Start Up Shop Tint Choice

Hello,

I am new to this world and have been practicing on whatever cheap or free samples I can get. My buddy owns a tow company and I get to use his junk cars to practice on and have been doing it alot. Starting doing friends cars and some families. Been looking at starting my own shop finally. Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a new shop on how much tint and what types to get at first, I dont have a ton of money to buy lots of up front so was trying to figure out a good mix of products to offer. I was planning on getting 36" and 4" 100 ft rolls but cant figure out, do I get more 5 percent? more 35 percent, or less 15 percent? do I buy 3 different level of qualities or should i just start out with 1 or 2 levels of quality tint to offer. Thanks for any help you guys can provide and I hope and plan to become a good member of this forum.

If you want to run lean to start out I'd get a 40" roll of each shade. Cut it down the middle for side windows. For larger side windows like the newer F-150's turn the film sideways and use the 40" width. Write how many feet you use on the box so you have an idea of how much it left on the roll. In the future I'd stock 20", 24", 36" and 40" of all VLT's as business grows.

WHere are you located??

when I first started I bought 25 foot rolls of film....I had no credit or budget set up for business.

I offered 2 levels of film the first year, but I quickly found that my customers didn't really care. I then dropped back to just one film choice and offered it in 50, 35, 20, and 05. About a year later I began to phase out the 50% as I didn't really sell it.

What film to stock can be helped with the laws for where you are. Right now I sell MUCH more 5% and 20% then I do the 35%. When we get this new law I hope that I can phase out doing anything but 38% film.....or whatever will be legal on the FULL vehicle.

I would recommend 40" film for your size of rolls. If you have the budget then get full rolls and all the percentages you want or can use. Keep a record of what you use and then determine what you need more of.

I don't stock film up ahead more than having a new roll waiting when I am down to the last 15 feet or so on a roll.....just have to order when I am ready.

Shady, I am in southern california, north of Los Angeles.

Lil Details & Eric, Thank you for the input, thats the kind of information I was looking for as a start up. I found some decent values it looks like at Value Tint and I was planing on going with one of their lines just get 35,50,05 40 or 36 rolls. But it seems I hear about getting the 40 rolls more. So will probably end up going with that. Thanks guys!!

VT is very good film. I use it as one of my lines. Deifnately go for 40s as has been said before. 36s are good, but you always get those bg's that are a tad bigger and it doesn't fit. 40s are simple, because most side windows you can eyeball your cut down the middle because it doesnt matter if your an inch this way or that like on a 36. I don't know the cali laws, but just start with a roll of 5, 20, 35, and 50. Those are the 4 biggest shades. As far as stock, one roll of each should get you going and last for a while for you until you can save up some money to get more. Afterwards, keep one full roll of each in stock and have an open roll of each. Once you use on up and break open the new roll then order another. This way you always have film in stock.

Awesome Thanks Scotty, Seems like I got a pretty good feel for what to get now thank you guys very much!

Out in here in cali, most dont go to light on their cars, 5, 20, 35 are the big sellers i think, but having another optionn like the 50 is always good to have around.

the only way to become a proffesional tinter is to work for a proffesional tinting company and learn the proper way to install tint. . You cant learn the right way by doing it on your own.

Been teaching my self, as well as reading thoroughly all the information around here and got some videos and books and just practicing as much as i can. Havent been able to find anyone hiring or wanting to "train competition" they say around here. So I am doing what I got to do and asking questions as I go to who ever will answer. Thanks everyone again for your responses!

which came first a professional tinter or a professional tinting company? I taught myself the basics and learned to shrink from watching a video. I have since been to a few tint "competitions" and shows and networked with some great people to learn some neat tricks, but none of it was anything that I wouldn't be able to learn in the good old "school of hard knocks".....

It may take a bit more to learn on one's own, but it can be done.....

I too learned myself. I worked at a detail shop and would watch their contract guy(until my boss started bitching like 5 minutes later) and through a lot of practice on friends cars(and film) i got better and better at it.

I recently had a debate with a PR/ marketing manager who told me that 'there is no such thing as a professional tinter as it is a non-accredited industry'. I debated this at great length as I disagree completely with that attitude, so what makes a professional tinter in your opinion?

What is the right way to tint? Every tinter has their own technique. They pick up tips from other tinters and there are definately good and bad tinters, but if the end result is a good job what makes their way the wrong way. It may take longer and look awkward to a seasoned tinter but does that make it the wrong way?

Markymark stick to your guns there is always room in the industry for another "good" tinter!

If the install comes out clean, there was ZERO damage to the vehicle (whether you remove panels or not), you used a quality product that will last, you stand behind your work, and the customer leaves happy, then I'd say that's what it takes to be professional... And if you don't know the answer to something, or you're not sure, find out from somewhere reliable. Ask your distributor. Ask your rep. Ask a seasoned veteran. Call the manu. Do whatever it takes to prevent mistakes and correct them if they do happen, and do whatever it takes to prevent you from spewing BS to your customer. Just the principles I was taught...

Sometimes mistakes are made though. Its all part of the learning process to become better. Mirrors break, panels break, your knife slips, etc. Who knew that you couldn't kneel on the backseat of a phaeton/continental GT because you'd break the seat heater? Its impossible to know everything about every car, so mistakes happen. Customers understand, and life goes on.

You are on track 64chev has great advice on size Mark at VTint is a great guy to work with and his film Is top of the line in a plain box.
May all your work be a success
another welcome to the board
chears
Stan

You nailed it just like Chuck!
Today I am gluing plastic on glass. I do my best to do it cleaner, easier and faster than I did it the day before.

exactly what I tell my customers. Its a piece of plastic being glued on glass, you can't expect it to be 100% perfect.

All I can say is that every one I have done, I have learned, I have made mistakes and then figured out what to do to fix those mistakes and make sure it hasnt happened again. I am just going to keep on keeping on and keep visiting the tintdude as often as possible!

When I get some pics of suff I have been doing Ill post them here and hopefully wont be to longbefore I can postt my own shop pics!

You are at the right place

Good luck

Every started somewhere, and noone was putting out perfect work in the first place. If you have some issues with maybe some contam in the corners, or creases in one spot, if you were to put up some pictures that showed the issues we can give you ways to avoid them in the future.

markymark805 Good luck man we are in the same boat. I am just starting out and doing my cars and friends cars and soon I will move on to car lot cars and then on too customers. It may take me a year but I will keep at it and do as many cars as I can get my hands on or afford tint for.

I have been teaching myself with alot of practice and reading here.