Tinting Questions

[tapout2taxes]

OK so I just got back from a vacation and managed to not spend a fortune while I was away so I am taking my savings and putting where it belongs, into my car. I want to tint and I want peoples opinions and experiences. I am absolutely terrified about it bubbling. But it is my understanding that you can always just pull the tint off if you want, is that correct?

Anyways let me know what you think on percentages, what pricing you guys have seen and if there are different films what is the best. Also, if you happen to be in LA especially West LA and know a good place to go post that as well please.

Thanks!

[kullenberg]

Check W DMV on the legal degree of tint. States are different.

[cpt97m3]

Yes, you can pull off the tint, but it's a pain. But doable. I've always used Toby at Elite Tint. 714-771-0797. He does excellent work, and I've had all my cars done by him. I'm using AirBlue on the 135i. He can meet you at your house or work, all of Orange County, and parts of LA and Riverside county. I'm a very satisfied customer.

[tapout2taxes]

Originally Posted by kullenberg

Check W DMV on the legal degree of tint. States are different.

I know our laws, not concerned with that part of this right now. Worst case is a fix it ticket. But so it's posted you can't tint front windows (including front side) and can do any tint on the rear as long as you have two rear view mirrors on the outside.

[newbieman]

I recently did 35 front and 20s on the rear. it is dark enough during the day and dark (cant see inside) when sun is down. So for me it is good enough, very satisfied with it. and my rear view is great too ! (had limo dark on my s4 and couldn't see anything at night through rear windows )

[GR1P]

I just did 3M Color Stable 35% all around. Definitely looks good.

[owen2001]

Originally Posted by tapout2taxes

...I am absolutely terrified about it bubbling.

Why? Have you had bad experiences w/ tint in the past? I can't imagine you being dissatisfied with a tint job from any reputable shop in your area. At the very least, if you have a spot or two that just doesn't turn out right, you can go back to the shop and have them fix it. Unless you're getting your tint done in a back alley for $75, I don't think you'll have any problems whatsoever.

[tapout2taxes]

Originally Posted by owen2001

Why? Have you had bad experiences w/ tint in the past? I can't imagine you being dissatisfied with a tint job from any reputable shop in your area. At the very least, if you have a spot or two that just doesn't turn out right, you can go back to the shop and have them fix it. Unless you're getting your tint done in a back alley for $75, I don't think you'll have any problems whatsoever.

Not me personally but I remember someone I know who's car had terrible bubbling and it looked terrible and I just would freak if my car had that but it can always be taken off so I need to calm down I suppose.

[sochermit]

I am lost for words at the moment but I wanted to get this out. I had tinting done on a another car and the AM radio does not work very well now. When I did it on another car I was aware of the problem and spoke with the tinting guy. He had a 3M product that would allow AM... radio waves to pass through and reach the antenna in the window. You may want to look into this.

I may be incorrect but I believe what they installed was front windows FX PM 35 and quarter back windows FX PM 20. As mentioned the degree of tint varies with states.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by sochermit

I am lost for words at the moment but I wanted to get this out. I had tinting done on a another car and the AM radio does not work very well now. When I did it on another car I was aware of the problem and spoke with the tinting guy. He had a 3M product that would allow AM... radio waves to pass through and reach the antenna in the window. You may want to look into this.

I may be incorrect but I believe what they installed was front windows FX PM 35 and quarter back windows FX PM 20. As mentioned the degree of tint varies with states.

I have also heard that metallic tint can cause AM radio interference.

I went with Solar Gard HP Supreme 30. Not too dark but still reduces interior temps. No bubbles, no issues, but I've only had it for a couple of months now.

[Bill B.]

I had mine done with Llumar Platinum 35 with Llumar Air 80 on the windshield. The Platinum is metallic, while the Air is ceramic.

I haven't had any noticeable problems with cell phone or radar detector reception. I can't speak about the radio, as I don't use it.

Here's a picture taken by the installer for their album...

[cheshirecat79]

Bubbled tint is usually a result of poor product or poor installation. Quality tint and an experienced installer will give you results that hold for years.

As far as the AM reception issue (along with GPS/Sirius/etc), that's a result of metallic tint. Just request non-metallic.

[alec_jan]

Go to Song's Tint Masters. You've seen my car, I think it came out perfectly. 35 all around. They'll make a recommendation to you based on your needs, which isn't necessarily their most expensive product (Huper). Like you I bought new and most important to me was no purpling over time. Install was flawless.

[Dafttt]

Tint Master City

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tint-master-city-canoga-park

I want to start by saying, just check the reviews. Should only be about ~30 mins from you depending on where you need to cross over to the valley. I ended up getting 45% on the sides and 35% on the rear. Looks really good, and I like that I can see out my windows at night (Rear - not so much). All-in-all, I paid $200 for everything (ceramic tints, mind you) and waited about 1.5 hrs.

10/10. No fading, cracking, or lumps, and the warranty is lifetime.

[Miko226]

Check your local laws however i have never followed tint laws down here in florida as it is way to hot and skin cancer runs in my family not to mention so many people have 5% anyway down here so you can get away with a lot darker than most places

My windshield has 50% with about a 6 inch 5% sun vizor
My driver and passenger windows are 2-3%
My quarter and rear shield are 20% with 5% on top of it making it 0%

This is a very dark combination that takes getting used to however eliminates a lot of heat and sun damage the cars receive down here in south florida

[daflamme]

Originally Posted by Miko226

Check your local laws however i have never followed tint laws down here in florida as it is way to hot and skin cancer runs in my family not to mention so many people have 5% anyway down here so you can get away with a lot darker than most places

My windshield has 50% with about a 6 inch 5% sun vizor
My driver and passenger windows are 2-3%
My quarter and rear shield are 20% with 5% on top of it making it 0%

This is a very dark combination that takes getting used to however eliminates a lot of heat and sun damage the cars receive down here in south florida

Damn that must be very dark

I have 35% front - 20% back but I thought the result would have been darker... From certain angles it looks all black, but from others you can see very well inside the car. If I was to redo it I it would be 20% - 5%. I'll probably have my fronts redone at 20% to have an easy fix Cost me around 200$ here in Quebec, no idea about you in US

[Miko226]

Originally Posted by daflamme

Damn that must be very dark

I have 35% front - 20% back but I thought the result would have been darker... From certain angles it looks all black, but from others you can see very well inside the car. If I was to redo it I it would be 20% - 5%. I'll probably have my fronts redone at 20% to have an easy fix Cost me around 200$ here in Quebec, no idea about you in US

Ya its a black wall at all times and light angles which was what i was going for even with 5% you can see through it sometimes however i don't need to wear sunglasses ever i really enjoy it in the strong sun down here although if your not used to it can be difficult to drive with at night

The shop i go to uses only 3M film and charge about 150$ (200$ w/ Windshield) for coupes and small cars however i've taken every family/friend there so they do small cars for like $100 now

I've wanted to tint my sunroof glass as well but the local shop i go to refuses to do it on any car saying that the window was designed to flex which could cause it to shatter...You would think its the same as every other window except the stock tint in the glass?? i could be wrong anybody have any input on this??

[Texan Engineer]

Originally Posted by Miko226

I've wanted to tint my sunroof glass as well but the local shop i go to refuses to do it on any car saying that the window was designed to flex which could cause it to shatter...You would think its the same as every other window except the stock tint in the glass?? i could be wrong anybody have any input on this??

The shop my family uses near Tampa says the same thing. Supposedly 3M makes a UV film that won't do that but still cuts down on the UV (but not light) but the film costs like $300 for the sunroof alone. Sorry that's not specific, I don't even know if it's true or just marketing BS the shop was spewing.

To the OP: good quality tint should not bubble or peel, when installed properly. Most good tints have lifetime warranties for a reason.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Miko226

I've wanted to tint my sunroof glass as well but the local shop i go to refuses to do it on any car saying that the window was designed to flex which could cause it to shatter...You would think its the same as every other window except the stock tint in the glass?? i could be wrong anybody have any input on this??

Most places shouldn't have any issue tinting the sunroof. I know a few members who recently had it done and it was offered to me when I had my tint, but I saved the money and just keep my sunshade closed. So, not sure why they'd say they couldn't or wouldn't do it. A tiny film of tint isn't going to cause a giant heavy sunroof to shatter. Very odd.

[Adam135]

Go to Signature Glass Tinting in Costa Mesa they are pros. They also have a no fault policy and will replace damaged tint no questions asked. Highly recommend. Yelp reviews speak for themselves.

[cheshirecat79]

Shops not tinting sunroof glass isn't unheard of- usually they just make a decision to not do it due to liability reasons.

Tint can absorb quite a bit of heat. The glass can also. If the glass has a flaw (such as a small chip), this can cause the glass to crack when the combined temperature of the glass and tint gets very high. Tempered glass is much harder and can withstand more heat- however, if it gets too hot (which again would be a combination of the glass/tint), it can shatter into tons of small pieces rather than crack.

Anyway, this being said, many people have tinted their sunroofs without an issue, me being one of them.

[owen2001]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

Anyway, this being said, many people have tinted their sunroofs without an issue, me being one of them.

+1. Just got my sunroof tinted a few weeks ago. My local tint shop said they do it all the time with no issues. They actually recommended it to me. I used the FormulaOne Pinnacle Series tint on the sunroof and they only charged me $50. I'm happy with it.