Questions regarding window film roll size and plotters.

I am about to order some True Black film from Express Window Films in the next few days and I was wondering what is the best way to order so I can eliminate waste?

It is to my understanding that 20" covers all car windows, and 24" covers truck windows, and 38" covers back glass. (Please correct me if I am mistaken)

The law in Texas is 35% in the front and as dark as you want in the rear and on back glass.

So I was thinking of ordering these rolls:
35% (need opinions on sizing)
20% 60"x100ft (precut at 38"/22")

Is this the best way to go about it? Or is there another way?


I really don't know much about plotters other than that the professional ones are very expensive ($4k from Roland, etc). I need a plotter that gets the job done well but doesn't break the bank? Is there such a thing, lol?

The only place I have thought to look for a decent priced plotter was on Ebay: http://tinyurl.com/mfmshd which is priced at $500. What are your thoughts on this plotter? Will it get the job done? Also where can I get the program that has the designs for all windows of all cars (obviously at the cheapest rate) and what do average prices look like?


Thanks for putting up with me and all of my questions, guys...I really do appreciate the help!

Help, anyone, please?

you're wrong on the law. check it again.

where you from?...how much experience do you have.?

Indeed I am.

Check this link out: It says in one area that you can have 20% (because that's what they check for at inspection), and then later it says 25%, what gives? So can I throw 20% on the front windows with no worries? And it also says that only the front two windows are checked at inspection so technically that means you can have any percent on the other windows.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/tint.htm



Texas. Less than a month.

so..why you getting into window tinting?

The same reason everyone does...to make money .

wrong again. and don't take for granted that cops know the laws. minimum VLT on all sides is 25% unless it's a MPV. rear can be whatever.

Ok, well thanks for the correction. It's a shame they don't sell 25% tint.

Would you mind helping me with my original post please?

No one wants to help me out?

To keep your initial film order to a minimum you can order a roll of 40"x100' split in half for side windows, place factory edges to the sides for truck windows, and large enough to do the rear glass.

Cheap plotters aren't good and good plotters aren't cheap. These crazy off brands do not always work with your OS and mat not have the adjustments you need to cut tint,vinyl and other specialty materials.

Tint programs are not cheap at least a G and then require monthly maintenance charge for updates and changes.

The morale of this story is if your going to go the plotter route you had better be serious because you are going to have to write some checks.

Good Luck

Hi Doug!

This is Howard at Express.

Sorry for not posting earlier. I was away on a camping trip where internet was unavailable.

I am happy to share with you something I learned from several of our most savvy dealers. This is one of the best money saving ideas I have ever run across. I wish I could take credit for it, but it’s another one of the many things I have learned from my customers in the last 26 years.

The dealers who were ordering this way reported to us that they were putting 15% less film in the trash each week and 15% more film on their customers’ windows.

In order to illustrate the concept, I created this informational bulletin (link below). If you have any questions, I am here for you.

Here is the link:
http://xrl.us/be8b8x

As far as the plotter is concerned, please call me so we can discuss that. I have experience with several of those models and data providers. I like the plotters, but I would like to see you develop and perfect your knife skills first.

Regards,

Howard
Express Window Films

Even if you could get 25% film, it would still be !llegal on the two fronts/sides. You have to remember that the glass is NOT 100% VLT. Its more like 70%VLT+-. The only film you can use on the sides (ex: Camry) is 35%. The inspection requirements are different than the state law. For instance, a 1984 Caddy does not require inspection of window film. So if the car had 5% all around, it could pass inspection, but its still against the law.

I use a plotter. I typically use a 36" roll for most all vehicles, with little waste. You may want to pick up a 20" and 24" as well as a 40" for the occasional bg longer than 36".