Window Tinting -- 20% to match the rear window factory tint?

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

I went to a tinting place that only uses Llumar. The owner has been doing this for 30 years and dose all installations himself which I like. I asked him about the IRX and he said he doesn’t carry it because it costs him $1700 a roll and not enough people want it over the CTX to warrant keeping it in inventory. He said he would be happy to do my install with CTX or I can look around and find other Llumar dealers and find the IRX. What do you guys think about CTX?

I just went with the IRX because it blocks a bit more stuff. The CTX would be good too but it won't block as much infrared .

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[Cyrusblack]

I just went with the IRX because it blocks a bit more stuff. The CTX would be good too but it won't block as much infrared .

Am I gonna have buyer’s remorse and wished I found another place that carries the IRX? Or do you think I wouldn’t know the difference besides paying more for IRX than CTX?

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Am I gonna have buyer’s remorse and wished I found another place that carries the IRX? Or do you think I wouldn’t know the difference besides paying more for IRX than CTX?

I think it will be cooler inside and that one of the main reason I got the sandstone interior and getting it as dark as can be. Maybe see if there is another dealer around that carry's it. Mine's gonna cost me around $400 Canadian but I think it will be worth it. Not sure how long the roll is and you said your dealer's is $1700 roll so it must be at least $2500 Canadian and they would always make a profit so the roll is probably enough to do lots of vehicles.

 

[Cyrusblack]

I think it will be cooler inside and that one of the main reason I got the sandstone interior and getting it as dark as can be. Maybe see if there is another dealer around that carry's it. Mine's gonna cost me around $400 Canadian but I think it will be worth it. Not sure how long the roll is and you said your dealer's is $1700 roll so it must be at least $2500 Canadian and they would always make a profit so the roll is probably enough to do lots of vehicles.

Yeah - I got the sandstone also and so glad for that decision. I’m gonna call a few more Llumar tinting shops to see if they got the IRX. Will report back

 

[T-Rev]

I had Auto Paint Guard do my last vehicle and was extremely happy with the results. They are an XPEL dealer though. Have an appointment with them tomorrow.

 

[Critical Habitat]

The actual tint cost is not that much. Anyone can get short rolls of IRX on ebay for less than $100.
I've been told CTX does a pretty good job.
Even their LLumar's AIR 90 CL SR HPR (Clear) so-called "clear" supposedly rejects a lot of UV and some infrared. llumar-automotive-window-film-performance-data.pdf
They also have an improved Stratos (formula One) that is supposed to be better than IRX.
You can also do a search on the web for "LLumar CTX Vs IRX review" to help you decide.

Just got a quote for ceramic for the exterior body. Ouch. And even a new truck may need some color correction at additional cost, but hopefully I may not need it. Maybe others can chime in on whether it is worth it.

• 4 x Layers of 9H
• 1 x Extra Layer on exposed areas
• 1 x Layer of 9H on plastic and rims
• 1 x Layer of Rain on windshield and front side windows

 

[Cyrusblack]

Question - the owner of this Llumar shop was installing some tint on a back window. Two things I noticed:
1. He was applying it to the outside of the window. I thought they applied tint to the inside of the window.
2. He was using a standard handheld blow torch to heat it up and get it to lay flat. Is that common application practice?

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Question - the owner of this Llumar shop was installing some tint on a back window. Two things I noticed:
1. He was applying it to the outside of the window. I thought they applied tint to the inside of the window.
2. He was using a standard handheld blow torch to heat it up and get it to lay flat. Is that common application practice?

1. That's how they test fit it for size after it gets cut. They then apply it to the inside.
2. not sure why he was using torch. All the window tinting that I have seen professionals do is they use a water/soap solution to move it around and flatten it

 

[Cyrusblack]

1. That's how they test fit it for size after it gets cut. They then apply it to the inside.
2. not sure why he was using torch. All the window tinting that I have seen professionals do is they use a water/soap solution to move it around and flatten it

Is there any kind of outer protection that require the heating of a handheld torch? I’m gonna go back in there and see if he will go for - me buying the smaller rolls that Critical was talking about above and see if he will just charge me for install. I figure a roll of 40”x20’ 35% VLT & a roll of 20” x 20’ 35% VLT should probably do all four windows and front windshield and back window - thoughts?

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Is there any kind of outer protection that require the heating of a handheld torch? I’m gonna go back in there and see if he will go for - me buying the smaller rolls that Critical was talking about above and see if he will just charge me for install. I figure a roll of 40”x20’ 35% VLT & a roll of 20” x 20’ 35% VLT should probably do all four windows and front windshield and back window - thoughts?

I don't understand what he was heating. There shouldn't be any heating. Maybe 20 years ago or so but tint has come a long way since that. All you can do is ask and see what he says.

 

[T-Rev]

Is there any kind of outer protection that require the heating of a handheld torch? I’m gonna go back in there and see if he will go for - me buying the smaller rolls that Critical was talking about above and see if he will just charge me for install. I figure a roll of 40”x20’ 35% VLT & a roll of 20” x 20’ 35% VLT should probably do all four windows and front windshield and back window - thoughts?

Yes, protection films that go on the outside like Clearplex require heating like you referenced.

 

[Cyrusblack]

Here’s a video of them torching it on

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Here’s a video of them torching it on

That's a disaster waiting to happen...lol. Heat that isn't really controlled. I have had 2 previous trucks PPF'd and if she need to use heat, it was a heat gun. Way more controlled than a blow torch. Guy at top doing it right way with heat gun.

 

[Cyrusblack]

So I checked with at least a half a dozen tint shops and none of them carry the IRX because there is no market for it here. Nobody wants to spend the money it would cost. I’m gonna go with the CTX all around and Air 90 on the front windshield for $475 cash walk away. Probably gonna stay away from the blow torch guy.

 

[Critical Habitat]

They tried to steer me away from IRX, saying in my climate CTX would be fine.
They do have IRX, so I'm getting it. 20% or so premium over CTX
25% discount for letting them do all their scans on my RR (they bought a RR for preparation for SEMA custom work, but it is not in, yet).
Getting:
*LLumar valor PPF on front and mirrors and door handle areas
*Ceramic Pro package -
Lifetime Warranty
4 x Layers of 9H
1 x Extra Layer on exposed areas
1 x Layer of 9H on plastic and rims
1 x Layer of Rain on windshield and front side windows
*LLumar IRX tint on side windows. IRX 50 CH SR HPR (Charcoal)
*LLumar AIR 90 CL SR HPR (Clear) on windshield

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