Air Blue 80 tint

[GrySql]

Well, it took me long enough to make up my mind but I had all 10 windows tinted today.

The windshield was the one I was stumped at, how to get the UV and heat rejection on that big piece of glass.

The other criteria was to stay legal here in CA and not to look too dark, like a Limo and also to have the whole job match.

 

For professional advice I went to the oldest and best rated window tint shop in my area and was finally able to make a decision.

They installed LLumar Formula One Air Blue 80 Ceramic tint on every window. At one point they had 4 guys working and the job took 2.5 hours, all hand cut.

These guys are pro's and did a super job.

 

On the way home in today's 100F heat I was able to rest my arm on the driver's side window ledge and felt no heat from the direct sunlight.

The dashboard was merely warm to the touch, it used to be hot. This tint has blocked almost 1/2 of the heat entering the car.

Visibility out the windshield was excellent, it is a very subtle tint looking from inside out.

I am very pleased with the conservative look, the spec's for this tint are here.

This is an expensive ceramic tint material compared to the older metallic tint. It also does not interfere with cell phone, GPS or other electronic signals from the car.

 

I had to get out my good camera because the iPhone camera's filters made it look almost black, and it isn't.

These pictures are pretty close to what it is.

The interesting photo is the one of the open door, looking from inside, the tint is very light from the inside, so driving at night isn't going to be a visibility problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DeeCee]

Looks great!

[acdii]

that is nice, what was the ballpark on that one?

[GrySql]

that is nice, what was the ballpark on that one?

Because LLumar has 'districts', it keeps competition out and prices up. I was told this is the most expensive tint material LLumar makes, the shop owner has it on all the glass of his personal car.

The windshield was $175 and the rest $300 = $475.

The windshield took them longer than the rest of the car - it's big, awkward to get to and the mirror cut-out was difficult.

You'd think the rear window would be as hard but they buzzed right thru that. One thing the installers liked was to be able to fold the rear seat backs down, made the job a lot easier.

 

On the street, the car looks like a factory tint and all the passengers can be easily seen. This should not make LE uneasy walking up to it.

In CA we can black out any window behind the driver/passenger windows so a complete Air 80 tint is more of a health and energy item, not an esthetic statement.

OTOH, overall it does look slick compared to stock. I'm glad I did it, I'm tired of my left arm getting sunburned, even with the windows up.

We drive to Phoenix often and the East/West sun is miserable, this windshield tint ought be a real nice change.

 

The Flex is next, it needs the driver/passenger windows and windshield.

Edited September 11, 2014 by GrySql

[corncobs]

Nice and the price is not bad for all 10 windows.

[acdii]

Shoot, that price is what I paid to have mine tinted, though they did a great job and it did make a difference in summer temps and sun.

[GrySql]

Shoot, that price is what I paid to have mine tinted, though they did a great job and it did make a difference in summer temps and sun.

Did you have the windshield tinted too? I thought it was a fair price, especially when I saw all the work that was done.

 

We just drove it the first time at night, no problems with visibility and headlight glare.

Walking back to the parking lot from the frozen yogurt place the car windows didn't look tinted very much, the interior was easy to see.

Very unusual stuff.

Edited September 11, 2014 by GrySql

[Texasota]

Looks very nice, especially on a white Fusion.

[GrySql]

Looks very nice, especially on a white Fusion.

Yes, after almost 2 years I still love the way it looks. I regret not tinting it sooner.

 

The guys at the tint shop told me they'd done over 10 gas Fusions but not a hybrid.

The foreman drove the car in and out of the workshop, because the car had a high SOC it stayed in EV each time, so quiet.

Just as I was about to leave he came over and had a lot of questions about the FFH, to him it was so different than the regular Fusions.

It was a smile moment for me, I like bragging about it.

 

As we talked he was walking around the car with some detail spray and left it perfectly clean (it was spotless when it arrived).

That was a good experience, they made a repeat customer out of me.

[acdii]

Did you have the windshield tinted too? I thought it was a fair price, especially when I saw all the work that was done.

 

We just drove it the first time at night, no problems with visibility and headlight glare.

Walking back to the parking lot from the frozen yogurt place the car windows didn't look tinted very much, the interior was easy to see.

Very unusual stuff.

Everything except the windshield, cost $300. They did a very good job too. Mine though are tinted to maximum legal all around, never heard of being able to "tint" the windshield, though, but it isn't really tint if the color doesn't change.

[Easy Rider]

Did you have the windshield tinted too?

 

Did they put the tint on the inside or outside of the windshield ?

When did you notice the wiper problem, relative to the installation of the tint ??

 

Even if the tint went on the inside of the windshield (only practical option really), it might be good to pop in and ask them what they think about the wipers.

[GrySql]

never heard of being able to "tint" the windshield, though, but it isn't really tint if the color doesn't change.

This picture is the windshield, it certainly looks tinted - from some angles. From inside the tint is slightly noticeable but vision doesn't seem impaired.

The darkness of the other LLumar tint material didn't correspond to increased price, just the class of material mattered.

In the chart I linked to in the first post the Classic Series was less than the Comfort Series, Pinnacle was more $ and the Air Series the most $.

 

Last night my wife mentioned that it was actually easier to see thru, not as much headlight glare but perfectly clear.

Today, it is 100F +, she was directly in the sun coming through the windshield as we drove to our destination, for the first time she said she could not feel it. I'll go with that, a success on my score card.

 

Edited September 11, 2014 by GrySql

[GrySql]

Did they put the tint on the inside or outside of the windshield ?

When did you notice the wiper problem, relative to the installation of the tint ??

 

Even if the tint went on the inside of the windshield (only practical option really), it might be good to pop in and ask them what they think about the wipers.

Installed on the inside of the windshield glass.

BTW, as mentioned in other tint Threads, can't use ammonia based window cleaners (Windex) on the inside of the windows, it will release the tint material.

 

I don't understand your 'wiper problem' question. My windshield wipers work as they always have, no problems that I know of.

[Easy Rider]

 

I don't understand your 'wiper problem' question. My windshield wipers work as they always have, no problems that I know of.

Sorry. I got my squirrels and bears mixed up. :)

[GrySql]

Sorry. I got my squirrels and bears mixed up. :)

It's a jungle out there...

[47Minutes]

I am hoping to get this done on my 14 when I finally get it. I looked at it for the 13 and the average cost here was around $300 for the windshield alone. I'm squirreling away my mpg check hoping to use it for tint. Hopefully the wife doesn't remember it was coming and ask about it!

[tammap]

Hi GrySql,

 

Please tell me where did you get your tint job?

 

Thank you!

[GrySql]

Hi GrySql,

 

Please tell me where did you get your tint job?

 

Thank you!

Mr. Tint in Temecula.