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      04-19-2012, 02:51 PM   #1
Blade929
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Thumbs up Review: Window Tint - Absolute Perfection - MD F1 Pinnacle

http://www.aptinting.com/

Absolute Perfection
5399 Enterprise Street Ste 3
Sykesville, Maryland 21784

So I guess I should start with a little history. I’ve had 3 cars tinted at a “high-end” tint shop in Columbia, all with Huper Optik film. The first two cars were very good. These were done around 2003. Based on that experience, I took my E90 to get it tinted around 2 years ago. I spoke with the owner and explained that I wanted what was on my e46. As I think back his response was rather odd but I didn’t realize it at the time. I keep saying, “I want what I had on my old car.” He replied, “You want Huper on your car right?” This went back and forth 3 times until finally I replied yes.
Well the tint that was applied to my car was very metallic and mirrored in appearance. In all honesty I hated it. I couldn’t figure out what the issue was. How could it look so different on my M3 vs my e46? Well I decided to live with it, even though the install was also not nearly as good as before. Well I was plagued by the lack of felt on the inside window guide issue. The tint basically got ruined but I didn’t really care because I hated it and it really didn’t go with the theme for my car.

I decided to go with FormulaONE Pinnacle to replace the Huper. I figured I’d have to go to LA Tint since there were no other installers in the area. I was pleasantly surprised to find Absolute Perfection near my work listed as a dealer on Pinnacle’s website. On their site, I noticed quite a few Porsche guys I know. I stopped by AP and spoke with Tim Cooke. Tim’s customer service was excellent and he even went as far as to tint a piece of glass for me to show me the brand difference for my windshield application. I decided on 50 on the windshield with 30 on all the windows. Tim also looked at what i had and told me the reason my Huper looked different was that it was a totally different line of film much cheaper than the Huper ceramic I used to have.

The install is excellent. Tim also installed the automotive moleskin to my window guides and removed my old film. I would say the tint job is probably even better than my e46 granted that had the difficult dot matrix issue. AP also does full wraps as well as clear bra. Better pics to follow…

my E46


old tint


new Formula1 Pinnacle 30% and Llumar 50% windshield


the install

Last edited by Blade929; 04-23-2012 at 07:52 AM..
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      04-19-2012, 02:59 PM   #2
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Which moleskins did you get?
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      04-19-2012, 03:00 PM   #3
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this one: http://www.tintprotector.com/
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      04-19-2012, 05:39 PM   #4
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Can you tell me how much it was? I think it's time to replace the tint on my car. I have also been considering Crystaline. Looking very good sir.

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      04-19-2012, 08:30 PM   #5
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New tint looks way better, too much mirror in old tint, that SG looks really hot, I think the 220s also looked better, but new wheels r not bad either, r they volks or varrstoens
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      04-20-2012, 07:07 AM   #6
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It cost me around $500 but that inluded the moleskin install and the removal of my old tint including the windshield. They have a pricing tool and a coupon on their site. My wheels are Volks
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      04-27-2012, 02:30 PM   #7
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I'm assuming the vendor in Columbia was Performance off Dobbin? I've had 5 cars tinted there, with mixed results - thought it was my only choice in the area. (I've actually had my 'vette tinted in Glen Burnie... with worse results) I'm considering this vendor in Sykesville, but $350 seems like alot for their best tint. (I have a M3 coupe) Do you have an updated opinion on the work so far?
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      04-28-2012, 11:42 AM   #8
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I'm very picky and in all honesty I couldn't be happier. It probably worth your time to go talk to Tim.
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      05-22-2012, 12:37 PM   #9
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Thanks for the recommendation... Just had Tim tint my e90 last week and install the moleskins. Couldn't be happier with the experience and I've been through a number of tint shops in the past...
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      05-22-2012, 01:46 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jww///95 View Post
Thanks for the recommendation... Just had Tim tint my e90 last week and install the moleskins. Couldn't be happier with the experience and I've been through a number of tint shops in the past...
I'm still very happy. It's such a huge improvement.
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      05-22-2012, 11:06 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blade929 View Post
+1 great customer service and product.
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      05-24-2012, 08:21 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jww///95 View Post
Thanks for the recommendation... Just had Tim tint my e90 last week and install the moleskins. Couldn't be happier with the experience and I've been through a number of tint shops in the past...
Did you move to maryland?

Looks like Tim is going a good job.
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      06-16-2012, 02:41 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield View Post
Did you move to maryland?

Looks like Tim is going a good job.
No, I've always been in the howard/balto county area...
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      06-16-2012, 02:52 PM   #14
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I wanted to bump this thread again to add onto the referrals for Tim and AP tinting. I just took the e90 back for a fix as well as a new addition.

Turns out that what I though was a scratch in the tint was actually a scratch on the inside of the glass on one of my rear doors. Tim pulled the tint, filled the scratch with clear nail polish, and then re-tinted the glass. His creativity was able to resolve the problem altogether as it's now only about 80% visible. Good example of how he's willing to take any steps necessary to please those of us with a strong attention to detail and stand behind his product, even though this wasn't really an issue with his work, but rather the preexisting condition of the glass...

At the same time, I had the front windshield tinted with lumar airblue 80 to aid in the heat rejection given the car now spends the weekdays baking in a parking space at work. There is not much optical change with the film -- some reflectivity from the outside and from the inside there is a bit of a blue tint, but I was able to tell the difference in the interior air temperature when driving home from his shop.

Again, many thanks to Tim. Can't wait to let him get a hold of our new cooper s in a few weeks.
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      07-07-2013, 01:06 PM   #15
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I just wanted to revive this thread to see if feedback was still positive from Absolute Perfection.

With the miserable heat we've been experiencing, I'm ready to tint my windows at 35% and want to add Llumar to front and back windshields.
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      07-08-2013, 08:22 AM   #16
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I had my sedan tinted at Fresh Designs in Ellicott City about a month ago. My kids noticed a vertical line/scratch in the rear window film on both driver and passenger sides. When I bought the car it had dark film (Florida car) which had lots of vertical scratches. This is just a common issue with BMWs? I've had other tinted cars which never had this problem.
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      07-08-2013, 08:51 AM   #17
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Yes my tint still looks very good. I've referred several people and all have had good experiences.

Early e90s did not have the felt protector from factory so that's what I added. I thought this was changed with later build dates. The scratching is from dirt getting caught on the window guide and scratching the tint. I have no scratches after I installed the felt protector.
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      07-08-2013, 08:54 AM   #18
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Perfect timing...was coming to research shops for tinting in the DC/MVA area for my new M. I will give Tim a call this afternoon. Thanks for the write up.

EDIT: Didn't realize it was as far out as it is ;/ I guess the search for a more local shop in/around DC continues

Last edited by nyannitello; 07-08-2013 at 09:00 AM..
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      07-08-2013, 11:04 AM   #19
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I placed an order for the tintprotector kit and am having the rear windows re-tinted.
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      07-08-2013, 09:02 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blade929 View Post
Yes my tint still looks very good. I've referred several people and all have had good experiences.

Early e90s did not have the felt protector from factory so that's what I added. I thought this was changed with later build dates. The scratching is from dirt getting caught on the window guide and scratching the tint. I have no scratches after I installed the felt protector.
Thanks for your input!

I have an appointment set for this Wednesday and look forward to not only reducing heat in the car but enhancing the look of my AW E92.
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      07-09-2013, 11:08 AM   #21
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For those who have tint, how did the for matrix on the rear turn out? I want to tint my windows bit the matrix when not done correctly doesn't look very good.
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      07-09-2013, 01:22 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcgolfdr View Post
For those who have tint, how did the for matrix on the rear turn out? I want to tint my windows bit the matrix when not done correctly doesn't look very good.
For e92s, the ONLY way for the tint to look good over the dot matrix is by using a black vinyl overlay (I've had and seen them all).

If you're calling around to different tint shops, ask them how they would handle dot matrix and any answer that doesn't include an overlay, hang up.
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