Metallic vs Ceramic Tint?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 353
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From: Wilmington,NC
E63
has anyone heard of Llumar or Suntek films? Are they ceramic or metallic? are they good? i got a quote of $200 for 4 windows and the rear sheild. is that ok?
i checked out a few film makers. but none of them said Ceramic or metallic type on their products. how can i tell the difference?
i checked out a few film makers. but none of them said Ceramic or metallic type on their products. how can i tell the difference?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,131
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From: Chicago
2004 E320, 2006 Audi A6, 2008 C350 W204, 2010 BMW F10, 2012 Porsche Carrera S 991, 2014 E350 W212
what's so special about ceramic? who makes them?
Also, does anyone know if 35% tint ok in Illinois?
Also, does anyone know if 35% tint ok in Illinois?
Last edited by yxc145; Jul 31, 2008 at 03:52 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
There's nothing really that special about ceramic. Supposedly the metallic interferes with RF signals (very minor if at all) and won't rust (since it's on the inside anyways, not an issue unless you live on the beach and always keep the inside exposed to the sea air). I'd challenge any everyman to tell the difference between the looks of ceramic and metallic of the same grade quality. If they're both high quality grades, they'll both look equally good. Ceramic is much more expensive and the benefits don't justify the cost difference in my mind. It's like buying an expensive smartphone and all you do is make phone calls....
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Chicago
2004 E320, 2006 Audi A6, 2008 C350 W204, 2010 BMW F10, 2012 Porsche Carrera S 991, 2014 E350 W212
well, i think the Suntek Carbon series isn't ceramic anyway....
AZN, how much did you pay to have yours done? wait.. you got the Brother in law that hooked u up! nevermind....
is $200 expensive for the Carbon series for suntek film?
AZN, how much did you pay to have yours done? wait.. you got the Brother in law that hooked u up! nevermind....
is $200 expensive for the Carbon series for suntek film?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 40
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E46 M3
I think $200.00 for Suntek carbon is alot since I was quoted $125 for carbon and $150 for the HP series. HP 35% has a solar rejection of 49% and carbon 35% has a rejection of 42%. Compare this to F1 Pinnacle 35% with a solar rejection of 50%. I have Pinnacle F1 on my M3, I think the solar heat rejection on the M3 is very comparo to the C300.I paid $250 for F1 on the M3 and only paid $150 for the C300. The best solar rejection is HO ceramic that I have on my X5. I only paid $200 since it was only the 2 front windows.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Chicago
2004 E320, 2006 Audi A6, 2008 C350 W204, 2010 BMW F10, 2012 Porsche Carrera S 991, 2014 E350 W212
yeah, i thought $200 is a lot, too. I used to live in LA and i had my E320 tinted for only $125 and he did an excellent job. But... here in Illinois, it seems like a decent tint job will cost at least $200. Maybe less competition........
Oh, i am going to Carbon instead of HP because there is metal layer in the HP.
Oh, i am going to Carbon instead of HP because there is metal layer in the HP.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Chicagoland, IL
09 C63
I too would love to hear about Illinois (chicago area specifically) ceramic installers.
As far as metallic...
it won't "rust" because it's aluminum. It will block some signal - that's a given, it's minute though. Agreed.
Ceramic works better on heat rejection because ceramics are an insulator whereas aluminum is a fantastic conductor of heat. So the only thing the metallic films do is block IR which if you recall in physics 101 converts to heat once it passes through glass.
I would love some ceramic in the western burbs - if you have someone worthy of a recommend - holler. BTW: if you want metallic, Riggs Brothers did a fanstastic job on my S4 two years ago.
P
As far as metallic...
it won't "rust" because it's aluminum. It will block some signal - that's a given, it's minute though. Agreed.
Ceramic works better on heat rejection because ceramics are an insulator whereas aluminum is a fantastic conductor of heat. So the only thing the metallic films do is block IR which if you recall in physics 101 converts to heat once it passes through glass.
I would love some ceramic in the western burbs - if you have someone worthy of a recommend - holler. BTW: if you want metallic, Riggs Brothers did a fanstastic job on my S4 two years ago.
P
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6
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2008 C300
Looks good. you must not be in an "inspections" state. Here in NC that would be a problem. I got a quote for the lumar 35% at $185 for the doors and rear glass. Have to stay legal here or I end up ripping it off next year.
Tht 15% should be around 10% metered, thats dark.
Tht 15% should be around 10% metered, thats dark.
As for metalic tint... I had an Audi A4 3.0 and got the windows tinted 20% metalic; my AM/FM radio stopped working, period. I'm not saying that there was a little interference, I mean I got 10% reception at best. Maybe Audi is different, but at least for me, if I even wanted to think about listening to any AM/FM radio with an antena built into the back windshield, i would never consider metalic tint.
Finally, I know I said I'd post pictures yesterday of the 15% ceramic tint, but my car has gotten quite dirty over the last few days and I don't trust my car was shop not to roll down the windows when washing it, so it'll be at least Monday until I can post.
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Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1
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BMW 330Ci
And what if the world shifted axis .00001 degrees!
Metallic tint is not the doom and gloom so many people make it out to be. 1) With the amount of cell towers that are out, no one really has issues with signal in cars. Should we not buy a house also because we might get bad signal? Metallic tint does not deteriorate signal strength to any degree that will impact your everyday use. 2) Very unlikely that .1 second will do anything if you even notice and can react to a radar detector. 3) Family runs tint shop and plenty of people run radar detectors through the metallic rears and have no issue detecting. This has been tested and proven.
Metallic tint is not the doom and gloom so many people make it out to be. 1) With the amount of cell towers that are out, no one really has issues with signal in cars. Should we not buy a house also because we might get bad signal? Metallic tint does not deteriorate signal strength to any degree that will impact your everyday use. 2) Very unlikely that .1 second will do anything if you even notice and can react to a radar detector. 3) Family runs tint shop and plenty of people run radar detectors through the metallic rears and have no issue detecting. This has been tested and proven.
I saw this post and remembered this:
NASA: Japan Earthquake May Have Moved Axis
and thought it was pretty 'funny'
that is all.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 555
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From: Columbia, SC
W204 2010 C300 Sport/6M
I got 3M carbon film at 35% and can't be happier. Heat is cut by a lot and I have a lifetime installation and defects warranty at any 3M dealer. I paid 215 for the whole car.
took me 1 hr
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Metallic tints are known to interfere with RF signals via the rear window antenna on a Benz. Radio reception is adversely affected as are RF key signals to unlock/lock the car etc.
One search on the W203 or other popular forums will soon illustrate just how many people have had issues.
Stay away from metallic tints on the rear window. It has proven time & time again to cause trouble on Benz vehicles.
One search on the W203 or other popular forums will soon illustrate just how many people have had issues.
Stay away from metallic tints on the rear window. It has proven time & time again to cause trouble on Benz vehicles.
