Tinting Windows (Must Read, Free Moleskin)

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by Anubus12

I am considering tinting my TL w/ NAV. The only tinting dealer nearby uses Llumar and Acutek. Is either of these tint films any good and will it interfere with the NAV system?

Anyone know a good installer in the Ann Arbor / Detroit Michigan area?

Llumar is a general good metallized film. you want to avoid metal films with the NAV. seek out FormulaOne Pinnacle series (ceramic) film.

AK

[Anubus12]

Acura Kid,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately there is no Formula One dealer in MI. However, I did find 4 local dealers that use SolarGard NR. The bad thing is I asked about Moleskin and NONE of them know anything about it . They claim that they have done many TL's and have not had problems with scratching. They say that if this happens, they would direct me to the dealer to have the window wiper or whatever adjusted so it doesn't scratch and retint free of charge. Most dealers won't open the door because of side airbags (so they say). Perhaps I can install Moleskin myself?

Will tint on every single TL scratch if I don't use some sort of protection? I am concerned but do not have many options. They are charging between $180-$250. Not sure if that is a good deal or not.

Thanks.

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by Anubus12

Acura Kid,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately there is no Formula One dealer in MI. However, I did find 4 local dealers that use SolarGard NR. The bad thing is I asked about Moleskin and NONE of them know anything about it . They claim that they have done many TL's and have not had problems with scratching. They say that if this happens, they would direct me to the dealer to have the window wiper or whatever adjusted so it doesn't scratch and retint free of charge. Most dealers won't open the door because of side airbags (so they say). Perhaps I can install Moleskin myself?

Will tint on every single TL scratch if I don't use some sort of protection? I am concerned but do not have many options. They are charging between $180-$250. Not sure if that is a good deal or not.

Thanks.

Solargard NR is good, should run you no more than $200. NR comes in 3 colors so be sure to see each one in person on some vehicle before choosing (i think True Grey is the best color).


they dont know moleskin because "they just dont know". dont sweat it, it's a DIY project anyways. you should remove the wipes before going to the tinter. after tint dries for about 5 days you can felt the wipes and put them back in.

if the tinter you go to wants more info, have him/her call Tom at The Art of Tint, or the other folks in NY who posted in this thread.

AK

[Anubus12]

Acura Kid,

Thanks for the reply. I looked at your post about how to disassemble the door panel. It looks a bit complicated and I am hesitant on trying this on a brand new vehicle. In any case, I presume I have to put moleskin on all 4 window wipes therefore must remove all 4 door panels?

If I do NOT do this, is there a 100% guarantee the tint will scratch?

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by Anubus12

Acura Kid,

Thanks for the reply. I looked at your post about how to disassemble the door panel. It looks a bit complicated and I am hesitant on trying this on a brand new vehicle. In any case, I presume I have to put moleskin on all 4 window wipes therefore must remove all 4 door panels?

If I do NOT do this, is there a 100% guarantee the tint will scratch?

chances are pretty favorable that your tint will scratch without the felt. with felt those odds go way way down.

the door panel has just a few screws and some pop clips. if you don't feel comfortable doing it then print out the pages and have your tinter do it (they should be ok with popping panels off).

AK

[Lessur]

Originally Posted by Acura_Kid

what film is he using for $200 ??

They are a SolarGuard dealer. How does that stack up price wise? 35% is max in MA. They had not done a TL so did not know how to do the quarter panels made me nervous. Did not even ask about moleskin! Still waiting to see if anyone has had theirs done in MA that they would recommend.

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by Lessur

They are a SolarGuard dealer. How does that stack up price wise? 35% is max in MA. They had not done a TL so did not know how to do the quarter panels made me nervous. Did not even ask about moleskin! Still waiting to see if anyone has had theirs done in MA that they would recommend.

that price is ok. tell them to visit this thread so they can understand what moleskin is. as for the quarters, just tell them the trick is to get the glass really clean and to use lots of soapy water to slide the film in under the inner molding.

[Lessur]

Originally Posted by Acura_Kid

that price is ok. tell them to visit this thread so they can understand what moleskin is. as for the quarters, just tell them the trick is to get the glass really clean and to use lots of soapy water to slide the film in under the inner molding.

Thanks Acura_Kid. I am still waiting to see if someone will point me in the direction of a tinter who has done a 05'TL. If not I will have to educate the tinter on how it should be done. Thanks for the tip.

[Acura_Kid]

Anyone with moleskin getting tint scratches?

just wondering, a local tinter i have contact with says he is getting bring-backs for scratches.

[shotcaller88]

I received my moleskin today. Thanks so much. I plan to install this weekend. Now I just need to find a formula 1 installer that's willing to do 15% on my front windows. I offered to sign a waiver and all at Tint King in WPB, but no go. The owner has 3rd gen TL & I've seen a lot of their work. I wish they wouldn't be so darn stubborn.
Thanks again for the moleskin!

[rventu]

I followed up with Acura North Scottsdale (in Arizona) where I purchased my 05 TL, which also tinted my windows as part of the deal. Unfortunately, I started reading this site after all the work was completed so I didn't really know any better at the time.
They will not add moleskin or tint the full quarter back window. I spoke to them the other day about it and expressed my dissatisfaction. In fact I was told “no one” is able to tint the rear quarter windows due to the molding.

Also, some additional bad news is this particular dealership uses an outside source to take care of all their car washing, details and tint (Danny’s Family Car Wash). Not only do they take the short cut on the tint but my car came back with two scratches on the rear fender and broken clips holding up the third brake light cover (Dannys neglected to report these issues). Both have been fixed by the dealership.

This dealership is wonderful from a sales perspective but NEVER use them for tinting and decline the free car wash anytime you have service performed.

[The General]

Originally Posted by rventu

I followed up with Acura North Scottsdale (in Arizona) where I purchased my 05 TL, which also tinted my windows as part of the deal. Unfortunately, I started reading this site after all the work was completed so I didn't really know any better at the time.
They will not add moleskin or tint the full quarter back window. I spoke to them the other day about it and expressed my dissatisfaction. In fact I was told “no one” is able to tint the rear quarter windows due to the molding.

Also, some additional bad news is this particular dealership uses an outside source to take care of all their car washing, details and tint (Danny’s Family Car Wash). Not only do they take the short cut on the tint but my car came back with two scratches on the rear fender and broken clips holding up the third brake light cover (Dannys neglected to report these issues). Both have been fixed by the dealership.

This dealership is wonderful from a sales perspective but NEVER use them for tinting and decline the free car wash anytime you have service performed.

Welcome to the club. The same exact thing happened to me. My dealer has been great, but their tint contractor has been a total lazyass pain in the ass!

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by rventu

I followed up with Acura North Scottsdale (in Arizona) where I purchased my 05 TL, which also tinted my windows as part of the deal. Unfortunately, I started reading this site after all the work was completed so I didn't really know any better at the time.
They will not add moleskin or tint the full quarter back window. I spoke to them the other day about it and expressed my dissatisfaction. In fact I was told “no one” is able to tint the rear quarter windows due to the molding.

Also, some additional bad news is this particular dealership uses an outside source to take care of all their car washing, details and tint (Danny’s Family Car Wash). Not only do they take the short cut on the tint but my car came back with two scratches on the rear fender and broken clips holding up the third brake light cover (Dannys neglected to report these issues). Both have been fixed by the dealership.

This dealership is wonderful from a sales perspective but NEVER use them for tinting and decline the free car wash anytime you have service performed.

go back, be a smart ass and hand them the URL to this thread, put them right back in place...... tell them they are ignorant for not even investigating the issue.... they are dead wrong about the quarter glass !!

i questioned my dealer about the new trunk spring when low lip spoiler goes on. they told me that kit does not call for a new spring. a few days later i went back with the Acura install instructions showing the new spring is to be installed. they suddenly changed their tone.

[AF Shirt]

Why is a different film recommended for a car with Nav than without?

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by AF Shirt

Why is a different film recommended for a car with Nav than without?

metallized films may/can affect the satellite signal that the Navi antenna receives. ceramic or dyed films will not, but dyed films are really a thing of the past.

i find it quite silly that they [Honda] did not put the Nav antenna on the roof, they should have integrated it with the XM roof wart.