and looking back with regret in the future. My cars weren't cheap to tint, but I'd do it again in the future with my guy who installed the Llumar tint. HTH.
The 3M company did my 5 glass sliders and it really helped the heat. He, however, does not do autos. I only have the 2 big names I’ve mentioned near me.
When I bought my truck "used CPO" it had a light tint on the windshield. Looked great but was horrible to drive at night and was illegal in my state.
I had my windshield tinted in 2017 with a virtually clear IR blocking tint. The shop recommended deadening the adhesive by slapping the sticker against my shirt a few times and leaving a corner up.
My solution is naturally more complicated. I order clear static cling film online and stick the sticker to it. Looks the same when in place and a cinch to remove.
Been very happy with Llumar IRX -- I had it on my last F-150, and just got it done on my Lightning. Great heat rejection, etc. The wife's car has XPEL Prime XR, and it's pretty good too. I feel like the Llumar is better with regard to heat, but could be placebo. Local shop does the IRX on all 4 doors + back glass for almost $300 cheaper than Tint World's XPEL job.
For the windshield, I grab these from Amazon for registration sticker and EZ TAG: https://www.amazon.com/Windshield-Applicator-Stickers-Application-Re-Application/dp/B0BG38NP94/. Cut it down with an x-acto knife, looks nice, and leaves no residue when it comes time to replace.
For the windshield, I grab these from Amazon for registration sticker and EZ TAG: https://www.amazon.com/Windshield-Applicator-Stickers-Application-Re-Application/dp/B0BG38NP94/. Cut it down with an x-acto knife, looks nice, and leaves no residue when it comes time to replace.
A rule requiring an inspection sticker to be stuck directly onto the glass wouldn't surprise me.
However, the inspectors I've met are easy to talk to, so I'll ask.
My film installer claimed he had a good record peeling existing stickers off and using something like the product linked above.
However, the inspectors I've met are easy to talk to, so I'll ask.
My film installer claimed he had a good record peeling existing stickers off and using something like the product linked above.
After visiting both Xpel and Llumar shops, I’m leaning towards Xpel. Pinnacle was $180 and XR+ was $225 for both front windows. The Llumar shop had lots of installers and even had a sales mgr.
The Xpel shop had the owner, his wife and one helper.
The Pinnacle is one notch under the Xpel XR+. Either would be fine. Thanks for your advice and help
The Xpel shop had the owner, his wife and one helper.
The Pinnacle is one notch under the Xpel XR+. Either would be fine. Thanks for your advice and help
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2025
- Messages
- 379
If anyone wants to tint their own glass, I can comfortably recommend Tint-Pro on ebay.
Been buying tint from them for over a decade and their tint has never faded or turned purple.
Pre-cut and fits perfectly. About $40 for Llumar for most vehicles all windows.
I have absolutely no affiliation with them whatsoever except as a full price paying customer.
Their customer service is unbeatable. Great people.
Been buying tint from them for over a decade and their tint has never faded or turned purple.
Pre-cut and fits perfectly. About $40 for Llumar for most vehicles all windows.
I have absolutely no affiliation with them whatsoever except as a full price paying customer.
Their customer service is unbeatable. Great people.
This cannot be emphasized enough.
A good installer is worth their weight in gold. There are a whole lot of people out there slapping tint on without bothering to get the windows immaculately clean and you end up with crap all around the edges or gaps where there shouldn't be.
I used to work at a tint/stereo shop (Doing the stereo part) and watched owner tint thousands of cars. If the tint wasn't right, it got tossed in the trash and another piece prepared. Lots of places will just give it the ol 'that'll do' and roll with it.
He's still tinting cars, one at a time at the age of 60, and you can barely get an appointment with him anything less than 3 weeks out pretty much all year long.
Other shops in the area can get you in same day....that says something.
Make sure your 23 GX460 doesn't have UVU coated glass. Those windows really shouldn't be tinted:
https://www.thefilmtrainer.com/blog...coating-important-tips-for-car-window-tinting
https://www.thefilmtrainer.com/blog...coating-important-tips-for-car-window-tinting
I'm on it. My GX460 is 2 1/2 hrs away getting the ML sound system repaired. I'll check it out as soon as I pick it up.
Thanks a bunch!
I have Xpel ceramic 15% on the truck and 20% on the Camry (no windshield tint on either). I’m very happy with it.
