Tinting on a lease question

[JayJay]

I know that there are a lot of tinting threads already, but I was wondering what you guys would suggest for tinting a Lease. Since im not going to own the car in 3 years, I really do not think spending $400 on Ceramics is a great idea. I got a quote of 200 for llamars best metallic tint and I was thinking of going with that, but I don't want to hurt my FM radio reception or cell phone quality. Are there any other $150-200 options that will look good and not mess with the reception?

Also im guessing I should keep legal in the state that I will be returning the vehicle, since they would probably not accept it with illegal tints or charge to remove it?

 

[dataguy]

Unless there is specific language in your lease about modifications and tinting, I doubt they will care. Maybe if you tinted limo-dark all the way around they would, but probably not

My California legal (no front passenger windows) ceramic tint cost about $180 for a name-brand with lifetime manufacturer's warranty on fading.

 

[TJPark01]

I know that there are a lot of tinting threads already, but I was wondering what you guys would suggest for tinting a Lease. Since im not going to own the car in 3 years, I really do not think spending $400 on Ceramics is a great idea. I got a quote of 200 for llamars best metallic tint and I was thinking of going with that, but I don't want to hurt my FM radio reception or cell phone quality. Are there any other $150-200 options that will look good and not mess with the reception?

Also im guessing I should keep legal in the state that I will be returning the vehicle, since they would probably not accept it with illegal tints or charge to remove it?

You don't need metallic or ceramic. Just get regular tint, get it done at a place that specializes in tint. Not a car wash. Don't use windex to clean the inside, and you'll be fine. You shouldn't have to spend more than 150 bucks to do all 5 windows.

Learn more here

 

[scottdk]

I know in MN you may tint a lease as dark as you please with no problems that I have ever heard about at least.

tinting isn't a major modification such as exhaust or engine work either. Although I did have a friend that did plenty of stuff to his 2000 S10 back then when he leased it, and he turned it back in with super loud annoying exhaust and other things, and it wasn't a problem for him.

 

[Mark_888]

You don't need metallic or ceramic. Just get regular tint, get it done at a place that specializes in tint.[/URL]

That is easy to say for someone who lives in an area with smog and moderate temperatures. Those who live in places where they get a lot of intense sunlight and temps get into the 90's in the summer can definitely benefit from a metallic or ceramic film due to their superior solar heat reflection properties. Because metallic film can interfere (although not totally block) some electronic equipment, a ceramic film is preferred (although expensive).

 

[Mark_888]

I know in MN you may tint a lease as dark as you please with no problems that I have ever heard about at least.

Are you talking MN law, or lease agreements?

In MN the minimum VLT required on a film is 50%. Of course, whether or not these laws are actively enforced is another matter and depends on which city police department you are talking about.

It's a little like the license plate laws. It is illegal to have a license plate holder that blocks any of the important information or registration stickers on a license plate, but that law is not usually enforced in most places.

 

[dataguy]

That is easy to say for someone who lives in an area with smog and moderate temperatures. Those who live in places where they get a lot of intense sunlight and temps get into the 90's in the summer can definitely benefit from a metallic or ceramic film due to their superior solar heat reflection properties. Because metallic film can interfere (although not totally block) some electronic equipment, a ceramic film is preferred (although expensive).

TJPark01 lives in the LA area, which I can attest is not a moderate area with almost year-round sunshine and summer temps in the 90's and 100's. The OP is in the Houston area I believe. At any rate, I think the advice was based on the fact that the OP was concerned about keeping the price down and that it was a lease so that long term durability or color fading wasn't as much of an issue. Not based on the heat blocking capability.

 

[TJPark01]

That is easy to say for someone who lives in an area with smog and moderate temperatures. Those who live in places where they get a lot of intense sunlight and temps get into the 90's in the summer can definitely benefit from a metallic or ceramic film due to their superior solar heat reflection properties. Because metallic film can interfere (although not totally block) some electronic equipment, a ceramic film is preferred (although expensive).

It's been 90's to triple digits here for the better of a month. There's 300 days of sun here and I have tinted every car I have owned because of it. My advice was based on trying to keep costs in line, while still getting a tint job done.

 

[scottdk]

Are you talking MN law, or lease agreements?

In MN the minimum VLT required on a film is 50%. Of course, whether or not these laws are actively enforced is another matter and depends on which city police department you are talking about.

It's a little like the license plate laws. It is illegal to have a license plate holder that blocks any of the important information or registration stickers on a license plate, but that law is not usually enforced in most places.

Both actually. MN law is strict on how dark of film is legal, but many cities do not enforce tint laws at all. For the lease agreement, I don't specifically know what the lease agreement go for this, but with people that I now that have leased, they've never had a problem with a tinted car when returning the car over after the lease. I know 1 dealership said they like when people tint the cars, because it's a selling perk when selling the leased car as a used car etc.

 

[Mark_888]

It's been 90's to triple digits here for the better of a month. There's 300 days of sun here and I have tinted every car I have owned because of it. My advice was based on trying to keep costs in line, while still getting a tint job done.

Just because it doesn't rain very much, does not necessarily mean there is intense sun. Some parts of Southern Cal do have a desert climate with very intense sun, but I was not under impression that Hollywood was one of those places.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[TJPark01]

Just because it doesn't rain very much, does not necessarily mean there is intense sun. Some parts of Southern Cal do have a desert climate with very intense sun, but I was not under impression that Hollywood was one of those places.

It does. The sun is relentless here. Tinted windows aren't even an option, they're a necessity. Keep in mind I don't just stay here, driving out to the valley or inland empire it's 100 degrees consistantly.

 

[JayJay]

Thanks for the responses everyone.. yea I am in Houston and it gets pretty damn hot here. Will regular tint block out heat at all? Theres only a day or two a week where its hot enough to the point where I can't get in the car for a few minutes. And its cooling down as winter approaches. As I said, I dont mind paying around $200 for the tint-job. But obviously im not going to get ceramics at that price, one place wanted 450 dollars for the formula one ceramic. I almost laughed at him on the phone.

I got a quote for $200 from a tint only shop, for llumar top line metallic. But I really am not sure on the metallic.

 

[scottdk]

Thanks for the responses everyone.. yea I am in Houston and it gets pretty damn hot here. Will regular tint block out heat at all? Theres only a day or two a week where its hot enough to the point where I can't get in the car for a few minutes. And its cooling down as winter approaches. As I said, I dont mind paying around $200 for the tint-job. But obviously im not going to get ceramics at that price, one place wanted 450 dollars for the formula one ceramic. I almost laughed at him on the phone.

I got a quote for $200 from a tint only shop, for llumar top line metallic. But I really am not sure on the metallic.

A standard film will reject solar energy and help keep the car cool and also block 99.6% of the UV rays. The darker you go, the cooler the car will be on the inside.

A ceramic film at 70% can reject as much heat as a standard film at 35% just for example. A metallic film will do well with heat rejection and usually only costs a small amount more than a standard film.

 

[JayJay]

I may just go with the standard film then, im not really that concerned with the heat and theres no way im going to pay $400 for ceramics. Ive read too much about the metallic messing up reception and GPS.

 

[TJPark01]

I may just go with the standard film then, im not really that concerned with the heat and theres no way im going to pay $400 for ceramics. Ive read too much about the metallic messing up reception and GPS.

Yeah, it's basically a long term rental car, why pay more if you aint gonna own it. Metallic, may or may not interfere with your FM reception, because the antenna is built into the back glass in the Genesis sedan. Why gamble? It's unlikely to interfere with your Sat Nav or XM because the antenna is positioned away from the glass, but it still could affect it.
I have standard tint 20% on the back and 35% on the front on a 15 year old Lexus LS400. The car has been parked outside it's entire life and the seats and leather,dash and trim are all in very good condition, due to my use of tint and windshield sunshade. (also use leather cleaner and conditioner once a month), more in the summer, less in the winter.). Shop around, shouldn't cost more than 100-150. Barter, see if they'll eat the sales tax, differant rates for cash, etc... The biz is leveraged to auto sales and auto sales have been awful, so you have what they need to survive, not the other way around. Good luck.

 

[Mark_888]

Thanks for the responses everyone.. yea I am in Houston and it gets pretty damn hot here. Will regular tint block out heat at all? Theres only a day or two a week where its hot enough to the point where I can't get in the car for a few minutes. And its cooling down as winter approaches. As I said, I dont mind paying around $200 for the tint-job. But obviously im not going to get ceramics at that price, one place wanted 450 dollars for the formula one ceramic. I almost laughed at him on the phone.

I got a quote for $200 from a tint only shop, for llumar top line metallic. But I really am not sure on the metallic.

You could probably get a ceramic tint done for about $300 - $350 in Houston in the winter time, but getting it done now is like getting a quote on your home central air conditioner right now--you are going to get screwed.

 

[JayJay]

I ended up getting the tinting done from someone who came highly recommended, Llumar 35 sides, 15 back. He did it by hand. Took about 2 hours, he seemed to be very precise. He owned the place himself, so it wasn't some fly by night or quicky. Total was $175 and he gave me drinks and snacks and a good movie on his big screens so i'd take 10 off that!

The car looks AMAZING. After I get it badged i'll take some pictures. Thanks everyone for the responses.