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      12-02-2009, 05:05 PM   #1
Rustler
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Recommended Tint Installer

Does anybody have a recommendation on a quality tint installer in the Boston area? I brought my old subaru to Tint King in Billerica and was very pleased with the work, but I'm always willling to shop around. Anybody have any experience with Solar Solutions in Bedford, MA?

Also, if you have tint let me know what you chose (brand, product) and whether you're pleased with it.
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      12-03-2009, 10:52 AM   #2
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i don't know if any of the 1ers around here have done tint...maybe ming aka captain caddy? i do wanna get mine done, but i'll probably have it done in the spring by a friend in RI
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      12-03-2009, 11:17 AM   #3
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yup BDH821 had his done. I just can't recall where though.
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      12-03-2009, 06:38 PM   #4
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Solar Solutions in Bedford MA. They did an amazing job with full warranty. I forget how much it was but very reasonably priced as I recall. I actually heard about them on a BMW forum while I was researching it so I figured they must be good
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      12-04-2009, 10:03 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdh821 View Post
Solar Solutions in Bedford MA. They did an amazing job with full warranty. I forget how much it was but very reasonably priced as I recall. I actually heard about them on a BMW forum while I was researching it so I figured they must be good
That's helpful, thanks. There were a bunch of recommendantions for Solar Solutions in the subaru impreza forums, and that's easier for me than Billerica. Do you happen to remember what product you chose (carbon based or ceramic, manufacturer/brand)? If you happen to remember the price that would be helpful for my comparison shop. Thanks.
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      04-23-2011, 03:37 PM   #6
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Old thread, any new or additional info appreciated. I've never had aftermarket tint, and I'd rather get nothing than something that was not high quality and as good as factory tint

On a related topic, why do all SUVs come from the factory with tint, but cars do not?
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      04-24-2011, 08:49 AM   #7
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Just had my windows tinted at Solar Solutions in Bedford yesterday. Went with the legal 35% all around the driver, passenger, and rear. They only use Suntek Carbon which was fine with me because it was only $150 - very good deal. The tint is still curing but will load pix later in the week. The staff at Solar Solutions were very friendly. It had a mom and pop atmosphere. The entire job took about 1 hour.
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      04-25-2011, 12:24 PM   #8
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sounds like a pretty good price. my friend quoted me 175
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      04-25-2011, 02:59 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustler View Post
Does anybody have a recommendation on a quality tint installer in the Boston area? I brought my old subaru to Tint King in Billerica and was very pleased with the work, but I'm always willling to shop around. Anybody have any experience with Solar Solutions in Bedford, MA?

Also, if you have tint let me know what you chose (brand, product) and whether you're pleased with it.
Unfortunately, I wasn't completely satisfied with Solar Solutions. They did a pretty good job overall but I wasn't happy with how the dot "matrix" around the rear window of my Mercedes-Benz came out looking. I picked up the car after they were closed, and when I called back to ask about it (it looks a bit splotchy around the edge because the tint doesn't stick well to the ceramic dots), they told me that they all do that, and to basically pound sand. I felt that if they knew this would be a problem they should've let me know prior or during the installation. It was almost like they hoped I wouldn't notice. They told me that they could redo the rear window "only if it was scratched or bubbling". I can say that most people probably wouldn't notice unless they looked for it, but I can see it and it bothers me. YMMV

Oh well. Other than that it came out nicely.
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      04-26-2011, 10:57 AM   #10
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That's funny you say that cuz I was complimented on how well they did on that part of the windows. They were only 5 mins from my house at the time also
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      04-26-2011, 11:23 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bdh821 View Post
That's funny you say that cuz I was complimented on how well they did on that part of the windows. They were only 5 mins from my house at the time also
They said that if the dot matrix part was larger, they have other methods. But since mine is only about a half inch wide, they just leave it. I would've preferred that the tint was cut prior to the dot matrix part to keep it looking uniform.....which it seems like they did on my small triangle windows on the back door. I tried to push it down after about a week but no dice.
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      05-07-2011, 08:11 AM   #12
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Here are some pictures of the tint install that was done at Solar Solutions about 2 weeks ago.
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      05-12-2011, 09:27 PM   #13
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Thanks for the pictures. I see on their website they have a black 135i in their gallery as well. I'm still not 100% on tint, I've never had it on any car. I suppose it's cheap enough that if I don't like it, I can always remove it.

(Nothing like some rain over pollen. Can't keep a car clean these days unless you don't take it out of the garage).

Last edited by jkoral; 05-12-2011 at 09:36 PM..
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      05-13-2011, 12:45 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ndawg View Post
Here are some pictures of the tint install that was done at Solar Solutions about 2 weeks ago.
That last 2 pictures is exactly what I had. See the blotches on the dot matrix? Are you satisfied with that?

Look along the bottom of the 2nd to last photo, you can see how the line isn't perfect on the dot matrix along the bottom of the window. Maybe I'm too picky, but this bugs me.
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      05-13-2011, 01:08 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackjackMulligan View Post
That last 2 pictures is exactly what I had. See the blotches on the dot matrix? Are you satisfied with that?

Look along the bottom of the 2nd to last photo, you can see how the line isn't perfect on the dot matrix along the bottom of the window. Maybe I'm too picky, but this bugs me.
If you hadn't pointed that out, I wouldn't have noticed it, but I *definitely* would have noticed it on my car. That would bug the crap out of me. I'm still undecided on getting tint at all.
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      05-13-2011, 01:21 PM   #16
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The back window I recognized because it looks just like how my M-B turned out. Not a huge deal but annoying nonetheless. Frankly, his side window looks like a$$ and I would not be able to deal with that. When the dot matrix is wide like that, a good shop will use alternate methods to get it to stick or cover (different glue, spray paint, black tape, etc).
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      05-14-2011, 12:58 PM   #17
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To jkoral:

I got quoted $170 from Clean Image. They're in Danvers, MA. My colleague went there and he said they did a phenomenal job. I'm going on Tuesday so I'll post some pictures. I know a few guys who's in "Clean Image". (They're a group of car enthusiasts who opened up a shop unbeknownst to me). Anyway, they give a lifetime warranty so you can't beat that. You can walk right in or set up an appointment as the tint guy isn't always there. 2 hour job.

http://www.cleanimageshop.com/Detail-Services.html
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      05-19-2011, 08:20 PM   #18
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I went to eastern tint in somerville yesterday quote $210 and did 20 front 15 rear.
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