[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Hey Everyone,

I don't know about you, but I think that tint drastically improves the look of cars. The only problem is that tint can run upwards of $300, so a few years ago I began tinting myself.

Here is a video that will show some of what's required so you can try it yourself. Although this is my brothers car, I have a clip in there of me working on my F30.

[RoundelM3]

It's been said many times that you don't get what you don't pay for. The better tint films alone will cost more than $35. The side windows are relatively easy, but the compound curves in the F3x rear window increase the degree of difficulty.

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Originally Posted by roundel335

It's been said many times that you don't get what you don't pay for. The better tint films alone will cost more than $35. The side windows are relatively easy, but the compound curves in the F3x rear window increase the degree of difficulty.

Although I agree that you get what you pay for, I guess it's all in what you're looking for in tint as far as quality is concerned. Most of these films come with a lifetime guarantee (even the $35 ones), so if it was ever to change colors or fade, they will replace it. Other than the color change, I can never tell if a tint is a ceramic or some of the different types out there, so I always just go with the lower price option. I will recommend that you get a 2 ply film, as the 1 ply is more difficult to work with..

As far as the heat shrinking is concerned, I will agree that it is a little bit more challenging because of the curve, but after you do it a few times, you can basically tint anything..

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by bkkeys

Although I agree that you get what you pay for, I guess it's all in what you're looking for in tint as far as quality is concerned. Most of these films come with a lifetime guarantee (even the $35 ones), so if it was ever to change colors or fade, they will replace it. Other than the color change, I can never tell if a tint is a ceramic or some of the different types out there, so I always just go with the lower price option. I will recommend that you get a 2 ply film, as the 1 ply is more difficult to work with..

As far as the heat shrinking is concerned, I will agree that it is a little bit more challenging because of the curve, but after you do it a few times, you can basically tint anything..

Put it under the Texas sun, and you'll be able to tell.

[Bryan_KiesMotorsports]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Put it under the Texas sun, and you'll be able to tell.

Lol, okay so maybe tint quality matters more in the south... I'm in the North East..

[dman918]

I would say that regardless of the film you get, tint quality is very dependent on the installer. I've had installation nightmares on some of my cars, so to me, I know that when I pay $250 for tint, I'm paying for the installer to do a great job. You're fortunate to be talented enough to do it yourself. Me.... I'll stick to the pros.

[_bdiddyb_]

Yup - I paid 300 bucks to the pro's. Laser cut to exact fitting, life time warranty on bubbling & fading. 3 years - still dark like limousine.

[Adamr916]

Just got solar adaptive tint put on my car, it alone for the front 2 windows ran me $250, doing a whole car runs around $600. I had 20% all around, but between the inspection and getting tired of not being able to see our the windows at night, it was time for new tint. The solar adaptive starts out at a legal 35%(Texas) but will darken to around 20% when in direct sunlight.

[smithf80]

$300? Here in NY you can have a pro do it for $175 and it will be perfect.

Not to mention the dot matrix issues, take a pro to tint properly over them.