Tinting my windows... lil help now!

[dibxna]

looking at tinting my e90 lemans blue m3.

anything I need to be aware of?

I know there are problems with the tint being scratched as I read on a few other threads - is this something I can bring up to the tint company and they will know how to work around either by felting the rollers or shaving them down?

any recommendations? any words of caution?

my last car came tinted already so I didnt have to worry about it so its been several years since ive been through the tint game.

[bmstyle71]

Originally Posted by dibxna

looking at tinting my e90 lemans blue m3.

anything I need to be aware of?

I know there are problems with the tint being scratched as I read on a few other threads - is this something I can bring up to the tint company and they will know how to work around either by felting the rollers or shaving them down?

any recommendations? any words of caution?

my last car came tinted already so I didnt have to worry about it so its been several years since ive been through the tint game.

i have 20 all over and i went to this place in orlando to get them done....nothing special... some people will tell u to get the 600 dollar tints otherwise the car will break down....like seriously i spent 150 bux on mine and they came out SWEET its been 1.5 years and they look like new to this day.

on that note dont get the 20 dollar tints either...

heres a pic (old pic before my springs and what have you)

[Bosna]

I just had an 18% tint done all throughout. Total was $180, and it came out FLAWLESS. It looks absolutely fantastic. The car looks much more aggressive now. Make sure to use a reputable place to do it; a lot of places do a poor job of tinting over the metallic dots near the edges of the windows.

[walsh]

Bimmers (along with some other cars) have a dot matrix around the windows. Tints don't really stick to this dot matrix very well. Some places use a "special" glue to try and make it stick better but I've never seen it come out perfect. Just something to be aware of.

[ase93]

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Originally Posted by Bosna

I just had an 18% tint done all throughout. Total was $180, and it came out FLAWLESS. It looks absolutely fantastic. The car looks much more aggressive now. Make sure to use a reputable place to do it; a lot of places do a poor job of tinting over the metallic dots near the edges of the windows.

I just got my windows tinted at 20% still waiting the three days to roll them down... all the bubbles are out looks great... I didn't have any problems with any scratching or the sort.

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by bwalshy99

Bimmers (along with some other cars) have a dot matrix around the windows. Tints don't really stick to this dot matrix very well. Some places use a "special" glue to try and make it stick better but I've never seen it come out perfect. Just something to be aware of.

the dot matrix issue seems to more of problem on the coupe rather than the sedan's, from what I've read

[dibxna]

has anyone had any problems with the tint scratching? if so have you taken steps to repair it and what did you do?

[ES_TRADER]

if u go to premier in socal, they instal this felt thing, i think its felt, called tint guard to prevent the door frame from putting in those vertical scratch lines

[dibxna]

Originally Posted by richpuer

if u go to premier in socal, they instal this felt thing, i think its felt, called tint guard to prevent the door frame from putting in those vertical scratch lines

socal as in san diego? or more south LA area?

i live in phoenix but its a 4 hour drive and I have buddies out in both places so this could be a decent option if I can't find a reputable place locally... youd think with all the exotics and hot sun in arizona thered be a place here that people flock to for service on this topic.

[ramyar]

Check out Tint Protector. They have a product they supposedly designed specifically to prevent scratches on your tint. May be better than the one tint shops use (if any) and since I don't want to open up my door panel more than necessary, I got some to have my tint shop use instead. Last thing I want is to be parked in the heat, have some other felt's adhesive melt and all over my tint.
http://www.tintprotector.com/bmw/index.htm

[dvpouldar26]

Just beware of the dot matrix. Tint doesn't stick well there sometimes. Some tinters just tint over it, some sand it down, and some, like done in mine, put a strip of black vinyl over it which looks the most OEM and clean imo.

[dwangvlee]

i have premier put in the diamond cut tint on my e90 2011 last week. cost is about $200more than most other places. the quality and workmanship is exellent. 73% on windshield (not legal in cali) - very light, got it to give some uv protection. 50% on all other 5 panes (still on the light side, but hopefully, not attract attention from law...). 20% would look much more aggressive
i also have them install felt guard. they are around $16 extra per window.
they will do a one month check. at that time, they will fix any problems and touch up on the mat dot.
expansive, but top notch material and service with life time warranty.
highly recommended.

[ES_TRADER]

Originally Posted by dibxna

socal as in san diego? or more south LA area?

i live in phoenix but its a 4 hour drive and I have buddies out in both places so this could be a decent option if I can't find a reputable place locally... youd think with all the exotics and hot sun in arizona thered be a place here that people flock to for service on this topic.

premier is in socal...and norcal...they do sometimes go on mobile tours..not sure where, but definitely worth it...they are awesome...and their IR tint has this blueish gray tinge that looks awesome in the sun.

[johnL]

used premier as well for several years now. Have never been disappointed with the clear bra and tint. Last time I went to Premier for my father in law's car, it did take almost 3 weeks to book because they were so packed. That says something about their rep

[fastsupra]

Originally Posted by ramyar

Check out Tint Protector. They have a product they supposedly designed specifically to prevent scratches on your tint. May be better than the one tint shops use (if any) .http://www.tintprotector.com/bmw/index.htm

+1 I have the Tint Protector felt on three of my cars. No problems in almost 5 years. It's recommended. You only have to remove two screws to get at the inner weather strip to install the felt.

[SlamMan]

Originally Posted by fastsupra

+1 I have the Tint Protector felt on three of my cars. No problems in almost 5 years. It's recommended. You only have to remove two screws to get at the inner weather strip to install the felt.

+2 You'll definitely want to use this on the sedan. My tint scratched the first time I rolled the window down. Still haven't installed mine yet and haven't rolled down my windows since.

I'd be hard pressed to spend much more than $250 on tint. I'd look at Wincos, Pinnacle F1 or Suntek Carbon XP. Three great, top of the line products. Huper Optik will out perform those slightly but I believe it's more expensive, more reflective and a pain to install as I understand. If there's a film out there with better performance numbers than any of those, that's been independently tested, it would be worth considering.

[1SICKM]

So you have to take the entire door panel off to install the tint protector?

[Alex1911]

Ask the installer if he'll remove your panels (even if you aren't going to get him to), if not, walk.

Ask to see his work bay, if it's messy/dirty, walk.

If you don't like the guy, walk.

The installer recommended by everyone here screwed up my car, scratched the tint, stuff in between the tint, etc. I didn't feel comfortable with the guy, but went with everyone's recommendation... Now we're going to court.

[dwangvlee]

what happened? i'm surprised they would not correct the problem.

[Alex1911]

Originally Posted by dwangvlee

what happened? i'm surprised they would not correct the problem.

Didn't sharpen his tools and rushed is what the other tint shops have told me, then got a bunch of excuses, he scratched my A-pillar and dented the rear of the pax seat, there is more to it, but he basically said he would re-do two windows and that was it. Every tinter I have had look at it just shook their head and said it should never have left like that. I won't let him touch my car after the poor job he did and his attitude is even worse.

He actually tried to blame me, I returned to speak with him the very next morning.

Scratches, glue, a couple of hairs, bubbles, pretty bad tint job.

Forgot to write down my mileage when I dropped it off, but I'm pretty positive he took it for a spin as well, 4-5 miles.

[fastsupra]

Originally Posted by 1SICKM

So you have to take the entire door panel off to install the tint protector?

You dont' have to remove it. You take out three screws and pop it open. It's easy.

[dibxna]

appreciate all the feedback on this topic - will be tinting before spring just trying to figure out what all ill be doing. my last tint job cost me 325 dollars and wasnt worth it in my opinion. the tint job that came preinstalled on my s60r was crappy as well so ive grown weary of which place to use.