Looking to get my windows tinted, what should I know?
 

I'm going to call a few places nearby about a tint job. What are the main differences between the different tints out there? I've heard of the llumnar brand, and ceramic tints... I'm basically just a noob when it comes to window tint. What questions should I be asking? I'm planning on 35% on sides and back.

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I went with either 30% or 35% all around and to me it's a perfect balance between improving the look of the car and retaining good visibility.

When I went into the tint shop I just asked them to lay out samples of my options and I picked based on what looked best. I picked out the cheapest they had by chance and I've been very happy so far.

I've used the more expensive stuff in the past but I honestly can't say I've had one tint perform better than another. I think getting a quality install is the most important part, and a quality installer isn't going to offer junk, even for their lower end tint.

Right on man, guess il just see what's offered. I'd probably like to go darker than 35% but thats the legal limit in mass. Maybe I can get a medical exemption to go lower since I'm Irish and more prone to skin cancer:icon18:

My tinter uses Johnson brand tints Ive had it on 5 cars and know of about 10 other cars with it. Not a single issue. Its about mid way in pricing from what he says but the quality is great. Just make sure that they get the tint plenty deep under the window sill. That way it doesnt start peeling back. I paid 160 for 5% on all windows with a strip on the windshield just as a reference.
Good luck

For me I just wanted the darkest (5%) tint for the look and to keep the cabin from getting scolding hot during the summer, but it sounds like you don't want it too dark so I would go with a ceramic to keep out the heat if that is an issue. Other than that and most importantly, tell them to tuck the front corners of your side windows as far as possible or they will start to peel out on the front, the reason being is they're not settled yet and your not supposed to touch your windows for at least a few days, however with our Z's (and many other newer cars) the windows roll down about a half inch every time you open the door and back up every time you close it which sucks for tint.

Just tell them to tuck it in good on the side windows and everything else should be cake. Mine peeled right away in the front corner so I just took a razor blade to it and cut a small piece of the corner out to stop it from peeling more, hardly noticeable.

Just noticed this post. I would just go with the non ceramic if you get dark enough tint because it will barely be letting in any light anyways so the ceramic film would just be them
Trying to get more money out of you.
35% is the legal limit in Texas as well, some people get pulled over left and right for it, others never have trouble, I just did what I wanted and got the darkest and haven't had any trouble yet after a year

Good point on the window thing when we open our doors...didn't even think of that

A good tinter will have done tons of cars like ours with the frameless doors. As long as they tuck it fairly deep you wont have a single issue

To make it easy for the tinter is to remove the inside door window seal before you even bring it in. I dealt with this issue with a so-called experienced tinter and took it back 3 times before taking the seal out.

Essentially, remove the door panel, yank the metal piece that has the felt on it the rests against the window and that clears up alot of room for them to work it and get the tint down in there. Give it a few days and just take door panel off and pop that metal peice back in. Sounds daunting but takes about 10 minutes to do.

Without a doubt, I would talk to other highend car guys and ask them where they got theirs done, ask where to go and not to go. Don't run out to the first one in the phone book.

You want only the best installer to do your car, there are allot of average installers, some good ones and one or two that all the car guys know, he is the guy you want.

Might cost a few bucks more, but worth every penny IMHO.

Good luck.

Show us some pics of your new tint when its done!

I have a PW z and i think anything lighter than 20% is too light. I find that 20% is still very transparent on a sunny day and on a cloudy day is semi transparent.

I've got ceramic all around; no regrets. Make sure you go 5% on the portals; I was on the fence, but now that it's done I wouldn't dream of doing it any other way.