[Z06] Recent window tint pricing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1,381
From: Orange County, CA
Recent window tint pricing
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 $$$ I'm "wasting" on my 19-year-old car.
Anybody tint their Z06 or FRC lately and have any insight on pricing?
(disappointing because I literally do everything to my cars). Was attempting with film I bought off ebay that's supposed to be Huper Optik ceramic.My goals are ceramic tint possibly Llumar CTX or IRX, and full windshield in 70-80% (i.e. Llumar Air80).
I don't know if it's just my area (Orange County, CA) but prices are ridiculous! Best price on Llumar IRX + windshield is about $600. Some "higher-end" shops are looking at nearly $1k for Llumar! Off-brand (but top-level) is about $480. One shop gave a 3M Crystalline quote of $1400.
There's a guy really local (he's based in my community) who says he uses Johnson ceramic, and quoted $300. He's not very responsive, though... which doesn't make me feel good if I ever have a problem.
Now, I want a great end result and it's worth paying a little more for better film, but I also want to minimize how much $$$ I'm "wasting" on my 19-year-old car.
Anybody tint their Z06 or FRC lately and have any insight on pricing?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
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
10782 Central Ave, Ontario, CA 91762
(909) 465-5642
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1,381
From: Orange County, CA
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
10782 Central Ave, Ontario, CA 91762
(909) 465-5642
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,946
Likes: 24,703
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
For a good tint shop, make the drive. It will be worth it in the long run.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1,381
From: Orange County, CA
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.
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.
Last edited by MetalMan2; Aug 26, 2020 at 01:50 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 381
From: SC
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.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 217
From: Victoria tx
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!"
(we need a drop dead emoji) 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 460
From: East Windsor NJ
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....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1,381
From: Orange County, CA
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.
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
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.
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.
Last edited by cv67; Sep 8, 2020 at 01:43 PM.