Tint cost?

[JMJinNC]

I'm in central NC. Just curious who go their 5 tinted and how much it cost.

Thanks in advance - JMJ

 

[Silentnoise713]

prices vary by location and quality of tint but to give you an idea.

Mazda5:
Johnson film, unsure of series - $230 (previous Mz5)
SunTek, mid series - $220 (quoted)
3M Color Stable - $320 (current car)

 

[JMJinNC]

Thanks for info - did you install yourself? I've got a quote for $300-$400 installed locally.

Premium Dyed Film:
35% Heat rejection
Smoked/Colored Film
5 Year Warranty
Price: $299.99

Ultimate Carbon Film:
71% Heat Rejection
99% UV Ray Rejection
Neutral/Natural black film
Non metallic/non dyed film
Will not fade/peel/bubble over time
Lifetime Warranty
Price: $399.99.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Thanks for info - did you install yourself? I've got a quote for $300-$400 installed locally.

Premium Dyed Film:
35% Heat rejection
Smoked/Colored Film
5 Year Warranty
Price: $299.99

Ultimate Carbon Film:
71% Heat Rejection
99% UV Ray Rejection
Neutral/Natural black film
Non metallic/non dyed film
Will not fade/peel/bubble over time
Lifetime Warranty
Price: $399.99.

Here's my most recent experience:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123830695-Mazda5-Pre-cut-Tint&p=6176213#post6176213

Thankfully I did not DIY. Given the cost of raw material alone for Color Stable, if I had messed up two windows, it would have covered the labor cost... Even the installer messed up 4 windows worth of film... Shudder to think the experlatives coming out of me


You should find out exactly the brand and series of the film they quoted you on. Tintdude forum is a great resource to research on quality of film. It seems to be mostly installers talking about the latest and greatest in products and you can probably find a really good installer from there. Be forewarned there is a lot of bias since each shop picks and chooses to carry a certain line so naturally they will favor it. You'd have to look up each produce line individually and make your own judgment.


Oh and you can negotiate!!!
The same place I called twice (by mistake) and was quoted $320 then later $350.

 

[thaxman]

prices vary by location and quality of tint but to give you an idea.

Mazda5:
Johnson film, unsure of series - $230 (previous Mz5)
SunTek, mid series - $220 (quoted)
3M Color Stable - $320 (current car)

Thanks for info - did you install yourself? I've got a quote for $300-$400 installed locally.

Premium Dyed Film:
35% Heat rejection
Smoked/Colored Film
5 Year Warranty
Price: $299.99

Out here, its a commodity.

I paid $180
...AND...
They scraped off the old stuff - included in price.
Went darkest legal in AZ - 35% front door windows, 5% remaining 5 windows, 5% visor.
Got pics around here somewhere....

 

[Rally Man]

Got a custom two layer tint job. Forgot the percentage of tint, dark in the back (but not super dark either) and medium in the two front. First layer is a transparent blue, the second is a dark semi mirror tint. So makes the blue semi reflective. I've never seen another car that has a tint like mine, unless it's a Honda Fit, which was the first car I did this tint to. It was $400.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Out here, its a commodity.

I paid $180
...AND...
They scraped off the old stuff - included in price.
Went darkest legal in AZ - 35% front door windows, 5% remaining 5 windows, 5% visor.
Got pics around here somewhere....

Wow, that's cheap for a Mz5. Does anyone in AZ NOT have tint?

Hopefully more folks will give feedback so we can build a general guideline for others. But you should also lits the tint manufacturer and series used for the mentioned price. Every tint manufacture carries ~3-4 series (from cheap to high end) and prices vary DRASTICALLY. Know that the general rule applies: you get what you pay for (e.g. 3M Color Stable can withstand windex/ammonia based cleaners and not turn purple/fade and no it is not the most premium film out there).


Another tip, some LEOs (law enforcement officers) are more anal about exceeding ‘legal’ limit just to cash in on fit it tickets for their county –nothing you can do about that. However, some are just profiling you + justifiable cause to pull you over. If you do get pulled over, drop your windows, turn on your dome light, keep you hands visible, and be cordial. They just want to be safe and be able to “SEE” you and not get surprised when they walk up to your window. This comes from a very reliable source

 

[JMJinNC]

Great info. An impromptu database is a good idea. The tint shop called and I asked if it was 3m film (it wasn't) but I forget which brand.

FWIW - despite requesting email communication only, I got 3 phone calls from this tint shop with "hey buddy, got your quote - come in today we're having a sale". Seriously annoying at this point.

JMJ

 

[Cackalacka]

JMJ,
I got my 5 tinted in Raleigh for $300. I believe it was at Formula One. I'm happy with the job but it took much longer than they said it would - like 5 hours.

 

[LtStiles]

I had my (now deceased) Escort ZX2 tinted at Tinted Image in Garner for $200 including the visor. IIRC You can get a quote from them online. I know that they use 3M.

 

[thaxman]

Don't know what mfr my tinter uses, but the Mz5 was car #3. The Subaru is still on the road around here and the tint is still every bit as good as when new - 6 years ago. When we had it, it was outside all day long, and considering I sold it for $1600, I bet its new home is not in a garage, either.

BTW, to answer a question, about 20-25% of Zoni car owners go without tint. Mostly old people, I think.

 

[mazdadude]

I paid $200 several years ago, and when I picked it up the installer was grumbling that he would charge another $100 the next time he had to do a Mazda5...

 

[Car54]

Picking up a 5 today and plan to tint the windows (in Florida). Thinking about getting the front sides and the rear window about 20% and the back sides and glare strip "limo" darkness. Anyone do it this way, lighten up the rear window for night time viz.

Quote for cheap tint $159, 3M $199.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Picking up a 5 today and plan to tint the windows (in Florida). Thinking about getting the front sides and the rear window about 20% and the back sides and glare strip "limo" darkness. Anyone do it this way, lighten up the rear window for night time viz.

Quote for cheap tint $159, 3M $199.

I know a few people who have 20% front and 5% rear and back (not Mz5). I don't like it but the rear is super private. Pain to reverse in dark, rainy, foggy conditions. Not LEO friendly either, around here.

Is that 3M FX or Color Stable? Very nice quotes for a Mz5 that's for sure.

For those who don't want dark tint but want the UV and heat protection, 3M's Crystalline or Huper Optik Ceramic would be the way to go but can run in the $500 and up range. Science is awesome but damn expensive.

 

[Car54]

I know a few people who have 20% front and 5% rear and back (not Mz5). I don't like it but the rear is super private. Pain to reverse in dark, rainy, foggy conditions. Not LEO friendly either, around here.

Is that 3M FX or Color Stable? Very nice quotes for a Mz5 that's for sure.

For those who don't want dark tint but want the UV and heat protection, 3M's Crystalline or Huper Optik Ceramic would be the way to go but can run in the $500 and up range. Science is awesome but damn expensive.

I'm hoping the lighter rear window will help at night. This 3M quote was the cheapest one, I think that's FX.

I'll post pics if I get it done.

 

[Car54]

Went with 3M FX Premium 20% all around and glare strip. Cost was $238 with tax.

 

[JMJinNC]

Good info, Car54. Was the shop a chain or independent? Rear window 20% as well?

Thanks - JMJ

 

[Car54]

Independent. There aren't many tint chains here in Tampa. Yes to 20% on rear windows, all windows. The Crystalline demo was really freaky and neat. I'll use it on my personal vehicles next time...I wanted privacy for my work runaround van.

 

[steadypimpin]

Got my 5 tinted for free. It's good to be buddies with a tint guy.

 

[Car54]

Got my 5 tinted for free. It's good to be buddies with a tint guy.

At least you can tell us what free tint you were given...