LeadfootCJ7

Same installer?  Same vehicle?

I am no expert and certainly not an eye doctor.  Possibly consider lighter film like Global 86% ceramic if you think that would help.  

I'm certain some of it is the quality of the installer as well.

I'm glad this resolved your issue.  

As said above.  They should want to refer to someone who does high quality work so it doesn't look bad on them.  Giving them a discount so they can charge the customer 100% (or maybe even more) seems like a bad idea.  Plus, what if they start offering the customer discounts and want you to take even less?  What if the customer is being difficult and doesn't like the film and this "partner" makes you redo it for free?  I wouldn't want to go down this road with anyone.  

I have Global ceramic 86 on my windshield.  It's been on for 6 weeks.  You can't even tell it's there.  I have shown a bunch of curious people and they can't tell either.  I believe this is where the installer makes the difference.  

Wow, that's crazy.  I wonder if they got a bad batch of glass.  Is this a model you have tinted before?

15 hours ago, drtint said:

Is it the windshield or side windows?

window film is technically sunglasses for your vehicle or home. Looking through it with polarized sunglasses will give you a fuzzy vision feeling. Let it dry for a week and take off the glasses when you drive. 
why would you wear sunglasses while in a vehicle with tinted windows?

hope this helps. 😎

Exactly.  Much like most polarized sunglasses make it impossible or hard to see heads up displays.  If I use sunglasses that allow me to see the heads up display I don't get this effect with the window film.  

Just to clarify, my buddy wasn't in on the film.  He makes skidplates and catalytic converter protection pieces.  He was there installing his products for the build.  He knows better than to attempt something like that without practice/training. 

37 minutes ago, Bham said:

To add to what @TintDudesaid,,, @GiftBobson since this is an off-roading video, this is more than likely a windshield protectant film that does actually go on the outside. It is not for normal vehicles and is sort of like the paint protection film you see on peoples hoods and fenders. Normal window tint goes on the inside of the vehicle so the elements of weather do not destroy the film.  

 

Also part of the joke here is the fact they installed it horribly in the outdoors. 

That's what it was.  A protection film.  These type of builds focus on trying to encourage people to do things themselves.  I can only imagine the visibility of a DIY install like that though. 

2 hours ago, no ma'am said:

Yes, was described to me as an IR coating. First noticed it on an (autobiography) model. 

Mercedes has a glass option for sound insulating glass as I recall.  I've heard it can give a gold colorshift look.  I presume this is similar.  On the Mercedes the coating is on the outside so any tint on the inside of the windows won't help.  

That's crazy.  I presume that is the factory privacy glass doing it?

😄  My buddy is in that video.  

I guess you could call that tint.  🤣

This thread below goes over this topic some.

I don't know how dark your factory glass is.  I think that changes from glass to glass so it may be hard to pin down.  Your calculation is correct though.  .70x.40 assuming that 70% is correct for the glass.  

A friend of mine that has done tint for 25+ years used to do a good amount of vehicles for dealers.  They kept trying to get him to lower his prices lower and lower.  He went and looked at some of their window stickers while waiting once and saw how much they were charging and immediately stopped doing work for them.  IIRC they were charging 4x what they paid him or a little more.  I am sure this varies for many reasons and that was about 10 years ago.  

Is there a reason that they want to provide the tint?

Good info.  'Im interested to see where this leads.  How does it feel with the tint compared to before?  Does it feel like it makes a significant difference?

36 minutes ago, asta17 said:

I had xpel xr+ installed and noted a defect in the tint (looked like a pencil eraser sized rough area) and shop said they would remove and replace. I’m wondering if the removal and replacement is going to lead to a worse end result (e.g. left over residue from first tint) and I should just live with the defect. Thoughts?

I've had old tint removed and the windows retinted with no problems a couple of times in the past.  They can scrub the glass and get it clean.  This is where an good installer is key.  

I haven't seen it myself, but in my quest to choose ceramic tint for my new car I have read some complaints that Solar Control Ceramikool tint has a bit of a green color to it.  I am not certain how common it is where you are located.  I know if a shop in the Houston area that installs it.

On 3/14/2023 at 6:56 PM, Dano said:

Yes it can be tough to install, but also has a goofy color/sheen that causes some complaints afterwards. I personally wouldn't use it because of that.

 

I had laid some on a Tahoe for a friend who really thought he wanted "the best". He and his wife both disliked the hue and talked about stripping it for a while before he sold it altogether. 

Thanks.  Good info.  This is the type of info I was looking for in my thread.  I have a gray Mercedes GLS with factory privacy glass so I really want the tint to be gray/black rather than geenish, brownish, etc. 

I am supposed to go a by a couple of the shops I have talked to this week and look at samples in person of what they want to install so hopefully that will help.  

4 hours ago, DynamicATL said:

 

They install a lot of 3M Crystalline or did 4 years ago. Nobody sells it. Below is their tint company as the other one is more focused on car detailing.

 

https://www.autofilmspecialists.com/

I worded that poorly.  They are one of the shops I requested a quote from recently on all tint options.  They didn't offer 3m until I specifically asked.  Even then they were reluctant and tried to steer me away from it.  I wasn't sure if it is harder to install or the other ceramic films they offer are more profitable.  

On 10/8/2019 at 8:47 PM, DynamicATL said:

 

Check out Midtown Motor Trends, one of the top 3M shops in the US.

I know this is old, but can you elaborate on your comment?  Do they sell a large volume of 3M Crystalline or is this based on something else?

I am in Houston and recently acquired a 21 GLS 450.  I want to tint the 2 front doors.  I would like to go ceramic (Every other vehicle I have owned previously has had traditional dye film).  For various reasons I am planning on going 35%-40%.  I would like the general color of the film to go with the factory privacy film (gray/black). 

My guy that I have used for 20+ years uses Ceramikool (solar control I believe).  Some things I have read is that this has a bit of a green color to it and I am concerned this will not look right on a dark gray vehicle with black interior and black privacy glass everywhere else.  I have seen pics of it installed in 70% and it def gives a bit of an olive color.  Maybe that is just in such a light shade, but it is the only picture I have found of the film installed.  It doesn't seem to be common when I have searched. 

I have considered 3M Crystalline, but I have read that it can have an off color, but haven't found consistent answers on this.  I am also disappointed that the shops I have called for quotes all try to push me to a cheaper line and won't give me a quote until I ask multiple times.  I this may also be why some of the quotes I am getting are double the other ceramic film quotes they have given me.  Is the 3m harder to install and they are just trying to avoid it?

I got a quote today for Autobahn that seemed reasonable.  They told me it is only 35% or darker and they it isn't made lighter.  Later in the conversation they were trying to sell me on tinting the windshield in a much lighter shade of the same film (that isn't made lighter than 35%???).  This is a known shop for ppf, tint, detailing, etc.  I had always heard they were reputable.  When looking at Autobahns website they have 3 lines of ceramic none of which come in 35%.  Is Autbahn a good quality tint?  

In my research I have found quite a bit of good info here and was hoping for some help or guidance.  Are there other films I should be considering?  Any suggestions of installers that are reputable and carry quality tint films?  Are there considerations I am missing?