3M vs. XPEL vs. Budget Brands: Does Tint Brand Matter in Calgary?

Is window tint just window tint? Absolutely not. The brand of film determines whether your tint turns purple in 2 years or blocks heat effectively. We compare the market leaders.
Tint Chemistry: Dye vs Ceramic in Calgary
Budget Brands (and entry-level 3M/SunTek): Use dyed polyester. The sun bleaches the dye over time, turning the tint purple. It offers privacy but very little heat rejection.
Premium Brands (XPEL Prime XR): Use nano-ceramic particles. These particles do not fade. More importantly, they block Infrared (IR) heat, not just visible light.
Heat Rejection Stats
Standard Dyed Tint blocks ~10-20% of heat.
XPEL Prime XR Plus blocks up to 98% of infrared heat.
Calgary Tint Brand Showdown
| Feature | XPEL Prime XR | 3M Ceramic IR | Generic "Shop Brand" |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | Nano-Ceramic Particle | Nano-Ceramic | Dyed or Carbon |
| Clarity | High | Good (some low angle haze) | Low |
| Warranty | Lifetime Transferable | Lifetime | 1-3 Years |
| Black Tone | True Black | Cool/Blue Black | Brown/Purple Hue |
| Heat Rejection | Excellent | Very Good | Poor |
Why We Chose XPEL for Calgary Drivers
We offer XPEL because of the Transferable Lifetime Warranty. If you sell your car, the warranty goes with it, increasing resale value. Additionally, XPEL's colour tone is a "neutral black" that matches factory privacy glass perfectly, whereas some 3M films have a bluish hue that clashes with OEM glass.
Don't settle for mystery tint. Ask for XPEL by name.
Frequently Asked Questions
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