advice needed from Florida shop owners.

Im back from a hiattus since the late 80's. Ive done a few cars and am getting back my skills quickly. Ive worked my shrinking skills to an acceptible level and feel comfortable with venturing out to locate some jobs. My concerns are with limited budget just how much and what type of films shouild I keep on hand in Florida. (yes its whored out.. we know. ) How many rools and of which %'s are more likely consumed.

Im just overwhelmed with the different types of tint 2 plys, metalic, titanium, reflective etc... Please guide from not buying anything I will not need. What distributors have you worked with and why.

I appreciate all of your advise..

Thanx,

what part of FL you in ?
i would carry 30,15,5 %'s in an hp and dyed , we currently use suntek and i've always liked Johnson's but there's that 2 day shipping thing from them,there are so many films out there today get as many sample as you can and find witch ones you like and can afford ...

i know here in jax we use llumar...we have atr we keep 30 and 15 and i beleive some 5 also have platum plus for the moment 35 and 20... but we keep enough on hand to have extra rolls just in case... just make sure you stock legal according to fl of the film you like...most people rather have legal than nonlegal and chance a ticket.....

If we want to get technical...30 or 15% may not meter legal once applied to windows..the law is 28% and 15% NET..FILM AND GLASS..so be careful

TG ,do we have a +/-3% on that net ? i've heard from some we do,and some we don't .... but can say in 15yrs. down here, i have not had one issue using 30 and 15 ...

KNOCK WOOD !!!

Im in south Dade, Miami. I bought some cheap 35% about a year ago for practicing, this on my car and my wifes and have been running around the city without a problem. Maybe I should push 30% front drivers and passengers window and 35% on back and inform the customer that 35% and darker all around its on them. Maybe place a warning on receipt with customers signature..

As far as the newer model cars with GPS and the amount of cellphone use nowadays should I stay clear of film that will cause concern? what experiences have you had with this ?

Also the most common size should be 24" and 36" correct? are there any SUV's or trucks that will need larger ?
For instance, looking at a new Mustang that rear window appears huge. I could be wrong I haven't measured one yet.

Ps. In the 80's, We did more limo 5% then anything. We simply informed the customer that with limo they get no receipt and no warrenty. I know it was crazy and they ate it up..

I look forward to your responce and its Much appreciate !!!

if your going to do 30 on fronts go with 20 on the rears ,and to start with i would buy 40" rolls and cut them down as needed ,once you get rolling you can then add different sizes . we all know about the no receipt no warr. deal but is not good to discuss this in an open forum ,KEEP IT LEAGAL ! we also don't discuss prices here ,just fyi for the future....there are many cars that have signal issues with hp film witch is why i suggested carrying hp and dyed films ...

Yes it is 28/15 with a 3% plus or minus variance. Hence 12% on the rear windows NET is technically legal.

thanks bro ! thats what i thought , and would explain no problems in 15yrs. ...

YES...i believe we do have a +/- 3...but...in most cases..if the film is a true 30%..and applied to glass..it will drop it down to around 22-23% which is below the +/- 3 %..and a 15% will drop it down to well below the 15% allowed..but i hear yeah...im not getting on you for using 30 and 15...i use 30,32 and 20%..

In my opinion...i think it is not that big of deal if you are that close...but some can get a ticket if a cop is a real asshat.

Usually no problems when they meter out pretty close, I did have a customer with a Lexus Is 300, we put advantage 30, metered out 26 and he got a ticket. I was unaware there was a +/- 3 though, I would've sent him on his way with that knowledge.

pretty good thread guys !

we should have a FL tinters section , there are more of us than can., eu ,and aus. combined ....

and no scotty yet ! but i'm waiting !

Yes can we have our own forum? lol. I know some 30s will meter pretty low but ATR 30 will not. Heck even ATR 20 meters around 22-25. So if you are gonna use ATR 30 you will be ok. But like everyone said, make sure on other films what will work legally here. I agree you should probably carry a decent HP line and probably a color stable film or something. Just buy 40 inch rolls for now. You can find plenty of distributors where you are. Performance films is not far from you. Do some research...Remember it is Florida, tint shop on every corner. You have to decide if you want a film that is gonna last down here or wanna keep redoing cars cuz of cheap film.

A little OT FYI, most solar tinted glass, the deep green from the factory, hovers around 80%, so figure whater tint you are using also has an 80% reduction from the glass. That makes a 30% film 24%, 20% film down to 16%, etc.

I agree most cars with 30% will meter 21-24%

i must be lucky than cause the ones i've used meter at 25-26 , witch falls in the +/- 3 variance ...

I had a customer come in just this past tuesday with a Volkswagen CC that I tinted in ATR 30/15. He got a ticket, the back glass metered at 14%. I printed Him up a copy of the statutes and sent Him on His way to His day in court! He'll win to. Right there in Black and white. Most cops have NO IDEA of the variance.

let me guess a state trooper ?

No, actually it was a Broward County Sheriff. Right on the ticket it said 14%.

our locals don't care , the only tint tickets are handed out by the troopers ...

The Palm Beach sherrifs are keeping us busy, I heard they all got meters. Doin more r&r's than ever

I'm actually 95% new cars....r n r's are FEW and far between....thank god

NO SH!T ! wish it were that way here ! i do 40% r&r's..... makes me do alot of this

i can't believe still no scotty !
but i'm still waiting !!!!

R n R's make Me do this.... and then this

dam, we blew this thread up !!!

it aint like there 100,000 of us from FL , and no scotty to boot !!!!

Holler....where is the little bugger? I cant BELIEVE we tore up this mans thread so bad!

i answered his questions the best i could and if you read the whole thread there is some very good info in it ....plus i think he might get a medal for a thread going 2 pages s quick

Yeah Your right...we did answer some questions.....

Been tinting in florida for 12 years, Never had some one get a ticket with ATR20 , It reads about 22-24% , Has any one known some one get a ticket with 20% in FLorida .

been using 30-15 for almost 15yrs. and not one of my custy's have come back with a ticket ....

You guys still use llumar. dont you find the ATC 15 seems lighter than ATR 15 .

no, switched to suntek last month .... hate the freakin scratches ... but we were getting distortion lines in the middle of 40" lulu rolls ...

did you switch because of the hot sales girl from south florida . Shes easier on the eyes than Tom .

I haven't used the ATC 15. Is it lighter than ATR 15? I think the ATC 5 looks better than ATR 5...This thread has gone as planned lol. Tellin you we need our own florida room

i have a guy get ticketed for 30% on his front doors...the cop metered it at 23%...he came back to me and i redid them at no charge to 35%..

sorry I meant to say 30 fronts and 20 rears.. And yes you guys answerd plenty questions and blew this baby up ^^

you are absolutly right about Tonya ,she is hot ! but no ,distortion lines through my backk window ....

back in 2000 tickets were fix it tickets and were $35 . Now no fixit tickects and some counties $95 ticket. Good revenue maker ..

yeah atc 15 definetlty looks lighter on cars than ATR . Dont know why maybe because not as shiney

This is totally a newb question. what with the medals ? Is there a breakdown

tintdude.com medals

cool thanx...

$99 Per window if they want. Had a guy come in with limo papers on the front and over the factory dye. Had nearly a $700 ticket for improper window tint..

I believe there is nothing in the legislation saying they can give you a ticket per every !llegal window. I have to go back and read all the statutes, but I think I remember seeing specifically that it says what the punishment is. I had a guy get $180 ticket. one for each of his 2 fronts that was !llegal. He went to court and the judge dropped the fine lower. I don;t know if it is just cuz he was nice but I think that is bs if they can give you that kind of ticket

I heard, and again this is only hear say, that after the fine was raised, it was also written so you could be fined per window. That wasn't the first I had seen like that just the most expensive. I've seen a couple like you said for 2 front being in the $190 range. I've also encountered a ticket for "obstruction of the 3rd brake light", if anyone could enlighten me on that, it'd be appreciated..