DynamicATL

Now the question is what is Llumar showing at SEMA? Cause they making such a big deal about it on FB/IG about something "groundbreaking"...assuming they will post it tomorrow since that is day 1 of SEMA.

I assume it launched around the same time as CTX 25 which was late last year. https://northamerica.llumar.com/automotive-film/types-of-automotive-film/ceramic-window-tint/formulaone-pinnacle-window-tint

We don't tint them now, but we are leaving a lot of money on the table since we do tons of Model S and X...we get at least five quote requests a week for Model 3. Since our prices are doubled for them, it will be well worth it.

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

Yes, most cops will have a meter on them usually being the slide model that can only do the rollup windows. There is also a 2-piece model so that you can do solid pieces of glass like the windshield. The shop that said you can't legally tint your front windows might not have carried any lighter options for it...a lot of window films don't come in an 80% and much less in a 90%. I don't know how far they are from you, but contact the shop below. They are a high-end 3M shop that is a member here, they might be able to help clarify. AutoSkinz 27525 Newhall Ranch Rd, Unit #9 Valencia, CA 91355 (661) 347-8468 autoskinz.com

You really need to stop by a local shop to discuss since only they will be the experts since they tint daily in California. However, I am going need you to use a little common sense...no disrespect meant. Once the window film is applied to the vehicle, please tell me how you, a police officer, or anyone else going to know the percentage of the window film?? Even if you go by the window film specs found online, there are variances when it comes to the actual product between master rolls. For example, Llumar CTX 35 states it is 37 VLT online but I have personally metered it at 38-42 depending on the roll. As you have found, there are no films with a VLT of 88% or higher based on online specs. So based on your way of looking at it, then not one single person in the entire state of California has legal window tint. In reality, once the job is already completed, the only measurement that can be done is the total VLT which will be legal if it is 70% or above. So once again, you need to take your vehicle to a tint shop and have samples applied to see what works on your vehicle. On a side note, stock automotive glass can range from low 70's up to mid 80's...don't go by online specs, get your glass metered. Also, the reason they state 88% as the darkest film is that they are basing it off of 80% automotive glass...0.88 x 0.80 which hits right at 70%. In reality, your stock glass might not be 80%.

As far as I understand from reading the law, there is an "or" you're missing. Aftermarket film must allow more than 88% of light in, or minimum 70% VLT if combined with factory-tinted windows. So you need to go to shops that carry 80% or 90% and have them meter a sample of the film on your vehicle...make sure they pull off the adhesive liner and stick it on your glass because the liner will make the numbers lower by 1-2%. Stock automotive glass varies, so one film may be completely legal on one vehicle and illegal on another. So the number you need to focus on is the 70% VLT once the tint is applied.

Pinnacle IS Llumar...it is sold under their FormulaOne line. They used to be called FormulaOne dealers but was revamped to Llumar Select Pro dealers. Eastman brands are ranked on their prestigiousness or exclusiveness. Suntek is the first tier, Llumar is the second tier, FormulaOne is the third tier, and Huper Optik is the fourth tier.

Llumar under the FormulaOne brand...Llumar Select Pro dealers carry it.

Looks good!!

Bumping this back to the top since this is the last night...ends on 11/1. If anyone hasn't voted, please go to page 1 for instructions. Thanks to everyone that helped!

This is a repost from another thread by @CnCCustoms NR classic charcoal is QDP in express box... Cr ceramic is same deal. QDP ceramic. depending on the posters location express will outright sell them global if they’re in their territory

Starting out you want to use a film you trust and one that doesn't break the bank. IMO, I would stick with Global since that is the film you know. If you want to venture out, check out SolarFX or XPEL.

Thanks for the explanation, I knew about the first part but not about the pruning... the thread was probably 2015 instead of 2017.

Lately, there have been tons of guest posts that seem more than normal. So the other day I was looking at a thread back in 2017, I noticed someone that used to be a member here that now has "Guest" before their old registered username. What gives?

I agree with you for the most part. If the customer is not happy, simply do what you can to make it right... the majority of the time this works out for everyone. However, once in a blue moon you have a customer that has expectations that are not realistic. Someone that wants you to warranty out a back window because of a spec of dust...not a hair or dirt that is noticeable but a little piece of nothing. This is the customer that you have to give real-world expectations to and let them know that there will always be something. Why? In the real world, we all know the second time we tint it, it could have more dust...we do not work in a lab or an air-controlled environment. So if you approach it with no problem we'll take care of it for you, then you need be prepared to do is a third or fourth time when it still doesn't meet the customer's unrealistic expectations. What would we do? We would let them know that we can redo it. but if it turns out the same with a minor imperfection, we would not be redoing it again. If we feel the customer will still be unhappy, then we would offer to remove the film and offer a full refund. These types of customers are few and far between, but we have had a couple of them. The first one came in saying they use to go to another tint shop and got like 6 cars done there but he decided to come to us. The shop he was talking about is one of the best in the state and someone we consider the competition. So from the jump, I was questioning why he was so quick to jump ship from them. I quickly found out when he wanted us to keep redoing his windshield. We ended up retinting the windshield twice and the result was damn near perfection with a tiny speck near the bottom of the a-pillar...something you had to see at a crazy angle. At that point, he had to decide to live with it or get a refund. He kept it and luckily he never came back. A few weeks down the road I get a chance to talk to the other shop and they refused to tint his new vehicle because he was a nightmare with his other vehicles.

Yeah, as stupid as it is, it would bother me. Ask them about it, not sure if they would since it would require retinting the window again.

Hells yeah, Thanks!

Should see those Llumar increases...

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Thanks!!

Thank you!

I believe a couple of the lines were the same film or very similar film, like Express Classic and Global QDP were the same...both films are made by Garware. However, one of the Global dealers will have to confirm which films.

I believe the Non-Reflective Classic is the most used option then Classic Ceramic if you want heat rejection. They all have a color-stable lifetime warranty.

Your best bet is Express films below...they also have a good track record. They have a Ceramic option but not a Carbon Ceramic. Keep in mind, the "Carbon" part of that just means the film uses Carbon pigment to color the film versus the traditional dyed method. This is typically done on cheaper films that the manufacturer can't do deep-dyed which saves them money and gives you a similar lifetime as deep-dyed. So basically, the "Carbon" part doesn't really mean anything. https://expresswindowfilms.com/automotive/

Thanks!!! Going to do the same tomorrow when at work since we have multiple internets we can access.