DynamicATL

We tinted mine the same, with the gap.  It doesn't really bother me, but one day we will remove the glass and tint the whole thing.  Eventually we will do the same for customers too, but we just don't have time for that now.  We use to offer it for an extra charge and 99% of the time people didn't want to pay it.

Lexus GS350 | Llumar CTX Ceramic Window Tint

AMG life.  

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 | Llumar CTX Ceramic Window Tint

The ghosting on the back... was that visible to the installer as soon as it happened?? Or does it show up after the film dries?  

It will be visible as soon as they are shrinking it.

The problem is you can have all the experience in the world in tinting, but still not shrink the harder films.  Since he had to order the film, he probably has never tried that shade.  Huper Ceramic 5-20 is a completely different film compared to the 30+ when talking about installation...tons of Huper dealers don't stock it.  I would see if you can make a deal with him.  Let him redo it since he "can do it right" and if he is unable to do it properly then he needs to refund the money.

What JH said...a hatch with Huper Ceramic 5, 15, or 20 is much harder to install since it is a thicker film.  It requires more heat which causes the ghosting effect.  We got to the point of being able to install it on a lot of difficult vehicles, but took a lot of practice and experimenting with several methods.  The Huper film was only more expensive because it was a bigger section of the vehicle (versus what you did in the front) and I am sure the shop tacked on some for the difficulty.  Photosync would end up being more expensive than the Huper Ceramic...more in the range of Huper Drei.  In GA, Huper Ceramic goes for $400-$500 depending on the vehicle while Photosync goes for $700+.  A good sign that they did not know how to shrink it was the fact the film had to be special ordered meaning they probably never tried to install it.  I saw work from two other Huper dealers (one in GA and one in AL) and neither did a great job installing the Huper Ceramic.  The sad part was the one in AL is a "Master Training Facility" for Huper Optik.

The reflectiveness of the huper doesn't show through the llumar?

Slightly, we used 50% of each to keep the reflectivity as low as possible, but getting in the 24-30% range.  It is much less than normal, but still can see it.  One of the main reasons why we were not happy with being a Huper dealer.  The ghost marks are horrible, they do not know how to properly shrink it.

Yeah I've seen his post about it. Like I said personally I wouldn't but just because I don't see spending the money for something that you're not going to see much more benefit.

Yeah, I am sure they are offering a discount on the 2nd layer.  I wouldn't do it on a customers car, but two of the cars at the shop have Huper Ceramic and Llumar CTX doubled to get the Huper heat rejection, but the coloring of CTX.

I just don't see spending the money on two layers of ceramic. I would just talk to the shop and see what they think would be the best option to achieve what you're wanting.

Reckless does a lot of double layer of Crystalline 40 in CA.  I can't wait til the Crystalline 20 is out...that will be a good seller.

 

Simple...just do Photosync all the way with a double layer on the rear with 35. It will be roughly around 10% when it is lighter and roughly around 6% when it is darker. Any other option might not match up as well.

I think within direct light, it will darken to a 10%, no?

 

On the vehicle it will be roughly 32% at it's lightest.  At it's darkest, it will be roughly 26%.  This is why there is no warranty on the 35% shade...it is illegal in all states due to the photochromic properties dropping below legal.  The 32% on top of 32% will be roughly 10% in the end and the 26% on top of 26% will be roughly 6%.  That is rough measurements.  Once the photochromic properties expire, you will probably be in the 28-29% range making it come to 7-8%.

Simple...just do Photosync all the way with a double layer on the rear with 35.  It will be roughly around 10% when it is lighter and roughly around 6% when it is darker.  Any other option might not match up as well.

Subaru WRX STI | 3M Crystalline Window Tint

BMW 740i | Llumar CTX Ceramic Window Tint

Mercedes CLS550 | Llumar CTX Ceramic Window Tint

We use Yellow Schedule...we tried a few before that and they weren't consistent.  Check them out at https://www.yellowschedule.com/.  It sends text and emails which you set the timing.  We send out a text 24 hours and 1 hour before the appointment.  We then send out a text 24 hours after to thank them for choosing us.  <--This helps with reviews.

I wanted to add a recent change that we did that seems to be helping with people bring tardy.  It has only been a week, so a little premature, but so far so good.  If you have a scheduling system that texts your customers reminders, then make sure you add in the reminder to be on time or early.  It took me a minute to reword it right in ours since the character spaces are limited, but all of our appointments so far have been on time or even early.  Yesterday alone one was 30 minutes early and another 50 minutes early.  The 50 minute early person even said he came in early because of the text.

I will be placing another order this month from them, so I will add a bottle to try it out.

I updated the info, actually Rapid Tac 2...different color.  It is $11 for the bottle pictured above.

Wanted to see if anyone used Rapid Tac 2?  I saw it in a catalog from my 3M distributor.  It is an Adhesive Promoter for the DOT Matrix and Vinyl.  We use Rapid Remover for glue which we love so was interested in trying this stuff out.

 

Just looking to see people's opinions on what they prefer between the two. Llumar isn't a option for now so I have to choose between these two.

Hey there..

I think you would receive better dealer support through SolarGard. They have been around a long time.

Good luck Sir.

 

I would agree, as one of our Eastman reps said, Suntek is there for people that don't care about support.

I actually enjoy the no shows sometimes. It gives me a chance to catch up on things.

  You get a cancellation and realize you can actually take a lunch.

Suntek is probably a more known name and finally has a Ceramic film on their lineup, but the film scratches extremely easy and has horrible low angle haze.  We used it before and the scratching was crazy so we dropped it quickly.  I have another shop that we are friends with that loves Solargard which also finally has a Ceramic film on their lineup.  As far as failures (fading, purpling, etc), I see more posts about Suntek.  IMO, I would choose Solargard.

Mercedes E350 | Llumar CTX Ceramic Window Tint

Great idea, definitely thinking outside the box.  I have posted it before, but this is how we do it now which helps a lot.  Same as any solution, it is not 100%, but we went from 10 per week to 1-2 per week.  We use to book people in our scheduling system any time they wanted...1, 2, 3 weeks out.  The problem with this is in Atlanta there are a lot of things going on including traffic which can easily change peoples plans by the time the date arrives.  Now we write their info down on a list and explain to them that we will call them 1 day before the day they want.  This is to confirm they still can come in and we then schedule them in our system.  We explain that we have to talk to them that day otherwise they have no appointment.  Along with this, our schedule system sends out texts/emails for reminders.  It is more work to call these people everyday to confirm, but it helps a lot.