Midtown Houston

Yes, we love the Ceramic IR.  It has the same feel as Obsidian and CS but it shrinks like a regular dyed film.  Obsidian shrinks like CS which is the main reason we didn't go with it as our entry level...just took more time.  The only thing that sucks about the CIR is the 3M logos do not easily come off like it does on the other lines.

I have to give props to Midtown Houston...mine are his idea I just did my own version because I already had the glass. I did a small and large for what I had and love them.
 
 

These are very similar to the ones that @Midtown Houston puts together. I like the idea of being full height but having glass down lower.
 
Where did you order your aluminum channel from? Also, what's the full bottle arrangement up top include? Another good idea.

I can vouch for Mikes pouches, we have 3 of them.....hands down the best on the market...and we have had them all. His are laid out beautifully...pricy but worth the money. 

dammit....The new model 3 back glass now have thicker defroster line like dodge charger....It is on and off but so far over 20.....I even got call from other installer saying the same thing.
 
So we wet sand one with 2000 grit sand paper and it scratch the glass but you can barely notice it.  I change the sand paper to a 3M trizact and it work....No more peanuts..
 
We got 900 tesla delivery to Houston and my shop receiver a little over a hundred of them this month....SO GUYS FEEL THE DEFROSTER WITH YOUR HAND AND IF IT IS NOT RIGHT WET SAND IT WITH TRIZACT 2000-3000

Well I got the job done,this was the least favorite job I have Ever done to say the least. Now they want 10 more installed. the first job was 34.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             What I have found installing this film is that the amount of slip that they recommended will not work on all types of glass, as you all know film will react differently on different glass, as far as sticking faster. I ended up using more slip on this glass, it was 1/2" then laminate and then 1/4" because the rooms were conference rooms so I imagine the glass used was for noise cancellation. I also used some llumar cdf film slightly larger than the film installed for an overlay so not to scratch the non hard coat Casper film while installing, this film scratches by almost just looking at it,if a hard coat was used on this film it would not work.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        As far as pre-cutting this film,I cut all of the film on a glass table and made several passes with a new olfa blade with very little pressure till i cut through the film to get a decent edge. rolled the film up with the liner side out with a min 3" diameter.  Sure wish I could post some pics of the job, however when i try and post pics on here it says the file is too large.                                                                                                                                         

If you decide to get into FG, I have a few tips. First, examine your market. Are you looking toward residential or commercial. If you are green in FG, starting in resi is a better option. Commercial contractors won't give you the time of day if you can't perform, carry significant insurance, and have a problem waiting for money. With resi, first thing to do is clean up your act. Far too. Any "tinters" show up in some type of Honda of Toyota with wheels that look like they are on broken axles, Sterio blasting some Snoop Dog crap, and dress like they should be selling a 50 rock in some back ally. People don't want this on their property let alone in their home. 
 Dress like you are going to a job interview...where you really want the job. You must learn, know and understand your product, as well as every other product your competitors offer. Know the pros and cons of all of them and be ready to explain them  in a way a 5 year old can understand to the homeowner. Know what the different glass types are and how film effects them, know what your costs goin in are and what your costs going out will be. Be able to show the homeowner how the film will work and benefit them via some solar tool. IE BTU meter, heat lamp, UV card etc. Have nice, well laid out and glossy pamphlets that back up your sales pitch that you can give to the homeowner.. Bring pieces of film with you that you can actually install on the glass if needed so the customer can see it on their home. 
 This business is such a blind purchase transaction, what this means is that it is really no different than being a painter, carpet installer or even a mattress salesman. People are buying blind, they have no idea how paint, film, carpet of mattresses are made... And they really don't care. They just want someone to solve a problem. 
 I can go on for days about this but it's basic business sence and practices. 
 ..Now Commercial.... Which is our primary business, is a different animal entirely. On the front end making the initial contacts it's similar to resi. Meaning you need to show a strong knowledge of product and present your business in the most favorable light possible. But after that it's all about the numbers and performance. Commercial contractors don't give a shit if you are "the best" .. They want you to get in, get out, and not mess up their hair. Just do your job, quickly, as cheap as possible and without causing them any problems. 

We have 3 retail location that does tint and 4 sign shop that give us lead for vehicle and commercial job.  We also take care of 2 dealership but only for Crystalline and a few other high end service. We are very spoil with retail money and the profit that come with it.  I am a firm believer of brick and mortar shop at a nice side of town.

No need to pull panels. Just cut big   Black out up front by mirror has dots down back edge push out on glass and slide down behind seal. Opera glass has good black out also. Rear glass brake light cover pops off easy with panel popper. Slide black tabs like BMW to remove light. Cover ribbon and electrical box with towel just to protect from water. Super easy car to tint 

Never had a problem...once in a blue moon ...we will see a crack edge and tell client before we start. We have had one sunroof crack due to being install too closed to body/glass ...week later after tint but Tesla replace it on warranty and we just retint it on the house after....

Never had a problem...once in a blue moon ...we will see a crack edge and tell client before we start. We have had one sunroof crack due to being install too closed to body/glass ...week later after tint but Tesla replace it on warranty and we just retint it on the house after....

Man...Saw this post too late...been at SEMA this whole week.  Glad you got the glass but if you didn’t...I would steer you in the right direction to get it!!!

We bought a new glass and it got crack all over it just from us putting heat On it to shape it....It will break !!!! The glass is so thin and big that the heat will stress the glass and crack... We do over 20 Tesla Model 3 a week and can’t afford breaking any glass and ruin our reparation. Having the glass is our insurance....we also use it to leverage us as a shop!!!! 

I think @Midtown Houston has one. Maybe he can lead you in the right direction?

I've been looking around to buy a rear glass so we can shrink on it versus the actual vehicle.  However, it has been very hard to get a hold of one.  Apparently there are no aftermarket models, so getting one through a glass company has been impossible.  Safelite charges $790 for the glass installed but won't let us just pick up the glass even if we pay the full price.  Lastly, we tried the local Tesla dealer and their parts department is basically a voicemail system and seems not to call you back...been a week with no calls.  There is one on eBay for like $1200 shipped that was pulled from a car, but I would rather have a new one plus Tesla model 3 owners state the glass is $450 from Tesla.  Anyone out there got the hookup?  LOL  @Midtown Houston 

Looks awesome. I need to hit up Midtown and get going on my display.

Got the displays up for our new shop. Thank you @Midtown Houston for the heat display! Thank you @whitehog for the marketing! 

Had tint, ppf, and vinyl training at my shop Automotive Film Specialists ....First 3M Pro shop in the nation!!!!! We offer private training by Mike Norng at 713-560-0669
follow us on ig or fb
@autofilmspecialists
@midtownmotortrends

Had tint, ppf, and vinyl training at my shop Automotive Film Specialists ....First 3M Pro shop in the nation!!!!! We offer private training by Mike Norng at 713-560-0669
follow us on ig or fb
@autofilmspecialists
@midtownmotortrends

Had tint, ppf, and vinyl training at my shop Automotive Film Specialists ....First 3M Pro shop in the nation!!!!! We offer private training by Mike Norng at 713-560-0669
follow us on ig or fb
@autofilmspecialists
@midtownmotortrends

Showing off....let Phil know he still has my tools in the green bucket from the crystalline demo I gave in Indianapolis!!!!

Is this an advertisement or just showing off. Nice shop though

Had tint, ppf, and vinyl training at my shop Automotive Film Specialists ....First 3M Pro shop in the nation!!!!! We offer private training by Mike Norng at 713-560-0669
follow us on ig or fb
@autofilmspecialists
@midtownmotortrends

Had tint, ppf, and vinyl training at my shop Automotive Film Specialists ....First 3M Pro shop in the nation!!!!! We offer private training by Mike Norng at 713-560-0669
follow us on ig or fb
@autofilmspecialists
@midtownmotortrends

Had tint, ppf, and vinyl training at my shop Automotive Film Specialists ....First 3M Pro shop in the nation!!!!! We offer private training by Mike Norng at 713-560-0669
follow us on ig or fb
@autofilmspecialists
@midtownmotortrends