What is 3M Ceramic IR?
3M Ceramic IR is a ceramic window film from 3M with no metal in it. It is built to reject infrared, the part of sunlight you feel as heat, and because it is metal-free it does not interfere with GPS, satellite radio or your phone signal, including 5G. It is the top film we install.
How much heat does 3M Ceramic IR block?
3M publishes up to 95% infrared rejection, up to 66% of total solar energy rejected and up to 99.9% UV blocked for the Ceramic IR Series. Those are maximums: the highest infrared numbers are for the darkest shade, lighter shades reject less, and the result on your car depends on its glass.
How is it different from your regular ceramic?
Both are ceramic and signal-safe. Ceramic is our most popular film; 3M Ceramic IR is the top tier, the one to choose if the car sits in the sun all day. The calculator shows the exact price difference for your car.
How dark can I legally go in California?
Front side windows have to let more than 70% of light through, so any film there has to be very light. The windshield has two legal options, and they are different products: a darker strip across the top down to the AS-1 line, or a clear, non-darkening film across the whole glass. That clear film is what the "Full + windshield" option on the calculator adds — it cuts heat and UV without making the glass look tinted. Rear side windows and the back window can be as dark as you want, as long as you have both side mirrors. We measure your glass and confirm what's legal for your specific vehicle before we cut anything.
How long does it take, and do I need to be there?
Two to three hours for most cars, a bit longer for a full SUV or a Tesla glass roof. You don't need to stand around — leave the keys with us, go back to work, and we'll text you when it's done.
Do you need power or water at my place?
No. We bring our own power, water and everything else. All we need is space to open the doors and, ideally, shade or a garage.
When can I roll the windows down?
Give it three days. You'll see some haze or small water pockets while the film cures — that's normal and it clears on its own. If anything's still there after a week, call us and we'll come back.
What does the warranty actually cover?
Bubbling, peeling, cracking, delamination and color change. Our ceramic and 3M Ceramic IR films carry it for as long as you own the vehicle; carbon is covered for 5 years. It's backed by the film manufacturer and honored by us. It doesn't cover damage from scratching the film or from cleaning it with ammonia — use the cloth we leave you.