I live in a hot So Cal desert, and (for now) have to park outside. Can anyone tell me which type of tint can help keep my Cross a bit cooler? Also, do I need to put a clear coat or ?? on the paint? I have had paint issues with other Toyotas, so a bit concerned. Thank you!
If you want to block the most heat coming through vehicle glass, you will need a specialized, ultra-premium film like Spectra PhotoSync IRD Window Film, not a ceramic film (which has mediocre heat rejection really in comparison). You will also need to put that film on the inside of your front windshield, in addition to all the side/back windows. I live in Phoenix, AZ have been doing that for my last 3 vehicles. Even when it is 120F out here & blazing sunlight, my A/C is always running on the lower fan settings & keeping inside very cool without any strain, & you can't feel the heat coming through the glass the same as when it is still cooking your skin through a regular ceramic film. Expect to pay more though for that type of specialized, ultra-high performance window film.
Newer cars these days use more fragile paint blends/processes. If you want to really lock in the factory paint/clearcoat then you will need a professionally-applied top-grade "lifetime" ceramic coating applied to vehicle. It is many times thicker & more dense than a factory clearcoat & helps prevent scratches, swirls, paint chips, UV damage, etc. - & gives the paint a lot more lustrous appearance as a bonus. It is also applied to the black plastics (among other things) & helps prevent premature fading, etc. If you drive a lot on roads with flying rocks/pebbles, a full-frontal PPF (paint protection film) might also be warranted. Those options are likely to cost $1500-2000 each though, if you are getting top-shelf product.
