Llumar Axcess or 3M Crystalline for Civic Front windows?

Hi folks,

I'm not in the tinting business, just need your input about which film to ask for on the front windows. i've been searching like crazy for the past few weeks, and it seems that these two are the best options, in terms of not running into trouble with the cops(I'm based in Northern Cal, central valley).
I read all kinds of good stuff about Axcess, and was going to go with it, but then I found info about the heat rejection for 3M (http://www.crystallinefilms.com/crystalline.htm) and Axcess ( http://www.llumar.com/pdf/en/LLumarAutoSpecsUS.pdf ), and just by comparing the TSER values, it seems Axcess is lower(or not as good as) the 3M. Is this correct? or should the TSER not be used to make a comparison?

the options i'm considering right now are
1. Axcess all around or
2. 3M Crys on the front windows, Suntek Metallic on back, and suntek non-metallic on rear windshield.

the first option is more expensive, but if it performs as well as the second one, i don't mind the extra expense. Which one would you suggest I should go with? or is there another option? Like Huper Optik, which is slightly more expensive, but is it worth the premium over 3M Crystalline or Axcess? My main goal is to keep the car cool, I have a long commute into the bay area, and last summer i really got baked sometimes.


Both installers are very well rated and recommended.

thanks for your time!

I'd be more apt to go for a uniform appearance regardless of manufacturer. The Crystalline will not blend with other films mentioned.

oh, i didn't realise that. i thought(from looking at pictures on this site) that 3M was quite 'neutral' looking, not too reflective, and almost looked like the original non-tinted glass( referring to 70% VLT). I'm trying to get to a tint shop and take a look at it.

the Llumar ATX certainly looked nice, i guess i'm trying to figure out if it will keep the car cooler than a 3M+Suntek HP combo.

the CR70 is great selection for that one of a kind look.....try the CR 50 for the rear to keep it looking uniform....the Solargard UP 75 can take some abuse, but has a more silverish look under the direct sun. They both meter at 59-60%.

go with option 1
why put 3 different films on 1 car?

Crystalline has a bit of exterior color shift hues depending on the angle/lighting. Also, the color/shading is attained via dye in scratch resistant coating, not a preferred method. In other words very dated technology for a hi tech performer.

The fact is your car will be considerably cooler with ATX, the look is great (compare samples of ATX with other films by laying on white paper and notice true color hues), and the most other products in this niche have characteristics that installers have to re-train themselves to get the best install. Not so with ATX, installs just like the other LLumar series.

hi addicted, thanks for the info, i feel much better now to go with ATX, if its going to be as good or better than the 3M-Suntek combo in terms of keeping the car cool.
one last question: i'd read somewhere that some films need to be cleaned with non-ammonia cleaner fluid...not sure what that means...does teh same apply for ATX? just wondering if i'm going to have to stop going to carwashes!

ive been told its now ok to use ammonia, but 6 years ago they said stay away from it. to be safe stay away from ammonia. when you take it to the car wash tell them not to clean the inside of the windows. just do it when you get home. window tint cleans a lot easier than regular glass anyway.