Help...Can I tint a BG on a '04 CTS with

Without interfering with anything...

Does it have factory XM radio?

Those are mounted in the roof not the window.

Otherwise I believe the normal antenna is in the glass and therefore you can only guess what will happen with the AM reception.

I am going to tell the customer about the AM reception . Not sure anything else

ive yet to see it. but a buddy who works for a chevy dealer had a customers claim of "range of factory alarm, short". metalized film was cited to blame. always one to argue with said buddy. asked how they proved it. well they pealed it. dude had illegal tint (all but windshield) of course they didnt test the difference with just the sides pulled. he's waiting for another to come in for the same issue. he says there is gonna be a service bullitin out soon on the topic.....ill believe it when i see it 1st hand.
correct me if im wrong. ususally alarm antenas are up in the dash. told my buddy i could see how the film as a whole could block the signal a bit. but not isolated to just the rear window. unless you produce a schematic showing me different or pay for the tint for me to do my own tests, not buying it. asked if they tried the alarm funtions with the doors open, or with the windows down. uhhh...uhhh....no. of course not. hes yet to seee the problem again. i would lean toward the cars equipment being faulty over the tint.
Moral of this wandering rant,
how do dealerships stay in bussiness with part swappers rather than mechanics. BLAME THE OTHER GUY

when it coems to fixing my ride i hate em....as for my paychecks

Well...............


I am not in the habit of using FULL metalized film (ie PP or Infinity) on such a car. But this lady ABSOLUTELY wants this film on her car. I just want a heads up if I ABSOLUTELY need to talk her out of it

we have done a bunch of them for our local dealer, with the ONYX from madico. half of them had the GPS and the XM radio. i think. no problems. but i do think PP will create a mess.

but if she wants it bad. i would too make her sign a waiver its at her own risk.

give them what they want!

I tinted a new Lexus with Onyx and the GPS would not work right or the radio. That was the only car I ever had a problem with Did a few of those Cadi's and was OK Good luck!

Used hybrids on em with no complaints.

i'm in the same boat OT is in, i use hybrids too with them, ive had no complaints or issues

watch out for them accord with GPS those are some sensitive sons of biatches.

Sometimes antennae for automotive GPS and XM appear like icebergs (pardon the pun)... i.e., there is more to them than meets the eye.

CP tested a variety of their films a few years ago for RF (radio frequency) attenuation and found that it varies from type of metal used and the density of deposition. Even a conductive ceramic can contribute to EMI (electromagnetic interference).

Other factors that play into this phenom is quality of equipment and quality of signal.

More than likely PP will produce EMI with the navigation, OnStar, cell phone and radar detectors, not to mention AM radio.

FYI... Copper alloys seem to be most effective at blocking RF.

If going forward with the install of this film and the result is no interference at all, all is good. However, this is unlikely.

Thank you all very much

The customer will be here shortly

I've done several of these and left nothing to chance. Your bigger concern should be removing the back seat and rear deck to get your tint beyond the lower deck where it often sits a good 1/2" above the glass borderline.

Check TOTW section for "Art of Tint's" very detailed and accurate description for removal.

I first remove the mounted antenna.

I usually cut out a small square in the installed tint (the size of the metal contacts) then re-attach the antenna. A small roll of 3M double sided tape helps.

Good luck.

I would let the customer be aware of possible problems {Noted on the Recipt} and if they still want the PP, let them pay for what they want possibly twice if they want it stripped and a hybred film applied ! $$$

All done

No interference thus far Back seat and rear deck removal...Mr P good to have a man around

Customer is very happy...

Congrats. TTC another great job from down the road!

This is good to know... thanks!

When we got finished we tested the radio, keyless entry,etc everything worked fine, guess we will see

Thanks for sharing all the info, it may save some of us headache down the road.