pbalentine

Just another expense you dont need.  Roll of blue shop towels works
and is much cheaper.  

I'm buying this right now! 

True, theres a lot of harmful things we cant avoid. Hell, the air we breathe is probably more harmful than film adhesive, but if i can avoid it i will. I exposed my self to so much shiat in my life, especially working i cars that i could of avoided. Once i heard J&J shampoo in the US had harmful stuff in it i stopped using it. Like i said, if i can avoid it, why not.
 
 

The safety of removing window film is something i have thought about time to time.  Is the adhesive that is scraped off safe to touch skin?? Also, what about when you need to scrap film off and all the clear flakes from the scratch coat cover your arms???
 
 

Used infrared lamp and be done with....This equipment is our secret weapon with charger / Accord style back glass and Corvette style side glass ...

Just wanted to share some pics of this 2018 accord I did today

Id say the first dozen or so were tuff. Some i could do, then next time round had trouble.  I been waiting for tinting to be easy and it never did...until i started bottom loading.  It less stressful, no killing your wrist by chisling out creases, and its easier to handle for install. 
 
I bottom loaded a 17' Fusion today and it was easier then the last. The rear rollups on it are a must to bottom load.   

Id say the first dozen or so were tuff. Some i could do, then next time round had trouble.  I been waiting for tinting to be easy and it never did...until i started bottom loading.  It less stressful, no killing your wrist by chisling out creases, and its easier to handle for install. 
 
I bottom loaded a 17' Fusion today and it was easier then the last. The rear rollups on it are a must to bottom load.   

Pi30 front 50 rear here you go @Kruppa

There is one big difference being overlooked when someone ask, "How much tint slime do you add to water?"  The most over looked thing is the water.  Water is VERY different from town to town and state to state.  One installer might need to add one ounce to a gallon of water and a different installer in a different state might need to add 2 ounces to make the same tint slip the same amount.  The next thing is film adhesive.  Different brands of film will require different amounts of "soap" added to make slip.  Third, Glass differences.  Some manufacturers glass requires more slip than other manufacturers.  Lexus glass generally requires more "soap" to be added than Honda glass.  
 
What I am saying is,  Add the proper amount of "soap" to your water to allow you to position your film. When you squeegee the film out is should stick pretty quick.  If it still moves around then you have too much "soap" in your water.  

I use a shot glass that has oz, ml, & tsp measurements.  For my 48 oz Imact Jr. in 110* degrees I use 1 1/4 oz of generic baby shampoo (tint slime 1 3/4 oz) In 75* i use 3/4 oz, 50* 1/4 oz. For accuracy I fill bottle about 3/4 with water, pour slip and rinse glass to get all of it. This way no sudds/soap escapes and i always have the right amount of slip. 

I use a shot glass that has oz, ml, & tsp measurements.  For my 48 oz Imact Jr. in 110* degrees I use 1 1/4 oz of generic baby shampoo (tint slime 1 3/4 oz) In 75* i use 3/4 oz, 50* 1/4 oz. For accuracy I fill bottle about 3/4 with water, pour slip and rinse glass to get all of it. This way no sudds/soap escapes and i always have the right amount of slip. 

I like to remove the spoiler and wiper on the hatchback. I think its like 6 bolts.  

Off brand j&j works great for me and doesn't leave buildup in the tanks. Whoever told you it causes premature failure were they selling slip or just bad film?
 

30% is about the average here in Michigan for a good tech.  Most techs cap out around 40k/yr in  a shop.   in 2006 I asked for a raise and they said I would have to quit to get one.  back then $10/hr cost an employer $16/hr.  By 2014 40k/yr or $20/hr cost $35/hr.  So I quit my job and formed Shady tints.  I set up different shops with a 60/40 split originally,  switched to flat rate when issues arose.   Starting your own business is the American dream,  just not for everyone.  You will be the first in, the last out and last one to get paid if there is anything to pay you.  You have to be a sales specialist,  easiest lowest paid or hardest highest paid job there is.  Inventory, advertising and accounting skills are necessary.  You are responsible for everything including your employees and their future.  Gross profit, gross margins and tracking average cost per delivery and sales projections.   Bit more then most realize.  I know many that have succeeded and many that failed.  I suggest a little soul searching before making the leap.    

I should of said i kidding about my post. If you did go on your own i would say the opposite. Charge more than them and do clean, consistant installs.  Really is the only way to set yourself apart.  

I like doing pinnacle 30/front 50 rear. It's the best look I can provide in/out. Looks classy. Throw some air 80 on the windshield and call it a day. Interior color affects appearance lighter/darker. It's a challenge.
 
 

Any HP film will have a little bit of a "sheen" to it due to the metal which IMO is not a great match.  On the rear they should of done Llumar AIR 80 giving you an end result of 14 which would be a better match with the F1 Pinnacle 18 which is 14/15 on the glass.  With that being said, see if anyone carries Madico Wincos 10 in your area...should be a good match to the rear.  Another option is Solargard UP 10, but I can't tell from photos what coloring the film has to it.  So would have to see in person to see if the coloring is a good match or not.

I turned down the job offer I rather be broke for a few days then to to be underpaid for a few months

Just go out on your own and do them for $79 put them out of business, get their shop and raise the price to $200. Or just tell
them your plan and demand 50%!

Just go out on your own and do them for $79 put them out of business, get their shop and raise the price to $200. Or just tell
them your plan and demand 50%!

I make sure I sweep the floor with a dry straw broom and use hose water from the spigot...lol JK man

I might just use their film and do it quick and dirty. Theyd be like man the bubbles and creases?!! Id say, hey im outa 'your' film, guess i'll have to use mine now and charge you for removal. 

^^^^ Yep, Just rollups with no shrinking.  
 
You mentioned that you use 22" for Silverados.  I use a 20" for 98-present, but use the factory bottom edge.  
 

^^^^ Yep, Just rollups with no shrinking.  
 
You mentioned that you use 22" for Silverados.  I use a 20" for 98-present, but use the factory bottom edge.