Window tinting advice?

[Gen0814]

Where in MD?

I used Driven Dynamics http://www.drivendynamics.com/, in Rockville.

I was very happy with their pricing and service. I had a small bubble on one of the passenger windows and they replaced the window tinting, no questions asked.


Jamie

Can you tell me which one you got? Do they only offer 3M?
What is their pricing?

 

[JMintzer]

Can you tell me which one you got? Do they only offer 3M?
What is their pricing?

3M Ceramic, $239...


Jamie

 

[tgaines14]

Thanks to all of the info here, I just installed the Formula One Pinnacle (35%) on the 4 sides and the rear. I also put the Air 80 on the front windshield and the sunroof.

I highly recommend TN Tint Company for anyone in the Memphis, TN area.

 

[Howard]

Can someone please recommend a good tint shop in Atlanta GA? Thanks.

 

[Mark_888]

Can someone please recommend a good tint shop in Atlanta GA? Thanks.

A tint job consists of two import things:

1. The quality of the tint film (ability to reject heat, ability to let radio signals pass, fade-proof, etc). Charcoal and dyed films look nice, but don't block much heat. A ceramic films is one of the best films at blocking heat, and allows all radio signals to pass (unlike some metallic films).
2. The quality of the installation.

I would recommend Formula One Pinnacle 35 VLT tint film installed by Custom Sun Control, 986 Cobb Pkwy South. Marietta GA 30060.

 

[Ruissimo]

Hi fellas,

Quick question regarding tint. I plan on tinting my new Genny next week, and the best place in town (word of mouth from my friends, anyway) offers something called "sputtered metal film".

Here's the link:

http://gothamauto.com/?page_id=503

I've emailed them to ask more info on exactly what type of film that is... and I've searched for that on these boards, and a bunch of you were talking about something called "nanotechnology sputtered film" a couple of pages back. I don't think that's the same stuff.

So... I guess my questions are... what is it, is it any good, and does it look metallic or dark, like regular tint?

Most importantly... should I get it? Thanks...

 

[jnc2000]

Highly recommend Huper Optik ESC35. I've had it on a number of vehicles thus far and couldn't be happier with the look it provides...

Here's a picture just after I got it done... yes, the quality of the picture is a bit poor but I was a friends house and didn't have my DSLR.

Installed price was $279 for all four windows, rear, and sunroof.

 

[scottdk]

Hi fellas,

Quick question regarding tint. I plan on tinting my new Genny next week, and the best place in town (word of mouth from my friends, anyway) offers something called "sputtered metal film".

Here's the link:

http://gothamauto.com/?page_id=503

I've emailed them to ask more info on exactly what type of film that is... and I've searched for that on these boards, and a bunch of you were talking about something called "nanotechnology sputtered film" a couple of pages back. I don't think that's the same stuff.

So... I guess my questions are... what is it, is it any good, and does it look metallic or dark, like regular tint?

Most importantly... should I get it? Thanks...

From tintdude.com

Dyed/Metal Hybrid constructions (like Global Charcoal Premium & EWF Classic 1.5) have represented close to 50% of our sales since the late 1980s. This trend show no signs of abating and IMHO these films will remain a staple of our industry for decades.

They offer excellent heat rejection and when combined with CS dyed polyester, are close to perfect designs for their intended application (shading the occupants of vehicles). As others have posted, reports of signal interference are isolated at best and it's very easy to test for this prior to installing the film on any particular vehicle.

Ceramics are (and will likely remain) a smaller percentage of overall industry sales by comparison. They are well very suited for applications where high VLT is required/desired. Once you get into the mid-to-dark VLT ranges, SC & LE start to even out (due to the high absorption of the Ceramics).

Dyed/Metal Hybrid automotive films may seem "old-school" but they aren't going away anytime soon. There are only three things that any window film can do (Reflect, Absorb,, Transmit) solar energy and it's always best to reflect (without looking reflective!)

-Howard

http://www.tintdude.com/forum/index.php/topic/67096-who-uses-metal-film-anymore/

Great site, I've spent too much time on. Personally, I think if you plan to keep your car longer then 4 or 5 years, then ensure to get a film that has a liftetime warranty against fading and color changing (turning purple). If you want to block a ton of heat without going very dark, the ceramic film is for you. You should probably avoid a metallic film for the Genesis due to all the electronics and even the owners manual advises not to use a metallic film. I believe a few on the forum have done fine using a metallic film, but they did NOT use it on the back window, only the sides.

 

[Ruissimo]

I'm very happy with the sputtered metal my detailer used. 35% all around.

 

[Gurkha]

I believe a few on the forum have done fine using a metallic film, but they did NOT use it on the back window, only the sides.

That is exactly what I did and have had zero issues including AM reception.

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[tompass]

Would love to do the tinting but NJ law is a pain. Can not do either of the front side windows or front window so just leaves rear window and two side rear windows. Given that we have the retracting screen for rear window, it does not seem worth it to do just the two rear side windows.

 

[Ruissimo]

Honestly, Tom... you should reconsider.

There is a noticeable difference in my back window now that it is tinted, and you're forgetting the rear quarter glass... the rear window and passenger/quarter windows tinted might still make a difference in the overall "darkness" of the cabin, and should reflect SOME heat in the summer.

The only problem with that setup is... you're gonna look "limousiney".

Something to think about though.

BEFORE AND AFTER:

 

[tompass]

Ruissimo- You summed it up, "limousiney" Your ride looks fantastic. I guess I should register my car in SC, where I have condo, and tint all the windows. I think even then the NJ State Police would stop me. Will give it some thought.

 

[Ruissimo]

Ruissimo- You summed it up, "limousiney" Your ride looks fantastic. I guess I should register my car in SC, where I have condo, and tint all the windows. I think even then the NJ State Police would stop me. Will give it some thought.

Thanks... I put up a quick gallery (see signature).

I'm not sure what the tint law is when it comes to registration state. I would think it's like a front license plate; can someone be pulled over and ticketed for not having a front plate in a state that requires one?

It's all a big mystery to me...

 

[scottdk]

Thanks... I put up a quick gallery (see signature).

I'm not sure what the tint law is when it comes to registration state. I would think it's like a front license plate; can someone be pulled over and ticketed for not having a front plate in a state that requires one?

It's all a big mystery to me...

In MN you can be ticketed for 5% tint even if you're plate is another state or country. I may not be correct, but I assume this would apply every state.

 

[Ruissimo]

In MN you can be ticketed for 5% tint even if you're plate is another state or country. I may not be correct, but I assume this would apply every state.

5% tint is almost completely black! That's just dangerous for LEO.

I found this:

At least the following nine states have been known to ticket out-of-state
cars for window tint violations. (even if the car complies with the tint
laws in the state that the car is registered in)

California
Florida
Indiana
Iowa
Maine
Missouri
Ohio <---- worst states, for the most tint ticket for out-of-state cars
Utah
Vermont

Can't tell you if it's true or not... but I would think a cop can do anything they want - up to a judge to decide, I suppose...

 

[scottdk]

5% tint is almost completely black! That's just dangerous for LEO.

I found this:


Can't tell you if it's true or not... but I would think a cop can do anything they want - up to a judge to decide, I suppose...

I was using 5% as an example so everyone would realize it's not legal, vs saying 35% and people getting confused with legallity of tint. I love 5% and have had it on 2 cars I've owned, but now days, I like the cops to leave me alone

What's LEO?

 

[Ruissimo]

I was using 5% as an example so everyone would realize it's not legal, vs saying 35% and people getting confused with legallity of tint. I love 5% and have had it on 2 cars I've owned, but now days, I like the cops to leave me alone

What's LEO?

Gotcha!

LEO = Law Enforcement Officer - I meant if you're an LEO, it's a downright dangerous situation, not being able to see inside the vehicle.

 

[OGennyofMine]

Get 3M film from a reputable car tinting/accessories place, don't go cheap. Expect to pay b/w $275-$350 depending on the darkness and location in the U.S. - It cost more in the midwest then say in FL or CA

 

[scottdk]

Get 3M film from a reputable car tinting/accessories place, don't go cheap. Expect to pay b/w $275-$350 depending on the darkness and location in the U.S. - It cost more in the midwest then say in FL or CA

My advise would be to consider many different film manufacters since there are a ton of quality films out there. Sticking to one brand limits the film possibilities, as well as price competitiveness.