Thining about tinting. I have some basic stupid questions thouhg.

1. Are there better ways others in tinting.

Not knowing much, I have to assume there are a few ways to tint. What is the best way. I know there is the film they put on, I didn't know if there is a type of spay tint they do. Also if there is a film material for tinting are some better then others. Sometimes on the road I see cars with bubbles, and or scratches in it.

Thanks,
T

 

Thought I'd add a few of my questions to this as well:

1. Auto-down windows (ya know, when you open the doors), a problem for tinters?? Would it cause pre-mature peeling?? Or would it really tick off some un-aware tinter?

2. Better to get tinting done in the winter when you aren't planning on rolling windows down?

 

my $0.02:
There are several kinds of tint. Here is some info i gathered by doing some research on the net.
STANDARD TINT
· Total solar heat rejection rated at 32% to 42% dependant on how dark tinting you choose. Damaging ultraviolet rays both uva and uvb are reduced by 98% and more. Average life expectancy of standard tinting is 5 years.
· Manufactured using dyes to achieve color and control how dark the tinting is (visible light transmission.)
· Commonly referred to as "non-reflective" the product still looks shiny on your windows. Standard tinting has been used worldwide to for over 30 years!
· Makes your windows dark and reduces heat and glare while helping to protect your interior. Charcoal/Smoke gray colors will give your car the darkest look!
· Standard tinting being the lowest price product is an economical way to make your windows dark and give your car a custom look.

HYBRID METALIZED TINT
· Total solar heat rejection rated at 40% to 62% dependant on how dark tinting you choose. Damaging ultraviolet rays both uva and uvb are reduced by more than 98%. Average life expectancy of Hybrid tinting is 10 to 15 years!
· Manufactured using a combination of metals and dyes to obtain color and control how dark the tinting is (visible light transmission.) Using a vapor thin coating of metals ranging from aluminum to silver, higher heat rejection than standard tint can be obtained.
· The vaporized metal coating used in this type of tinting also protects against the color change (tint turning purple) and bubbling found in standard tint after a few years.
· Commonly referred to as "reflective" this metalized tinting is shiny when viewed from the outside of your car but not objectionable.
· This tinting is most popular in charcoal and gray colors; with its reflective properties it will give your car a great custom look for years to come!
· The long life of this product combined with its excellent heat handling properties and price make this tinting very popular in professional tint shops.

ULTRA FULL METAL TINTING
· Total Solar heat rejection rated at 43% to 67% dependant on how dark tinting you choose. Damaging ultraviolet rays both uva and uvb are reduced by more than 98%. Average life expectancy of Full Metal Tinting will exceed the life of your car!
· Manufactured using strictly metals like copper, aluminum, titanium and silver this is the best window tinting made! Using relatively new technology this tinting is produced in a vacuum chamber, depositing metal particles a atom at a time to achieve both color and darkness.
· By using all metal and no dyes this film will last virtually forever with no color change or loss of darkness that can be found in other types of tinting over time.
· Solid metal tinting is much shinier than other types of tint. The extra reflective properties give you more privacy in your vehicle on cloudy days and at night when there are lights outside of the car, by reflecting them off the outside of your window.
· Most popular in the charcoal/gray color the tinting is sometimes called neutral because of its ability to absorb surrounding colors from your car.
· Metal tinting is the very best product available to tint your windows. It is the most expensive tint available but in the harshest conditions it will not fade, change color or bubble for the life of the car.

As far as the window movement issue, you need to use a screwdriver to push the locking mechanism in the door to "closed" then the window will go back up to full extension while the door is open. If your tinter does not know this tip, you can educate them. When i had mine tinted i used a metalized product (Onyx brand) with a lifetime warranty and i watched the installer do the car - took the better part of an afternoon and i was charged about $120. Call around before you go to check out the operation, if they dont know what a MINI is, you may want to keep looking. Good luck!

 

Thanks! Good info. :smile:

 

Wow, thanks. Great info.
Tony

 

can't roll the windows down for a few days, but it'll fully dry faster in the summer than the winter.

the person doing the tinting is more important than what brand or type of tint used. taking the time to properly clean the glass and lay the tint will ensure no bubbles or peeling.

and prices seem to vary by area. tinting 5 windows in the northern nj area is probably closer to the $200 ballpark, unless you know the tinter.

 

Several years ago, I tinted a Ford F150 back window with a high-quality kit. Even though it was a flat glass and easily accessible, it was nothing but an all-afternoon pain in the butt.

Next time around, we used Silver Linings, a Llumar dealer in Danbury CT. In one morning, Dave and his assistant did the 996 Turbo with full metal tint, and the BMW X5 and Chevy pickup with a hybrid film. Nearly three years later, the Llumar product is holding up exceptionally well, and no repairs have been necessary to any of them.

Dave offered some useful wisdom... the pros have access to much higher quality films and wider films, than you can get at the local auto parts store. Patience, and knowing how much to apply the hair dryer, is a virtue... avoid "piecing together" films to cover a window... the only car he won't tint is the Chevy Beretta, the back window has several compound curves and is nearly impossible to get right.

My advice: dont try this at home... trust a good professional tinter, who is used to doing high-end cars.