Window tint options for heat rejection

[i6pwr]

I'm looking at either Llumar IRX or Autobahn Ceramic i3.

The Autobahn is 3 layer and I'm concerned about optical clarity, especially at night. I have had good luck with Llumar in the past but never used IRX, so I'm curious about the i3.

My goal is for maximum heat rejection while retaining clarity. My gut says Llumar IRX and the heat rejection difference would be negligible...curious to all opinions.

 

[shortyb]

I wouldn't worry about layered film, the 3M Crystalline on the GLI is layered and has been optically perfect for the past 8 years. I know the Llumar IR has a very high heat rejection without having to be very dark. Llumar's Air Blue 80 line is also a very high heat rejection film with hardly any change in light transmission. I have this on my Tiguan's windshield. Even though the cabin is all black, it stays tolerable inside during sweltering temps.

 

[JohnnyG]

Mine was installed at the Mercedes dealership. I went legal, but for heat rejection, you'll need to go a step darker. I'd hate to think how hot this car could get in FL without any kind of tint.
Night and day vision is unaffected, and passersby can see me fine inside the car. Such as if I motion them to go while stopped. So, there is an advantage to legal, just don't go too dark.
Mine's

Llumar IRX.

 

[The Critic]

I wouldn't worry about layered film, the 3M Crystalline on the GLI is layered and has been optically perfect for the past 8 years. I know the Llumar IR has a very high heat rejection without having to be very dark. Llumar's Air Blue 80 line is also a very high heat rejection film with hardly any change in light transmission. I have this on my Tiguan's windshield. Even though the cabin is all black, it stays tolerable inside during sweltering temps.

There's a new Crystalline Black as well. I have Crystalline 70 on the front windshield of my truck and it has been very optically clear compared to Air Blue 80.

 

[iCurious]

Llumar Air seems to be popular of choice. But I find it not to be clear enough for my taste. I can kinda see a matrix effect.

 

[Jay73]

I did mine 5 years ago but I wanna say it's XPEL Infrared Ceramic. I'll have to find the receipt.

 

[thescreensavers]

All good tints have PDS that detail the information you are after.

 

[i6pwr]

Thanks, I'm going for legal on the front doors but cannot do windshield, unless I want to remove it every year or find someone who doesn't care. A clear windshield IR film would be sweet.

 

[DBMaster]

Thanks, I'm going for legal on the front doors but cannot do windshield, unless I want to remove it every year or find someone who doesn't care. A clear windshield IR film would be sweet.

I had my windshield tinted with clear IR blocking film in 2017. It is legal here, but it's invisible, regardless. Going darker with standard tint won't really reduce heat that much more than what you have. IR blocking doesn't have much to do with the level of visible light blocking.

 

[i6pwr]

IR blocking doesn't have much to do with the level of visible light blocking

Correct. For the windshield it would be mainly for heat rejection. I have some lower tier Suntek in another vehicle that has legal film on both front doors, but the light blue haze bugs me in early AM. However the heat rejection is a very welcomed feature. Next tint job is going to be either the Llumar ITX or Autobahn.

 

[The Critic]

Correct. For the windshield it would be mainly for heat rejection. I have some lower tier Suntek in another vehicle that has legal film on both front doors, but the light blue haze bugs me in early AM. However the heat rejection is a very welcomed feature. Next tint job is going to be either the Llumar ITX or Autobahn.

Most ceramic films have some level of low-angle haze. I had ceramic i3 on my Prius front windshield and the low-angle haze was pretty terrible, far worse than Air Blue 80. So far, Crystalline 70 and Stratos 70 have had the least amount of haze imo.