Window Tinting Time here in the Desert

It's coming on Summertime here in the Fort Stinking Hole Desert Indian Reservation and Cobalt Bomb Testing Range. Since I bought my 2016 back in November, I haven't felt compelled to do anything about throwing some tint on the windows until recently. But with the solar index now shooting up like mad, it was time to do something about cutting the heat load on the interior and protecting the upholstery.

One of the guys with whom I work has a friend who tints windows for most of the dealerships here in the valley, including the big-bux marques, so I figured he must be pretty good. Plus I was promised a sweet "secret squirrel" discount, since he'd be doing it as a side job. Last weekend, the car was treated to Llumar CTX all around, except for the windshield.

CTX is a ceramic tint film that doesn't interfere with RF, so it doesn't reduce cell or radio signals. It also doesn't fade or discolor and comes with a lifetime guarantee. At the installer's recommendation, I settled on "CTX 30 SR HPR" (VLT 33) for the front side windows and "CTX 15 SR HPR" (VLT 18) on the rear side windows and the backlight. Both block more than 99% of UV rays. The CTX 30 blocks 51% of IR solar radiation, and the CTX 15 blocks 55%.

Okay, enough blab. On to the photos of the end result ...

I think it turned out just right, and it's legal - or at least close enough for government work - here in AZ. AZ law requires VLT 35 on the front windows, any level in back, so it's close enough not to warrant a second glance.