Window Tinting - General Discussion
An Open Forum for the Window Tinting Industry.
53,995 topics in this forum
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Hey guys, first off, I am new on the site, although I have been here multiple times. A little background. I have been tinting for about 15 years and have only dabbled in residential/commercial very little. I am a Suntek dealer and have been for a long time. Recently I had a long time really good customer with a travel trailer come to me with a request. I have taken care of all his vehicles for years. He wants me to tint this trailer. His requests for it seem normal, but after doing some research, evidently are not. The Trailer has 2 big windows in the slide of this and his TV is adjacent to it. It is all flat single panel glass. He and his wife wife like to sit and watch …
Last reply by TintDude, -
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Good evening, I live in Nicaragua and would like to tint the windows on a toyota corolla and renowned window tint brands such as 3M and solargard get sold here though the prices I appear to me like very low; to the point that I think that they probably sell fake 3M and solargard window tints; for example one place offers 3M window tint for USD 100 installed and another place offers Solar Gard Nanoceramic for USD 65 installed; do these prices seem right? If they don't seem right; where could I buy the 3M and Solargard window tint roll without installation in the US so I could import it to Nicaragua? cheers
Last reply by somerandomguy1, -
- 1 follower
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I am just getting my feet wet with installing flat glass. I am looking for some advice. 1. Looking for training in the north east mid Atlantic. 2. what films are the best to start with. Especially with being a dealer with some brands may not be an option. 3. Iam Starting from scratch looking to turn something Iam really just an enthusiast in , to a professional business. Other then establishing the business as a entity my focus is on the training and practice. Any insite would be helpful. 4. And as I do more and more research on flat glass, I am realizing how all the different types of glass call for different types of film. Which seem endless. …
Last reply by Roach, -
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First post here, so my apologies in advance if I am off on any posting etiquette here. I have researched to death the best tint for a new car (and another upcoming) and think I know fairly well the pros/cons of the films out there, from dyed to the latest ceramic. I also understand that like many things, the quality of the installer is paramount. Typically, I DIY almost everything as my philosophy is that no one can cares for my stuff more than me, so I tend to spend the 3-5X amount of time more than a pro on doing it myself. However, as I get older, I appreciate that I can find someone who will take care of my stuff almost as good as I would and that is ok…
Last reply by Dano, -
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Tinted a 2007 Hyundai Sonata today, whole car was dirty, gaskets were super dirty and crazy tight. I tried twice to tuck the film past the gaskets on the front roll ups and it kept creasing up and was almost impossible to get it in there cleanly. Ripped the film off both times and just cut the sides a touch shorter so I didn't have to contend with the gaskets. Now there's a very slight daylight gap that I left on the sides towards the rear of the car. I feel like a hack for doing it this way but it felt like the only way to get a clean install on an old & dirty car with tight gaskets. Job came out really clean otherwise, just gonna bug me that I wasn't able to tuck th…
Last reply by pbalentine, -
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Looking for information on tractor windows. Never tinted one and have a customer that wants one done. Do I need bigger than 36” roll of film for windows? Thanks
Last reply by Ryker, -
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Had a brand new car (only a week old) tinted today and noticed these 2 defects after picking up. Small melt mark in the top of drivers door trim and noticeable gap on the LH side of the rear hatch window. Would you demand a new door trim seeing as it's a brand new car? And what are your thoughts on the tint gap which is only on the one side? The right side is tinted all the way under the trim.
Last reply by Dano, -
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We would like to move on from Solar Gard, we primarily use the Solar Bronze 35, the Slate 20, and Stainless Steel 20 and 35. What companies out there have something with similar properties. TIA
Last reply by alindsay, -
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I've had tint in the past but this was always OEM - aka, tint between the windshield laminate. I suspect it was metal since it had the -typical cutouts- on the top/bottom to allow for toll readers, radar, etc. Never have had a issue re: clarity wearing Polarized Sunglasses Currently, Xpel 70%. It wasn't registering to me me that it could be sunglasses/polarized vs. just dirty sunglasses ....LOL, I cleaned my sunglasses and same problem. When looking from inside looking out, polarized sunglasses + Ceramic 70%, things look a bit hazy. When I lift my sunglasses, the haze disappears.... I don't have no polarized glasses but maybe I shou…
Last reply by mobiledynamics, -
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Morning guys Could do with some advice. Recently bought myself a Mercedes C Class C180 2014. Went and got it tinted, but found a hair, took it back and they re-did the tint, however in the process ruined the defroster lines. Bought a spare screen at a junkyard which had all the wires and defrost lines in tact, took it to get it tinted to another place, and the man tinting is claiming that the tint will have bubbles from having "rust spots" due to the screen sitting around in the scrap yard. My question is, is there such a thing as "rust spots" on a window? Or has the guy just not cleaned the screen properly? He claimed to have cleaned …
Last reply by DynamicATL, -
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Is there any owner's on here that tint WITH employee's? If so what do you pay? Here's my problem: My husband and I are owner operators. We are tinting every day with our 2 employee's. The average car takes 45 minutes from start to finish with all four of us on it. My employee's are on a $400 a week salary with additional 10% commission on anything above $4000.00 for the week. Hours are about 35 hours each week. They want more money and I want to give more money but not sure how to base it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Last reply by DnawrapsGa, -
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Hello, newbie here. I dable in PPF/Detailing. I have done about 10 - 15 cars last year. I have full time job and not yet ready to go into business full time. I do most of work in my garage. Want to get away from customer dropping cars off at my house. Is there anyway i can rent a workshop so i can pay when i use it?. I am sure this is a pretty naive question. But asking doesn't hurt :-). I am passionate about detailing and PPF, Mostly do it for fun and if i can make few bucks all good. I dont see myself doing it full time. Trying to see how i can rent space and not pay for 7 days a week. I can't do mobile PPF installation or ceramic coatings. Too much at risk!…
Last reply by DnawrapsGa, -
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Hi, everybody, I'm a little new to this tint business; still in the inaugural stages. I've recently looked into having 3M Crystalline as an available option for customers. I've heard many, many good things about it and I've seen it in person. It's a schmick film. Long story short, I've been looking around trying to find a site that sells it with no luck. How does one acquire this film? Do you have to go through a certification or training before they sell it to you? Please show me the ropes, tint-senseis. Thank you in advance
Last reply by PVO, -
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Last reply by Roach, -
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I generally have a decent gauge for what 20, 35, 55 looks like in the general variables that can affect how it looks (interior of car, what color the stock glass is, etc). Riddle me this but for a larger car with -larger windows-, like a SUV, could the larger windows also contribute to me seeing 35% but it looks more like 40% , etc due to more light overall coming in.
Last reply by mobiledynamics, -
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Hi Guys, I recently got my car tinted last week (SunTek Ceramic) and have left it outside and windows up as per care instructions, and a fair few of the bubbles are not dissapearing, i've had a closer look and it looks like pieces of dirt are stuck between the tint and the window glass. I understand there's going to be a handful of contamination due to unfortunate circumstances in the process of tinting but is this too many because I don't want to be that "guy" that's too harsh on his expectations. Visible Specs Drivers Side Front Window: 15+ Driver side Rear Window: 15+ Passenger Side Rear Window: 15+ Passenger Side Front Wi…
Last reply by CorruptEvil, -
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I need your help just bought my dream car a 22 venza however it's a nightmare I really need tints on my driver & passenger windows but was told no because it will damage window and scratch easily due to uvu glass. I plan to keep this car for years cannot do it without tints. Please advise 🙏
Last reply by Dano, -
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Going out on my own after 13years and I was struggling finding a logo so I drew this up and had it scaled and digitized. I’m over the moon with how it came out.
Last reply by Tintguy1980, -
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I’ve got an 8mil job to do tomorrow and due to a shipping issue I have no 995. Does anyone have a recommendation of something I can find locally at Home Depot or Lowes? I was probably going to go with Loctite
Last reply by Tintguy1980, -
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I don't know how to present to the company they broke antenna in passenger quarter window. Already took back on other issues and owner ended up fixing it. My radio was not right, took to dealer 4 times they couldn't figure it out until main guy pointed out antenna was cut/scraped in several places. The tint company was supposed to be one of the best with lifetime warranty. Now I have to go back again and show them the window which is a 850.00 repair job and another tinting. I need advice. It's very obvious they screwed it up.
Last reply by TintDude, -
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Last reply by highplains, -
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Hi everyone, Just had two windows done on my brand new truck. It's from a shop I use constantly and they always do fantastic work. They use Global qdp and it has always performed well, zero issues. The windows are beautiful (typical flaws upon close inspection) except for one spot on the driver window. It's right in the center of my view looking at the mirror. Would you wait to see if this goes away or just go back to the shop. It's small, looks like a tiny piece of yellow sponge. Let me know if I should go back or maybe I will eventually just not notice it.
Last reply by pbalentine, -
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Company says it is immaculate. Company I paid, guy went on holiday and outsoutced to another guy. But the other guy also didn't come, he sent a junior (I think he'd been doing it about a year). I was told I would be given pictures but he said they only have photos from outside from afar. He rang me slightly threatening earlier saying if I make him drive down all the way here and he finds it to be good he will be furious. He was raging I said he turned up in a sports coupe, but I only said that because another professional said you're meant to use like a table or w.e. tools to cut the film. The guy did it on my carpet. The guy raging at me said that…
Last reply by Shy Guy, -
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hello from Whidbey Island USA everyone .....with a newly installed hot tub just off our master bedroom sliding doors, my wife & I have come to realize that even with the highly private surround & landscaping I built & installed, when in the tub or when coming into or out of it, the reflection off our maser bedroom windows and sliding doors creates a DIRECT view from / for our next-door neighbors, from their driveway, garage window and front entryway .....I am looking to find a window film I can install myself that will not impact our ability to see in or our of this master bedroom window or either of the sliding doors, but will FULLY cut the reflective ability…
Last reply by Dano, -
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Dare I ask for the fellow pro's, do you guys for your own rides have a personal preference on tint. Or you're just a -LIMO- type of guy I always second guess myself. For example, new ride, did 70% on the windshield and the Fronts at 30. I think I'm going to have the 70% removed, 55% the windshield and see how that looks from both the windshield and then how much it may darken the front's afterwards...I did not want to do 20% in the fronts , but in the daytime, it's a bit too light. Granted all different variables like interior color, angle of the sun, some tint is more reflective in color tone than others, etc. I wish I could …
Last reply by mobiledynamics, -
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I have a holiday lodge, they're like static caravans except more permanent residential type fixtures. But essentially, one story, 13 windows total (4 being front conservatory style with french doors). I paid over £3000, which I was asked to pay up front for the work. I paid someone with good reviews etc, and all reviews mention him by name as having done the job, so expected him to come. But on the day, a random dude turned up in a sports coupe. The guy I paid was in Tenerife. I have ZERO familiarity with tinting etc so thought it was normal that he laid out film on the carpets etc. There was major bubbling which I was not that worried about because I knew fro…
Last reply by Dano, -
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Occasionally I'll go out to a few local bodyshops to do small jobs, mostly to help out when they can't get someone reliable to show up on time or if they don't think the mobile techs can handle the install, like full bumpers or for picky customers. The biggest challenge that I hear from the installers is not having a peel board. These two tables have been my go to solution for years. Cheap, lightweight and no glass to break or for anyone to stumble into. I hope this helps someone in this position. Good luck and happy tinting!!
Last reply by Dano, -
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I need 24" x 15 feet and 30" x 5 feet 35% ceramic Express film to tint my Toyota Prius (yes, I made the mistake of buying "Intersolar" ceramic tint at a very good price and now learning that was a mistake, most likely).Any ideas on where to go get this quantity instead of a 100' roll? Please contact me at k.alexander@email.com for any help, advice, etc you can offer. Many thanks!
Last reply by JohnGalt, -
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Hey everyone! are these bubbles acceptable/ within imperfection tolerances in tint world? I know I’m a very picky person and I can’t expect perfection… but I struggle with not knowing if I’m just being overly picky or it these would bother you too.. I know we’re all human and there will always be a few dirt/ debris that get missed but would like other opinions. First two photos are up close and last photo is of the same areas just farther away. Thanks
Last reply by JohnGalt, -
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One is obviously more than the other, we don't think either is ideal but the one that is worse really seems unreasonable. You can't see the gap when the windows are rolled up but the tint is so dark that when the windows are rolled down a little, it seems very obvious. Thank you for the input!
Last reply by Dano, -
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Had a contractor ask me about the above film. I went to Expel's website and I don't see it listed. Is it still available? What are the stats on it? I called Expel and they basically told me to kick rocks since I'm not a dealer. Like... I'm not asking for a cure for cancer..... Just about plastic that is glued to glass. They can kick rocks.......
Last reply by Roach, -
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Hello everyone, so I've been doing window tint for cars for about 5 years now and have always turned down tinting commercial windows because thankfully I'm always busy. Yesterday a friend of mine asked me to tint his barber shop door and for the first time I said "f**k it". Is there any tips y'all would recommend for this noob? Any do's and don'ts will be highly appreciated. I must say I'm very excited to try something new. I have attached a picture of a similar door I'll be working on. Thanks in advance!
Last reply by Ryker, -
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What would be a ballpark estimate on this crane
Last reply by Dano, -
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Hi everyone. I own a successful mobile tinting company and was just wondering if many others are doing this everywhere. We are one of the only companies in our area that offer this. Overall things go pretty smoothly but have challenges as well. Logistics can be a challenge but the main issue is environment. We require a garage or enclosed structure for full cars but have had to accomplish some pretty hard installs with wind and other variants to keep a clean install. Are there any ideas or products to help. We have looked at pop up garages or tents but has to be quick and compact . Also any scheduling products or processes that have worked for you . We are successful …
Last reply by Sarah, -
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I'm looking to get my new car tinted with Huper Optik Ceramic in Oakland County, Michigan, but am having a hard time finding a tint shop that carries this awesome tint. About 10 years ago I had Huper Optik Ceramic 50% applied to my sedan and SolarGuard 75% on my windshield and I love the look because it makes it look so classy, especially with the silver trim that's around my window. I love how the percentage tint always seems to be shifting, depending on the weather. For example, in the summer time when it's 100 degrees it barely looks like there's anything on and in fall/winter it looks a lot darker, like 20%, it always seems to be shifting in darkness. A…
Last reply by Benlee248, -
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2 weeks ago moved in to my van, Florida, summer, trying to save money. Omg Ford Transit factory privacy glass is cooking me alive. Almost ready to paint over glass. Ac units (45.000btu) full blast 97F inside. Desperate I covered the dark glass on the outside with cardboard to stop sun reaching the dark glass. Once those dark windows heat up it’s dangerous to stay inside. No issues with clear glass. Would ceramic tint reduce the heat inside? Or after 30 min the heat will get past the film? I thought HOUSE FILM might reflect the heat away, but reflect through factory privacy glass??? Can tint solve my issues?
Last reply by CamperDan, -
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I've got a car that sits ourdoors all year round and would like to protect my interior. I've heard 3M Crystalline is the best tint out there for this purpose? Also are there any tint out there where you don't get the light refraction affect at night with the rear window?
Last reply by Tintguy1980, -
- 1 follower
- 17 replies
- 1.9k views
edited: please see page 3. The tinter asked for a chance to redo my tint and I accepted. I was extremely happy with the outcome. Tint 911 is the man 💪
Last reply by TintDude, -
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- 2 replies
- 405 views
Hey everybody. Lurker here , just found the forum. I purchased a 2018 civic hatch the other day and I realized when I got home that the driver door window tint makes things outside look orange/amber at night time. None of the other window tint looks like this. Even when looking into the car at night time/dark , the dome lights if on seem to appear to look as if they have an amber-coated hue if that makes sense. Could this be some sort of special heat-reduction tint? I can post pics.
Last reply by Tintguy1980, -
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- 605 views
Curious if something like this will go away once it cures, installed 4 days ago, has been raining/cloudy every day since then. Not sure what to expect because the bubbles are kinda big.
Last reply by Dano,
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High speed material feed
The Graphtech plotters are all about the same from 7000 to 8600. I doubt that the machine was the problem If changing software fixed the issue. -
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High speed material feed
Update to this.... We were using a Graphtec FC7000-100 plotter and the Digi Cut software and the machine wouldn't work correctly. We contacted Digi and they did a live modification on our software which solved the issue. Strange thing, the plotter would still never cut through the pattern consistently. (parts would cut totally through and parts would not cut even through the film) We switched to Core and instantly everything cut 100% consistent and without need for software modification. Perhaps if we had a newer plotter than the FC7000 perhaps the Digi would work as expected ??? Dunno -
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2013 Suzuki Kizashi
Hi Bobby, sorry for the confusion, the makes and models section here is for tinting windows, not performance related. -
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What is an established commercial/residential business worth?
I sold my business in '96 that had as assets: tools and inventory and goodwill. I bought it 2.5 years earlier for 5k. It had a gross sales # around 30K and very little goodwill since the owner only worked it part time. In the 2.5 years I ran the company, gross sales went from 30K upward to 177K as a one person operation. To be fair, the final year @ 177K included an installation sale involving 35K sq ft. Still I increased the gross from 30K to 100K under my direction in the 2.5 years of ownership. I sold the business in a short sale for 10K because I landed a corporate job at a film manufacturing company. I lacked the desire to further expand the business, but it was considered reputable even by my competitors. One of them bought it. Don't know if that helps but, maybe you'll find this helpful in determining the goodwill of the one you are considering buying. https://www.freshbooks.com/hub/accounting/calculate-goodwill- 1
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Window Tinter for hire in Rockville, MD
Must have experience and knowledge in the automotive window tint industry. This job requires people skills, a positive attitude and willingness to be a team member are essential to this position. Having experience operating a window tint plotter a plus. Pay will be determined during interview process. Please Call TJ Flores 301 979-1313 -
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What is an established commercial/residential business worth?
Gross 50-60? You could find that kind of revenue picking up cans. Whatever you're about to spend should be spent to market your own brand unless I'm reading this wrong. -
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What is an established commercial/residential business worth?
Looking to buy an established commercial/residential business. The company has grossed about 50-60k annually for the past few years. There's not really anything as far as assets go. So I'd basically be buying the phone number and 25+ years of being an established business. Just trying to get an idea of what I should be paying! Thanks in advance!! -
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Removable rigid window tint sheets - WTF?
Sucks that you got screwed. Sorry to hear that. But that is what we all kinda figured.- 1
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