Heat Reducing Windshield Film Worth It?

[Slick85]

So I'm getting the Bronco tinted tomorrow and I was wondering how effective the clear films to reduce heat/UV rays for your windshield actually are. Can you actually feel less sun hitting you similar to when you get normal tint or is it not worth it?

Sponsored

 

[mcinfantry]

I believe the windshield already blocks uva/uvb which is why photochromic sunglasses don’t work

but idk

 

[JoeSpeed]

Im thinking of 90% or whatever it is, reduce the heat for when the doors, windows and top are still on

I say its worth it

 

[Dad life]

I’ve had it in the past and loved it (on my wife’s black minivan, which had a huge windshield and dash) but my tint guy actually said he wouldn’t bother on my (also black) Bronco. Nearly vertical glass, plus it’s relatively small, and the entire roof is going to let in a ton of heat anyway.

 

[Ground_zero298]

Ceramic film. Hell yes. Stuff is amazing. I use it on all of our boats. They have clear available also.

 

[swami37]

Yes it makes a noticeable difference

 

[da_jokker]

3M makes it tint called crystalline, it is amazing. It doesn't even come in real dark versions. It really does a great job and as very light colors (including clear) at blocking IR.

Everyone focuses on UV, but those are not the rays that actually generate heat.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00016683/

 

[Havoc1]

I believe the windshield already blocks uva/uvb which is why photochromic sunglasses don’t work

but idk

3M makes it tint called crystalline, it is amazing. It doesn't even come in real dark versions. It really does a great job and as very light colors (including clear) at blocking IR.

Everyone focuses on UV, but those are not the rays that actually generate heat.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00016683/

If you want to block heat, focus on how much IR is blocked not UV. I didn't get mine "tinted" but I did the rest of the windows and it already keeps a decent amount of heat out. I also activate the global window function on warmer days to help cool it so there's that.

Tint shops nowadays usually have a fancy little "heat lamp" setup to show the different capabilities of heat blocking tints.

 

[da_jokker]

If you want to block heat, focus on how much IR is blocked not UV. I didn't get mine "tinted" but I did the rest of the windows and it already keeps a decent amount of heat out. I also activate the global window function on warmer days to help cool it so there's that.

Tint shops nowadays usually have a fancy little "heat lamp" setup to show the different capabilities of heat blocking tints.

Exactly. UV degrades the plastic in your interior, IR is what heats up your interior.

Crystalline does both, and a higher blockage than most other tints. It ain't cheap though, but when I would drive around with only a 30% tint and would roll down my window, it was as if someone had a heater next to my face all of a sudden. The interior of my car would stay 20 degrees cooler as long as I put my sun visor up (I didn't have the windshield done)

 

[JTr717]

Does this also go on the outside unlike tint? Thinking it could help with possibly not getting a chipped window

 

[Briosabronco]

I think ceramic heat rejecting films are totally worth it in a hot climate. Many tints just darken and provide some UV protection, but don't address the amount of heat coming through the windows. With a good heat rejection film the car is noticeably less like an oven after sitting in the sun, and much cooler and more restful to drive during the furnace days. I'll never have a car without it installed again.

 

[idobleedblue]

Absolutely worth it for the heat blocking alone. Can feel a world of difference with the sun on my skin with the window rolled down vs the sun on my skin through the protected windshield. Bronco stays noticeably cooler since I've had it done. Not to mention the UV protection to the interior so it looks better and lasts longer.

 

[MnLakeBum]

3M makes it tint called crystalline, it is amazing. It doesn't even come in real dark versions. It really does a great job and as very light colors (including clear) at blocking IR.

Everyone focuses on UV, but those are not the rays that actually generate heat.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00016683/

I’ve used the 3M Cyrstalline on many vehicles and on my home windows when we lived near Sacramento California for 20 years. Little known fact, Sacramento is the sunniest place on the planet for 4 months each year. I got tired of the sun every summer and one year we had 153 consecutive days with zero measurable rain.

 

[Slick85]

I ended up going with Llumar Air 90 on the windshield and Llumar Formula One Stratos on all the door windows (25% front / 15% rear). I couldn't survive more than a day driving in the Texas heat without tint!

 

[Mrtooj]

I’ve had my Xpel ceramic tint for about 6 months and it’s great highly recommend getting. Plus it’s close to clear but you will notice a slight tint to it. Not enough to get the feds involved lol.
I’ve had it on my other truck for about 3 years and still feels great in 110 degrees.

wise choice !

Sponsored