TintWizard

613 962 7322 , I'm 2 hrs away from Toronto

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I thought I'd bump this topic after 2 yrs of commenting on it only because it now has the test of time. Every comment I made still stands true on it + with the new Tint Tek 20/20 version , it's only better. My first post on his subject is not just theory but is true. If your a hand cutter, get the system and let it pay for itself in time saved just because of having the system, pay yourself more for your hand cut talent for the few customers out there that still want tint that way (old school)I'm thankful for this program for allowing me to survive another busy , growing tint season as a solo tinter. Thanks Tint Tek 20/20.

The best advice I can give is do not paint all dealerships with the same prejudice brush as some previous advice. Fact is there are good ones and bad ones, dead beats, great payers, bottom price ones, pay for quality ones. The trick is to weed out the good ones from he bad ones and bend over backwards with good service to the ones that earn your respect in return. They are not all the same, it won't happen overnight to know the good from the bad, it's a learning curve and will take time to get it down to the good ones.

Am I missing something here? I do the Rogue for the dealership here... Ive never once picked up a heatgun to shrink the doors on it.. No stretching either

I thought only rookies burned panels and moldings

Too bad newby "flamers" couldn't see these gem posts :fdup

BTW best advice here :

Man it sure would be a shame if the neighbors lawn mower kicked up a rock and shattered that back window provided you have glass coverage.

Seriously though, those were good descriptive pics and description

When I used to do strip downs that were THAT far gone, I used to spray it with soap, trap the soap with a layer of cut black garbage bag , then torch the outside of the glass EVENLY with a modified40000btu hand heater. 2 minutes later after you see the black bag start to boil , you go inside and the film comes off all in tack..all layers . Glue is left behind but no biggy to to scrub that down with a good solvent of choice.

Never popped a back glass that way yet, but can be an expensive lesson if done incorrectly

So CC ou can alter and Tint Tek's you can alter..and the other ones ?

Hey TW, how much time do you find it is saving you on an average day?

That's a loaded question and not so simply answered.. however here's an example , a guy phoned me just as I'm typing this and wants a 98 Sierra done with sunstrip AND want to wait for it..normally I prefer they drop it off + I Hate doing sunstrips on trucks..cleaning off the whole outside, the whole inside climbing all over it while setting up a light on the inside oh yeah..has rain guards as well. He's going to be here in 20 min..instead of my sitting around doing nothing, I will have everything ready to go on my peeler board for when he shows up and will save 1/2 hr because of time management..not to mention less physical energy exerted per vehicle so you aren't as burnt out at the end of the day.

With dealer cars ..huge savings of time...load up one roll, pump out all rears and bgs , load another roll , all your 2 fronts are now cut, stack them like pancakes and off you go.

(with the popular dealer cars that I KNOW I will constantly get many of ( Mazda 3's , 6's , ets ) whenever I have spare time..I make sure I have these patterns always on hand so when I actually get the car.. 1 -1.15hrs av install time which is good because if they call and need one done asap..no biggie now

Worth it if you have dealer work for that alone or as I say cutting as someone is driving to your shop if your not presently doing a car

I went with ComputerCut about 5 years ago now and it was the best decision ever. I WILL say that sometimes precutting can be a love/hate relationship as many times customers that I never think will cancel on me will. Then I am stuck with a pattern that is exclusive to that make/model. I have several of these piling up in a box I keep in the office. Too many in one week or month and there goes your profit.

Overall it was a good decision for me.

Thats my biggest concern, I get no show no call customers every week. I wouldnt ever say that it is better than hand cutting, but I might incorporate it on my dealership work. Those jobs are for sure and the time saved is money earned.

to both of these comments..I to get a little pizzzed when I cut out a pattern ready to go and theres a "no show" , however I usually do a confirmation reminder call B4 cutting a pattern which greatly eliminates the love /hate of that part.

If you do dealer work where the cars are plentyful , always the same shades and you tint them for less yet they want them done quick ..it's a no brainer that the plotter is the way to go for those cars ..then give off the street custy's the choice of plotter cut or a little extra for hand

basically this is just a tactic to make more money by talking the customer into paying more for something that they were already getting.

IMO, I see it as putting the experienced hand crafter on a different pay level where they belong ... a cut above the person that can load a machine and print out a generic pattern. Only by owning a plotter and program can you cater to BOTH markets..but get paid now for your extra efforts in hand cutting..or tint more cars using the plotter ..give the customer the choice instead of having the hand cut vs plotter cut debate because thats what the competition has.

It's working for me..when marketed in this fashion ..any full time shop should have one..if your a very good hand crafter already...THAT's how you can have the machine pay for itself..market the difference on the phone..you will lose no customer because you offer both but you WILL find the % of custy's that will appreciate the custom hand craft upsell..how to do that is up to your sales pitch for your area

Now that you saw the word "free" I got your attention..now you'll have to read to see how.

Ok so I've hand cut since the beginning of "tint time" and a couple of months ago I went with the Tint Tek 20/20 system.

I'm a sole employee who has always hand cut and finally went automatic. I would be the least likely to benefit from the system and you could only benefit from it more if you were a busier shop with employees than myself.

Most agree that if your a busy shop with 2 or more employees you will benefit..its a no brainer..more cars = more money.

My discussion is for the self employed who hand cuts because it's a harder sell to want to go the plotter way.

One thing that always bothered me is comparing my "hand craft tinting" with plotter cut" with the competition..I worked harder for the money hand cutting.

Now I offer both but charging more for hand craft..after all, it takes longer and is truly more precise than any machine system..how could it not be if your skilled at cutting ? Funny thing is..only the tinter really cares for the most part ..not the customer ..so since a computer generated cut does a good job and most customers are happy with the outcome , then it makes more sense to divide your talents. If they want that extra personal touch to their car, you can now up sell to hand craft..the very thing you used to do at the same price B4 the plotter. If you do that to an average 1 car a week at $50 per car , you just made $200 towards the system for doing what you always did B4.

***If there is a pattern you do not like..you can modify it to your personal liking ! Wish the patern was longer/shorter/wider,etc ...you can change and save for your own personal way of tinting***

Now sun strips are much easier..now I actually want to do them because you don't need to get lights out for tracing and cleaning of the outside of a windshield , etc.

Fact is most cars you will use the plotter and therefore you can cut out B4 the customer even shows up be it early in the morning or the night B4..sometimes I cut out my whole weeks worth the weekend B4. The time management from doing this is great because you always allow room for extra work without it taking extra time. You either enjoy the extra money made in the same amount of time or enjoy more time off work making the same amount of money.

To sum up:

Forget the age old debate of which is better..hand cut or computer..let the customer decide which is better by giving them the choice and you win whichever choice they make by being able to charge more for hand cut to 5% of the customers that still want that choice + easy sun strips that the program does will pay for the Tint Tek 20/20

Thanks Andy and Becky from Tint Tek 20/20 for making this possible

They are a family based business devoted to plotter cut patterns with very good tech support and good people both personally and in business.

Their number is 613 969 0400 (coming from a long term member this is not spam but an endorsement to any tinter that wants to make more money or gain more time back)

Good luck in convincing the customer that' it's not your fault ( personally I agree with the others..not your fault ) . Put yourself in the shoes of the customer not knowing about cars..would you believe you ? You might have to take one on the chin if you can't convince him otherwise ..just remember..do whatever takes the least money out of your pocket in the long run (see the big picture in the last part of the post)

I don't pull glass most of the time..customers love the job I give them . With that said, I respect like TG's way since he's not "wasting " his time pulling glass,but rather is efficient in his ways and is happy with the price he charges, and the outcome of the job for the time invested.

I think the poll is bogus. The best way is the way that works best for the tinter's preferred way of tinting. pulling the glass alone doesn't make a better job ... technique, experience and actually knowing the definition of "quality" and practicing that definition does

c. chicks may think your cool with darker tint...until you run them over because you cant see them

But at least they can't run away FROM you

j/k couldn't resist..like Willie says, lets keep it real

Good thread and idea..saves saying the same things al the time 

It only takes once to accidentally hit a child and you can't take it back and just say "oops" and fix your fender..the child doesnt get to have a say in your decision to go with dark tint on your front roll downs and/or windshield.

I had to alter the poll a bit to vote ..under 10%

the older the plexi the less outgassing that occurs.  your windows must be pretty old.    less outgassing......less problems.    just do 'em right the first time.

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Outgassing can take as long as 20 yrs Different plexi acts differently with tint too..but as mentioned ..you won't want to look forward to the day you have to take it off

darkdan said:

If you do come up with something....patent it and you'll be rich.

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The house jobs we all must lose because of this film not existing

Mike..I had the the exact same problem..when I built my shop last yr..the lights are so bright that it lights up the whole outside..yet I wanted to see out . Same dilema ..4 windows on the garage door.

I just used black vinyl to blacken them right out and then cut out 2 tiny peep holes so when I get right up to the door..I can see out OK yet the peep holes are small enough that you don't notice them from the outside at night

I'll have to give it a spin

That's precisely why I don't let them choose ...or if I do...it's from a VERY narrow selection...the more choices a customer has...the more they can't make up thier mind.

KISS method

It has something to do with the moody blues doesn't it? Also, I think it was Expertint that commented on your avatar a while back.

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memory serves you well Meff

It's from the album (yes still call them albums ) "In Search Of The Lost Chord" a classic album.

break out the lava lamp, roll one and turn on the black light some night and give it a spin

tintwizard ,is your avatar a king crimson album cover?

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I can't remember who on here it was..but it's one of thier more favorite bands...they knew it

Any more guesses ?

Oh no, that is definately Leo

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I don't think anyone could argue that