ErieTint

On January 13, 2020 at 8:32 PM, TinterforLife said:

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.

Just want to start with the fact that I love everything you're doing here @tintdude!

I am guessing we lost the Like/Laugh button from the bottom corner of the posts with one of the last updates?

I was just catching up on threads and went to click it for a post and it wasn't there. Then I was sad. Haha!

Regardless, keep up the great work!

Damn that's a sweet truck. Looks incredibly clean for its age.

When do we get the results?

We want to know how much we helped!

On 10/29/2019 at 12:57 PM, niagaratinting said:

...

I standardized my prices instead of trying to keep track of the window configuration of each car. A pair of doors was $---, as well as, all two door cars had a set price and and all 4 four door cars had a set price. Trucks varied based upon the model configuration. Even though some model are more difficult then others, now a days you can get a 4dr 5 window vehicle up to a 4dr 11 window vehicle it still feels easier to just say "all four door cars are $---". I think customers feel better knowing that they are all paying the same. After 30 years of tinting nothing is really difficult anymore, some vehicles just take a little longer, its really not that much in the grand scale of a career. 

This was my approach to pricing as well.

I have a few cars I charge extra for because of the pains they give (300/Charger, 1st Gen Fusion/MKZ, VW Jetta, etc...) but I wanted things to be simpler for people and myself.

I agree with @florida tinter.

Also, having a guest account on the forum and including nothing more than a phone number, may steer some people away.

I am a bottom loader so I normally either pop tops or remove panels so I can remove bottom sweeps.

That being said, these bottoms didn't seem overly tight if I were to top load them. Have only done fronts on the new body style, cannot comment on rears.

I'll play along, as long as you stop calling me out on bad back window installs from Ohio on Instagram.

😂

On October 5, 2019 at 6:11 PM, florida tinter said:

I think 20k is fair price to learn to have a highly profitable business !

On October 6, 2019 at 5:55 PM, highplains said:

My question is do you honestly think that you can learn all of that, plus how to install, and then retain the information in only two weeks? 

I don't think @Midtown Houston is out of line. I also agree with @florida tinter with what that training could ultimately set you up for.

But, as @highplains is saying, what are the chances of you retaining all of that information in a two week period? Install, sales and general business training. That's a crash course at best time line wise.

I would like to see someone offer a more industry focused business training program. Something more geared toward our industry. That would be valuable to me. I'm a firm believer that the best way to gain speed and quality on your installs, within reason, is repetition. The business side however, you could make some small adjustments that could turn into huge profits and never "stumble across" them no matter how long you're in business.

On 9/27/2019 at 5:29 PM, no ma'am said:

New shop van... looking like flat glass is in the future. Also that windshield was way harder to shrink than I thought it would be. 

What is the preferred film choice and darkness for a Texas based shop van?

20% sides and 50% windshield?

(I agree on the windshield. Watched @OverLord get upset with his the day we tinted it.)

13 hours ago, Zac. said:

It has to be attached to my windshield. I’ll be putting it on in a few days. I’ll see how it goes.

Can you replace the tape out mount with something suction cup style?

I recommend to my customers to use suction cup mounts for their EZ-Pass and radar detectors.

Less chance of damage from the suction cup removal than there is with tape.

I would say, depending on how deep he wants to get into it, to look toward the brand he is choosing and how they recommend handling training a newbie.

I'm a LLumar guy and went through their training program at their facility in Virginia. Automotive was a four day course. Went back a year later and took Architectural which was only a two day course. The thing I liked most was that you receive a certificate for completion of each course. Not that it necessarily means anything but to some customers it is comforting. Its kind of like walking into the car audio shop back in the day and the guys had Rockford Fosgate or Pioneer or Alpine certificates all over the walls. (My local shop did at least.)

Big down side to it, with LLumar at least, was the initial buy in. You have to be pretty committed to sticking with tinting. I had to order a good amount of film and become listed as a dealer to even be eligible to take the course, which also cost money. It is good and bad because it weeds out the fly by night guys that aren't serious about doing it and sticking with it to make some real money.

Does he live near you? When I was shopping around, before I had picked a brand, I was leaning toward SunTek purchased through a distributor in PA. They offered up a one-on-one training program that I believe was at their facility. I can see if I still have that info if you would like to pass it along. Although, I think it would be tough to pass up training with @flat rock stan from everything I have read. I don't think training with @Midtown Houston would be bad either from what I have seen from him. Price is a little steep but I'm sure you go very thoroughly over a wide range of things.

6 hours ago, Ryker said:

I am curious as well. Was just talking about tinting a rental car that I'm going to be taking on a 2 week trip to SEMA and California.  If i have to remove it when done that would make it so much easier.

Do you have to remove it?

Depending on how dark you tint it and which windows you choose, maybe just leave it on...? Could always ask and see what the rental company thinks. May get lucky simply peeling the fronts and windshield as needed.

On 9/13/2019 at 11:10 PM, smookee408@yahoo.com said:

Is IRX available to select pro dealers? What do you guys think compared to CTX? I’m looking at the number and it’s a few percent higher on the tser but can you feel the difference with the heat box? 

I got a heat box from @Midtown Houston and put 35% samples of ATC, CTX and IRX in it. The drop in felt heat between ATC and CTX is honestly incredible to me. The drop from CTX to IRX isn't nearly as drastic but you can still tell a difference. It has already swayed a few customers for me and has me fully convinced that when mine gets redone it will be getting IRX.

18 hours ago, Sunbreakers said:

Hi @ErieTint, we were sent two of these for being an early adopter and making a substantial investment in the new line. They came from Robertson Marketing so I would assume they are now available through the dealer portal. I am curious to know your thoughts post install. Please let me/us know. 

 

Install on the IRX went smooth this morning. Didn't even think about it before I started running patterns, I didn't make any setting changes on the plotter. Half way through I thought abut it and got afraid with it being a thicker film that it may cause some issues and not cut through far enough. None to be had so that was a plus. Film went on smooth and with little to no issues. I do mostly ATC and treated it as such, felt pretty much the same to me.

Now the AIR90 on the windshield, well that is a different story. If only I could get better at those damn things and start knocking more of them out. Suppose those two factors kind of tie together, huh?

Hey @Sunbreakers is that the new board offered through the dealer portal or is that something you had made for you?

Side note; doing my first install with it tomorrow. Regular cab F150 getting IRX 35 on doors and rear window, AIR 90 on the windshield.

It boasts pretty high numbers for IR rejection but that equation is so much more than just that.

They are having trouble keeping up with demand right now.

I finally got my hands on some and should be slapping it on a truck this weekend. Not gonna lie, kinda excited to see how much of a difference it makes.

Nothing when you have issues like this. Not sure if you can see the track lines in the film or not.

(That's a lie, @OverLord and I were semi productive today.)

Shoot.

Gonna have to order me some of that Carbon Fiber!

What is the vehicle?

Is this a step above or below Crystalline?

On July 15, 2019 at 12:55 PM, jh812 said:

Waste of time. 

Did you try torching here or just saying that it is what it is and there is no need to torch?

6 hours ago, no ma'am said:

Again this has to be llumars version of formula one stratos, its 2 mil instead of 1.5 and you just have to push a little harder. Shrinks fine.

I was told by my rep that it is essentially "our" (by our I mean non-Formula One dealers) version of Stratos.

Stratos still points out a little bit higher but the IRX line is very close.

5 hours ago, TomTint said:

..02........ let others be the guinea pigs....... you have been warned. 

What do you know here that we don't @TomTint...?

Please tell us. Don't be that "Oh did I tell you about..." and then not finish the story.

I'm thinking of ordering a few rolls of this here next week.

4 hours ago, TomTint said:

I don't know your financial situation or your geographic location, but ..if you are mobile now and covering your expenses..and are able to save a bit of money..keep saving until you have enough for a down payment to buy your own space. Renting or leasing is only good for the land owner. You pay their nut..and they ride the wave as the property escalates in value.. then they raise your rent... IMO..wait till you can swing a purchase and thank me in a few years. 

I agree with this as its the direction I am trying to go. I am not mobile currently and do rent a non-traditional space to keep my overhead low.

I keep feelers out with some real estate friends and am always looking for something I could buy.

Even a good location with a nice amount of space on a rent-to-own lease or land contract would be better than flat out renting.