MetalMan2

Recently pulled the old tint off my Z06, and made an attempt at DIY window tinting. That didn't go so well after lots of wasted film (disappointing because I literally do everything to my cars). Was attempting with film I bought off ebay that's supposed to be Huper Optik ceramic.

My goals are ceramic tint possibly Llumar CTX or IRX, and full windshield in 70-80% (i.e. Llumar Air80).
I don't know if it's just my area (Orange County, CA) but prices are ridiculous! Best price on Llumar IRX + windshield is about $600. Some "higher-end" shops are looking at nearly $1k for Llumar! Off-brand (but top-level) is about $480. One shop gave a 3M Crystalline quote of $1400.

There's a guy really local (he's based in my community) who says he uses Johnson ceramic, and quoted $300. He's not very responsive, though... which doesn't make me feel good if I ever have a problem.

Now, I want a great end result and it's worth paying a little more for better film, but I also want to minimize how much $$$ I'm "wasting" on my 19-year-old car.

Anybody tint their Z06 or FRC lately and have any insight on pricing?

chris308

I buy the pre-cut stuff off ebay and do my own.

Patches

You're in OC so go to Tint Masters. You will not be disappointed. They know how to handle the dots in the rear so the film does not bubble. Good pricing too. They know their stuff - did my C7 and it is still perfect after several years sitting in the SoCal sun at work all day.


10782 Central Ave, Ontario, CA 91762
(909) 465-5642

MetalMan2

Thanks for the recommendation, I submitted a quote request. Admittedly they're a little far (45mins) compared to the local places (<10mins) but I'm not opposed if the price and quality are good.

Patches

Understood. I live in Lake Elsinore and drove there from home to have my C7 done so was an even longer drive. It was well worth the drive.

LowcountryVette

$1400? Damn California is expensive. I paid $500 to get the windows + hatch done in 3M ceramic IR on my coupe.

Vetteman Jack

For a good tint shop, make the drive. It will be worth it in the long run.

c4gone

Dang those are high. The place that's been tinting my cars for over 15 years charges reasonable with a lifetime warranty and 3m or ceramic. He quoted me 250 to redo my 98 coupe.

Ramets

It's not just the tint that's high, EVERYTHING is high priced in Cali, that's why this native Californian packed up and got outta dodge years ago.

LowcountryVette

Looks like you picked the best state too, not that I’m biased or anything.

monarch

$1400?!?! Thats insane... A friend here in RI had his sedan tinted at a local place and I believe it was 275. Granted, it was likely a more generic vinyl but the $1400 dollar quote is just mind boggling.

MetalMan2

So, nobody has any specific recent experience with tinting their C5 Z06/FRC? Particularly with ceramic film?

The $1400 quote is indeed extreme... but it's probably one of the best/most expensive films, and it's the entire car. That company also strongly advertises having a top-of-the-line warranty/guarantee. Obviously I won't be going that route, though.

Still waiting on a response from Tint Masters, I may just call them later.

Did that include windshield? The "normal" pricing I'm seeing is $400 side + rear windows and $200 for windshield in ceramic IR type film.

LowcountryVette

Nothing done to windshield. I found the invoice and it was actually $450 not $500. So $400 for side+rear seems about right for ceramic on an frc.

c4gone

I agree. That's about right. I'm wondering how much Corvette taxes and fees happen when tint shops or accessory shops see a Vette pull in. "STEAK AND LOBSTER TONIGHT!"

knewblewkorvette

$600 to $1400 (we need a drop dead emoji)
That's way high compared to what it costs in Iowa (tint is illegal in Iowa but I tint my vehicles anyway)

JBird3

I paid $300 this summer for ceramic on the windows and rear. Z06 not the coupe which would have added to the cost.

jjc508520

Mine was about $600 - top-line 3M film and with the FRC rear window they did "black vinyl" at the top where the dots are and it came out great. Now I have to deal with NJ inspection in Sept - everyone says "they don't check this" - but they did fail me a few years back in my 4runner over tint....

MetalMan2

Time to close the loop on this.
I got a bunch of quotes from local shops (Yelp makes it SUPER easy to send out batch quote requests).
Found a local shop that is primarily a car wash/detail place, but they also have a separate space for window tinting:
https://www.beachcitiescarwash.com/
They had amazing communication, and offered (without me asking) to match the price of another quote I got.

So, for $480 I got:
-($300): Llumar CTX film, 50% sides and 35% rear
-($180): Llumair Air80 film on the windshield

They didn't a pretty good job with the dot matrix. This car was previously tinted (I removed the old film) so it's possible the dot matrix was already prepped (sanded?).
There are a couple tiny artifacts that likely can just be heated from the outside and closed up.

jjc508520

My guys wanted to do the windshield - but decided against this as I have HUD....

cv67

As said drive some to get a good job, too many hacks.

x2 on getting out when you can its not worth it unless you got $ means.
80k in sfv, scv left me broke and working 7 days a week f that.