TheSamba.com :: View topic - 3M Crystalline window tint

Wed Mar 01, 2023 7:35 pm

Mckinleyvillian wrote: You ever get pulled over for tint? I was in the car when my buddy was by a State Cop Rt 495 in Massachusetts. Dude pulled a meter out, said %5 was illegal and that it had to go. Goes to his car and comes back, says "I said it's got to go now!" takes a razor knife and slashes the tint on both front windows and makes us peel it off right there on the side of the highway.

that sounds out of protocol ....I'd expect him to give a ticket and have the car towed as not-roadworthy....Your solution experience was cheaper/faster for you although seeming unnecessarily aggressive (as I read it)

Wed Mar 01, 2023 7:53 pm

vanis13 wrote: Mckinleyvillian wrote: You ever get pulled over for tint? I was in the car when my buddy was by a State Cop Rt 495 in Massachusetts. Dude pulled a meter out, said %5 was illegal and that it had to go. Goes to his car and comes back, says "I said it's got to go now!" takes a razor knife and slashes the tint on both front windows and makes us peel it off right there on the side of the highway.

that sounds out of protocol ....I'd expect him to give a ticket and have the car towed as not-roadworthy....Your solution experience was cheaper/faster for you although seeming unnecessarily aggressive (as I read it)

aw yeah definitely out of protocol (and control). my friend had a hard time getting the tint off as it was slashed and not heated. anyways, not a typical experience and the cop was not a very nice fellow!

Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:23 am

huh.... so you're saying like 1 in a million....

'so you're telling me there's a chance'

-hmmmm

Thu Mar 02, 2023 12:14 pm

I bought an IS250 and on the way home I was pulled over because PO had a football sticker on their actual license plate. (I knew PO personally and she let me borrow the tags).

They ended up giving me a ticket for the tint. I removed the old tint, took photos, and showed the judge. They dropped the charge and I believe I only had to pay court fees.

If that happened to me with 3m Crystalline - I probably would just eat the charge if possible.

Thu Mar 02, 2023 6:57 pm

jimf909 wrote: I got a quote for $1,200 for 3M Crystalline for the windshield and front doors in Seattle and that kept me from doing the job because I'm looking for a better price. This is still something I'll do when I find the right price at the right time but it's not a huge priority right now.

I am going to get a quote tomorrow in Kitsap for the windshield and front doors, ill update what I find out tomorrow.

Thu Mar 02, 2023 7:06 pm

Why not just go with ceramic tint? All our windows except the front...$500.

Thu Mar 02, 2023 9:18 pm

Andymon wrote: Why not just go with ceramic tint? All our windows except the front...$500.

Crystalline is higher quality than ceramic. 3M does offer a variety of tints - however, Crystalline seems to be the best - especially with our campers.

Quote:
https://dynamicappearance.com/blog/3m-crystalline-is-better-than-ceramic/

Crystalline is a proprietary, multilayer optical film (MOF) with nano-technology that combines over 200 layers in a film that is thinner than a Post-it® Note. That sounds cool, but how does that differ from Ceramic? Ceramic films are designed to absorb the sun's heat, preventing it from passing through into your vehicle's cabin. Sounds great, but this technology only works if your car is in motion allowing the air to push the heat away from the vehicle. However, if you are sitting in traffic or a parking lot, there is nothing to move the heat away from the glass. The heat will continue to build up until it radiates heat inwards toward you. So the amount you feel when driving versus the amount you feel when sitting still is vastly different. All Ceramic films work this way, including the brands we carry. 3M Crystalline technology is more advanced than Ceramic technology. While it absorbs some heat, the vast majority is redirected away from the glass, keeping you much cooler whether you are driving or not. Even though a select few Ceramic films can hang with Crystalline when the car is in motion, none can touch it while sitting still.

Fri Mar 03, 2023 9:33 am

Andymon wrote: Why not just go with ceramic tint? All our windows except the front...$500.

I don't believe the variance in cost is related to materials because install costs for Crystalline appear to vary substantially. From everything I've learned over the past few years 3M Crystalline seems to reduce heat gain better than others even with high light transmission which is great for folks who don't want a dark tint. I'll have it installed on the windshield at 90% - 95% or so on the windshield and 80ish% on the side windows (I really dislike dark tints that make the inside of the van dark and dark tint for security is not an issue for me).

Sat Mar 04, 2023 7:12 pm

dublife13 wrote: jimf909 wrote: I got a quote for $1,200 for 3M Crystalline for the windshield and front doors in Seattle and that kept me from doing the job because I'm looking for a better price. This is still something I'll do when I find the right price at the right time but it's not a huge priority right now.

I am going to get a quote tomorrow in Kitsap for the windshield and front doors, ill update what I find out tomorrow.

So the shop in Kitsap I took my van to told me they didn't think they could do the job to level of quality they achieve to. Going to try a few more spots local to me and see what they say.

Sat Mar 04, 2023 8:17 pm

Had my van done last summer with the 3M stuff. The tint on the van before was bubbling up. Had a shop south of Seattle do all the windows for about $1,600. Trying to remember if it made a difference. I don't recall being blown away by it. It does look nice with all the windows the same shade of tint.

Sat Jun 08, 2024 9:49 am

I’m scheduled for full install Tuesday. Quoted $650, windshield additional $350 (materials price?)

I think this is reasonable for the work being done. His wife raved about my Westy, maybe that helped? lol

After all there comments here I’m going to bite the bullet and clear ‘tint’the windshield.

I’ll update Wednesday. Daytona Beach.

Sat Jun 08, 2024 10:41 am

jimf909 wrote: kamzcab86 wrote: Whenever I get around to removing the decades-old, turning-purple-and-peeling-off tint...

I just removed crappy old tint from six windows in an old pickup truck. With a heat gun the job was done easily in an hour and was far easier than I expected.

Yeah, easier said than done on my van. I did the slider door window and half the kitchen slider and gave up. The 30-year-old tint was a royal PITA, regardless of the method (I tried multiple). Had the tint shop do it; took them 2 days to R&R the original tint (they steamed it off), plus doing the front doors and clearing the windshield.

RainierSyncro wrote: Trying to remember if it made a difference.

Makes a big difference here in AZ. Worth every penny to me.

Sat Jun 08, 2024 7:00 pm

Yeah $650 is a steal. Please keep us posted!

Sun Jun 09, 2024 1:11 pm

I did a 3m all around (not windshield) with the glass out a few years ago. It really blocks heat well.

The shop in Reno didn't like doing the window out thing, but it looks really clean

Sun Jun 09, 2024 1:59 pm

Is it possible to buy this for DIY install?

Mon Jun 10, 2024 5:26 am

Andy if I were you I would be looking into this Groupon deal, in your town!

Mon Jun 10, 2024 6:11 am

shagginwagon83 wrote: Andy if I were you I would be looking into this Groupon deal, in your town!

That's a great lead. Shows $193 (183 through tomorrow) for 5 windows in a large car. I'll stop by and see what the details are, some reviews state surprise charges.

And the original question, vanis13 wrote: Is it possible to buy this for DIY install?

Mon Jun 10, 2024 6:30 am

They sell some on ebay. Otherwise, find an authorized dealer and contact them and see if they will sell directly to you. They aren't supposed to but some do on the side.

Mon Jun 10, 2024 7:32 am

Yeah I saw a listing on ebay but the film is very expensive.

I have found in the "installer finder" that they specifically list if an installer is certified for Crystalline. I don't know how this film would be any different installing.

Also Andy, sent you some AC project updates.

Quote:
This two-day course includes a special section on 3M™ Automotive Window Film Crystalline Series. Training also includes instruction on film selection, prepping, mixture ratios, trimming and hand cutting as well as pre-cut kits, heat forming and final inspection.

3M™ Automotive Window Film with Crystalline Preferred Installer Testing
Upon completion of two days of training, installers who have the necessary knowledge and skills can go through the testing process. Installers who pass the test will receive a certificate and the designation 3M™ Automotive Window Film with Crystalline Preferred Installer.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/post-factory-installation-us/resources/installer-training/

Mon Jun 10, 2024 8:16 am

kamzcab86 wrote: jimf909 wrote: kamzcab86 wrote: Whenever I get around to removing the decades-old, turning-purple-and-peeling-off tint...

I just removed crappy old tint from six windows in an old pickup truck. With a heat gun the job was done easily in an hour and was far easier than I expected.

Yeah, easier said than done on my van. I did the slider door window and half the kitchen slider and gave up. The 30-year-old tint was a royal PITA, regardless of the method (I tried multiple). Had the tint shop do it; took them 2 days to R&R the original tint (they steamed it off), plus doing the front doors and clearing the windshield.

Darn. I guess this is an example where I got lucky. Every old car seems to have a gumption trap lurking somewhere.