Is it best to go to the dealership for tinting? I have no idea where to start.

Stephanie

 

The dealership would be the LAST place to start! IMHO
I would start with your local yellow pages. Drop by some of the places you find, and check out their work. Get a few quotes.

 

Is there a particular brand, product or install method that I should look for? I found a local company very close to me that has 3M tinting. Their website gives lots of info but it is greek to me. Not sure if I am allowed to post links to outside businesses.

 

3M is very good quality tint and most shops have a lifetime guarantee on their tint. I found a hair under my tint and the shop redid the window at no charge. I agree with 52804X4 and using the dealer as a last choice. There are many quality shops but again stop by and check their quality. If they are any good they will have at least one they are working on and make sure to get a guarantee.

 

Google is your friend...search for:
naperville illiois forum car tint

and you will find a Chevy Camaro forum with some good recommendations

 

As said above, 3M is a great product. If you stop by to check on their work, you want look to see how close they get to the edge of the glass. And yes, and good shop worth a darn will give you a lifetime warranty!

 

You might start by asking where your dealer sends their cars to be tinted 'cause most dealers don't do their own...you need to go someplace where that is all they do ! If you don't know which tint shop is best in your area just do a drive by, you want the one that has expensive cars waiting to be done !

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I found a few near that had good online reviews. Plan to get a few quotes and start from there. Will probably get a dealer quote just to see how much they charge.

Will check out that camero forum and see who they are going to.

 

Also check any local or close MINI clubs and see who they use.

 

These guys in this forum mentioned a few installers I was planning to check out. Thanks!

 

dealer did mine (or at least contracted it out), theres a couple spots of dust between the film and glass. I'm really not looking forward to that service appt.

 

3M is the best tinting film available. I have 3M Carbon, 35% (legal limit in Georgia). Even though they are a wee bit far from you, Hot Spot Tinting has a great website that describes all the various 3M films. They did a fabulous job with my 2011 Countryman S and just this week with the manfriend's 2012 BMW X5 35d.

A word of caution...find someone who has a lifetime warranty. Otherwise, you may have problems later. Good luck!

http://www.hotspottinting.com/

 

i would avoid the dealer and find a local tint shop that has options and samples and a lifetime warranty.

just this week i had our countryman tinted with 30% ceramic tint. it's a little more pricey than regular tint but i'm impressed with it.

from 3M:
Solar heat comes from two primary sources, the visible light you can see and the infrared light you can feel. The Ceramic Series films reject up to 80% of the sun's heat-producing infrared light and 59% of the heat coming through your windows. These films also block 99% of harmful UV rays, helping to reducing fading and cracking on your interior. Ceramic Series films allow 30% to 50% of the light into your car.

 

Sorry to interject, but it's really a non issue if tint blocks UV rays or not. It's just a selling tool.

All modern car windows block UV.

For proof of that, simply take most Transition lenses (I say most because currently there is one exception) that darken in sunlight and try to see if they work on a bright sunny day while you're behind the wheel of your car. You'll find they won't because they're UV activated.

Back on topic;
Dealer is definitely the last place you want to look for just about anything you want to add to your car. You're definitely on the right track though with everyone else's suggestions to look!

 

Llumar is another excellent brand. And GA law is 32% - just researched to tint the boy's car before he heads to Emory from Washington State this summer.


Went Llumar ATR 35 on the MINI and both kid's 2002 & 2005 Mazda3 hatchbacks - Looks OEM not crazy illegal dark and reflects heat well.


Click on the performance specs here ....

http://www.llumar.com/en/Automotive.aspx

 

I just had Madico 35% film installed on Chunky; the installer did an excellent job and it looks good. Can't tell yet about cooling effect. It has a lifetime warranty.

http://www.madico.com/window-film/automotive/