RX8-TX

OK, I never tinted windows, therfore this questions:

1. I've seen several cars with tinted windows that had the film all bubbled. Is this a sign of a bad job, material or an overall and normal wear of the film?

2. What shops would you recommend in the DFW area?

3. What should I avoid?

4. I would like to tint my 8's windows to help reduce heat from the sun...TX summer however, I don't want to impede my driving during night time. What would be a comfortable compromise ?

5. How much should I expect to pay for a decent job?

pelucidor

I am not an expert on this by any means, however recently I have been talking to several window tint companies for advice.

1. Usually material, possibly workmanship. Apparently some companies will tint your windows for under $50 including parts and labour.
2. No idea, I'm in Houston. Ask you dealership - they will subcontract out to a local tint company.
3. Avoid cheap films. My dealership uses Madico and some other brand (SolarGuard?). Both are well rated. Dealer would charge about $300 for materials and labour.
4. This one I can answer. Go with a ceramic film, not metallic. I used Huper Optik (model was Stark 30 = 35% tint all round, TX law limits you to 35% for front windows). The tint company also did many other brands and said this was twice as good as the next best for heat rejection. Amazing stuff, costs a lot too - I paid $400. Does not look at all dark from within the car, has no effect on cell-phone reception etc as it is not metallic. I was looking for the absolute best heat rejection due to the poor AC in the RX-8, and this was it. Also has lifetime warranty.
5. Probably $150-$400 depending on quality of film.

nash

Alot of us Audi guys in Dallas have had success at Pro Tint:

Pro Tint
Owner Claudio
17423 Preston Road
972 713-6861

I plan to take my RX-8 there when (if???) it ever arrives.

Sputnik

1) Bubbles are a sign of a bad job, period. Material and overall wear of the tint will cause it to dis-color and fade, but not pull away like that.

2) Not discounting Nash's recommendation, look up an ALTA MERE franchise near you to check out prices and tint availability. I know they are all around DFW (I just moved away from there).

3) Cheap films. Installation is one aspect, but cheap film will turn purple before you sell your car. It is worth the extra money to get metallic films that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. Ceramic film is new, and might be verrry expensive (depending on the shop and availability). Depending on the price and your priorities, ceramic might be too much money, but that's up to you. If you don't think the cost of ceramic is worth the extra properties, metallic should last long and resist discoloration.

4) I would budget $250-$400 myself.

---jps

Boozehound

I had good luck with Llumar titanium metallic window tint on the FB. It's been on 6 years and still looks pretty damn good - no color change, never been any problems with cell phone interference (sounds like a crock to me), and good heat rejection. I paid 150 for the FB and 190 for my Park Avenue with the same tint. Good tint, pretty good install, half the price of ceramic - although for my 8, I do plan to look into it.

tony

First let me say that I owned a tint shop in the 90's and still do some on the side. I just finished mine (came out sweet) and if anyone is interested in having thier's done, give me a call. I live in Keller but can drive anywhere, you just need a garage to get the car out of the elements. The film that I use is LLumar Centar, it is a Metalized film that I have had great results with. It also hasa great warranty. The cost is $250.00 My number is 817-822-9190

B-Nez

DOING IT YOURSELF!
I am a HUGE DIY-type person, but this is one area you want to leave to a professional (unless you are of course a professional). Many of the lame, bubbly tint jobs you see out there were owner-installed. Definitely pay to have it done.

Visit your prospective installer shops and take a look around. Do the installers seem professional, or are they scratching their nuts because you just woke them from a deep sleep? Is the place clean? Is there plenty of room, or do they cram a few cars in bumper to bumper and door to wall? What are they tinting today - really nice cars or a bunch of shitty or so-so cars, or NO cars? (Really nice, expensive cars is one good clue that the installer is a good one - No cars would be kind of a bad sign). Some of these may be funny, but they are ALL actual observations I made at my local installers while shopping around (even the nut-scratching dude).

MrWigggles

Some other suggestions:

Get a shop that can do "1 piece on the rear window". Lesser shops will do 2 pieces on the rear window and the gap is almost always noticeable from some angle when you are close enough.

Let the professionals do it. My friend is very good and has done many many tint jobs on his various cars, but even he uses professionals when he wants it done just right. When a tint job is done correctly, you don't even need any adhessive to keep the tint on the window. With no air gaps or particles between the film and the window, the film will adhere in via vacuum suction and won't come off unless you scrape it off.

Metallic can definitely interefere with cellphone and especially radio reception. That doesn't mean it always does though just sometimes.

-Mr. Wigggles

droidekaus

Second this recommendation. I've tinted four cars here in the last 18 months. Go with the Llumar 30% Charcoal and it will read as a 35% on a trooper's light meter. Stay away from 20% and less if you want to see at night.

IWANTMYRX8

I'm guessing Richardson is near DFW area. If not, then there is a 3M shop here in Austin on Hwy 183 N just north of FM 620. Uses 3m trainined employees, 3M film, and a lifetime garuantee on the film.


*edit--duh, just realized where your at...nevermind...lol

Ronar

Alta Mere here in Ft Worth quoted me ~$900 for Huper Optik tint, and the ClearBra stuff.

I've had good luck with them in the past, but it's the first time I've looked into the ceramic tint, and I'm not sure on the ClearBra stuff.

I am waiting to see what it looks like on a couple of the guys' cars there in the shop before I make a decision on that piece.

What's the thoughts on the Huper Optik tint, other than it seems a bit pricey?

texian

I had windows tinted and the clear bra applied at Texas Window Tinting on Floyd Road in Dallas. Blair is the owner.

Not the cheapest in town, but the results are fantastic. I can't believe how great the 3M clear bra is!

RX8-TX

Whats the intersection? Floyd Rd & ??

texian

13502 Floyd Circle

972.783.6005 ask for Blair

www.textint.com

Get on Floyd Circle at Hiway 75, then follow it around the twists and turns until you see the shop. You can't miss it once you get on Floyd Circle. There is no cross street...Floyd Circle is just a winding road with one way in, and one way out.

d_mashuda

Def. go with the llumar brand, very good quality and cheap!! Excellent heat and uv protection, I would recommend it.

Geforce07

iTrader: (1)

I sure hope OP already made up his mind after 5 years of posting this ehe

d_mashuda

haha, oh ****, yea i thought it said 08! haha my bad

Learjet_Pilot

These guys did my Honda Fit. They were referred by a Hiley Mazda guy. Cost, including tax (for my Honda) was $139.64. I needed additional documentation in case I had to sue Rusty Wallis Honda (who charged me for window tinting, but didn't do it). Good guys. We need to support those who are ready to help.

They did a great job.

Classy Window Tinting
8011A Grapevine Hwy
N Richland Hills, TX 76180
817-788-2319

mysql

It's been a long time, but I seem to recall my tint job was in the 200-300 range.

It might have been with solargard:

http://solargard.com/index.cfm/fusea...oduct-Line.htm

It's been 4 years, tint still looks good. I avoided metallic tint because of the location of the OEM navigation gps system.

There rear window was done with one sheet. They had a computer cut the tint so it was exact. No exacto knife.

tttp5

anyone that has done tinting on their drivers and passenger front windows been able to find a shop that will do 20% light transmission tint?

I took a friends beetle to pro tint on preston and the max they would go is 35% all the way around. 35% lets to much sun in especially for TX i feel. Also they did the rear window in 2 pieces and i can see a joint line in some angles

So i'm not wanting to take my RX8 back there...

KWarner04

The reason they won't go with 20% on the front windows is because state law requires atleast 25% on the front. Most shops that I looked at had 3 levels (35%, 20%, and 5%) so the only option on the front windows was 35%.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/faq/tint.htm

jones75254

iTrader: (2)

Wally's Auto Tint in Garland. Tint is all they do and do it damn well. Had 2 of my cars done there and bunch of my friends. Cheap too ($150-$200, cant recall what i paid for my 8 but it was def no more than 200). But this WAS 2 yrs ago. Tell Wally Brian with the green RX-8 sent you. U wont regret it, this guy is perfectionist.

wlsol

window tinting is very useful as it will help you in many ways solar protection, fade protection, glare protection, heat protection and safety

987HYS

iTrader: (1)

TRITEK is the only place you should go!

http://www.tritektinting.com/

Lord ET

iTrader: (1)

c'mon guys! This is from 2003, let it die!!! ;D