Tintguy1980
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Tack Solution When Vinyl won't lay flat
Tintguy1980 replied to mobiledynamics's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Don't know what I was thinking when saying, 1/16-1/8th in the above comment; it wouldn't be wide enough because of sticker thickness creating a linear air pocket at its edge. One shot is all you would have, if you were to dry laminate it between two layers of PPF or clear vinyl. Although, PPF might be more pliable enough to hide the linear air pocket created at the sticker edge from its material thickness. You know, the good ole fingernail press together trick. -
Tack Solution When Vinyl won't lay flat
Tintguy1980 replied to mobiledynamics's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Got access to PPF? Consider it. Dry laminate an oversized piece of PPF to the back of the face-down sticker on a clean glass surface, then, cut the PPF slightly larger than the sticker. This will give you a sticky 1/16-1/8th border that will hold it flat. Remove from glass surface and install to tinted windscreen. Yeah, it may or may not remove the SRC when changing given the small amount of adhesive involved. If it does, it'll only happen once. At least you will know the exact placement next year. -
Experienced Tinter Salary?
Tintguy1980 replied to Coyote504's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Check out this recent discussion further down the feed: -
vmamay64 reacted to a post in a topic: Looking for a tool
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You may already know these and I'm not here to insult your knowledge base. I just hope it's useful info. Some of it may sound redundant, but a tinter quickly learns, contaminates are the enemy and requires the same kind of focus on surrounding detail(s) similar to someone riding a motorcycle in heavy car/truck traffic. Frankenstein method of install: Mist and squeegee clean peel board surface before placing the pattern onto it. How you do that may or may not be the process mentioned in the next paragraph. Ensure the back of the pattern has been rinsed clean, eliminating any contaminates picked up from auto glass surface when hand cutting or a plotter run, before placing on peel board surface. This is best done by laying the pattern liner down on peel board, smoothing flat, light mist and squeegee clean. Carefully fold pattern without creasing, lift away holding with one hand, while the other mists peel board surface and squeegees it clean and now lay pattern on cleaned surface. Lightly mist the headliner and seats just before entering. Lightly mist the film's liner surface before peeling. Rinse both hands, forearms, and all ten fingers before lifting pattern from peel board. ```````````````````````````````````````` Reverse-roll install: Follow above when and where necessary. When the pattern is staged flat on the cleaned peel board (to lift liner for wetting adhesive), mist the liner surface, carefully squeegee dry including surrounding glass surface, rinse hands/fingers/forearms before lifting liner to wet adhesive, wet adhesive/replace liner/roll up and install. Additional note: Be mindful of the type of fabric your clothing is made of, it will hold contaminates as well. Dry air causes static that can pull particles to your clothing. Use a tight-fit hat or bandana, if you know your hair is flaky. It's definitely a journey. 🙏 Namaste.
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Tintguy1980 reacted to a post in a topic: Window tint dust
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Dano reacted to a post in a topic: Looking for a tool
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Here are two links to tinting tool suppliers in the US: https://44tools.com/ https://expresswindowfilms.com/ You can either order and have it shipped to St. Pete or you can order and have it shipped to your son in Orlando. If you ship to Orlando, just make sure the tool(s) will not be confiscated by airport security. You can put them into checked baggage that will not travel in the main cabin of the plane.
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Tintguy1980 reacted to a post in a topic: Advice - is this tinting job acceptable?
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Advice - is this tinting job acceptable?
Tintguy1980 replied to Pbear's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Best time for outdoor mobile tinting is right after the sun comes up, no wind. and a heavy dew (or rain) covering everything. -
Which is thicker, heavier tint
Tintguy1980 replied to tony27's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Here, I'll simplify ... depends on your skill level. And, I answered by saying 1.5 mil is thinner. I'm now adding 1.5 mil is not as heavy as a 2-mil. The thinner the film the more difficult it is to handle and squeegee down without heavy-handing it. So, did you actually buy a 1 mil product labeled as a 2 mil? Meaning you got snookered? Maybe somebody else can speak more clearly. -
TintDude reacted to a post in a topic: Which is thicker, heavier tint
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Which is thicker, heavier tint
Tintguy1980 replied to tony27's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
(Tint) polyester film in these thicknesses are typically found in the window film market, depending on who made the product for sale or assembly into single or multi-ply products: .5 = thin 1 1.5 2 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 14 15 = thick 21 = monster thick If you buy a 2-mil, it is likely constructed of 1+1 = 2-mil 2-ply (or as you stated, layers) If you buy a 1.5-mil, it is likely constructed of .5+1 = 1.5-mil 2-ply 1.5 mil is thinner than a 2 mil. Thickness of film does not impact longevity, however, the type of chemical protection in the polyester (weatherable vs. non-weatherable), the laminating adhesive and the mounting adhesive does. -
TintDude reacted to a post in a topic: Seeking advice regarding residential security window film
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Tintguy1980 reacted to a post in a topic: Seeking advice regarding residential security window film
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Dano reacted to a post in a topic: Tint different colors/work quality
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Tint different colors/work quality
Tintguy1980 replied to Drassic's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Whoops, forgot one thing maybe two. They are also using lowE technology in auto glass; from what I saw when seeking the other info, it is being used in sunroof and panorama roofs. If it is a single sheet and not laminated, any film applied to the actual lowE coating negates the lowE properties (which is the same for architectural glass (single pane lowE glass). Also, I mentioned the EDTM meter and I must admit I am unsure whether the ID is 2250 or 2450. I know it was pricey back in 2014, but it was found to be as accurate (-/+ 2-3%) as the photospectrometers mannies use that cost 100K or above. -
Tint different colors/work quality
Tintguy1980 replied to Drassic's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Example: https://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/automotive/original-equipment/automotive-glazing/automotive-products/thermal-comfort# Yes, it was metered using EDTM 2250(?) -
jlh4life reacted to a post in a topic: Advice needed and appreciated!!!
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what is this tint witchery?
Tintguy1980 replied to civicrice's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Fair warning: Using anything that can interfere with nighttime (or daytime) visibility out the the front windshield can become a deciding factor, if discovered or reported, in any accident. Insurance can refuse to participate in payouts based on the road worthiness aka legality and visibility factor. -
Tint different colors/work quality
Tintguy1980 replied to Drassic's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Yes the back looks darker, not by much, but it is darker. The model of your car explains the privacy glass. Usually privacy glass is not found on 4-door sedans, however, there are exceptions for markets outside the US. SUV of any size has privacy glass with clear all around a rarity. Privacy glass can vary from 5%, found in buses and limousines, to 20-25%VLT to those reporting 30%; it really depends on who produced the glass. And, the performance numbers given for privacy glass will vary as well, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say, today they all have values similar to what I wrote in my Jeep reply. What was once used in high-end vehicles eventually trickles down to the everyday family car. I've been retired since 2015 and those value existed even then. A bit of deep-dive research will give values on privacy glass performance. Good luck, because many glass producers are vague in the info they share. There's a powerful meter available through EDTM (if they still exist); I think it's model 2250, and is what I used in 2014 to gather info on auto glass performance. It was my own curiosity that sent me out to car lots. The shocker, then, was to find that Cadillac had greenish glass in like we all know of, but the one front door I measured at VLT 70%, TSER of 47%, and a UV rejection of 98-99%. Automotive glass has evolved in performance since, I believe the late 80's into the 90's, to what can be found on most vehicles today. It's all about cooling the cabin to reduce any AC strain on the motor, leading to reduced gas use, and lowered emissions. Many window tinters, car dealerships (and car owners) may or may not be fully aware of what the glass performance is today, they have a business' to keep afloat. Then there's the variations in where the best performing glass gets used. A crap shoot for the consumer, so it's best to continue using solar film products to cover all bases AND to boost the existing performance the glass may or may not have. Time to zip the keys. -
Tint different colors/work quality
Tintguy1980 replied to Drassic's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Forgot to mention; instead of tinting the windshield I chose to put a light color dashmat, which helped tremedously given the dash came in black. -
Tint different colors/work quality
Tintguy1980 replied to Drassic's topic in Window Tinting - General Discussion
Could be worse. Here is the look my 2015 Jeep Cherokee has when under the worst kind of lighting; mist rain days. The front door has 3M Crystalline 40 (8 yrs old) at this point. You can clearly see the mismatch between that film and the privacy glass that has no added film. From the inside looking out, the front doors closely match the privacy color, just lighter. Before the question is asked, that privacy glass is about 20% visible light transmission, 60-65% total solar energy rejection and 95-99% UV reduction. The fronts were 70% VLT light factory tint (green glass) before adding Crystalline 40.