Ricardo Perez

Im not that worried about brand recognition. Ive been getting work with Avery and its got little to no brand recognition as far as tint goes. I'm just looking for a good brand that I wont have an issue with. Avery is a fairly cheap option as far as Im aware, so I'm just getting ready to move into the big leagues with a more premium brand.
 
Ive used STek's tint and I was pretty happy with the way it looked, shrank and the overall experience with customer service has been great too. I stopped using it because their specs feel like they are below par compared to the other premium brands. Specifically their TSER. Their NEX line seems to be compared to Xpel Prime XR Plus, but the specs were more on the line of Prime XR. Anyone know how that TSER number is calculated? Is it just a calculation combining light rejected, transmitted, reflected, etc?
 
Looking into panaplex, autobahn, and global now. More specifically global because of recommendations.

You're right. I get dumbfounded by the amount of coverage that the original installer did. Kinda crazy what they get away with.

I get what you're saying with the "don't discount at all" and instead build value. So you think just giving them a set price will be ok? I guess the whole commission thing will end up being a bit of a headache for me to try and keep track of it, making checks or paying cash, taxes... HMMMMMMMMMM. I think I just talked myself out of it lol
 
Never lifting on partial hoods and fenders is pretty straight forward, but what about full bumper wraps or the dreaded mirror caps? I don't have a plotter so I'm doing everything all bulk by myself. So lifting is inevitable when it comes to a bumper wrap, unless I turbo stretch the crap out of the film to position it "properly" from the beginning. Even then, the overstretch has to be relaxed.
 
I don't use a solution bottle anyways. The guy I used to work with would but I never understood why. You have soap, which slips, and alcohol, which tacks,in the same bottle mixed together fighting one another. I can get away with a soap and water only solution at 2.5mL of soap added to a 32oz bottle. It's slippy enough to reposition, and tacky enough to just hold for a few seconds for it to grab enough. I never understood the solution hype. It works for some but I'm not one of those lol. Soap and alcohol are in their own separate bottles for me.

I had not thought about it that way. That is an excellent way of putting it!
And you're right, the steak is all similar or if not the same, it's about the cook and the "sizzle" as you put it. In the end it's me and my install that I'm selling. Not the branded product I suppose.
 
Thanks so much, I was hesitant about asking but your response truly makes a ton of sense and got my gears rolling. Thank you!

"I use x brand because I've had great results. I like the optical clarity and have had zero returns unless to service another one of their vehicles. I have the option to use any film I choose and prefer x brand. At the end of the day the best install is about choosing the best installer that will stand behind the work...and thats me." 
 
You can then proceed to dazzle them with film and install knowledge until their eyes glaze over. It's hard for a customer to not want to go with a perceived independent expert over a cookie cutter high volume shop even tho the outcomes are likely comparable. 
 
You have to sell the sizzle because the steak is all about the same.

As Dano posted, the wipers WILL scratch it after time no matter what.  The slightest bit of grit on the wiper blade will leave line.  Clearplex has the best scratchcoat but it still is shit after 9 months of daily driving in the mountains.