Front window tint

I read recently about clear window tint that can be used on a windshield. 3M has a product named Crystalline for instance.

Does anyone have experience with putting something like this on a front windshield? Or perhaps you have a friend that has done so?

I had it installed on my Lotus Elise and then traded it shortly thereafter when I had a chance to get into my 911. I plan to do the same treatment to the 911 when the money is available. From my limited experience, it did reduce the greenhouse temps.

I have Llumar Air Blue 80 on my windshield, in southern California.

I haven't had it on for very long, and not in the height of summer. An installer friend noted that it's not going to reduce that 'gates of hell' hot air blast when you open the door, but supposedly the surface temperatures inside will be lower. To be honest, it has not been a night and day sort of difference. I had the side windows tinted at the same time (Suntek CXP), so there's obviously some overlap from that. I think the damn aluminum shift-pattern plate on top of the shift knob is a little less 'cattle brand' hot when I get in my car on a sunny day, but it's not like it's cool.

There's a little bit of odd polarization (rainbow effect) that you can see, but only against a very blue sky at certain angles to the sun. And at night, from outside the car, with the right lighting/viewing angles you can sometimes see a strange color-gradient across the windshield.

Otherwise it's completely invisible.

Sounds like it does not make enough of a difference to justify using it over a $5 sunshield.

mtn wrote: Sounds like it does not make enough of a difference to justify using it over a $5 sunshield.

True, but the part I don't often think about is what's happening as I'm driving. It's still blocking the heat (40-something percent "total heat rejection", whatever that means) while I'm cruising down the interstate. Try doing that with your sunshield in place.

(Don't try doing that with your sunshield in place)

Datsun1500 wrote: My windshield has 50% tint on it. I can see out fine, it cuts down on the heat and glare, and at night people can't really see in.

what state are you in? I see only 2 states that allow front tint and 70% at most... outside of the standard 5 or 6" at the top

I need to pick up a reflecting screen here soon... our car came with nice dark tint but it's amazing how much heat that front end lets in even while driving... so I can see why some sort of "clear" type tint up front would be nice.

Thanks for the feedback. I can see where it would make a difference on a car with a relatively large windshield. Several companies make perfectly clear tint that helps quite a bit too, according to their marketing material.

Datsun1500 - Any issues where polarized sunglasses and getting a rainbow effect?