A question for you guys who do clearshield and the like:

Was it very hard to figure out how to do this, and when you first got started, how much material did you waste before you got the hang of it??

Just wondering, cuz I asked a few of my customers (I finally got some coming after being dead for 2 weeks at my new shop!!) about using clearshield on their vehicles and about 1/2 of them are interested and i have 3 that definately want it done if i decide to offer that. This is just info gathered in the past week or so, so it seems like there is money to be made doing it.

Another question:

Neon Lighting......still popular? I checked into it the other day, and it wouldn't cost much to stock a few undercar kits....just wondering if it is still very popular or not...I haven't seen too many cars with em around here, but then again there is no place that installs neon in town....

Any other suggestions for expanding services would be appreciated....

Thanks guys
Ya'll are the best!

I won't be much help to you cause I don't do it , however I asked simular questions in the paint protection forum , awaiting some feedback , I'm going to check there now

Here in Bloomington, a guy I work for does sometimes 4 neon kits in a week. He charges 265.00 installed for street glow gold series. That's a little low, but there is some demand for it. He has a lift, though, and air tools. I wouldn't want to do them without a lift for very long!

The clearshield is something that will take alittle pratice before you get good at it just like tinting. There are several things to cosider when doing it. One is your material is much more expensive than film so your going to take a hit on your first several cars or even blow through a roll due to having to redo parts. Second is that if your using bulk material your cutting on the car and you will probably cut into a few before you get the hang of scorring. And the material you choose will also have a affect on how easy it is. The Venture Tape is probably the easiest to use out of all of them. It is sticky and streaches very well. The Clearshield has the best look in my opinion but seems to be a little harder to install becuase it takes a little more to streach than the Venture tape. If you start out with hoods and fender than you can get a feel for the material before you jump into wrapping bumper and covering the harder cars.

I have only installed 2 kits from Invinca-Shield and find it to get easier as you practice, practice and more practice. There is definitely a technique for installing this stuff. Just like window tinting, you will need to learn all the tricks of the trade and do hands on training day after day in order to get good at it. I haven't tried any heat on the material but know that this stuff can stretch pretty good. Sometimes when you stretch it, some of the curves lay down easier. I am kind of figuring out some of the tricks but it can get frustrating at times. If you make a mistake on a big piece, you will cut into alot of your profits. I have not tried other kits but if I had to rate the Invinca kits, I would give them an 8 out of 10 for acurracy in their precut kits as well as the pieces that they supply. I have heard that makes a little more detailed kit but costs alot more. Waiting to go to SEMA this year and see all the new stuff from all the window film manufacturer's as it seems that everyone is jumping in on the bandwagon.
You can always look into windshield repair or paintless dent removal as other sources of supplemental income but if you really think about it, you should just focus all your energy towards window tinting instead of trying to learn a new skill. You don't want to hurt your reputation as a tinter because you do mediocre work installing clear bras. Just find a good professional that you can sublet the work to and be the middle man.

I agree Litespeeds

thanks for all the input guys...i like litespeeds idea of being a middle man

I've done a lot of Invinca-shield kits and they are the easiest to install. They were designed for the consumer to self install so they are good kits to start with. Kits are usually one piece designs where possible so you have some big pieces, and the hoods get wrapped on the underside of the lead edge. They are well designed but would I stay away from them for reasons won't go into.

I now have a plotter and cut the kit designs in house. It saves time, money, and the kits fit perfectly. Lot of up front costs with the equipment and film, but now I can make kits for less than half the price I was getting buying pre-cuts from others.

Guys.. Do you buy pre-cut window tint?? No! (At least I hope not) Just work off the bulk rolls. I do a hood-fender tip, mirror install, get around $200.00 or more, and have approximately $30.00 in materials.. Screw kits! My tools consist of an olfa, a little yellow squeegee, and a handled white-max. That's just about it! True, you got's to be careful with cutting, but I havn't had one paint job catastrophy, with 3 years or so of installing.

I posted it elsewhere but here it is again.. Check out some of the installs: www.qualitytint.com

man that stuff looks harder than tint to put on

If you go at it with no clue at all, yes, its a biatch to install, but first, I watched the pinstripe guys doing PPF installs, but wasn't interested like 6 years ago or so, because of all the times they would tear the film off and throw it and kick the wall.. But, I cought several of the tricks, and added a lot of my own, and now its not bad at all. But, if you have a full day of installs, your back hurts even MORE than tinting.. Sigh.