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Got window tint? Please jump in.

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by ELP_JC, Jun 10, 2012.

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  1. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #1 ELP_JC, Jun 10, 2012
    Hey gang. I know tint is not a popular mod with Ferraris, but the Cali is a car meant to be driven more than the typical exotic. And a necessity here in hot TX. Plus it's fully reversible, so no harm done to the car's resale value. And I'm talking about 35%, which doesn't hinder visibility inside the car, nor does it reflect at night. But cuts heat intrusion while driving quite a bit, and protects interior from UV damage as well. I typically do 35% just in the front windows (and 20% on rear ones), but it'd be 35% all around on the Cali.

    Car is a '10 Possi Blue with Cuoio interior, so dark smoke would be the most appropriate tone IMO, but I'd appreciate comments and recommendations. And pictures of ANY Cali with tint would be awesome, before pulling the trigger. And finally, for those with tint, I assume rear window should be done with roof closed, correct? And yes, car has rear seats, not the luggage rack. Thanks in advance for all comments and help.
     
  2. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    #2 mjc_123, Jun 10, 2012
    I did mine 20% for the privacy aspect bit this is not legal I'm NY (which iirc is 75 or 80%). If you want heat and UV shielding without darkness, then 3m crystalline is supposedly the best. I saw a demo of it recently and it was impressive.
     
  3. hotbmwm3

    hotbmwm3 Formula Junior

    Jan 11, 2006
    554
    Melbourne and London
    Full Name:
    Owner -09 California
    #3 hotbmwm3, Jun 10, 2012
    I vote you do it and post the pics

    Given the attention the car gets I think a little privacy would help the ownership experience, for me at least
     
  4. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
    Full Name:
    FelipeNotMassa
    #4 PhilNotHill, Jun 10, 2012

    I would try this 3m product. Heat can be a problem in TX.

    Darkened windows on an Fcar may have drug dealer overtones.
     
  5. forgeahead

    forgeahead F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Sep 16, 2008
    4,408
    Rocky Mount, NC
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    Ray
    #5 forgeahead, Jun 10, 2012
    I did mine and it looked great. The ceramic heat shield on the windscreen helped a lot. I will try to dig up some pics.
     
  6. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,145
    #6 Surfah, Jun 11, 2012
    Mine is tinted. It's a necessity out here with the blazing sun when driving top up during mid-day.
     
  7. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #7 ELP_JC, Jun 11, 2012
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2012
    Ha ha. Yeah, I think so too with 20% and under. That's why I like 35%; looks good, it's safe at night, and people (can cops) can perfectly see inside the car. Plus I believe it's legal in all states (maybe an exception or two). Oh, and heat IS a problem in TX :).

    Didn't know about that option; learned something new today :). I think smoke might look better on dark blue, but glad to know there's another option. I'll inquire about it out of curiosity. Many thanks for that recommendation.
    As far as privacy, you can't have that much on a convertible :). But I can understand that concern, especially for wealthier and/or famous individuals (I'm not one). Besides, I can't stand dark windows due to reflection and claustrophobic feeling. Not to mention being unsafe at night.

    Please do. May I ask you what 'ceramic heat shield' are you talking about? Like a band of film on top of the windshield?

    Do you live in the desert southwest too? It's crazy hot already. It's been in the 100s here for days now. Hey, would you mind taking a pic of your car? I'd like to see as many as possible, even if not the same color (possi blue is not a common color).

    Thank you very much to all who posted. Greatly appreciated.
     
  8. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #8 ELP_JC, Jun 18, 2012
    Haven't had a chance to take some pics??? Even crappy ones are fine :D. Last time I bother you folks. Thanks in advance for your help.
     
  9. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,145
    #9 Surfah, Jun 18, 2012
  10. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #10 ELP_JC, Jun 19, 2012
    Many thanks. You know, it might be 35%. Do you have a side pic by any chance? Looks like you can see the interior quite well, which doesn't happen with 20%. Maybe something in between, which is not common. I'd do 35% all around, which is legal in almost every city.
    Your car is nero, right? Not that different from possi blue at a distance. Thanks a bunch for your help. Car looks better than I thought.
     
  11. dlopez001

    dlopez001 Formula Junior

    Sep 25, 2007
    908
    CA
    Full Name:
    DL
    #11 dlopez001, Jun 19, 2012
    I know of a 430 that was tinted with the new 3M film (Crystaline?). I always get the percentages mixed up, but he went with the lightest tint (i.e., allow most light to pass through). He had all the glass done INCLUDING the windshield.

    The cool thing is that with the windows up, you can't tell the car is even tinted because even the windshield looks the same as the side glass. In CA, any front window & windshield tint I think is not leagal, but this stuff is so light its hardly visually noticeable.

    But as light as it is, it keeps the interior SIGNIFICANTLY cooler. I know this because I've spent hours in his car w/o the tint and hours in his car with the tint. What a temp difference! Personally I don't like the darker tints, and it may be asking for more attention.

    If what you are after is keeping the interior cooler, protecting the interior leather/fabric/surfaces, and still maintaining that 'stock' look, I'd recommend the lightest 3M tint.

    Cheers,
    DL
     
  12. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #12 ELP_JC, Jun 20, 2012
    Thanks folks. Asked my tint guy to inquire about it, but am leaning towards the 35%, which is quite mild. He hasn't heard of it before (not surprised in this city :), and he carries 3M. Anyway, my only concern is the tiny rear side windows. They cannot be raised with the top down (or can they?), so they'd have to be done with the top up. Tint guy is very meticulous, but there's always a risk of cutting the rubber, since they usually just run the blade over the window for a perfect cut. Oh well, would have to watch the guy like a hawk :D.
     
  13. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    #13 mjc_123, Jun 20, 2012
    the small triangular windows can be raised with top down. hitting window up raises first the larger windows, then hit it again and the small ones will rise.
     
  14. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,145
    #14 Surfah, Jun 20, 2012
    +1
     
  15. Noblesse Oblige

    Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

    Nov 7, 2011
    6,114
    Three Places
    #15 Noblesse Oblige, Jun 20, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I like the looks of the tint on F-cars but the preferred amount of tint is a function of the body color. On light colors such as white or yellow, a dark tint makes for a distinctive look. This California has a limousine level tint. On a darker car such as a Silverstone, i would opt for a milder smokey appearance sich as a 50% or 70% transmission.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  16. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    #16 ELP_JC, Jun 24, 2012
    Good to know; many thanks. Don't see the point of top down and windows up :D.

    Guess the best procedure is to put towels on the rear everywhere and have tint guy to the rear window first. Then lower top and do all 4 side ones, with doors open and latches manually closed so windows index and fully raise. Time to make a decision without more photos. Thanks again folks.
     
  17. PhilNotHill

    PhilNotHill Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 3, 2006
    27,855
    Aspen CO 81611
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    FelipeNotMassa
    #17 PhilNotHill, Jun 24, 2012
    You may want to have a conversation of listen to music at speed. I said "may".
     
  18. Premier Protective Films

    Premier Protective Films Formula Junior
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    Dec 20, 2004
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    #18 Premier Protective Films, Aug 27, 2012
    Prestige Film Technologies Spectra PhotoSync so far, based on our tests trump what is on the market in terms of heat rejection. And will not affect any wireless signals. This product's performance actually improves when it gets hotter and rejects up to 98.5% of infrared.

    Here is a test to compare with a 5% limo tint. In addition, we are using a metallized limo tint, which performs at the levels of a typical ceramic tint:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uppEGWJi0Jw[/ame]
     
  19. raygr

    raygr Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Seattle Area
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    Ray
    #19 raygr, Aug 28, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here is my Silverstone with 30% tint on the side and rear windows. I was told it is the darkest legal tint here (Washington State). You can still somewhat see into the interior, but I like the darker look. It's also cooler inside. Sorry it's just a phone pic.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  20. Premier Protective Films

    Premier Protective Films Formula Junior
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    Dec 20, 2004
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    #20 Premier Protective Films, Sep 6, 2012
    Here is another test we just conducted. Details to this test:

    Product: Spectra PhotoSync
    Manufacturer: Prestige Film Technologies
    Site: www.prestige-films.com

    *Weather - 95 degrees
    *Film was half covered for 15 minutes and exposed direct sunlight
    *Time of test: 3pm
    *Products being tested: Spectra PhotoSync75, 65, 55, and 45%


    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5A7sapgGiE[/ame]
     
  21. Premier Protective Films

    Premier Protective Films Formula Junior
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    Dec 20, 2004
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    #21 Premier Protective Films, Sep 11, 2012
    Another test we conducted recently. With Prestige Film Technologies' Spectra PhotoSync Nano Window Film. We decided to document this test to show how well this product performs compared to a leading 30% ceramic tint. The previous test was done compared to a ceramic 40%. Test specs:

    Spectra PhotoSync 65% (yes, we are using a lighter film to compare with a darker 30% ceramic tint)
    *product to the left

    VS.

    30% Ceramic (one of the more popular ceramic tint products on the market....sorry, we are not going to name the manufacturer of this product, but can say it is likely the most well-known on the market)
    *product to the right

    Conditions:

    Outdoor Temperature: 75 degrees

    Test Time: 2pm

    Measurement Equipment: BTU Meter aimed directly at the window films to obtain simultaneous readings for accuracy

    Test Subject: Raging Gray Bull named the Aventador

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg4GGyhb3o4&feature=player_detailpage[/ame]
     
  22. gadgetman

    gadgetman Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2008
    252
    Westlake Village, Ca
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    Curt W
    #22 gadgetman, Sep 30, 2012
    Looks great......i'm going to do the same or lighter on my silverstone. I'll post pix when i get it done.
     

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