Window Tinting Questions (Formula One)

[volvie!]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking into having my 2004 V70 windows tinted:

I've been trying to do my homework on this one, but still have a few questions.

I'm sure most of these questions can be answered by the tint shop, but I am also interested to hear what Volvo people have used/thought.

We've never had a car with tinted windows until my mom recently purchased a "new" S70 (with unknown after-market tint manufacturer and %s):

Before this purchase, we both thought tinting was mostly for privacy, but were surprised by how much cooler the inside of the car is and how easy it is to see through at night...

From the research I've been doing, I've read that ceramic (non-conductive) tint is better for cars with integrated window antennas-- is this still the case?

I've called my local Volvo dealership and indy shop-- both highly recommended the same shop which installs Formula One:
http://www.formulaone.com/

I also found this website which lets you see each Formula One tint on a sample car:
http://www.tintplus.com/defaul...wroom

My biggest priorities are the tint's heat reflecting qualities and glare reduction, although I would also like it to look nice and more of the black/charcoal color like the sunroof versus something with green, purple, gold, etc. hues.

Given all of these things, I was looking at the Pinnacle series of Formula One and was wondering if anyone has this installed and has a picture to post.

What are your thoughts about Formula One and their tint line(s)?
Are you satisfied with the color, clarity, etc.?
From what I've read, people seem happy with their Formula One tint selections, but I've been unable to find specifics (i.e., series and %s with photos).

The recommended shop is reputable and will do legal tinting.
Here are the CA tinting laws:
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/CA
But, I don't really know what these %s look like from the inside of the car.
I'd prefer that the tint be easy to see through from the inside (especially at night) like my mom's-- what %s would you recommend?
Any guesses on what %s my mom has?
*Edit: The front tint is lighter than the back (i.e., two different %s). End edit.*
[I have yet to meet with the tint shop, but was thinking of also bringing my mom's car to see if they could tell the manufacturer and %s.]

Is there a way to see how the tint will look at night before it is installed?

Anyone purchased the Formula One UV Shield?
What are your thoughts on this one?

Some of the links I've looked at:
http://forums.swedespeed.com/z...age=1
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum...&st=0
http://www.tintdude.com/forum/....html

Thanks.


Modified by volvie! at 10:57 AM 7-16-2008

[Rappelingman]

I would say that llumar tent is the best going by my opinion. I have used 3m and llumar tent and I have found that 3m tends to degrade after 10-15 years it starts flaking off the windows hindering your view of the outside. I have put 5% limo tent on my 740 in the back to prevent people from seeing my amp and subs but it is very hard to see out of at night. Currently on my S80 I have 30% tint on the rear windows and 40% on the fronts and I would say that its not all that much tint. People can still see in the fronts during the day and you can see w/ no problems at night. I just had my xc70 tinted w/ 15% in the back and 30% on the front 2 windows. I have no problem seeing out of my windows at night and you have to put some effort in to see in from the outside if you are looking into the trunk.

The S70 you have in the picture looks like (guessing from the pics) 30-40% in the front and 15-20% in the rear.

If you want to look at tint shades go to walmart and buy some of the static cling tint. 1. it wont look as good a llumar (not as clear b/c its cheap compaired to llumar) 2. walmart takes anything back.

When I had my xc70 tinted it cost about $160 for tint and labor.

http://www.llumar.com/

[volvie!]

Hi Rappelingman,

Thanks for the information and suggestions!

I didn't know they made static cling tiit-- I'll head over to Walmart sometime this week to look at the options!

Thanks.

[Chilled Man]

35% Front and back



5% rear 35% on front windows



I dont really like it I like all on shade but bought the car that way.
And yes that is four different cars

[ss60]

Quote, originally posted by volvie! »

Hi Everyone, ...but were surprised by how much cooler the inside of the car is...

this is one of the best benefits IMO too.

Quote, originally posted by volvie! »

From the research I've been doing, I've read that ceramic (non-conductive) tint is better for cars with integrated window antennas-- is this still the case?

yes, this is still the case (due to the laws of physics not changing recently)

Quote, originally posted by volvie! »

I've called my local Volvo dealership and indy shop-- both highly recommended the same shop which installs Formula One: http://www.formulaone.com/ My biggest priorities are the tint's heat reflecting qualities and glare reduction Given all of these things, I was looking at the Pinnacle series of Formula One and was wondering if anyone has this installed and has a picture to post. What are your thoughts about Formula One and their tint line(s)? Are you satisfied with the color, clarity, etc.?

I have Formula One Pinnacle series (ceramic) installed in my wife's wagon. The heat reduction is incredible. You can leave it parked in the sun for hours and it does not get hot like before (without tint), assuming you have a shade for the windsheild of course.
I have had it for over 1 year now, not issues at all. No fade, no delamination, no anything. The car has been parked outside almost every day for that entire time.

All Formula One installers have a big chart stating the heat and glare reduction numbers. They will confirm everything with you when you go in.

[justin21x]

I'm only guessing, but the S70 looks like 35% on the front and 20-25% on the back.But it looks like it could also just be shadows making it look darker in the back, and could be 35% all around.

This is 20% all around, it's a Llumar film. I forget which series but it's not ceramic. It doesn't give me too much trouble at night, I mostly find the A pillar in the way more than anything. The reduced heat is incredible, and I don't feel like I'm baking in a solar oven while I drive down the road.

[volvie!]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all of your replies!
Those are some mighty fine looking wagons!

Chiiled Man--
Are all of your vehicles tinted with Formula One?
Do you know the manufacturers/series of the tints you have?

ss60--
Thanks for sharing your Formula One experiences!
About how long did the install take?
I've heard that ceramic might take a little longer to install than "regular" tint.

justing21x--

Quote, originally posted by justin21x »

I'm only guessing, but the S70 looks like 35% on the front and 20-25% on the back.But it looks like it could also just be shadows making it look darker in the back, and could be 35% all around.

You are correct. There are two different %s on my mom's car (the fronts are lighter/more transparent than the back). I've edited the original post to clarify this.

Any issues with radio reception with the non-ceramic Lluminar?

Thanks for sharing!

[justin21x]

I've always found the radio reception with the integrated antennas to be less than stellar. I have not noticed a difference since having the car tinted.

Quote, originally posted by volvie! »

Is there a way to see how the tint will look at night before it is installed?

How do you mean? Do you want to see the car from the outside at night, or see out from inside the car at night? I don't have any at night, but can take any pictures you might want.

BTW, I love the color of your wagon and your wheels!

[ss60]

Quote, originally posted by volvie! »

Hi Everyone, ss60-- Thanks for sharing your Formula One experiences! About how long did the install take? I've heard that ceramic might take a little longer to install than "regular" tint.

The installation process is the same as far as I know, all kinds are simply laminate, so there should be no difference in installation time. Process is very basic: they get the dimensions from a CAD-like program, cut the material, and apply it to the glass.

The installation on my wifes wagon took a couple hours. I'm not sure if there was only one installer working on it, could have been more.

[Chilled Man]

No clue on the tint manufacture .

One of my friends is a tint guy and he comes to the house I give him $200 and when I get home later the car is tinted

[volvie!]

Hi justin21x,

Quote, originally posted by justin21x »

I've always found the radio reception with the integrated antennas to be less than stellar. I have not noticed a difference since having the car tinted.

Good to know! On other forums/reviews, I've seen some complain of interference with radios, navigation, cell phones, and radar detecting equipment. The only thing I use out of that list in my car is the radio, so that is what I was curious about.

Quote, originally posted by justin21x »

How do you mean? Do you want to see the car from the outside at night, or see out from inside the car at night? I don't have any at night, but can take any pictures you might want.

I was curious to see what it looks like from the inside of the car at night. Some common road conditions out here that I'm curious about:
-Dark country road (with no street lights) and a car's headlights behind you
-Suburban/city street driving with regular street lights
-Freeway driving with street lighting mostly around exits

One of the reasons I love Volvos so much is because they have BIG windows!
It would totally defeat the purpose for me if I installed tint that was too dark to see out of.

Quote, originally posted by justin21x »

BTW, I love the color of your wagon and your wheels!

Thanks! I do too! I think the original owner made some very good choices in the looks and features of the car!
Now all I have to do is figure out how to take good car photos...

[volvie!]

Hi ss60,

Thanks for elaborating on your experience!
As you said, there may be a few reasons why tint takes longer to install than others (more people installing, a less experienced installer, etc.)...

Hi Chilled Man,

Quote, originally posted by Chilled Man »

One of my friends is a tint guy and he comes to the house I give him $200 and when I get home later the car is tinted

Very nice!
Sounds like a great friendship to me!

[arejohn]

I had mine tinted in jax fl but dont remember what brand. I am past forty so my night vision is not so good so I had the front doors and 5th door done in the lightest and the other glass medium.

[Dextrobrick]

Sort of as a side note, tinted windows with blacked out B- and C-pillars would look great.