3M Obsidian
From $225
2hr · SUV 2hr 30min · +1hr w/ windshield
See the film →3M Color Stable IR
The middle tier. Ceramic IR technology in seven shades, blocking up to 99.9% of UV and rejecting up to 64% of the sun's total energy.
Color Stable IR is where the heat rejection starts to matter. It carries IR-rejecting ceramic nanotechnology on top of 3M's dye technology, so it does a materially better job of keeping the sun's energy out of the cabin than Obsidian does, without going to the price of Ceramic IR.
The name is the promise: it will not turn purple. Cheap dyed film fades to violet after a few Southern California summers, and 3M's patented dye technology is what stops that. If you have ever seen a car with tint that has gone the colour of a bruise, that is the failure this film is built to avoid.
It is non-metallised, like every film we fit. GPS, satellite radio, keyless entry and phone signal including 5G are all unaffected.
On heat it rejects 62-64% of solar infrared energy against Obsidian's 54-55%, and up to 64% of total solar energy. Ceramic IR goes further again, to 66-67%, though the gap between this film and that one is narrower than the price difference implies. Where Color Stable IR wins is the balance of price, colour stability and comfort.
As with every shade we fit, California allows only near-clear film on front side windows. Everything here is for your back and rear glass, and we will tell you what your car can legally take before you book.
The numbers
- Shades
- Seven — CS IR 5, 15, 25, 30, 35, 50 and 70
- Visible light
- 7% to 58% depending on shade
- UV blocked
- Up to 99.9%
- Total solar energy rejected
- 50% to 64% depending on shade
- Infrared energy rejected (IRER)
- 62% to 64% — 780–2500nm, film on glass
- Infrared rejection (IRR)
- 32% to 40% — 900–1000nm, film alone
- Glare reduction
- 21% to 91% depending on shade
- Construction
- Non-metallised polyester with IR-rejecting ceramic nanotechnology and patented dye technology
- Colour retention
- Patented dye technology — will not turn purple
- Signal interference
- None — no metal, so GPS, satellite radio and 5G are unaffected
- Thickness
- CS IR 5 is 2 mil; every other shade 1.5 mil
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime, original owner only, non-transferable
- Figures measured on
- 6mm 73% VLT automotive green glass, ANSI/NFRC 200
- Source
- 3M Technical Data Sheet, Color Stable Series, Revision C, May 2024
The Other Tiers
3M Ceramic IR
From $425
2hr · SUV 2hr 30min · +1hr w/ windshield
See the film →3M Crystalline Black
From $595
2hr · SUV 2hr 30min · +1hr w/ windshield
See the film →Ready When You Are
Tell us the car and what you want out of it. We will come back with a price and a day that works.