Tinting Windows (Must Read, Free Moleskin)

[Leo the 3rd]

Ok, looking at places in Atlanta (Norcross to be exact). Dealer recommended an outfit in Alpharetta who wants to charge $349 installed (with moleskin). Another shop Oasis in Lilburn says the will install for $199 and will cut the plastic inserts. Now, do I want them cutting the plastic inserts? Or do I really want to pay $349. No commitment to either yet but doing my homework. Any recommendations are appreciated.

[Acura_Kid]

cutting the wipes??!! wrong. no need to, thats a cheesy way around the issue....

what brand and type of films are you talking about ??

Originally Posted by Leo the 3rd

Ok, looking at places in Atlanta (Norcross to be exact). Dealer recommended an outfit in Alpharetta who wants to charge $349 installed (with moleskin). Another shop Oasis in Lilburn says the will install for $199 and will cut the plastic inserts. Now, do I want them cutting the plastic inserts? Or do I really want to pay $349. No commitment to either yet but doing my homework. Any recommendations are appreciated.

[Leo the 3rd]

AK: Called them - The $199 shop (ones who want to cut the wipes) are using Madico tint.

The other shop SolarWorks of Atlanta (will install Moleskin) are using ForumlaOne.

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by Leo the 3rd

AK: Called them - The $199 shop (ones who want to cut the wipes) are using Madico tint.

The other shop SolarWorks of Atlanta (will install Moleskin) are using ForumlaOne.

FormulaOne is a much better film. Madico is a run-of-the-mill film.

formulaone and lluma are both made by CPFilms (http://www.cpfilms.com/products.html). go with formulaone if you can.

[TruLuv]

Hi AK, Im new to the forums, I must say you and a couple other people wrote up a great section on Tinting!

Do you think you can write up a Questionaire to ask the Tinters? This way I make sure I cover all corners when asking them. I live in the LA So cali region and want to get the best price and best quality! Thanks for the help!






05 TL WDP AT With Navi

[Acura_Kid]

i can, will have something up for ya tomorrow (later today)....

Originally Posted by TruLuv

Hi AK, Im new to the forums, I must say you and a couple other people wrote up a great section on Tinting!

Do you think you can write up a Questionaire to ask the Tinters? This way I make sure I cover all corners when asking them. I live in the LA So cali region and want to get the best price and best quality! Thanks for the help!






05 TL WDP AT With Navi

[Acura_Kid]

a few questions you need to ask your tinter.

1. do you install moleskin?
2. what film brands and series do you carry?
3. are these films dyed, ceramic, metallized, or hybrid?
4. can you do back window in one piece?
5. can you tint under the 3rd brake light?
6. can you tint the quarter glass completely, tucked up tight to the inner molding?
7. what warranty does the film and workmanship carry?
8. are the warranties in writing on the work order (aka receipt)?
9. how much will it cost?
10. can i see some of your work?

here's what i would expect for answers from experienced tinters:
1. yes but it will cost a extra $xy.00
2. top brands include llumar, huper optik, pinnacle, 3m, solargard, and others, we use llumar and solargard (or the like, etc)
3. we have all of them (only use ceramic or metallized films)
4. yes
5. yes
6. yes
7. lifetime on film, 3year (or better) on workmanship
8. yes, i can show you
9. we are competetively priced
10. sure, come into our work bay and i'll show you


if the tinter cannot do all 10 questions to your satisfaction then move on to the next tint shop. if there are hesitations with the answers i would proceed with caution.

[Leo the 3rd]

Thanks for the questions list. Now to figure out if $349 is the best price for what I want. Last time I did this it was 8 years ago and cost $150 for a Honda Accord LX 4DR.

[tkejoe450]

Anyone know of any good places where I can get my car tinted? I'd appreciate the help!!!

Joe

[tkejoe450]

Just went in to a tint shop and asked about the "felt" and they said that it is not necessary because what they do is cut the film right above the gasket...he said he doesn't like removing the door panels because of all the electrical works in there. What do you guys think about this?

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by tkejoe450

Just went in to a tint shop and asked about the "felt" and they said that it is not necessary because what they do is cut the film right above the gasket...he said he doesn't like removing the door panels because of all the electrical works in there. What do you guys think about this?

... a crack pot is what i think. the film should never be cut above the wipes!! if it is then everytime you roll the window down you run the risk of the film edge folding over and pulling the film off as the window goes down.

the panel is undone from the door, but it does not need to be removed like a replacement part.

as i said in this thread, remove the wipes before tinting, tint,let tint dry, felt the wipes then put them back in.

AK

[Lessur]

Hi AK, I am about to bite the bullet and have the windows done. They have quoted me $260 for SunTech or $300 for 3M. What are your thoughts about the two. Should I spend the extra for the 3M?
The tinter said that they have done about 100 TL's and have not used Moleskin on any. They have seen a little scratching but nothing too drastic.

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by Lessur

Hi AK, I am about to bite the bullet and have the windows done. They have quoted me $260 for SunTech or $300 for 3M. What are your thoughts about the two. Should I spend the extra for the 3M?
The tinter said that they have done about 100 TL's and have not used Moleskin on any. They have seen a little scratching but nothing too drastic.

i've heard of SunTech from Mass. but i have not heard of too many people using it for automotive. i think you'll get a better product and better warranty with the 3M film.

AK

[rbgiantfan]

I am about to have a job done and I have a couple of questions. First of all, I am getting llumar metalic for $200 plus another $20 per window for Moleskin. Lifetime guarantee.

1. They do not remove the door panels which is a plus for me because I always worry about rattles once the panels are put back. Can they get the film below the wipers without removing the panels?
2. Are there any issues with the rear defogger wires? I live in NY and it gets pretty cold so the defoggers are used quite a bit. Does the film stand up to this ok?

thanks in advance for your advice and for all the other great info in this forum.

[Acura_Kid]

Originally Posted by rbgiantfan

I am about to have a job done and I have a couple of questions. First of all, I am getting llumar metalic for $200 plus another $20 per window for Moleskin. Lifetime guarantee.

1. They do not remove the door panels which is a plus for me because I always worry about rattles once the panels are put back. Can they get the film below the wipers without removing the panels?
2. Are there any issues with the rear defogger wires? I live in NY and it gets pretty cold so the defoggers are used quite a bit. Does the film stand up to this ok?

thanks in advance for your advice and for all the other great info in this forum.

no issues with the defrosters. as for not taking door panel off, i STRONGLY RECOMMEND that removong the panel is the only way to do it. if they are not removed you run the risk of wrinkling the upper part of the door panel and it cannot be fixed.

Llumar is a good film.

AK