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 Car Tint 2023, Which Car Tint is better?

Which is your preferred car tint?
 
3M [ 49 ] ** [40.83%]
V-Kool [ 23 ] ** [19.17%]
Raytech [ 12 ] ** [10.00%]
EcoTint [ 2 ] ** [1.67%]
Rhinepro [ 5 ] ** [4.17%]
Xpel [ 5 ] ** [4.17%]
Hamel [ 8 ] ** [6.67%]
Huper Optik [ 13 ] ** [10.83%]
Lavish [ 3 ] ** [2.50%]
Total Votes: 120
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constant_weight
post Apr 10 2023, 09:52 PM

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QUOTE(wcchang @ Apr 4 2023, 12:01 PM)
There are so many car tints in the market nowadays, I am super confused which is which?
Sputter Film? Nano Ceramic Film?
IRR, TSER, UVR?

*
Sputter is the technique to deposit tiny particles on the film. Be it metallic or ceramic or both.

Essentially all proper tinting film is sputter film.

The sputter terms became popular because the film makers wanted to differentiate themselves from the color tinting (like the one on lantern), that is for cosmetic and don't actually designed to block solar energy.
Don't think those films still exist on window tinting market, but I can't be sure.

If want absolute cooling, V-Kool is the undisputed winner. Most of their products are metallic heavy.
Like many said that block RF signals like GPS and cell phone signal also weaker.

On SmartTag, ignore all the confusing info and different versions. I can tell you all tint with IR blocking will affect SmartTag because SmartTag use Infra Red, of course depends on the actual wavelength if you want to go in depth. The better the tint, the higher the impact.
You want worry free choose the cheaper tint with no more that 85% IR rejection.

IR Rejection is another thing with most makers only publish 900-1100nm wavelength. Xpel was the only one published very details specification (too geeky for most people that have not taken undergraduate physics 1, start from blackbody radiation). But sadly it also follows the majority and no longer have those info.

Ceramic tint can be as good as Metallic based tint like V-Kool, provided the vehicle is constantly moving given similar TSER. Because the ceramic particles absorbed the energy, the glass will be hotter vs Metallic tint that reflects most energy. If read the fine print, most ceramic tint only reflect 5-10% and absorb the rest of energy.
When vehicle moving, the energy is dissipated by the air constantly move over the outer side of the glasses to cool them.
Stop vehicles, the energy absorbed by the ceramic particles eventually reach the cabin via thermal conduction. That's the cons of any ceramic based tint.

A lot of tints on the market are now hybrid.

Ceramic/Metallic particles are expensive, that primarily determine the price point. Of course the quality of sputtering, how even the particles distributed, as well as the bare film quality how clear (some brand call HD vision) etc.

UV blocking is common, like sunglasses you won't get anything not blocking 99% UV A, UV B. Also modern vehicle light green tint already block most UV anyways, some also 99%. Scientifically speaking one can put 99.99% to a point 6 sigma even 7 sigma confident level , but it will never be 100%. Take 100% claims at a pinch of salt.

Visible light carries about half of the total energy from the sun light. So a light tinted film can not get pass 50% TSER. To get over 50% TSER, the film can only be made darker.

This post has been edited by constant_weight: Apr 10 2023, 09:59 PM
19 Degree South
post Apr 12 2023, 12:06 AM
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kudos to ts for not using the word'tinted'. thumbsup.gif
bo093
post Apr 13 2023, 08:38 AM

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QUOTE(constant_weight @ Apr 10 2023, 09:52 PM)
Sputter is the technique to deposit tiny particles on the film. Be it metallic or ceramic or both.

Essentially all proper tinting film is sputter film.

The sputter terms became popular because the film makers wanted to differentiate themselves from the color tinting (like the one on lantern), that is for cosmetic and don't actually designed to block solar energy.
Don't think those films still exist on window tinting market, but I can't be sure.

If want absolute cooling, V-Kool is the undisputed winner. Most of their products are metallic heavy.
Like many said that block RF signals like GPS and cell phone signal also weaker.

On SmartTag, ignore all the confusing info and different versions. I can tell you all tint with IR blocking will affect SmartTag because SmartTag use Infra Red, of course depends on the actual wavelength if you want to go in depth. The better the tint, the higher the impact.
You want worry free choose the cheaper tint with no more that 85% IR rejection.

IR Rejection is another thing with most makers only publish 900-1100nm wavelength. Xpel was the only one published very details specification (too geeky for most people that have not taken undergraduate physics 1, start from blackbody radiation). But sadly it also follows the majority and no longer have those info.

Ceramic tint can be as good as Metallic based tint like V-Kool, provided the vehicle is constantly moving given similar TSER. Because the ceramic particles absorbed the energy, the glass will be hotter vs Metallic tint that reflects most energy. If read the fine print, most ceramic tint only reflect 5-10% and absorb the rest of energy.
When vehicle moving, the energy is dissipated by the air constantly move over the outer side of the glasses to cool them.
Stop vehicles, the energy absorbed by the ceramic particles eventually reach the cabin via thermal conduction. That's the cons of any ceramic based tint.

A lot of tints on the market are now hybrid.

Ceramic/Metallic particles are expensive, that primarily determine the price point. Of course the quality of sputtering, how even the particles distributed, as well as the bare film quality how clear (some brand call HD vision) etc.

UV blocking is common, like sunglasses you won't get anything not blocking 99% UV A, UV B. Also modern vehicle light green tint already block most UV anyways, some also 99%. Scientifically speaking one can put 99.99% to a point 6 sigma even 7 sigma confident level , but it will never be 100%. Take 100% claims at a pinch of salt.

Visible light carries about half of the total energy from the sun light. So a light tinted film can not get pass 50% TSER. To get over 50% TSER, the film can only be made darker.
*
Now I know why my ceramic tints kinda sucks after parking a day out in the sun.

kupronikel83
post Apr 14 2023, 06:52 PM

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Raytech sbb kedai dekat gila dgn rumah...takyah drive jauh2
ryansxs
post Jun 10 2023, 11:14 PM

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any good 3M/vcool tint shops around KL/PJ?
Good in terms of pricing and services. Thx
aral3005
post Jun 10 2023, 11:16 PM

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Where is Horus?
yurie
post Jun 23 2025, 07:12 PM
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Is IrisPro RM500 ones good? Not sure what series but should be the lowest tier of it.
SportyHandling
post Jun 24 2025, 07:30 AM
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QUOTE(IMF2025 @ Apr 10 2023, 09:09 PM)
I wouldn’t reco Huper. Used it before and after abt 5-6 yrs the tint has a wavy look at certain angles. Although it doesn’t affect visibility.
*
I realise this is an old thread but it's the first time I'm seeing this thread, so I'll respond to your post. Similarly I wouldn't recommend Huper Optik for its price. In my experience, it's not the waviness but heat rejection. It's good for the first 3 years but after that it's downhill as the tint loses its effectiveness. In the 8th year, the vehicle feels like there's no tint installed on it as the heat rejection performance degraded to a severe level. I actually replaced the Huper Optik tint (Sech60 front and front side, C40 rear side and rear) with a cheap tint recommended here on this forum costing up to RM600 just for front and front side during the 8th year. It's also a mistake on my part to trust forum words too much as the recommended VFM tint replacement actually feels almost the same as the degraded Huper Optik's performance after installation. Anyway since it's not costly so it's not too bad. The lesson learnt is you have to experience the tint yourself as people's expectations are different. A good tint recommended on this forum turned out to be a poor tint for me.

I presume the choice of the poll will also be dependent on price as well as the tint with best heat rejection performance will be most expensive. Sometimes people just want value for money, the cost of the tint at a price point which gives the best heat rejection performance. From my limited experience, the best tint with heat rejection performance would be V-Kool Elite. The heat rejection performance of this tint is superior to the few tints I've tried, though all are cheaper tints and the V-Kool is the costliest. The performance of the V-kool tint is also long-lasting as it still feels the same from the day it was installed until the 5th year when I sold the vehicle. The price is usually higher if you ask for quotation from authorised installers but if buying new Nissan cars, the V-kool package is included by Tan Chong at a significant reduction. For a full V-Kool Elite tint to the whole car (Nissan Almera), it's only RM2.8k. If doing outside I suspect it's close to RM4k or higher.

This post has been edited by SportyHandling: Jun 24 2025, 07:39 AM
ayamxxx
post Jun 24 2025, 11:23 AM

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QUOTE(constant_weight @ Apr 10 2023, 09:52 PM)
Sputter is the technique to deposit tiny particles on the film. Be it metallic or ceramic or both.

Essentially all proper tinting film is sputter film.

The sputter terms became popular because the film makers wanted to differentiate themselves from the color tinting (like the one on lantern), that is for cosmetic and don't actually designed to block solar energy.
Don't think those films still exist on window tinting market, but I can't be sure.

If want absolute cooling, V-Kool is the undisputed winner. Most of their products are metallic heavy.
Like many said that block RF signals like GPS and cell phone signal also weaker.

On SmartTag, ignore all the confusing info and different versions. I can tell you all tint with IR blocking will affect SmartTag because SmartTag use Infra Red, of course depends on the actual wavelength if you want to go in depth. The better the tint, the higher the impact.
You want worry free choose the cheaper tint with no more that 85% IR rejection.

IR Rejection is another thing with most makers only publish 900-1100nm wavelength. Xpel was the only one published very details specification (too geeky for most people that have not taken undergraduate physics 1, start from blackbody radiation). But sadly it also follows the majority and no longer have those info.

Ceramic tint can be as good as Metallic based tint like V-Kool, provided the vehicle is constantly moving given similar TSER. Because the ceramic particles absorbed the energy, the glass will be hotter vs Metallic tint that reflects most energy. If read the fine print, most ceramic tint only reflect 5-10% and absorb the rest of energy.
When vehicle moving, the energy is dissipated by the air constantly move over the outer side of the glasses to cool them.
Stop vehicles, the energy absorbed by the ceramic particles eventually reach the cabin via thermal conduction. That's the cons of any ceramic based tint.

A lot of tints on the market are now hybrid.

Ceramic/Metallic particles are expensive, that primarily determine the price point. Of course the quality of sputtering, how even the particles distributed, as well as the bare film quality how clear (some brand call HD vision) etc.

UV blocking is common, like sunglasses you won't get anything not blocking 99% UV A, UV B. Also modern vehicle light green tint already block most UV anyways, some also 99%. Scientifically speaking one can put 99.99% to a point 6 sigma even 7 sigma confident level , but it will never be 100%. Take 100% claims at a pinch of salt.

Visible light carries about half of the total energy from the sun light. So a light tinted film can not get pass 50% TSER. To get over 50% TSER, the film can only be made darker.
*
learning a new things, thanks
romuluz777
post Jun 26 2025, 02:28 PM

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3M is the best and most value for money.
GlimmeringGoddess
post Jun 15 2026, 05:17 PM

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VKOOL or ECOTINT better?
kirakun
post Jun 16 2026, 03:45 PM
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QUOTE(GlimmeringGoddess @ Jun 15 2026, 05:17 PM)
VKOOL or ECOTINT better?
*
V-Kool is a well known international brand while Ecotint is from Malaysia. Take your pick. Personally would vouch for v-kool as experienced it before and proven long lasting with minimal degradation to heat rejection over time.
ayamxxx
post Jun 16 2026, 03:55 PM

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QUOTE(romuluz777 @ Jun 26 2025, 02:28 PM)
3M is the best and most value for money.
*
this. especially if getting from a few offers here. Inb4 Sedan D segment I got quoted rm2k all in with Crystalline series last time.
stuckincarbonite
post Jun 25 2026, 08:38 AM
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My car needs retinting. Is 3M still the best? I've seen lots of ads for Hamel but I'm not familiar with this brand. Is there much of a price difference between 3M and Vcool?
constant_weight
post Jun 26 2026, 01:15 PM

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QUOTE(ayamxxx @ Jun 16 2026, 03:55 PM)
this. especially if getting from a few offers here. Inb4 Sedan D segment I got quoted rm2k all in with Crystalline series last time.
*
Impossible to get full authenticate Crystalline on all glasses for RM2k on D Segment Sedan.

It would be averaging about RM4k. Occasion big promotion can get around RM3k.

Those RM2k deal only contains Crystalline on windshield + lower end 3M films on other glasses.

For non authorized 3M shops, even more careful for fake.

Always insist on 3M Malaysia Digital E-Warranty + request to specifically excessively elaborated statement in the invoice.
Crystalline windshield + Crystalline front left + Crystalline front right + Crystalline rear left + Crystalline rear right + Crystalline rear windshield etc.

Sounds stupid but many authentic shop doing that by default as differentiator, for both tint and PPF

This post has been edited by constant_weight: Jun 26 2026, 01:15 PM
ayamxxx
post Jun 26 2026, 04:42 PM

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QUOTE(constant_weight @ Jun 26 2026, 01:15 PM)
Impossible to get full authenticate Crystalline on all glasses for RM2k on D Segment Sedan.

It would be averaging about RM4k. Occasion big promotion can get around RM3k.

Those RM2k deal only contains Crystalline on windshield + lower end 3M films on other glasses.

For non authorized 3M shops, even more careful for fake.

Always insist on 3M Malaysia Digital E-Warranty + request to specifically excessively elaborated statement in the invoice.
Crystalline windshield + Crystalline front left + Crystalline front right + Crystalline rear left + Crystalline rear right + Crystalline rear windshield etc.

Sounds stupid but many authentic shop doing that by default as differentiator, for both tint and PPF
*
the one quoted for me is 3M Kota Damansara. I quoted rm2k for all Crystalline, but this is 2015 price, not sure now
constant_weight
post Jun 26 2026, 04:57 PM

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QUOTE(ayamxxx @ Jun 26 2026, 04:42 PM)
the one quoted for me is 3M Kota Damansara. I quoted rm2k for all Crystalline, but this is 2015 price, not sure now
*
Lol... probably that's why.

 

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