Window tint · Automotive
3M Black Chrome Series
Metallized film carries sputtered or vacuum-deposited metal that reflects heat. It's durable and color-stable but a little reflective, and the metal can weaken phone, GPS and toll-tag signals. Compare the types of window film.
- Technology
- Metallized
- Made for
- Cars and trucks
- Look
- Charcoal
- Darkness range
- 10% to 42% VLT
Full specs
Source: 3M Automotive Window Film Black Chrome Series Technical Data Sheet (Rev A, May 2021) (opens in a new tab). Our archived copy (PDF) (opens in a new tab).
| Shade | Visible light transmitted Visible light transmitted. Share of visible light that passes through the glass and film. Lower is darker. | Visible light reflected, outside Visible light reflected, outside. Share of light the window reflects outward: how mirror-like it looks from outside. | Visible light reflected, inside Visible light reflected, inside. Share of light reflected back into the car or room: how much you see your own reflection at night. | Total solar energy rejected Total solar energy rejected. Share of the sun's total energy (heat) kept out. Higher is cooler. | Infrared rejected Infrared rejected. Share of infrared, the heat you feel on your skin, that is blocked, as the maker measures it. | Infrared energy rejected Infrared energy rejected. Share of infrared energy blocked across the whole infrared range. | Ultraviolet blocked Ultraviolet blocked. Share of ultraviolet light blocked, the part that fades interiors and harms skin. | Glare reduction Glare reduction. How much less visible glare than the same glass with no film. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Chrome 40 | 42% | 9% | 8% | 47% | 51% | 47% | 99% | 53% |
| Black Chrome 35 | 36% | 13% | 11% | 53% | 71% | 53% | 99% | 60% |
| Black Chrome 20 | 17% | 20% | 25% | 68% | 81% | 68% | 99% | 81% |
| Black Chrome 10 | 10% | 22% | 18% | 72% | 86% | 72% | 99% | 88% |
What the column names mean
- VLT
- Visible light transmitted. Share of visible light that passes through the glass and film. Lower is darker.
- VLR out
- Visible light reflected, outside. Share of light the window reflects outward: how mirror-like it looks from outside.
- VLR in
- Visible light reflected, inside. Share of light reflected back into the car or room: how much you see your own reflection at night.
- TSER
- Total solar energy rejected. Share of the sun's total energy (heat) kept out. Higher is cooler.
- IRR
- Infrared rejected. Share of infrared, the heat you feel on your skin, that is blocked, as the maker measures it.
- IRER
- Infrared energy rejected. Share of infrared energy blocked across the whole infrared range.
- UV
- Ultraviolet blocked. Share of ultraviolet light blocked, the part that fades interiors and harms skin.
- Glare
- Glare reduction. How much less visible glare than the same glass with no film.
Figures are measured on single-pane clear glass; results on your windows will vary. The number in a shade's name is nominal; VLT is the measured light transmission.
Darkness limits for cars are set by each state. Check your state's tint law before choosing a shade.
Visualize the shades: tint preview and heat rejected
The tint preview shows how each shade darkens the view from inside (visible light transmission, VLT); screens vary, so use it as a guide. Heat rejected is total solar energy rejected (TSER): higher is cooler.
Similar films from other brands
Current metallized and closely related films for cars from other makers, to compare side by side. Films we sell are listed first.
| Film | Type | VLT | TSER | At TintCenter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP QuantumSolar Gard | Metallized | 15–31% | 51–61% | From $29.57: buy Solar Gard HP Quantum at TintCenter |
| PerformerASWF | Hybrid (dyed + metal) | 4–65% | 35–66% | From $23.78: buy ASWF Performer Dyed Metal at TintCenter |
| HP CharcoalSolar Gard | Hybrid (dyed + metal) | 6–29% | 53–61% | From $27.15: buy Solar Gard HP Charcoal at TintCenter |
| HP SupremeSolar Gard | Hybrid (dyed + metal) | 5–44% | 44–55% | From $26.87: buy Solar Gard HP Supreme at TintCenter |
| Luster SeriesCosmo Sunshield | Metallized | 10–15% | 76–78% | |
| ExecutiveJohnson Window Films | Metallized | 17–62% | 36–67% |
VLT: darkness range (light let through). TSER: heat rejected, lightest to darkest shade. Makers measure differently, so treat close figures as a tie. Browse all brands and films.
Similar films you can buy here
We don't sell 3M Black Chrome Series. These films in our store are the closest match by type for cars:
- Solar Gard HP QuantumFrom $29.57
More from 3M
Spot a mistake or know what happened to this line? Tell us and we'll update the record.
TintCenter is independent: no maker pays to appear or be ranked here. We also sell film by the roll, and store links are marked "Shop". How we research and make money.

