What's the best TINT solution for our 996s? "Recent Products"

What's the best TINTING solution for our 996s? I just got a '99 996C2 silver, I'm thinking about tinting all the windows except the wind-shield. I want it dark(25%? 40%?), but I don't really want it *super* dark(10%)...... Any recommendation? And about how much would it generally cost me?

This site gives some good info: http://www.formulaone.com/

They are trying to sell their own products tho.... Also, I'd like to hear recommendations from fellow 996 owners...

I did 35% all around and very happy with the result. The shop I dealt with uses Johnson Films Executive Series and it was nearly $140 to install.

I have heard $400, now you got it done for $140.... Why did it vary so much? What's the difference?

I should clarify that I live in Panama, Central America where labor is relatively cheap. Think live in maid for $200 a month....

Haven't tinted the 996 yet, but the previous BMW was $239.00 for lifetime warranty 3M film. Went with 35% all around.

I just did mine for $140 with lifetime guarantee. The tint's by Sun Guard, it's a metal tint, and it's a slight mirror finish, goes really well with my seal grey metallic. Visibility from inside is excellent. I went legal on the sides (35) and 20 on the rear. The mirror finish really make the legal tint look darker. So you actually get more privacy at the legal limit. Also, make sure you ask if they do the rear in one piece. Some half-*** shops use 2 pieces for the rear!

Llumar or Formula One film is the way to go. CPFilms makes both of these products in the USA and they are widely regarded even amongst their competitors as being the highest quality. Expect to pay about $180-$250 for a job done with top quality product installed by an experienced installer. I have Formula One Pinacle 35% all the way around. This is a new high tech ceramic film that would typically run $400-$600 installed, but the look and performance is worth it. Remember, metal films will interfere with antennas in the glass, radar detectors, ect. That would be the reason to upgrade to a ceramic, but be prepared to pay.

I did Huper Optik Ceramic. It is more expensive, in the $400 range, but I also like the look a bit better. The hue matches my black car very well. Ceramic films can be trickier to install, so make sure you have a good installer. I can't remember the exact tint, but I did darker at the back and progressively lighter moving forward on the car. Something like a 30-40% tint on the back window, and lighter on the quarters, etc. I can't remember but may have posted the exact tints a couple of years ago when I had it done. Sorry, too tired to do my own search right now...

I found that the cost varies really a lot.... I have a silver car... so... any tint may look dark.... I do want it dark in the day time, yet... I don't want things to look too dark at night(safety...) Is 35% dark? I know 10% or 20% is real dark.... and 50% is somewhat light.... I have seen a car that I want to achieve that effect... I'll go hunt down the picture and post it here later...

You don't need to memorize the numbers, the shop will tell you what's legal and what's not. You can always look at sample sheets at the shop. Place the tint on your window next to the body color to see how it looks, Look thru' the tint sheet to check for visibility quality, Get in the car and look out thru' the tint placed on the window.

I have 35% on my 996.

Is there a brand of tint that allows for better visability at night versus other brands when comparing equal tint shades?

What color is the interior? The darker your interior the dark the tint will look. Keep that in mind

Shops here will put in anything you want to.... legal or not... is the owner's own responsibility... One note tho... driving over 65mph on the freeway is also considered "illegal"... My interior is BLACK... SILVER outside, BLACK inside... any tint will look darker than it actually is....

True...but most shops will not not issue you a receipt for illegal tints. They will do it and warranty, but no "official receipt".

I c. By the way, this is my frd's 996. I like the darkness, but it probably may be too dark for the night. He didn't do his tinting, so he has no idea what % is it, what do u guys think? 20%? 25%? The CA "legal" limit of front sides are 70%.... I DO NOT think CA people are mostly tinting to that 70% standard.... for 70%... you are better off saving your money... the more conservative strategy is probably.... 40% front sides... and then darker to the back(which have no limit)... creating an illusion of lesser or no tint for the front.... But personally... I like a more uniform look...

I had a couple of cars tinted at 35% on the sides when I lived in socal. The interiors were light in color which helped it not look to dark. Never received a fix a ticket and I have been pulled over a couple of times for other infraction...

There are other things to consider other than tint %. I posted the link because Formula One is considered one of the premier lines and it gives you good info on reflective vs. non-reflective and dyed vs. metallic vs. ceramic. These are all things you need to consider in addition to tint and reading about the Formula products will give you some background no matter what manufacture you go with. Personally, I do not like the reflective or more mirror like tints. I think ceramic is the way to go. Low reflectivity, radio frequency transparent, and excellent UV protection. The tint in the pic looks really darker. Darker than 35 I would say but it would be really hard to judge by a picture.

The first thing you have to decide is if you want tint for the aesthetics or for the function. Here in Phoenix, because of extreme heat, IR reduction is paramount. The best tint for that is Huper-Optik. They have several tints, the best being 'Select-Drei' with 98% IR reduction and >99% UV reduction. It is also the most expensive (~$600 range). Solar Guard also make some good tints, but IR reduction is in the 80% range. Best test the installers use is a 300 watt heat lamp behind a windshield, and then alternate the different tints, and you immediately can notice the difference, even between 98% (no heat) and 85% IR reduction. Tints are also available for $150 but almost no IR reduction (and your hand will burn). http://www.huperoptikusa.com/products_klasse.cfm

Anyone know a good installer for "Huper-Optik" here in San Diego, CA?