That might be June!! 
Tinting decisions
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Tinting decisions
As soon as the weather in Chicago breaks, I'm planning to get my silver 2004 coupe windows tinted. I've got three reputable businesses in my area that I'm receiving quotes from. Aside from cost differences, and experience/knowledge with the rear dot matrix, they each use a different brand of film.
1. Sentry ceramic tint. Never heard of this one before, but I think it is part of SolarFree or SunBlade families?
2. 3M brand. Ceramic series, color stable series, and three versions of FX.
3. Llumar ATC dyed and CTX ceramic
I'm planning on 35% all around. I'm primarily looking for a quality product that rejects the heat, maintains a nice charcoal color (some appear more brown/gold to me), and has good clarity.
I certainly have to make decisions that are right for me when it comes to my cost and comfort level with the shops, but looking for some guidance and experience with the brands noted above from the folks here.
1. Sentry ceramic tint. Never heard of this one before, but I think it is part of SolarFree or SunBlade families?
2. 3M brand. Ceramic series, color stable series, and three versions of FX.
3. Llumar ATC dyed and CTX ceramic
I'm planning on 35% all around. I'm primarily looking for a quality product that rejects the heat, maintains a nice charcoal color (some appear more brown/gold to me), and has good clarity.
I certainly have to make decisions that are right for me when it comes to my cost and comfort level with the shops, but looking for some guidance and experience with the brands noted above from the folks here.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
I've used sunset glass & tint in woodridge for about 12 years I've recommended Brad to a bunch of friends and family he stand behind his work and his tint does not fade, he's done 5 cars for me and about 7 or 8 friends cars, I had one window started to peel after about 3 years called him and he redid it free (lifetime warranty) you might find cheaper but its worth the top notch service and quality tint he provides to spend a few extra bucks
stay away from dyed tint they fade...
stay away from dyed tint they fade...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
I've used sunset glass & tint in woodridge for about 12 years I've recommended Brad to a bunch of friends and family he stand behind his work and his tint does not fade, he's done 5 cars for me and about 7 or 8 friends cars, I had one window started to peel after about 3 years called him and he redid it free (lifetime warranty) you might find cheaper but its worth the top notch service and quality tint he provides to spend a few extra bucks
stay away from dyed tint they fade...
stay away from dyed tint they fade...
I will avoid the dyed as you suggested.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
So does anyone have any input on the various brands these shops are using? Does one stand out more than another? Llumar and 3M seem to be the most well-regarded, any particular series I should be seeking out?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,725
Likes: 149
From: chicago area IL.
I'm really cant say whats the best tint but what ever brad is using works well, one of the cars he did I had for about 6 years and it never faded or any thing and never peeled or bubbled
i think you should be more concerned on using a reputable shop with a lifetime guarantee, a good shop usually uses the better quality tint and takes there time to install it correctly vs a cheep shop that just wants to get you in and out and don't care about any thing that happens afterwards
another thing just so you know once tinted you will see some small bubbles/water in spots it can take up to a week in warm weather for them to dry out its common, i've had over 10+ cars tinted even my work trucks some had bubbles for a few days
i think you should be more concerned on using a reputable shop with a lifetime guarantee, a good shop usually uses the better quality tint and takes there time to install it correctly vs a cheep shop that just wants to get you in and out and don't care about any thing that happens afterwards
another thing just so you know once tinted you will see some small bubbles/water in spots it can take up to a week in warm weather for them to dry out its common, i've had over 10+ cars tinted even my work trucks some had bubbles for a few days
Last edited by Stroker87; Mar 2, 2015 at 09:57 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,008
Likes: 49
From: Hoover, AL NCM Life Member #2438
Look for Formula One Pinnacle..... Either 35 or 30% .... The 30% has an awesome hear rejection and is a full ceramic. I personally put llumar ATR 15% on all my car side/rear windows and 15% front doors with 35% on top of factory tinted rears on suv/trucks and pinnacle 50% on the windshield.
Last edited by 1FUNC5; Mar 2, 2015 at 11:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
I'm really cant say whats the best tint but what ever brad is using works well, one of the cars he did I had for about 6 years and it never faded or any thing and never peeled or bubbled
i think you should be more concerned on using a reputable shop with a lifetime guarantee, a good shop usually uses the better quality tint and takes there time to install it correctly vs a cheep shop that just wants to get you in and out and don't care about any thing that happens afterwards
i think you should be more concerned on using a reputable shop with a lifetime guarantee, a good shop usually uses the better quality tint and takes there time to install it correctly vs a cheep shop that just wants to get you in and out and don't care about any thing that happens afterwards
Look for Formula One Pinnacle..... Either 35 or 30% .... The 30% has an awesome hear rejection and is a full ceramic. I personally put llumar ATR 15% on all my car side/rear windows and 15% front doors with 35% on top of factory tinted rears on suv/trucks and pinnacle 50% on the windshield.
So far it seems I should go with 3M or Llumar, and coincidentally enough the shops that use these are also the ones I'm getting a better vibe from. The shop using the Sentry is the cheapest...read (get what I pay for?).
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 5
From: Nebraska
So far everything we've had tinted, which is all our vehicles, we've gone with the 3M product. The person that does our vehicles is the same person that does my work's ballistic films, (also 3M products). Haven't found a reason to switch. Product is top drawer along with this guy's workmanship. He did my pickup 11 years ago, and you still can't tell its a film.
My children are giving a surprise gift of tinting the Vette this year for my birthday. They just don't know it yet. This too will be the 3M.
My children are giving a surprise gift of tinting the Vette this year for my birthday. They just don't know it yet. This too will be the 3M.
Last edited by Drummingdad; Mar 3, 2015 at 09:38 PM. Reason: diction
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 901
Likes: 190
I just had my 2004 LeMans Blue coupe re-done, first shop was a joke. I had 35% tint all the way around the first time and just had 15% put on, so much nicer looking and no issues driving at night. Beside brand the advice i recieved was to use single layer material, works much better on the rear window. The dot matrix area on the rear window can be a real challange.