We love our Xpel home window tint which has been a godsend during the intense heat of Las Vegas summers. That same heat and UV does a real number on the interiors of our vehicles as well as our skin, so we finally got an opportunity to tint our 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D.
Our Mercedes runs strong and we wanted to maintain the original classic look, so dark tint was out of the question. We don’t notice the clear Xpel we have on our windows at home, so we wanted that same look and performance for the car. We opted for the Xpel PRIME XR PLUS 70, which we put on every window including the windshield.
The work was done at the Xpel facility in Las Vegas by pros who also tint for all of the Porsche dealers in town. There are technicians there who can tint 2026 911s as well as our ‘80s Mercedes. The level of care and craftsmanship was clear from the moment we pulled in. They treated our car like it was worth ten times what we paid for it—and in a city like Vegas, that’s saying something.
Why Ceramic Tint?
Xpel’s PRIME XR PLUS film is a nano-ceramic tint, which means it blocks heat and UV without relying on dyes or metal particles. That’s important for longevity and clarity, especially in a car like ours with big windows and a lot of glass surface area. This car was built long before factory UV glass was standard, so adding this level of protection is essential for preserving the dash, seats, and trim—not to mention our own skin.
Even though we chose the lightest version (70 VLT, or Visible Light Transmission), the difference inside the cabin is dramatic. The film blocks up to 98% of infrared heat and 99% of UV rays, which makes the car feel noticeably cooler when sitting in the sun. The AC doesn’t have to work as hard, and we’re not reaching for the sunshade every time we park.
What’s most impressive is what hasn’t changed. From the outside, the car looks stock. There’s no obvious dark tinting, no mirror effect, no weird color shift. From the inside, visibility remains crystal clear. There’s no haziness, no distortion, and no glare—even on the curved windshield. That’s the benefit of using a premium film like Xpel’s, and having it installed by people who know what they’re doing.
Installation Details
Installing film on a vintage car isn’t always easy. Glass shape, window seals, and trim styles vary a lot compared to modern vehicles. The team at Xpel Las Vegas took their time with prep, cleaning, and laying down each piece of film. The windshield alone was a bit of a challenge due to its curve, but the installer used a heat gun and years of experience to get it just right.
We especially appreciated the clean edges and lack of visible seams. You’d have to look very closely to even know the film is there. It doesn’t peel, bubble, or streak, and the adhesive doesn’t interfere with defrosters or antennas. After curing in the sun for a few days, the film settled in perfectly.
Worth It for Any Vehicle
We’ve already raved about Xpel for home use. Their residential films made a massive difference in energy bills and comfort in our Las Vegas home. Now that we’ve had PRIME XR PLUS on the Benz for a while, we can say it’s just as worthwhile in the automotive world. It’s not cheap, but it’s one of those upgrades that pays off every time you get in the car.
If you drive an older vehicle, especially one without modern heat rejection or UV protection, adding ceramic tint is one of the best things you can do to preserve the interior and improve driving comfort. And if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right—with high-quality film and professional installation.
We’ll keep the classic lines and chrome trim of our old diesel Benz, but thanks to Xpel, we’ve brought the cabin comfort into the 21st century.
