3M Colour Stable is 3M’s carbon window film and the lowest-priced of the three 3M films we install. It gives you privacy, glare control and UV protection, and it keeps the same colour over the years instead of fading to purple.
What Colour Stable is
Colour Stable is the film’s name. “Carbon” describes how it’s made. The film gets its dark colour from tiny carbon particles instead of dye. Dye breaks down in sunlight, which is why cheap tint turns purple. Carbon doesn’t break down that way, so Colour Stable keeps its charcoal-black look.
The film has no metal in it. It won’t interfere with GPS, Bluetooth, cell signals, satellite radio or toll transponders. It blocks 99% of UV, which protects your skin and slows fading on the dash, seats and trim.
Colour Stable specs
These figures are from 3M’s product bulletin for Colour Stable.
| Shade | Visible light through | Infrared rejected | UV rejected | Total solar energy rejected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS 50 | 50% | 47% | 99% | 39% |
| CS 35 | 36% | 53% | 99% | 43% |
| CS 20 | 21% | 49% | 99% | 44% |
| CS 5 | 6% | 44% | 99% | 47% |
Total solar energy rejected (TSER) counts visible light, UV and infrared together. For comparison, 3M lists 95% infrared rejection for Ceramic IR and 97% for Crystalline.
The numbers show where Colour Stable fits. It matches the more expensive films on UV, and it keeps out some heat, but it keeps out much less infrared than the ceramic films.
Who Colour Stable suits
- You want privacy and a dark look. Colour Stable comes in shades as dark as 5, which is often called limo tint.
- You’re on a budget. It’s the lowest-priced 3M film we carry.
- You’ve had cheap tint turn purple. Carbon film doesn’t fade the way dyed film does.
- UV protection matters more to you than heat. It blocks the same share of UV as the higher-priced films.
If you park in direct sun every day or your main goal is a cooler cabin, 3M Ceramic IR is worth the extra $50 to $200, depending on the package.
Colour Stable and Alberta law
On an Alberta-registered vehicle driven on public roads, you can tint the rear side windows and the back glass any darkness, including 5, as long as you have an outside mirror on each side. The windshield and the side windows beside and in front of the driver can’t have any film, including clear film. Read our Alberta tint law guide for the full rules and the exceptions.
Colour Stable prices
These prices are the same at both shops.
| Package | 3M Colour Stable |
|---|---|
| Two front windows | $299 |
| Back windows | $499 |
| All windows | $599 |
“Back windows” means the rear side windows and the back glass. We don’t offer Colour Stable for windshields. For a windshield, choose Ceramic IR or Crystalline.
How it compares with the other 3M films
3M Colour Stable
The film on this page. Privacy and glare control for the lowest price. From $299.
3M Ceramic IR
A ceramic film that keeps out a lot more heat and still comes in dark shades. From $349.
3M Crystalline
3M’s top film. It keeps out the most heat while staying light. From $449.
Ready to book Colour Stable? See the full price list.