yeah, but it looks so good. Seriously it had no noticeable effect on visibility from the inside, even at night. 50% is like piss water for tint.
Tint and a MS3...
- Thread starter AutoXRacer
- Start date
haha, you dont wanna know how much I paid for the tint on my P5. It was 20% on the windows in the doors, 5% on the hatch area windows(side and rear), 5% on the sunroof, 50% on the windshield, and a 5% strip at the top of the windshield. I think the total bill was $330(and that was after I asked the owner for a $50 discount cuz of all I was getting done)(upbum)
AutoXRacer
Member
A friend of mine from work said his guy would do the same tint for $140 and lifetime warranty... Hmm, I might just have to cancel the dealer job...
WOW, 13% is waaaay too dark!!! Looks awesome though...just that its totally blacked out... LOL
I think I'll do no more than 20-25%...
WOW, 13% is waaaay too dark!!! Looks awesome though...just that its totally blacked out... LOL
I think I'll do no more than 20-25%...
fourthmeal
Banned
IF you go with Platinum Plus, the 18% is awesome. Like I said, if I could do it again (and I might), I'd go with 18% Platinum. Otherwise I'm happy as heck with mine.
Once upon a time, about 6 years ago, I had a 2000 Celica GTS in Absolute Red. At that time, getting a shiny or almost mirrored tint was all the rage. I had a tint installed known as "Cool Chrome", in 25% if I recall. Man, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, and I wish I could find it again. It wasn't chrome, but at odd angles it reflected perfectly. Straight on, it was tinted with a gray hue. Amazing. The Platinum Plus stuff I put on was my closest match I could find.
Also, if you can come across someone who uses a computer plotter instead of a knife on the windows, do it. Yes, it costs more, and yes, it isn't easy to find. In fact, the place I use is the only one I know in Vegas, but there has to be more. Typically the guys who do professional tinting for large buildings are the ones that use this technology. Tint World, the ones I used, are the same guys who tinted the Wynn tower here, and some other casinos too. That plotter comes in handy for them, I bet! It all comes down to people getting bad tint jobs with scratches on their windows due to the tools used in the trade. With the plotter, they pre-cut the parts out and place them, so there is no blade touching the window. Further, the windshield banner is cut 100% perfectly and symmetrical, which can drastically change the overall look and makes it much more "stock." My banner is the 35% platinum, and it reflects more then it absorbs due to the windshield's high angle of attack vs. the side windows. As a result, it looks awesome. Much cooler then I thought it would. That small banner also blocks the sun from hitting my steering wheel at most parking angles in the day, so my hands are less fried.
Once upon a time, about 6 years ago, I had a 2000 Celica GTS in Absolute Red. At that time, getting a shiny or almost mirrored tint was all the rage. I had a tint installed known as "Cool Chrome", in 25% if I recall. Man, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, and I wish I could find it again. It wasn't chrome, but at odd angles it reflected perfectly. Straight on, it was tinted with a gray hue. Amazing. The Platinum Plus stuff I put on was my closest match I could find.
Also, if you can come across someone who uses a computer plotter instead of a knife on the windows, do it. Yes, it costs more, and yes, it isn't easy to find. In fact, the place I use is the only one I know in Vegas, but there has to be more. Typically the guys who do professional tinting for large buildings are the ones that use this technology. Tint World, the ones I used, are the same guys who tinted the Wynn tower here, and some other casinos too. That plotter comes in handy for them, I bet! It all comes down to people getting bad tint jobs with scratches on their windows due to the tools used in the trade. With the plotter, they pre-cut the parts out and place them, so there is no blade touching the window. Further, the windshield banner is cut 100% perfectly and symmetrical, which can drastically change the overall look and makes it much more "stock." My banner is the 35% platinum, and it reflects more then it absorbs due to the windshield's high angle of attack vs. the side windows. As a result, it looks awesome. Much cooler then I thought it would. That small banner also blocks the sun from hitting my steering wheel at most parking angles in the day, so my hands are less fried.
AutoXRacer
Member
Thanks for the write up Fourthmeal!!! I will try to find a shop that uses a plotter and check out that platinum ceramic tint...
Thanks again!!!
Thanks again!!!
yeah, the one shop I went to has a plotter
When I went there to get the front windows on my van tinted they wanted $84. I told them I could get it done for $65 around the corner with the same warranty, same film, everything...So the guys says, "yeah, but we computer cut everything and you'll be out of here in 5 minutes." Needless to say they still cut it by hand and i was there for 30 minutes I complained to the owner and got $20 off.
When I went there to get the front windows on my van tinted they wanted $84. I told them I could get it done for $65 around the corner with the same warranty, same film, everything...So the guys says, "yeah, but we computer cut everything and you'll be out of here in 5 minutes." Needless to say they still cut it by hand and i was there for 30 minutes
I complained to the owner and got $20 off.AutoXRacer
Member
Are there any concerns with cutting tint by hand...?
Have there been any horror stories? Does this affect our MS3 in anyway?
Have there been any horror stories? Does this affect our MS3 in anyway?
fourthmeal
Banned
yeah, the one shop I went to has a plotter
When I went there to get the front windows on my van tinted they wanted $84. I told them I could get it done for $65 around the corner with the same warranty, same film, everything...So the guys says, "yeah, but we computer cut everything and you'll be out of here in 5 minutes." Needless to say they still cut it by hand and i was there for 30 minutes
LOL!
That is hilarious. Its like, "Yeah, but we do it this way..."
And they just do it old-school anyway. HAHA!
I can see why you used the "rolleyes" smiley...
I watched the guys on my car, and I was blown away with how that plotter actually got it right. They were correct, no sharp tool ever touched the window...or paint or anything else for that matter.
fourthmeal
Banned
I used to do tint at my shop (I owned a shop for a short while in life), and when I did it, you'd use a break-off razor to cut it. The trouble is you are doing this on glass! If you go too deep, or miss, you'll cut rubber, paint, glass itself, etc. Not good. A plotter (especially one made for 3D) will properly size the film to fit exactly. This is a new technology, and it is one I'm all for. I HATED doing film, and only did it because it is in high demand when doing other custom work.
AutoXRacer
Member
Damn, you guys got me all worried now with this cutting by hand thing...
I might just not tint my windows after all... I don't want a cut up MS3.
Even if its just the glass...I have this thing that I like to keep my cars prestine... Just call me Monk... LOL
I might just not tint my windows after all... I don't want a cut up MS3.
Even if its just the glass...I have this thing that I like to keep my cars prestine... Just call me Monk... LOL
fourthmeal
Banned
I posted it to you because I'm also like that. Perfect or NOTHING. So, now you know why a shop can charge $150 or another can charge $300. Besides the tint of course, because there is a value line, and a high-end line. And they look similar coming off the roll, but not on the car!
AutoXRacer
Member
Just waiting for my business trip to end so I can get my darn windows tinted...and I get to get acquainted with my new car again... 
(drive2)
(drive2)
AutoXRacer
Member
Finally got the car tinted on Thursday morning...
I ended up getting Suntek tint since I was recommended a shop by a friend and thats what they used in addition to LLUMAR. I spoke with the tech and he assured me that there would be no difference in quality, life of product, etc... He installed a 30% charcoal dyed tint. I wanted to go darker, but I did not want to have visability issues at night; having to roll down the window to see other cars, signs, etc..
Needless to say, I am very happy with the tint... Its perfect at night and a little light during the day, but not too bad...
I ended up getting Suntek tint since I was recommended a shop by a friend and thats what they used in addition to LLUMAR. I spoke with the tech and he assured me that there would be no difference in quality, life of product, etc... He installed a 30% charcoal dyed tint. I wanted to go darker, but I did not want to have visability issues at night; having to roll down the window to see other cars, signs, etc..
Needless to say, I am very happy with the tint... Its perfect at night and a little light during the day, but not too bad...
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fourthmeal
Banned
lookin good bud!
superb man. i think legal here in FL now is like 28% front/20% rear so you're right above it and it still looks pretty dark. i'm gonna try for the legal limits, maybe 25% in the front or 20% all around since i've dealt with having 20% in my other car.
twin silver tinted photoshoot when i get done ?
silver is the hotness.
good call on not doing the cheesy front 6" strip either. i only approve of those on certain cars with super tall windshields, otherwise it's eh.
twin silver tinted photoshoot when i get done ?
silver is the hotness.good call on not doing the cheesy front 6" strip either. i only approve of those on certain cars with super tall windshields, otherwise it's eh.
AutoXRacer
Member
Thanks guys!!!
Fragchild, how come your wife got a Mazda3 and you got a Speed3...?
Is she jealous...?
Fragchild, how come your wife got a Mazda3 and you got a Speed3...?
Is she jealous...?
AutoXRacer
Member
I've never liked the way it looks on cars...plus the tint guy suggested I not do it since the windshield has that shade right above the rear view mirror and he said the tint would not come out good since it would have trouble adhering to the windshield due to the dots. He said there would be a lot of air trapped in there...
