Evolution of Carbon Window Tint

Carbon tint took the market by storm in the early 2000s, and for good reason: it blocks IR, keeps GPS signals clear, and holds color far better than old-school dyed films. But the word carbon on the box does not tell you much about the tech inside the roll. Five different generations are still sitting on distributor shelves, and each one installs—and performs—very differently.

Here is the fast timeline so you know exactly what you are buying before it touches a customer’s glass.

Generation 1  (early 2000s)

• Particle size: big and uneven
• Look: heavy blue haze at low angles
• Construction: carbon plus dye to mask that haze
• Install feel: thin, rubbery, stretches like taffy
• Longevity: about one year before browning and fading

Verdict: Cheap and tricky to shrink; turns coffee-brown long before the warranty sticker fades.

Generation 2  (2011)

• Particle size: smaller but still inconsistent
• Construction: dye chip-dyed into the polyester, carbon in the adhesive
• Install feel: thick, soft, still fights you on the glass
• Longevity: two–three years, slight color shift, haze hangs on

Verdict: Better than Gen 1, but the haze problem never really left.

Generation 3  (2013)

• Particle size: finally consistent, but prone to clumping
• Construction: first dye-free carbon film
• Install feel: a bit stiffer, slightly easier to shrink
• Longevity: three–five years, no fading or browning

Verdict: Dye-free was a win, but clumped particles kept sunrise haze alive.

Generation 4  (2017)

• Tech leap: chemical encapsulation stops particles from sticking together
• Haze: way lower thanks to tinier, isolated grains
• Adhesive: softer and sticks well, but batch consistency can waver
• Install feel: no longer a rubber wrestling match
• Longevity: solid five-year film that holds color

Verdict: First carbon tint most pros enjoyed installing—aside from the odd adhesive diva.

Generation 5  (2019–present)

• Adhesive: redesigned laminate and mounting glue—crystal-clear and durable
• Particle size: smallest yet; low-angle haze virtually gone
• Polyester: super-clear base film looks OEM
• Install feel: smooth, predictable, no rubbery stretch
• Longevity: five-plus years, zero fade, zero color shift

Verdict: The carbon sweet spot—clarity like dyed charcoal, IR rejection near ceramic, installs like butter.

Why It Matters

Pay Gen-5 prices for a Gen-2 roll and you lose twice: once fighting the install and again on callbacks when haze shows up in morning sun. Distributors rarely list the generation, so protect yourself:

1. Ask directly. If the supplier cannot tell you, walk.
2. Request a sample. Check low-angle haze against a known Gen-5 square.
3. Flex the film. Gen-1 and Gen-2 feel rubbery and thick; Gen-5 feels crisp and stable.

Bottom Line

Five generations are still on the shelf and only one delivers haze-free clarity, predictable installs, and a true five-year life. Before you click “Add to Cart,” ask yourself:

Which generation of carbon film are you really buying?

Ready for the latest? Drop us a line and we will ship Gen-5 samples so you can feel the difference yourself.