Mazda5 Pre-cut Tint?

[Silentnoise713]

Anyone here have experience with "computer-cut" tint on their Mz5??

I'm not talking about the eBay DIY tint (thought I imagine they are cut from the same template). I'm looking to tint my '08GT and found a local shop that has decent reviews, price, and quality film but they use computer-cut film instead of hand cutting. They quoted $220 for SunTek metal film (unsure if Infinity OP or the High performance tint) and $320 for 3M Color Stable. I'm leaning toward a premium tint for the kiddies.

I previously had my '08 Sport tinted for $220 using Johnson film (not sure of the series). I've used the same tint guy who hand cuts for over 15 years. long story short, I'm looking for something new.

-How much was your tint job and what quality film (material is expensive)?
-Hand cut or computer cut?
-Do the templates cover all windows perfectly?

Thanks.

 

[Premacy5]

I use LLumar Ceramic precut I bought online and the cut are perfect. I think I paid around $100 for material only for ceramic. To get it done I was quoted $450 for the whole car. Off course it does not look as good as profesional job but that is something I am willing to take for $350 saving. The Metalized or ceramic makes big difference in heat rejection. Its much more comfortable in the summer. It supposed to make it warmer in the winter too but could not tell.

Computer cut are more consistent and you should not be worried about it.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Thanks for the feedback. Can you confirm if the two small front corner pieces (between front windshield and front passenger window) fit well? That is probably the most challenging on this car b/c there’s no edge or overlap. The paper would have to fit perfectly.

I thought about buying precut and DIY but wasn’t confident if pre-cut mean prefect cut. It should be pretty easy to do on the Mz5 since all windows are flat. There are no curves on the rear windshield to worry about the need to stretch/shrink to fit. Out of curiosity, I’ve tint a car once in the past via hand cutting tint and it turned out pretty good. It just took too much time and a lot of waste which I cannot afford on a high dollar film. Also, time is luxury for me and the pros do it best.

Which of the LLumar series did you get for $100? There’s an ebay seller that carries both the LLumar ATC ($91) and 3M ColorGuard ($195) for the Mz5. Given the cost of raw material alone, I guess $320 for quoted 3M isn’t too bad. Thanks for putting it in perspective.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAZDA-5-MAZ...ies&hash=item20d0f78b02&vxp=mtr#ht_7472wt_946

 

[kw_da]

Just a comment on the 3m Color Stable - we have it on our 2005 M5 in Southern CA - it is really color stable - no fading in ~ 7 years. Make sure you get the 3M warranty card if they offer it. Metallic tints may interfere with GPS and/or cellphone signals. Pricing of installed tint appear to be really region specific, I think because it is really labor intensive.

 

[Premacy5]

I got mine done 2 years ago. Its the Llumar CTX nano ceramic film. I just check it went up to $120 now. The rear windshield are the hardest for me. I got one piece rear windshield. They used to offer strip for rear windshield which should be easier to install. The front triangle are definitely tricky to fit since its pretty tight to get in there.
http://www.tintzoom.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=WTK-5049

 

[Silentnoise713]

Had the shop tint the car this past weekend. My advice, avoid precut tint if you can. Find yourself a reputable/experience tint guy. This shop lauds they been in business for over 20 years and is the exclusive authorized 3M dealer in city – I can believe that (not simply b/c they said so). The problem is the owner indeed started doing the gritty work himself but now runs the shop and has two young guys doing the actual work. Let’s just say they had to waste four large windows worth, 3 due to their error and 1 where the precut was short on coverage (or they moved it too high). Perhaps precuts are ok and the error lies in the installers.

The shop has a fancy computerized table top machine with window specs to cut the tint on the spot. I still much prefer my older tint guy but unfortunate he exclusively carries Johnson film, which I’ve have very good results with but now that the little ones are back there, I want film that is most effective at UV, glare, heat rejection (within a reasonable price). The shop owner keep trying to push SunTek (cheaper) but I knew what I wanted and he later agreed. We started chatting and it turns out the guy I’ve been going to started out working for him and he heavily praised them for great work. At the end, 3M is the right film for my needs. He also said 3M film cost twice as much as the others.

Very happy with the product, not a fan of pre cut but I guess this might be installer fault, and a big no no if the guys doing the tinting don’t have years of experience. I’m glad I didn’t attempt to DIY b/c I would have wasted a lot of film and at this point, it would have cost me a lot.

I got mine done 2 years ago. Its the Llumar CTX nano ceramic film. I just check it went up to $120 now. The rear windshield are the hardest for me. I got one piece rear windshield. They used to offer strip for rear windshield which should be easier to install. The front triangle are definitely tricky to fit since its pretty tight to get in there.
http://www.tintzoom.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=WTK-5049

Ugg, strips for the rear way too tacky and looks terrible. Glad it worked out for you.