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I stayed up way too late last night reading stuff all over the web about window tinting products, practices, etc. It seems that to do the job correctly some specialized equipment is needed. In addition, the back 9-3 window is rather large and requires extra work by the installer to get it in as one piece which some folks seem to suggest is preferable. Installer can heat-meld two pieces of film to make one large enough to fit the window. While tinting can be removed, it seems that it would make a huge mess in your car. I'm not even sort of willing to risk the pain and distress of trashing my car. I work too much, have too many projects at home, to take it on myself. One site said if you plan on doing this as a hobby or even side profession then there's nothing wrong with purchasing the tools to do it, but for a single car, find a good installer and pay someone to do it right.
Here's a good list of questions for your installer I found last night:
1. How many cars do you tint? How long will it take?
2. Can I see examples of your work?
3. What are the local laws?
4. What is the guarantee?
5. What brand and type tinting does the price include? Make sure you understand the warranty for the type of film quoted.
6. How do you finish the top edge of roll down windows? Is there a gap, or no gap?
7. Will the rear window be installed in one piece?
Question #5 is an important one:
- Apparently metal-based tinting products usually are the most expensive but come with a lifetime warrantee. Most of the manufacturers claim this material will still be in existence even after the car has outlived it's usefulness. They come with the trade-off of possibly interfering with cellar devices (phone, GPS) that do not use externally mounted antennas since there are literally metal particles embedded in the film. If you have a cell phone plan on getting a good hands-free kit with external antenna installed. I already have a Nokia H/F kit with external antenna and will insist on this grade.
- Hybrid products (dye & metal) are cheaper but tend to not come with as good a warrantee and will eventually change color.
- Pure dye products are the cheapest and may only last a couple of years with most turning that nausea-inducing purple after a while. If you respect your car avoid this stuff.
Your mileage may vary but hopefully this is useful to anyone else considering this. I am happy to find that despite my initial misgivings it seems that it is possible to get a good professional looking after-market tinting done but as with all things it comes at a price.
I'll post here once I've gotten the job completed with pricing details, product used, etc.
John
Atlanta
'01 Viggen
posted by 66.156.111...
, Mon, 20 May 2002 21:04:26
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