bmw_e30

I'm getting all my windows done with xpel clear ceramic prime plus on my car in a few days and the installer is pushing me to tint the front windshield and to ppf the front windshield.

i've never tinted the front windshield on any of my cars nor have i ppf'd the front windsheild. both add about $1k to the cost of the tinting and i don't really think i need them my car is always garaged at home and i live about 6 miles from the ocean it's about 70 here on average year around.

thoughts or feedback from people that have done this?

inspire

Tint is nice if you have a leather dash, it protects it a bit.

Film is useful depending on your driving style, it will add a tiny bit of distortion. If you don't really get rock chips to your windshield / track your car then I feel like not super useful.

maximus5403

I have tint installed to the windshield to protect the leather dash from UV and it rejects a lot of the heat. I'm in Florida so it's a must here. I never had good luck with windshield PPF as it didn't look clear to me.

alpha motoring

The windshield tint looks great, but if you don't intend to track your car, I would advise reconsidering the installation of external windshield paint protection film. Many films available on the market tend to develop issues with their top coat flaking off prematurely when exposed to UV rays. Most installers recommend not keeping it on for more than a year because removing it later becomes extremely challenging.

JCGT3rs

I have also been contemplating doing something similar. I have heard that there is a clear "film" that blocks out UV', which I find advantageous ... I'm also thinking of tinting side/rear.. partially for looks but also heat. I have the leather dash, steering wheel and shifter. The remainder is Alcan .....

anyone regret tinting the rear/sides?

_RS_

Windshields, not side and back, have some UVA protection anyway but I have Llumar air blue 80 tint added to the windshield and I am very pleased with it. It appears clear with only the tiniest blue which is pretty much like standard factory shade anyway and unnoticeable. So much cooler too.

JCGT3rs

ok good to know .. where in SoCal did you go?

also to be clear.. you have no tinting at all on side & rear .. just front?

achenator

no tinting but PPF has saved my windshield. I do a good bit of mountain driving behind other GT3's and car gets absolutely peppered. The PPF is not as tough as glass though and pits much easier and smaller rocks damage it more than glass but it will save your windshield

ninefiveone

I’ve tinted all the windows on my car, including windshield, not for UV (all the glass rejects a lot of UV already) but for blocking infrared, which is what carries most of the heat energy, and for a touch more UV protection. It’s the combination of heat and uv that shrinks leather, kills plastic, etc.

Of course the interior will still get baking hot if you park the car in the sun all day… but it helps quite a bit in “normal” usage. I can certainly feel the difference in the amount of heat coming in from the windshield while driving on sunny days.

I’ve coated another car’s windshield in ppf and would have done it on my GT3 if my installer still offered it. The issue is that it has a tendency to scratch easily (think accidental wiper usage when the windshield is dry) and some customers see distortion. That said, it’s saved that car’s windshield several times and it would be a lot easier to keep the film pristine on my gt3 since it’s not a daily driver or gets out much in the rain.

_RS_

Tint Plus, Laguna Hills. Side and rear are some other 30% or 40%.

Patton250

I have the exact same experiences. I also live in Florida. 70% clear tint for the front windshield works wonders.

bmw_e30

looks like i am leaning towards tinting all 6 windows including the front windshield

i also want to ppf the headlights even with the possible issue with the factory coating. my headlights have a tiny amount of pitting currently and it will only get worse as the miles pile on (currently at 7500 miles). thoughts on polishing the headlights to get rid of the pitting and doing some headlight ppf?

BergGt3

I had PPF on the windshield and immediately removed it as it had the slightest glare/haze in my sight view.

I wouldn’t recommend either PPF or tint.

inspire

Don't think polishing the headlights will get rid of it.

Honestly as long as you PPF the headlights and get it actually done correctly the first time, you shouldn't need to remove it ever.

AnthonyGan

I would recommend tinting the windshield, really helps cut down the heat. This is also Xpel XR Plus. Darkness is not that important, I just went dark because I like the look.