Heat Reflective Glass

[smr2112]

I noticed when I got my 2004 Acura whichhas a black leather interior, that it really doesn't

get that hot in the summer (alot less than I expected). I think this is because it uses heat reflective

glass. Everybody (including myself) expects that black interiors get *very* hot compared to light

color interiors in the summer (or colder in the winter).

 

Anybody know if this is standard on most cars these days? What about the FFH?

 

Somebody interested in buying my Acura ask me about this and got me thinking about the new car.

[fsb99]

I noticed when I got my 2004 Acura whichhas a black leather interior, that it really doesn't

get that hot in the summer (alot less than I expected). I think this is because it uses heat reflective

glass. Everybody (including myself) expects that black interiors get *very* hot compared to light

color interiors in the summer (or colder in the winter).

 

Anybody know if this is standard on most cars these days? What about the FFH?

 

Somebody interested in buying my Acura ask me about this and got me thinking about the new car.

I'm going to get my car ceramic tinted tomorrow. I don't know if I can make a determination on whether this will reduce the heat in the car if it's been parked outside during my work shift...it's supposed to be pretty good in keeping heat (UV) out.

[cchaos]

The solar tinting built into the FFH windows won't reflect a lot of heat. I believe it's primarily for blocking UV radiation. I would suggest getting the windows professionally tinted if you want to maximize the heat reflection.

 

3M makes the Black Chrome series -- their BC-35 is a good level to get to reflect solar heat. Your vehicle will still get hot if you park in the sun, but it will take much longer to get hot, so the tinting really helps to keep the vehicle cooler during short trips and errands where you only park for thirty minutes or so. It's cumulative like a greenhouse, though, so if you park in the sun all day, it will still get really hot inside the car no matter how strong the heat reflection is.

[cchaos]

Also, the Fusion has a large windshield (which of course can't be tinted), so I personally use a heatshield for the windshield if I know I'll be parking it for a while in the sun. It still gets hot inside, but at least it helps protect the dash and the leather seats from excessive UV damage.

[fsb99]

I'm going to get my car ceramic tinted tomorrow. I don't know if I can make a determination on whether this will reduce the heat in the car if it's been parked outside during my work shift...it's supposed to be pretty good in keeping heat (UV) out.

 

Here is a picture (have one more but have trouble uploading) of my ceramic medium tint...I spent a couple of hours today washing and waxing (Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detail, Ultimate Quik Wax, and Supreme Shine plus Meguiar's tire and wheel cleaners). Tints definitely made the car cooler if parked short term and has less AC demand during medium to long distance drives (>10miles)

[fsb99]

Here is a picture (have one more but have trouble uploading) of my ceramic medium tint...I spent a couple of hours today washing and waxing (Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detail, Ultimate Quik Wax, and Supreme Shine plus Meguiar's tire and wheel cleaners). Tints definitely made the car cooler if parked short term and has less AC demand during medium to long distance drives (>10miles)

 

UPDATE: here's a link to more pictures (some better in showing tint)

http://s768.photobucket.com/albums/xx328/2010FFH/

[robm15]

UPDATE: here's a link to more pictures (some better in showing tint)

http://s768.photobucket.com/albums/xx328/2010FFH/

 

 

your tinting looks great! I do have one question, what is ceramic tinting? And how is it different from film?

[fsb99]

your tinting looks great! I do have one question, what is ceramic tinting? And how is it different from film?

 

Thanks!

 

Ceramic and metallic tints are both films. Ceramic cost almost twice as much as metallic. Supposedly ceramic has better heat/infrared rejection. I paid extra since I'm planning on keeping the car for a while. Mine happen to be Madico - their website shows some key points of their line of products.

 

http://www.madico.com/WindowFilms/Auto_Products.asp

 

I think some of the arguments in the internet revolves around metallic tints interfering with satellite/radio signals. Being an RF engineer, I don't really buy that since the film is so thin, and in most cases, antennas are outside the vehicle.

 

My co-worker also tinted his car the same day but with the metallic type. We both had medium all around, but it seems that his is a little lighter shade. I'm happy with mine. I'm sure it helps my AC demand, compared to no tint (had the car for over two months and just tinted last week), when I drive home from work in 90+ degree heat.

[lrymal]

I think some of the arguments in the internet revolves around metallic tints interfering with satellite/radio signals. Being an RF engineer, I don't really buy that since the film is so thin, and in most cases, antennas are outside the vehicle...

Have you had a chance of checking your cell phone signal--not in a five bar area, but marginal signal area?

[fsb99]

Have you had a chance of checking your cell phone signal--not in a five bar area, but marginal signal area?

 

The ceramic type that I have should not have any effect on Radio Frequency. I have Sprint and they are generally good to excellent in-vehicle coverage in the area that I regularly travel. The closest "marginal area" that I noticed is in my garage with all the garage accesses closed. I get 1 bar and no problems with making a call in those conditions.

[lrymal]

The ceramic type that I have should not have any effect on Radio Frequency. I have Sprint and they are generally good to excellent in-vehicle coverage in the area that I regularly travel. The closest "marginal area" that I noticed is in my garage with all the garage accesses closed. I get 1 bar and no problems with making a call in those conditions.

I just now went to the website. Really looks like a very fine product line. Thanks for sharing.

[fsb99]

I just now went to the website. Really looks like a very fine product line. Thanks for sharing.

 

No problem. I get great ideas from this forum so I figure I share something that I'm happy with. By the way, I did not pick the product first. Someone at work referred me to an installer with very good reputation - his shop has a contract with local BMW dealers and I figured that he is very good at what he does (when I was there I saw BMWs, Ford, Lexus being treated). Just happens that he uses this product - lifetime warranty applies. I bargained him down a little bit to what he said as dealer price. If you're in Orange County area and interested, I have his info. I gotta go back this week so that he can fix the white area on the back window black dots (he expected it to happen and will re-treat the areas after 1 week). I remember reading that someone here had the same problem.

[ralteredstates]

Thanks!

 

Ceramic and metallic tints are both films. Ceramic cost almost twice as much as metallic. Supposedly ceramic has better heat/infrared rejection. I paid extra since I'm planning on keeping the car for a while. Mine happen to be Madico - their website shows some key points of their line of products.

 

http://www.madico.com/WindowFilms/Auto_Products.asp

 

I think some of the arguments in the internet revolves around metallic tints interfering with satellite/radio signals. Being an RF engineer, I don't really buy that since the film is so thin, and in most cases, antennas are outside the vehicle.

 

My co-worker also tinted his car the same day but with the metallic type. We both had medium all around, but it seems that his is a little lighter shade. I'm happy with mine. I'm sure it helps my AC demand, compared to no tint (had the car for over two months and just tinted last week), when I drive home from work in 90+ degree heat.

I had my 2001 BMW 740 tinted with metallic. The antenna was wire in the rear window. AM reception was effectively made useless because of the tint but AM was not used except for news and was not missed. Satellite reception should not be affected at all and I would assume cell phone reception would not either. AM is much more sensitive to reception interference in general.

[GreenGene]

I had my 2001 BMW 740 tinted with metallic. The antenna was wire in the rear window. AM reception was effectively made useless because of the tint but AM was not used except for news and was not missed. Satellite reception should not be affected at all and I would assume cell phone reception would not either. AM is much more sensitive to reception interference in general.

 

 

I used metallic tint on my 01 benz and the only negative effect was the am radio. I received my FFH last week (Tuxedo Black with Stone Interior). I live in Palm Springs, CA where it's currently 110 - 115. I took it directly to my tint guy. During our conversation, he mentioned that he could tint the windshield! I was astonished. He said that technically, it's also illegal to tint the driver's and passenger's windows in CA but it's commonly done. He showed me his personal vehicle with the tinted windshield and the tint is so light you'd never know it was there, however, the benefits of the tint are still there. I decided to go for it and the effects were amazing. The FFH has a rather large windshield and the dash got quite hot in our broiling sun. On the drive home I couldn't believe the difference. You can't tell there's tint on it. The a/c ran on lower speed immediately and the cabin cooled very quickly. I'll let you know if I get a ticket! Until then, I'm staying as cool as possible.

[WPWoodJr]

Interesting to see these Benz and BMW owners buying a Ford! :)

[fsb99]

Interesting to see these Benz and BMW owners buying a Ford! :)

 

Never thought I'd buy a Ford...my other vehicle is a 1996 Toyota 4Runner Limited (186k miles and still running strong)

[PJFW8]

Never thought I'd buy a Ford...my other vehicle is a 1996 Toyota 4Runner Limited (186k miles and still running strong)

Traded my Lexus RX400h on an Edge. Miss the HID's and auto wipers, but love the sync and better nav on the Ford. The Ford is much better on the road, also. Liked it enough that I traded my '06 MB C280 4matic on an FFH. No regrets (except for the HID's etc. I am spoiled). Never thought I'd buy a Ford!