Cost of tinting

[Leesburgcapsfan]

I paid $90 to tint match my front two windows with FormulaOne Pinnacle Series tint. Could have got it done cheaper but Im all about quality.

What % does does it take to match the factory tint in the back?




Also , i thought i read somewhere that the factory tint doesnt help with blocking out heat from the car, its just a color thing. Does anyone know if thats correct?

 

[thebwlife]

I did 30% on back and 15% front for $300 - it matches.

 

[lilsid112]

What % does does it take to match the factory tint in the back?




Also , i thought i read somewhere that the factory tint doesnt help with blocking out heat from the car, its just a color thing. Does anyone know if thats correct?

The rear windows were metered at 28% I believe and doing the fronts in 30% matched perfectly.

You are corrected the rear windows are just colored glass from the factory. There is no film on them and do not block heat as having an actual film on the glass.

 

[chetJ]

Ok, so I checked in with my mechanic who was able to connect me with the guy who does the tints. He only uses Johnson Tints (Automotive Intro Page) and these tints come with a life time warranty.

 

[Leesburgcapsfan]

The rear windows were metered at 28% I believe and doing the fronts in 30% matched perfectly.

You are corrected the rear windows are just colored glass from the factory. There is no film on them and do not block heat as having an actual film on the glass.

:yo:

 

[Speedy Babo]

Hey, wanted to chime in here. I did a lot of research on tint before I got mine and wanted to share. Each brand has their own lineup. Basically, the bottom end are dyed films and metallic films (~$100-$200 for 9 windows), then carbon based films, then ceramic based (Seen quotes from $500-800 for 9 windows). The dyed films need to be darker in order to block more heat and can fade. Metallic films can mess with your radio/radar detector. Carbon and ceramic can block heat very well without having to resort to lower transmittance.

You can't go wrong with any ceramic based film from Huber Optik, Johnson, Llumar, 3M, etc. I have 3M crystalline and Solargard Ultra performance and each have their own distinctive color look to them. For example, the 3M crystalline has a silver sheen look and the Llumar Air Blue has a blue tint to it (seen from outside the vehicle).

If all you want is to match the windows and just look dark, I agree with many of the previous posters. Get it done at a reputable shop and get warranty. There are two types of warranties, the shop's and the film's. Ask if the shop warranties their work and hopefully they stay in business for a long time. Film warranty is if it discolors or falls apart, then any shop that is an authorized dealer of that film can replace it for you.

Long post I know, but hope it helps.

 

[chetJ]

Thank you Speedy Babo...that is great information.

 

[fdmstng99]

The rear windows were metered at 28% I believe and doing the fronts in 30% matched perfectly.

You are corrected the rear windows are just colored glass from the factory. There is no film on them and do not block heat as having an actual film on the glass.

I did 20% to my front windows and it's a pretty close match to that back windows.

 

[Diver Deuce]

$150 to tint just the front windows is very expensive, I had all my windows and windshield strip done for $135 w/ lifetime warranty.

 

[Florida Vince]

$150 is way tooo expensive. We had 11 pieces of glass tinted with Llumar ceramic plus the strip for $310:

15% Llumar ceramic on fronts
50% Llumar ceramic on rears / tailgate over factory tint
Llumar Air Blue ceramic on windshield and sunroof
5" Llumar ceramic strip across windshield

Price was $60 less ($250) to use Llumar non ceramic all around but I declined. We'll have the 4R for a long time so we decided to do it once and do it right. They (Art's Window Tint - Melbourne, Fl) have done over ten vehicles (including our '13 Camry) for us, our family and friends over the years and have done a superb job every time.

I'd keep shopping ...

 

[platinumb]

There is a lot to consider when buying tint, I don't install tint but one of my employees does and we carry about 15 different rolls of film ranging Widely In price. Keep in mind there are many different grades of tint even from the same manufacturer, my personal favorite is the llumar ceramic film. Put it on my wife's BMW a few weeks ago and it looks great!

 

[platinumb]

$150 is way tooo expensive. We had 11 pieces of glass tinted with Llumar ceramic plus the strip for $310:

15% Llumar ceramic on fronts
50% Llumar ceramic on rears / tailgate over factory tint
Llumar Air Blue ceramic on windshield and sunroof
5" Llumar ceramic strip across windshield

Price was $60 less ($250) to use Llumar non ceramic all around but I declined. We'll have the 4R for a long time so we decided to do it once and do it right. They (Art's Window Tint - Melbourne, Fl) have done over ten vehicles (including our '13 Camry) for us, our family and friends over the years and have done a superb job every time.

I'd keep shopping ...

That's actually a pretty good deal you got on tint. That stuff isn't cheap, I pay about 350 for a 100' roll of llumar ceramic 35%

 

[Renegad44]

In April 2011, had my LE tinted with 35% Llumar, all doors, rear window, and sunroof, $250. and change. Just bought my wife a 2013 ES350 two weeks ago and tinted hers, 35% Llumar all around, plus sunroof, for $269. and some change. No windshield tint on neither.

 

[jspagna1]

I had my two front windows done with 3M tint 35% and they charged me like $85. I think $150 is too much.

 

[ZJumper]

Formula 1 Pinnacle 15% all windows (except the windshield) was $300.

Yes, it's dark. No, I don't have a problem at night. No, it doesn't conform to CA law. Never been pulled over for the tinting. No, I don't care...just roll down the fronts if the cops pull you over.

The heat reduction is incredibly nice, as well as lack of glare from headlights behind you. Just these two things along make it worth it.