Huper Optik Tint

[95_9C1]

Huper Optik (http://www.huperoptik.com/Automotive.html) is a ceramic tint.

Does $500 sound reasonable to slightly high to tint seven windows and the sunroof?

[grandmacpubah]

not for huper optik...be glad you even have a place to do it...I would have had to drive 3 hours. :(

[g8gxp]

what makes ceramic better?

[wreckwriter]

Does it still look like shit at the dot matrix?

[mdogg]

Does it still look like shit at the dot matrix?
yes - that's for any tint

The ceramic's big selling point is that it is not metallic and, therefore, doesn't interfere with electronics and reception for phones, radio, navigation, etc. I also *think* it's more effective for keeping heat down than standard metallic films.

[ETIDMotorsports]

I'd be hesitant to let them tint your sunroof. When I had mine done they advised against it due to concerns over the sunroof cracking

[ottawag8gxp]

I've always had the dot matrix part of the window painted black on my cars and then tinted below it. I cant stand the look of window film on dot matrix!

[95_9C1]

Does it still look like shit at the dot matrix?

good point - i'll need to ask about their approach




I'd be hesitant to let them tint your sunroof...due to concerns over the sunroof cracking

another aspect i never considered, although i've never heard of this being a problem before...they said the roof would be included w/o issue


I've always had the dot matrix part of the window painted black on my cars and then tinted below it. I cant stand the look of window film on dot matrix!

thanks for the input, gentlemen.

these issues should not be a problem on a $500 tint job

i will inquire further...

[jeppsG8]

Go with 3m tint for $150, minus the sunroof and spend the extra $350 on a tune. I'm not sure the ceramic is worth triple the price.

[GT-610]

the sunroof is already coated (its in the glass)and cannot be tinted.I was told this by a glass specialist.DO NOT DO IT

[camoeto]

$500 seems a bit much for Ceramic tint. I got quoted $300 for all 7 windows for FormulaOne Pinnacle ceramic tint which is supposed to be good quality stuff.

As for heat rejection characteristics regular dyed < metallic < ceramic. FormulaOne claims 50% heat reduction for the Pinnacle 35% tint. For example the darkest 3M Color Stable 5% (which is a regular dyed film) only reduces heat by 49%. So I guess if one actually cares about performance to go with the looks, ceramic makes sense to a degree.

As for me I'm not about to shell out $300 for tint, and I'm going to have FormulaOne metallic film put on tomorrow for $200. It does a much better job of rejecting heat than regular but not quite as good as ceramic.

[95_9C1]

the installation approach would have them wet sanding the dot-matrix

how does this sound?

they, apparently, are a very reputable shop

other approaches are paint, as mentioned above, and using white glue to fill the dot-matrix.

i suppose if the dot pattern was lowered toward the glass through sanding, the tint application may act like a filler ala the white glue...

opinions?

next step will be to visit the shop...

[Ben@Adams]

Thats a very high grade tint so the price is pretty fair... I had my TBSS done all the way around including the sunroof for $300 but that wasn't with nearly as high a quality of film.

[SRG963]

the installation approach would have them wet sanding the dot-matrix

how does this sound?

they, apparently, are a very reputable shop

other approaches are paint, as mentioned above, and using white glue to fill the dot-matrix.

i suppose if the dot pattern was lowered toward the glass through sanding, the tint application may act like a filler ala the white glue...

opinions?

next step will be to visit the shop...

First, I wouldn't let anyone sand anything on my vehicle, lol.
Second, I'd go with good ol metallic 10-15% all around, with 85% on the front.
Third, Take the extra $300 and tune your baby :)

[GeoffA]

Yes $500 for tint is Too much.

[irnwkrkev]

I went with formula one ceramic for $275 and they tinted the winshield with the lightest (60 I believe) huper optik for $100. Formula can be had in 20%, while the Huper Optik could only be had in 30% at the installer I went to. They said DON'T tint the sunroof, and wouldn't do it. They also had a web coupon for 10% off on top of this price. I think they're a chain called Solar Tint, they also do houses and offices. They were the only authorized installer in Miami, Fl. Ceramics block more heat, lifetime warranty against discolor, and don't interfere with reception like metallics. Kevin

[95_9C1]

I went with formula one ceramic for $275 and they tinted the winshield with the lightest (60 I believe) huper optik for $100.

do you know how they dealt with the dot-matrix (esp. the upper rear window)?

[irnwkrkev]

They used the elmers kids glue on mine and it looks decent, the small back corner window looked the worst when new but aren't so bad now. I think the wet sanding idea sounds great as long as they don't soak the interior. The dot matrix is so bumpy and raised that I can't see tint sticking to it without some kind of surface prep or coating to level it out.

[mtolivecracker]

hmmm, im sure painting the dot matrix is the best look but sounds scary as hell. The wet sanding i'd rather do myself since i dont trust others too much with messy work. No one will ever care for your car's well being better than you, its kinda your job to learn how to do some things and take care of it.