Window Tint: Ceramic or Carbon????Please help me decide...

[2011VWTDI]

Hi everybody,

I am planing o get my car tinted soon. I made couple of phone calls and one of the tint shop owner told me installing carbon film to back window (one piece) almost impossible.

Please let me choice which one should i go. So far I quoted for carbon $299 and Ceramic: $469

I live in Northern Virginia, pleaase help me to choice which tint shop i should go with.

I am planing to get %35 all around, if you guys put some pictures would be great.

Thx

[JohnMR]

Mine was installed as a one piece on the rear glass, the guy used Lumar (the brand) and It looks great, sorry, no pics, you should search on the web for reviews of installers in your area, that's what I did and couldn't be happier with the install they did. As far as I know, ceramic tints are a much better (and pricey) option.

[DonnyUGA]

The ceramics are super expensive. Should be about 175 to do the whole car with a high quality carbon film as opposed to damn near 500 for the ceramic. At least that was about the quote I got when I did my CC. The installer I used was awesome and he said that the ceramics were really difficult to shape to the curves of the windows. Back glass on my CC was one piece. So was the back glass on my old GTI. If that guy can't get your back glass in one piece he should probably re-think his profession. Personally I'd go carbon. Cheaper and you get just about the same heat reduction IMO.

[romanl]

went with carbon 32% Lumar brand all around, back window is one piece. *(although the guy did have a little hard time and i think he wen through 2 or 3 pcs before he got it just right.)
i wish i could go a little darker for this SoCal sun, but 32% is just dark enough to keep it much cooler in the car, yet be light enough that cops wont mess wiht you *(i've been pulled over 2xspeeding & 1xfor plates) and neither said anything about the tint.
here are few diff shots in different lights

[shankys_14]

fishbowl for life ! sorry im no help haha

[Short Bus]

What's the difference between ceramic and carbon?

[DonnyUGA]

It's supposed to offer better heat reduction with a more transparent tint. So a 35% in ceramic is supposed to be equal to 15% or so in the carbon heat reduction wise.
here's the stuff my tint guy uses

http://www.huperoptikusa.com/automotive.cfm

[Quattro-R]

It's supposed to offer better heat reduction with a more transparent tint. So a 35% in ceramic is supposed to be equal to 15% or so in the carbon heat reduction wise.
here's the stuff my tint guy uses

http://www.huperoptikusa.com/automotive.cfm

^ This

The only reason I see to go with Carbon is to reduce interior temp when the car is left in the sun. Could be very helpful if you have leather seats.

Make sure whatever you go with for the rear is one piece. You don't want to see any breaks or lines, which can happen when using 2 pieces. Those prices seem pretty steep. I had my 2 door done with 1 piece rear for $199 but just used regular 30%. Pics below.

Finally, make sure you go to a place that does their work inside and that will be around for a while incase of any warranty issues. I didn't feel comfortable going to a car stereo place and found a place that applies tint to windows on commercial buildings.

Just my $.02

[phatz314]

^ This

The only reason I see to go with Carbon is to reduce interior temp when the car is left in the sun. Could be very helpful if you have leather seats.

Wait, what? I thought ceramic has the best heat reduction, hence the higher cost.

[DonnyUGA]

Ceramic has the best heat reduction. I'm still planning on doing the high performance carbon on my new GTI (if it ever gets to this hell hole of a town in south alabama). Allegedly you can get 70% heat reduction with ceramic at 40% tint. But with 30% carbon you still get ~40% reduction if I'm not mistaken. To me it's not really worth the extra cost. I have considered doing a damn near clear ceramic film on the windshield to cut down on heat. I haven't really researched it yet. The county cops around here all have tinted windshields so if I ever get pulled over I'll probably end up in jail because I can't keep my mouth shut. Do as I say, not as I do and all that crap.

[dmbbilly41]

Carbon!! Ceramic is way too expensive and not worth it in my opinion. Anyway, I live in detroit and I went to Ziebart. They are a national auto/body shop type deal. www.ziebart.com Anyway, they are awesome and offer competitive prices ($200 for all 5 windows). They also have a lifetime warranty on all their tint. I got mine 22% all around and have one piece in the back and couldn't be happier. I know they have a shop in fairfax but I am not sure how close you are to that. If you are you should check it out. Just my opinion!

[71sbeetle]

I have ceramic, Pinnacle Formula One 35% all around, what all my cars get, and for my Golf it was $210 complete. Huper Optik is nice but their film is thicker so it will take MUCH longer to dry and set (we're talking months here) and your window seals will get damaged faster (yeah .... it's that thick !)

I Pinnacle Formula One

[2011VWTDI]

Thx. I'll check tomorrow.

[dhectorg]

I just decided on the Pinnacle F1 ceramic 35% all around for my 2012 4-door TDI. The closest quality tint installer to me (Quality Window Tint, 2.5 hrs away in Columbus OH) said the best he could do was $400 cash OTD. I agree this is pricey, but I went ahead and scheduled because they're hard to get into and there's a scarcity of quality installers near me. Plus I wanted a film with excellent heat and UV blocking performance that would last for many years without degrading in any way. I figured an extra $200 for known long-term performance of Pinnacle is worth it to me. I also prefer the color compared to most other 35% films I've seen. The down side, my install appointment isn't until Oct 11th!

[71sbeetle]

I just decided on the Pinnacle F1 ceramic 35% all around for my 2012 4-door TDI. The closest quality tint installer to me (Quality Window Tint, 2.5 hrs away in Columbus OH) said the best he could do was $400 cash OTD. I agree this is pricey, but I went ahead and scheduled because they're hard to get into and there's a scarcity of quality installers near me. Plus I wanted a film with excellent heat and UV blocking performance that would last for many years without degrading in any way. I figured an extra $200 for known long-term performance of Pinnacle is worth it to me. I also prefer the color compared to most other 35% films I've seen. The down side, my install appointment isn't until Oct 11th!

Road trip time

[BIG FAT UNCLE PAULY]

I'm in Maryland and share you weather. I have 3M color stable, a top tier dye. You don't need the ceramic or carbon in our climate. Yes it reflects heat way better but is not necessary in the mid atlantic area. I went with 20% and find this too dark at night - would go with 35% it I did it over.

[dhectorg]

I'm in Maryland and share you weather. I have 3M color stable, a top tier dye. You don't need the ceramic or carbon in our climate. Yes it reflects heat way better but is not necessary in the mid atlantic area. I went with 20% and find this too dark at night - would go with 35% it I did it over.

Actually, the ceramic is just as effective at keeping heat inside in the winter. Plus we do have 3 months a yr that are pretty hot. It's definitely worth it to me. I don't mind spending a little extra for the highest performance and quality. I wouldn't even consider dyed film...the color won't last.

I share your concerns about night time visibility. I was considering going with 20% in the rear, but I'm sticking with 35% all around. Having a more aggressive appearance is all fine and good, but being able to see what's coming when I back out of a driveway or parking space is far more important as far as I'm concerned.