I just got off the phone with a recognized industry expert on Automotive window tints.

He clarified the following:

Do not install the Huper Optik Ceramic Series on your car. Ceramic was designed for windows that get exposure to the salt-air/water (boats, building by the ocean, etc.) in order to control corrosion.

The proper Huper Optik film is their "Klasse Series" (http://www.huperoptikusa.com/consumer_auto.cfm), which are DREI and SECH. The "Klasse Series" is a an "XIR" meaning "X-out" Infra-Red line.

The SECH transmits 59% visible light vs. the Cermaic 60's (C60) transmits 58%.

However, the SECH rejects 82% of infrared, vs. C60's 60%!

Total Solar Energy reject by SECH is 54% while C60 is only 43%.

Now, here's even better news.

V-Kool XIR-70 and XIR-75 distributed by V-Kool, USA (http://www.v-kool-usa.com/automotive.htm ) and made by Southwall Technologies (http://www.southwall.com/) which are manfuctured in Dresden, Germany; HQ in Palo Alto, CA, USA, has a 70% or 75% visible light transmittance, and a total Solar Energy rejection of 54% and 48% respectively.

More importantly, 94% infra-red rejection and 77% infra-red rejection!!
http://www.v-kool.com/vk70.asp?cat=2

In short, this product not only matches the Huper-Optik's "Klasse Series" and out-performs the "Ceramic Series" but transmits MORE LIGHT and looks even more invisible, which is what you want on the front windshield, esp. if you drive at night, and having aging eyes.

BTW: Sekurit approved the film for their automative glass production.

Here's a good press release excerpt from:
http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=swtx&script=410&layout=6&item_id=343863

Southwall Technologies (www.southwall.com) designs and produces technologically advanced thin film coatings that selectively absorb, reflect or transmit electromagnetic radiation. Southwall products are used in a number of architectural, automotive and electronic products to enhance optical and thermal performance characteristics, improve user comfort and reduce energy costs. Southwall exports advanced thin film coatings to over 25 countries around the world for use in products manufactured by such companies as Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Peugeot-Citroën, Volvo, Mitsubishi Electric, and Samsung.


PDF's
http://www.southwall.com/products/performance/pdf/HM4VKL.pdf
http://www.v-kool.com/Pdf/VK70spec.pdf
http://www.v-kool.com/Pdf/VK75spec.pdf
http://www.southwall.com/products/product-pdf/XIR-Auto.pdf


I'll be installing the V-Kool film next week.

Enjoy,
:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

Below are some vehicles with the V-Kool product installed. Note how CLEAR the windows are.

Where ceramics might be better is for those who need a radio signal to pass through the windshield.

However, I have external antennas for GPS, cell/mobile phone, satellite & FM radio, etc.

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

Neil, whats the cost comparison between the V-Kool and the market standard "titanium" tinting material? I need all the UV protection help I can get out here in the Pacific! Thanks.

V-Kool/XIR 70 and the Huper-Optiks are about 4x-5x more expensive in material costs.

Just to do the front windshield, I was quoted $150 dollars.

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

It looks nice and everything, but I don't like people to see into my car. Since I have blue eyes, I am pretty sensitive to bright light, so I have 38% metalic tint in the front, and 18% metalic tint in the rear with a 5% tint band on the front windshield.

This tint doesn't block the visible light, just all the UV and ultra violet light right?

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Austin: you are correct, the clear tint blocks almost all infrared and 99% of the U/V rays.

The Huper-Optiks ceramics would keep prying eyes out.

:-) neil
1988 E36T AMG
1993 500E

How do these finishes effect radar detectors?

Metallic would be bad, ceramic OK.

My radar detector has remote antennas.

:-) neil

From tintdude.com -

Now back to your question. V-kool, Huper Sech/Drei contain a silver oxide,
with a sputtered corrosion inhibition layer (as Vista Vs-60 most likely does)

Huper Ceramic contains no Oxides, Nitrate only.

While the statement can be made that some films may contain some ceramic (nitrate) components, they also contain oxides, which would classify them as an oxy/nitrate compostion.

Oxide's are always trying to change , they are not inert.

Nitrate's are inert compounds, they will not change .

Which Compound would you rather have in your Film ?