Window tint · Automotive
3M Obsidian Series
Dyed film gets its darkness from dye in the polyester layers. It's the least expensive type and looks non-reflective, but it absorbs heat rather than reflecting it, and older dyed films could fade toward purple over time. Compare the types of window film.
- Technology
- Dyed
- Made for
- Cars and trucks
- Look
- Charcoal
- Darkness range
- 8% to 63% VLT
Full specs
Source: 3M Automotive Window Film Obsidian Series Technical Data Sheet (Rev G, July 2026) (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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obsidian 50 | 63% | 6% | 7% | 28% | 8% | 25% | 98.5% | 29% |
| Obsidian 35 | 47% | 5% | 6% | 33% | 8% | 25% | 98.7% | 49% |
| Obsidian 30 | 38% | 5% | 6% | 36% | 8% | 25% | 98.9% | 57% |
| Obsidian 25 | 30% | 5% | 5% | 38% | 9% | 25% | 99% | 67% |
| Obsidian 15 | 22% | 5% | 5% | 40% | 9% | 25% | 99.2% | 75% |
| Obsidian 5 | 8% | 4% | 5% | 44% | 9% | 25% | 99.6% | 91% |
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 dyed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RetroASWF | Dyed | 5–52% | 30–45% | From $15.10: buy ASWF Retro Non-Reflective at TintCenter |
| ExcelASWF | Dyed | 7–88% | 20–48% | From $28.53: buy ASWF Excel Color Stable at TintCenter |
| GalaxieSolar Gard | Dyed | 5–52% | 31–44% | From $24.40: buy Solar Gard Galaxie True Black Color Stable at TintCenter |
| HP NeutralTintCenter | Dyed | 4–48% | 30–43% | From $17.92: buy TintCenter HP Neutral at TintCenter |
| Classic Pro BlackASWF | Dyed | 5–51% | 34–45% | |
| Classic Pro CharcoalASWF | Dyed | 5–51% | 34–45% |
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 Obsidian Series. These films in our store are the closest match by type for cars:
- ASWF Excel Color StableFrom $28.53
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.