Anything window tinting....just ask and fire away.

[tinter]

G'day guys,
If there is anything you would like to know about the fitting of aftermarket films on your cars, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions here.

Eg. How to remove it, repairing scratched tint, where interstate to buy it, what to watch out for, what technologies are available, what colours, what is legal and what isn't, clearing up myths etc..

Regards,
Rob.

[Rupewrecht]

ok, here's one :)

can you actually buy purple tint?

i know a lot of of the purple stuff you see around is old stuff that has faded from black

what are the colors available? i've seen yellow and red - anything else?

cheers
Dan

[mrpayner]

I'll swap you with my windows Dan.. I want to get rid of my purpleness and get a nice charcoal, with maybe a slight reflectiveness to it.. ;) Plus my rear window is rooted.. and i've only ever used my dimister once!

AP

[Rupewrecht]

lol i'd only be able to swap the front windows anyway

and nah, dont want purple (but maybe for the Be-1 now that i think about it), was just curious :)

[Cosmo Dude]

Just slightly off topic but do you know of somewhere that can drill holes in my rear glass?
I want to install the wiper from my old Cosmo into my 929 and need some holes drilled to do the job.

Thanks

Rod

[twilightprotege]

a couple of q's (quite common)

what is the darkest tint you can buy that is still legal? i'm pretty sure the classification is T35, but that varies a lot between makers?

what should someone look out for (good and bad) when buying tint?

[tinter]

Ok guys from the top!

1.Dan......you can't buy purple tint out of the box but you are spot on about old stuff going to that colour.
All this mauvey/purple stuff you see on the roads started out as grey/charcoal film.
Why this occurs has a simple answer. These films are dyed or pigmented films and are subject to quite severe aging and what happens is that the sun's UV and heat exposure bleaches some of these dyes out that make up the these colours to clear leaving the blues, purples and indigoes being more predominate and coming on through.
They are very poor performers and have limited use.

Coloured films are actually illegal although I do use the odd red, blue and yellow for show purposes. These films are very outrageous and really throw to one colour badly. Traffic lights are horrible to work out especially with red film.

2.Mr.P...your rear screen is rooted not because of the operation of the demister but purely because of the wear and tear factor and greater sun exposure on the flatter rear screen. That is why it has gone off there first before anywhere else.

3. Rod.....you can never drill a rear screen once it is toughened because it will explode like a bomb going off. It has to be done at time of manufacture.

4. Twilight.... legal films for nearly all Australia must allow a net figure of 35% of the sun's visible light to be transmitted through the glass. Sth Aust requires front doors to have a much lighter 70% (effectively nothing since Mazda's glass is 70 to start with) and darker 20% films on the rear are unroadworthy and always have been.

When buying a film, always buy a heat reflective metalised film and not a dyed one and make sure you specify a scratch-resistant one as well.
Don't go to back yarders or the guy doing it out of his car. You don't know what you are buying nor where he'll be next summer when something goes wrong.
For that matter don't get sucked in to buying it new from a car dealer. The "gunk girls" or aftermarket chicks are very persistant in flogging you the whole deal. You pay over the top money for a less quality product that you could buy independantly.

Later,
Rob

[Joczy]

I have a Q. Now this can be my 1st "dumb question" as kitty puts it hehe

When i got my car the windows were already tinted. Now, if you look closley at the door windows, it looks as though it has water stains/marks on them. The night i picked it u it was raining and i though oh maybe it was to do with the rain on it but relaisd it wasnt. they are only light and cant be seen unless u go up close, but they annoy me lol and i just wonder what caued this?

hahah thanks :)

[-BraXta-]

heya.... i got a Question..

i ripped a chunk of tint at the top with my tafe bag... =\
So the whole window is tinted.. cept for the top of the glass a little bits been ripped off

would i need to replace whole window tint or is there a special way of fixing it..?

a mate of mine is a Tint person but i couldnt be bothered to go to his house to get it retinted =P

[Cosmo Dude]

Oh well,
Looks like I have to take the rear glass out of the Cosmo this weekend.


Thanks

[tinter]

I have a Q. Now this can be my 1st "dumb question" as kitty puts it hehe

When i got my car the windows were already tinted. Now, if you look closley at the door windows, it looks as though it has water stains/marks on them. The night i picked it u it was raining and i though oh maybe it was to do with the rain on it but relaisd it wasnt. they are only light and cant be seen unless u go up close, but they annoy me lol and i just wonder what caued this?

hahah thanks :)

joc,
The water marks are caused by what we call "hard water stains" and happen because of either industrial fallout or rainwater polution. Alkalines!
Beachside tap water is a real no-no when washing your car with that.

It is only on the outside and the only way to get that off is to use a glazier's rouge paste called "cerium oxide." Should be able to buy it from most big glass shops in a little tub. You make it into a paste, apply it to the window and scrub the hell out of it. Once done, buff it off with another clean cloth and new glass again.
Rob.

[tinter]

heya.... i got a Question..

i ripped a chunk of tint at the top with my tafe bag... =\
So the whole window is tinted.. cept for the top of the glass a little bits been ripped off

would i need to replace whole window tint or is there a special way of fixing it..?



Any torn or holed film cannot be repaired without stripping off the entire sheet and installing a new one!
The problem then may be actually colour matching the film now on. :roll:
Rob.

[-BraXta-]

ahh k..

well i guess my tints are kinda new so yeh ill go back to the same bloke that did em... he was cool and will match up.... ..... i hope =P

[twilightprotege]

tinter - yeah that's why i spent a bit more and went to a place that sells 3M tint. i figured i cant go too wrong with 3M (HP Panther 35 i think)

[arden]

Rob,

What is "Johnsons" tint film like?
is it quality stuff?

Thanks.

[boostedbatman]

Hey Rob
I have a few Qs that Im hoping you can help me with...

1: I have a few small scratches on my passenger side tint at front and rear, they are both about 2" long and havent gone right through the tint. Are they repairable?

2: I have a 3M T20 metallised tint on the rear window only(speaker protection) and recently I have noticed a squiggly purple snail trail coming down from the top of the tint that seems to have discoloured the tint itself ( tint is about 2 years old), it is about 4" long and right in the middle of the window. Damn annoying in full sun. What would cause this and is it repairable?

3: Last but not least. This is the second car I have had tinting installed on and both have lost function to one band/strip on the rear demister. I garage my car and its rare that I ever use the demister but it wasnt until about 6 months later that I noticed the fault. Both cars had working demister before install. Is this a fault attributed to damage caused during install? How on earth would it get damaged when its the third row and all the other rows work fine?

Sorry about the semi novel but we know you love to read
Cheers
Peter

[tinter]

tinter - yeah that's why i spent a bit more and went to a place that sells 3M tint. i figured i cant go too wrong with 3M (HP Panther 35 i think)

T.....Panther has had its share of premature aging and hasn't been all that it is cracked up to be.
I have been asked to do warranties for 3M Head office Sydney where Panther 35% had been installed interstate. How come? Cars that have been done in QLD have ended up being relocated down here to Melb and that climate up there kills film real bad if it isn't any good.
What I found was terrible fading and loss of total optical clarity (especially out of the rear) due to adhesive failure......you know that rippling effect when you are trying to see out of it.
Overseas, they have had the same problems.

Rob.

[twilightprotege]

interesting! i've had the tint now for 3.5yrs and still happy (except for a part i scratched). i got it done at cooltone at albion, brisbane. i also liked the 3m lifetime warranty (so long as the person who installed the tint still owns the car)

[tinter]

Rob,

What is "Johnsons" tint film like?
is it quality stuff?

Thanks.

Sab,
I have used Johnson Window Film's Silhouette 35% range of films over a number of years and found it to be a very good product.
It is a metalised film so it gives great solar energy rejection and is extremely durable. Probably one of the top performers given the same equal light transmissions to other films out there...ie. darkness.

Personally for me it is a little too reflective externally (because of the metal deposition in it) and suits cars like the silvers very well.
It is not a true colour stable product over say 4 years. New to old is a definate change but all in all you'd be happy with it.
Back up from the company based in Girraween Sydney is excellent!
Rob :wink:

[tinter]

Hey Rob
I have a few Qs that Im hoping you can help me with...

1: I have a few small scratches on my passenger side tint at front and rear, they are both about 2" long and havent gone right through the tint. Are they repairable?

2: I have a 3M T20 metallised tint on the rear window only(speaker protection) and recently I have noticed a squiggly purple snail trail coming down from the top of the tint that seems to have discoloured the tint itself ( tint is about 2 years old), it is about 4" long and right in the middle of the window. Damn annoying in full sun. What would cause this and is it repairable?

3: Last but not least. This is the second car I have had tinting installed on and both have lost function to one band/strip on the rear demister. I garage my car and its rare that I ever use the demister but it wasnt until about 6 months later that I noticed the fault. Both cars had working demister before install. Is this a fault attributed to damage caused during install? How on earth would it get damaged when its the third row and all the other rows work fine?

Sorry about the semi novel but we know you love to read
Cheers
Peter

Hi Peter,
1. Generally scratched film is history because it has gone through the scratch-resistant clear coating that the manufacturer puts on it.
The only way to see if you are lucky or not is to get a bit of Kleenex tissue, dab it with methylated spirits (metho) and see if it comes off.
If it is purely a scuff mark, you will be in luck.

2.The squiggly line is caused by 2 things. Firstly it's sun exposure for sure but more importantly, the fitter of the film heat shrunk the film on the outside of the rear screen first to mould it in one piece.
He has "over cooked" the pleat or as we call it finger in an attempt to get the film to shrivel up and lay flat.
What you now see is the failure of the adhesive particulary in that area.
It's exactly as you describe....a funny mark and a "ghosting" where the pleat once existed. Way too much heat (bad expertise) and also an indication of a not very good film installed. :cry:
That should be definately covered by warranty.

3.The non working demister line is 100% quaranteed cut by the dhead installer. (I hope he hasn't given up his day job)
What has occured is that he has attempted to releave the pleat coming in from the side by splicing the pleat away. In doing so he has cut the wire.
You wouldn't have known about this until you had long gone out of the shop and eventually needed to use the item.
It can be repaired with repair kits but the film has to all come off first and redone. Repairing paint is a conductive paste that fills in the break but they never look all that good repaired.
If you go back to them, they'll probably duckshove the best excuses you ever heard.
Rob.

[ezin]

What tint do u recomend if u have an internal antenna for the radio on the glass like the dimister, cause the metal ones stuff up the reception. I saw that 3m tint on bright ideas & they said it doesnt have any metal in it, but from previous posts i have read it doesnt sound that good.

[tinter]

ezin.
There are really not that many cars that have built in antennas
that are incorporated into the rear heater demister grid. But of the ones that do have this, yes radio reception, gps or TV can be affected.
In the radio sector it is only the AM band but who listens to that?

However I do have a film called Charcool that is specifically made to get over that problem. The total solar energy rejection (TSER) is only marginally down on that of the higher performance metal titanium films.
Rob.

[Cosmo Dude]

Good question ezin, the rear glass I have spoken of earlier has one of those antennas as well as the wiper washer. Using this glass gives me the option to remove the visible antenna and clean the look of the car.

When I'm looking to tint then I'll go and see Rob and talk over the options (filtering out John Laws does have some appeal) :lol:

[platypus]

is my tint crazy, or is it my eyes?
when i'm wearing polarises glasses the glass shows stress marks, but only since i got the windows tinted....
i did find it a little weird when i got the tint done, so i checked through a polarascope, but in the end figured it was a "what can be done about it" sorta thing

[tinter]

is my tint crazy, or is it my eyes?
when i'm wearing polarises glasses the glass shows stress marks, but only since i got the windows tinted....
i did find it a little weird when i got the tint done, so i checked through a polarascope, but in the end figured it was a "what can be done about it" sorta thing

Hi ah,
Polarising sunglasses are the only type of sunglass that show up polyester window films like a rainbow prism or oil slick appearance. (At least you have the genuine glass there ah....no cheapy pretender.) :P
It's inherit in all solar films and the nature of the beast.
You will also find that even without film on your glass, you will notice a hot and cold speckled appearance to automotive glass that makes the window look like it has patches on it. This occurs during the toughening process during manufacture. Again attributed to the sunglass polarising the light that you see. Nothing you can do about it except change to an ordinary lens.
Rob.

[kernels]

firstly, thanks tinter for answering all our questions about window tinting, my question is sortof like twilights, the darkest legal tint available is T35, but i heard that some time ago you could get darker, i know of some friends that have been able to get this darker tints done on older cars and claim that they were done before the tinting standards were changed.

What is the darker tint? and when did the tinting standards change?

[Rupewrecht]

thanks for the answers - very informative :D

next question: i'm looking to get my car retinted, but would liek a film with a partial silver/reflective tinge to it. Not a full-on mirror tint, just something with a vaguely reflective apprearance to it.

what would be the best to go for?

and it it legal?

cheers
Dan

[CityEnd]

hey Rob,

thanks for answering all our question.
anyway i have a couple of question i'd like to ask myself.

on the topic of polarised glasses, i just saw how great they were when i went to get a new pair of glasses. I was thinking are there any tint film out there which is polarised? or that wouldn't work out as it would show the hot cold spots of the glass and also might clash with polarised sunnies effectively making it impossible to see?.

My next question is.... what is the best way to clean the inside of the glass, the tinted area... as when i got my tint, the guy warned me not to use the usual window cleaning products as it may shorten the life of the tint, and tried to sell me some sort of product... i didn't buy it.. and haven't cleaned the inside of my windows for a very long time now and i want to clean them.

my last question... i got my tint from tint-a-car and it was the "F1" flim.... i have no idea what that is.. could you tell me more abt it?

I really apprecite you taking the time to answer all our question.

cheers
chris

[tinter]

firstly, thanks tinter for answering all our questions about window tinting, my question is sortof like twilights, the darkest legal tint available is T35, but i heard that some time ago you could get darker, i know of some friends that have been able to get this darker tints done on older cars and claim that they were done before the tinting standards were changed.

What is the darker tint? and when did the tinting standards change?

I didn't realise there would be so many Q's but I'm enjoying them all! :idea:
There are about 6 major American manufacturers worthy of any note and they all produce an automotive range in light (70%) to jet black limo. (5%)

The Oz wide standard is 35% of the sun's light as we see it must be able to be transmitted from outside to inside.
Anything darker than that fitted for a passenger vehicle like your Mazdas is unroadworthy and always has been. Even a 20% on the rear only is illegal so we need desperately to clear up a few myths now.
There has never been an acceptable "truce period" if I can call it that that permits darker than 35% films being applied. That's one of those stories that gets passed on in idle chat and as it goes, so the truth becomes more clouded.

A car with 20% runs foul of the insurance industry as well and any excuse they can find that makes the insured vehicle not what it ought to be is a way of knocking back a claim as well.
Rob.

[tinter]

thanks for the answers - very informative :D

next question: i'm looking to get my car retinted, but would liek a film with a partial silver/reflective tinge to it. Not a full-on mirror tint, just something with a vaguely reflective apprearance to it.

what would be the best to go for?

and it it legal?

cheers
Dan

Hi Dan,
On an earlier post to Sab, try the Johnson's Sihouette 35% for that visual effect you are after.
The law states that other than a darkness level to be taken into account when buying window tinting, you must also have a film that does not increase the glass reflectivity by more than 10%.
Again very much like what you get with normal glass and yes I know we have all seen some bloody terrible semi-mirrored tints that spoil some cars kicking around aesthetically.
They are just as illegal as dark films.
Rob.

[Rupewrecht]

cool - thanks Rob :)

[chipa]

So after all that Rob do you have any recomendations on what we should look for brand wise with 35% (legal) films? Even any recommendations on shops to go to in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane would be great! Or even (fingers crossed) Albury?

Thanks for all your help!

[Laser the Amazer]

Hi There

Quick Question, not tinting related, but window related.

My windows have overspray on them (the whole car had it) I had got it all off the paint. What could I use on the windows to remove it?

Thanks in Advance

Rob

[tinter]

Hi There

Quick Question, not tinting related, but window related.

My windows have overspray on them (the whole car had it) I had got it all off the paint. What could I use on the windows to remove it?

Thanks in Advance

Rob

L the A,
The best bet is to use a brand new single edge razor blade and a bit of soapy detergent and water mix onto the glass.
The solution doesn't do a thing about dissolving the overspray but what it does is provide a soft form of lubrication between blade and glass.
Alternatively, a very mild steel wool 00 grade that car detailers use when cars are being prepped for delivery is OK with metho as well. That grade will not scratch the glass no matter how hard you rub.
Rob.

[tinter]

So after all that Rob do you have any recomendations on what we should look for brand wise with 35% (legal) films? Even any recommendations on shops to go to in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane would be great! Or even (fingers crossed) Albury?

Thanks for all your help!

Chipa.
I'd like to see you go with Madico's Onyx 35% high performance metal True Black film. It gets this name because it's the only metalised film out there that doesn't impart a sheen to it.

I'm obviously in Ringwood Melbourne and are more than happy to help you out with a great product and installation. I do it all myself so I reckon I've got it down pat by now. Get me on 0417 755537.

In Albury/Wodonga, I have a friend of mine there by the name of Phil Vague from Border Tinting. He does a great job and very professional.
Haven't got his phone number handy but it will be in the book. Tell him I referred you.
Sydney....contact our national importer Gary Lane (owner of all the Solartint branches)..... Head Office is 142 Taren Point Caringbah 9526 2888 and for Brisbane, he should be able to point you in the right direction there to.

For those interested in the manufacturer's USA website, go to www.madico.com and search auto tinting.

Regards,
Rob Tait.

[platypus]

(At least you have the genuine glass there ah....no cheapy pretender.) :P

hehe - I'm an optician matey!!! i know the difference - wouldn't change - i'd miss the colour depth!!!

oh well i thought the film might just be overstretched....grrr i'll have to put up with it !!

thanks for the fast response!!

[CityEnd]

hm... my questions where over looked?

[tinter]

hey Rob,

thanks for answering all our question.
anyway i have a couple of question i'd like to ask myself.

on the topic of polarised glasses, i just saw how great they were when i went to get a new pair of glasses. I was thinking are there any tint film out there which is polarised? or that wouldn't work out as it would show the hot cold spots of the glass and also might clash with polarised sunnies effectively making it impossible to see?.

My next question is.... what is the best way to clean the inside of the glass, the tinted area... as when i got my tint, the guy warned me not to use the usual window cleaning products as it may shorten the life of the tint, and tried to sell me some sort of product... i didn't buy it.. and haven't cleaned the inside of my windows for a very long time now and i want to clean them.

my last question... i got my tint from tint-a-car and it was the "F1" flim.... i have no idea what that is.. could you tell me more abt it?

I really apprecite you taking the time to answer all our question.

cheers
chris

Sorry Chris...I missed that Q.
There are no solar control films made anywhere in the world that polarise the light nor darken when activated by sunlight :!:

Cleaning film.....don't use anything that is abrasive like powder cleansers or soap pads and the like that are course by nature.
All manufacturers say to avoid ammonia based solutions like Windex but for me I have never seen an issue with this usage in 29 years.

If you haven't done the glass for awhile, start by removing any stubborn marks with a Kleenex tissue and metho combination. It's surprising what these 2 will get off :!:
Next....get a chamois or similar, rinse it out really clean under a warm tap and the secret is to ring it out as hard as you can so it's only damp.
Run that over the glass constantly changing the chamois area on to new sections. If is gets particularly dirty, back to the sink and rinse clean out again.
A soapy dishwashing detergent base can be used as well for general all over wiping. I have some mixed up in a spray bottle for that.
Last but not least, a good quality squeegee makes a huge difference because it doesn't leave anything behind.

Finally, F1 is a good product but it's the hype you pay for being a franchise product. It performs no better or no less than other better cost effective metalised films out there in film land.
Rob.

[CityEnd]

There are no solar control films made anywhere in the world that polarise the light nor darken when activated by sunlight :!:


wow, any entreperneurs out there? sounds like a great idea, you don't need tint at night.. and the technology is out there already, just need to apply it to the flim.

andn thanx for the cleaning tips Rob, will give it a go over the weekend.

[Red Frog]

okay i'm prob getting all windows done for $150 by a guy from solace. probably 10% below legal limit (40% i think). is this good? or does it sound dodgy/ripoff?
what's the diff b/t norm and metal tint?

[platypus]

wow, any entreperneurs out there? sounds like a great idea, you don't need tint at night.. and the technology is out there already, just need to apply it to the flim.

umm no - its not going to work i'm afraid

ok basic problem, to start with you can't use a poloarising film on an automotive glass - its actually quite unsafe - GM used to make polarised windscreens, at a time when polaroid sunglasses were in high demand... basically what happened, was they recalled all the screens, as when the two polarising films crossed at 90 they would cause black

if you had a polarising films and polarising sunglasses you will not be able to turn your head away from the natural 180degree axis, which will be anytime you look over your shoulder, you will see black

now onto photochromic films, - this would actually be a problem on a few levels... most photochromic materials fail quite quickly, especially when exposed to the sun constantly - if i was a tinter i wouldn't touch the stuff due to a lot of cars being parked outside during the sun hours - when most of these products fail, they stay in their dark state

second the photochromatic film would need to be quite thick to to the job properly, - too thick to apply to a screen

and since i'm on a roll this film would need to really be setup in much the same way as corning sunsensors, whereby the film would start out at a darkness of 45 and go to 30... not really worth the cash - and i'm sure the cops would have a field day on the varying tint!!! especially that light bit... over there in the shade!!!

[CityEnd]

ah, thanx ahb11m,
you have a few good ponts there.

back to the drawing board. =)

[tinter]

okay i'm prob getting all windows done for $150 by a guy from solace. probably 10% below legal limit (40% i think). is this good? or does it sound dodgy/ripoff?
what's the diff b/t norm and metal tint?

G'day Frog,
Let me say that if you are buying an intensely labour orientated and extremely skilled job for those good at it like window tinting and only paying $150, then pray to god that the guy doesn't give up his day job.

Add to that is the cost of the film material if you are going to buy quality. Again in the realm you are at, you are at the bottom end of the barrel (fact).

All the signs are there for a suspect job because no ethical and decent installer/shopowner would ever condone the fitting of illegal films that void your insurance and state laws. No this is not a good idea to go illegal!

In Sydney, contact the Solartint chain, head office is in 148 Taren Point Rd. Caringbah Ph. 9526 2888 for memory and they have branches selling terrific metal films like the USA's Madico Onyx 35% all over Sydney. Owner...Gary Lane or one of his soldiers.
(www.solartint.com.au)

Metal offers high performance, better heat rejection and longer life. Dyed films only offer cosmetics.

Regards,
Rob at Car Tint Melb.

[Dogo]

Stickified !


Thanks for the fantastic advice and feedback.

Dave

[DCSR]

Hi Tinter,

Ford tinted my windows when i bought my Laser, (i noticed you say don't get car dealers to do it) i read that too late im affraid. I asked them for the darkest tint the offer, also stating i Wanted 35% film, i got the car and the tint to me doesn't seem that dark, how do i find out how dark my tint it?

To get 35% tint now, would i have to have ALL of the tint removed first then re-apply the new tint?


Cheers
Dave

[tinter]

Hi Dave,
You could check with one of the Solartint branches and ask if they have a VLT meter? (Visible light transmission)
This is a gadget that is placed over the the glass when it is wound down some and reads the vlt that passes through the glass and film.

Has it been on long? I ask this because it may have dramatically faded from new and is nothing like it originally was.
Fade or colour loss can be such a gradual thing that many owners don't realise it has happened. A bit like purple tint that was once grey and everyone thinks you buy it like that. :roll:
Rob.

[tinter]

Sorry your Q...yes it would have to be R and R'd.
Rob.

[DCSR]

Hi Dave,
You could check with one of the Solartint branches and ask if they have a VLT meter? (Visible light transmission)
This is a gadget that is placed over the the glass when it is wound down some and reads the vlt that passes through the glass and film.

Has it been on long? I ask this because it may have dramatically faded from new and is nothing like it originally was.
Fade or colour loss can be such a gradual thing that many owners don't realise it has happened. A bit like purple tint that was once grey and everyone thinks you buy it like that. :roll:
Rob.

Only got it new in Feb 2002 and had the tint put in at that time.





Dave

[Cloudland]

my last question... i got my tint from tint-a-car and it was the "F1" flim.... i have no idea what that is.. could you tell me more abt it?
Hi CityEnd, i also went to tint-a-car (in New Zealand) and got a quote, $349 for the f1, $299 for ashcool. how do U like your f1? since tinter said it's not the most cost-effective, i just started wondering.

[tinter]

Dave,
Your car is getting on for 3 years old and it certainly could have faded out in that time. Matter of fact, I've seen junk go towards clear within 12 months.
Rob.

[CityEnd]

my last question... i got my tint from tint-a-car and it was the "F1" flim.... i have no idea what that is.. could you tell me more abt it?
Hi CityEnd, i also went to tint-a-car (in New Zealand) and got a quote, $349 for the f1, $299 for ashcool. how do U like your f1? since tinter said it's not the most cost-effective, i just started wondering.

lets just say i wouldn't get it again... nothing bad with it.. but there isn't anything good with it either... and after almost 5 yrs, it seems to have faded. if i were to get another tint, i think I'd go for the metalic mirror finished look. but that's just me.
i did't know much abt tints when i got mine, but with rod here I"m sure u'll get something resonable.

[Cloudland]

just say i wouldn't get it again... nothing bad with it.. but there isn't anything good with it either
ugh... really appreciate that.

[Cloudland]

Rob.
Hi Rob

would you please recommend some widely available good tints if tint-a-car's f1 is not the better choice? and what's a reasonable price to tint a car like the sp20? thanks.

[tinter]

What state are you located in Cloud? Then I'll tell you where to go and what product to buy.......and give me an idea on how you want the car to look with film on it because some finishes dramatically alter the aesthetics.
Rob.

[Cloudland]

What state are you located in Cloud?
that's a problem i'm in New Zealand.

legal limit here is also %35 side n rear, 10cm from top on the windshield. i just want a tint which can reduce uv and heat, probably black in color, nothing fanncy. thanks!

[tinter]

NZ hey?
Well I know a lot of the product I use is exported to NZ so it would be a matter of contacting Solartint in Sydney head office and sole agent for A/Asia on www.solartint.com.au and ask for their agent that sells Madico film (the manufacturer) in NZ.
The product you want is Madico's high performance metal tint called "ONYX 35% True Black" scratch-resistant.

It's a terrific product, well priced and does a great job in cooling down the solar heat gain.

Cheers,
Rob.

[Cloudland]

NZ hey?
The product you want is Madico's high performance metal tint called "ONYX 35% True Black" scratch-resistant.
It's a terrific product, well priced and does a great job in cooling down the solar heat gain.
ugh, yum. that sounds like what i'm looking for.

but they don't have an email on their website!? i'll try to find out who has it here.

any idea of a reasonable price for the tint? thanks.

[tinter]

Cloud,
I'm trying to get you a name now for someone in NZ. Just be a little patient.
Rob.

[Dutchy]

hey rob

thanx for takin the time to answer all our q's. Its great! i knew NOTHIN about tinting before this. :?:

Neway i got a hopefully quick question... i had my 'stina tinted at 35% and on some of the windows and really badly in the corners on the back they have got some tiny little specks/bubbles on them on them. In the corners or the rear windscreen it looks like they havnt been cleaned off proprely before tinting. :oops:

So i took the car down to the tinting place and asked them what it was?
The guy (Who i think was a bit dodgy) who i asked said that what it would be is "specks of metal that had probably come from welding in the factory or at a later date, which cause a little rise in the tint" he said that he reckons almost all cars get it. :?

Like i said before i thought he was a little dodge... So have i been fed a load of tripe? :shock: hehe :lol:

thanx mate

Jez

[platypus]

dave, anyplace that can do pink slips in NSW will have a VLT meter, as it is now part of your pink slip (which i know you won't need for a while yet)

[Rupewrecht]

Hey Rob

you don't happen to drive a white Subaru Outback do you?

i noticed one in Ringwood Nth with 'Tinter' plates, that's all ;)

[BigBoyLemonade]

Hi Rob,

I am interested in removing the tint off my Eunos 800M and getting some new stuff. I have been quoted $400 from Solar tint here in Canberra. Do you know anyone up this way with a good reputation because the service I received from Solar Tint wasnt fantastic.

Should I attempt to remove the existing tint myself and what sort of price should I be paying for a good quality tint for a large car (eg. Commodore size)

I would like a black non reflective tint that would allow me to run sat nav if I ever win lotto.

A big thanks for answering all these questions and your welcome to post up your contact details.

Check your private messages :) :D

[KittyKatSmack]

I met a SolarTint guy up in QLD recently that was also a decent person to talk to, ask questions of etc...

So is it some sort of course you guys do???

LOL

Keep up the great work tinter!!!
We all appreciate it!

http://www.kitty-ranch.net/kitty/thumbsup.gif

[tinter]

hey rob

thanx for takin the time to answer all our q's. Its great! i knew NOTHIN about tinting before this. :?:

Neway i got a hopefully quick question... i had my 'stina tinted at 35% and on some of the windows and really badly in the corners on the back they have got some tiny little specks/bubbles on them on them. In the corners or the rear windscreen it looks like they havnt been cleaned off proprely before tinting. :oops:

So i took the car down to the tinting place and asked them what it was?
The guy (Who i think was a bit dodgy) who i asked said that what it would be is "specks of metal that had probably come from welding in the factory or at a later date, which cause a little rise in the tint" he said that he reckons almost all cars get it. :?

Like i said before i thought he was a little dodge... So have i been fed a load of tripe? :shock: hehe :lol:

thanx mate

Jez

It's bull**** Jez......it's called DIRT left behind before the window film was applied. Nothing more, nothing less. :roll:
It is extremely rare to get "spark splatter" (which can leave specks on the glass as a result of the hot iron filings hitting the window) unless the car has been in an accident and repaired by a non-caring panel beater.

Almost all cars get it :?: :?: BS! Only on dodgey work.
Take it back.
Rob.

[tinter]

Hey Rob

you don't happen to drive a white Subaru Outback do you?

i noticed one in Ringwood Nth with 'Tinter' plates, that's all ;)

R,
That's me mate! I couldn't get CarTint because it was 7 letters so I went for the 6 letter option.
My factory is where the Patterson-Cheney Hlden Clearance Centre is located just before Oban Rd/Maroondah Hwy intersection and I live just over the Nth Ringwood border into Donvale. so that's probably why you will see it so often.
If you are in the area, ring first but do pop in for a coffee.
Later,
Rob.

[tinter]

Hi Rob,

I am interested in removing the tint off my Eunos 800M and getting some new stuff. I have been quoted $400 from Solar tint here in Canberra. Do you know anyone up this way with a good reputation because the service I received from Solar Tint wasnt fantastic.

Should I attempt to remove the existing tint myself and what sort of price should I be paying for a good quality tint for a large car (eg. Commodore size)

I would like a black non reflective tint that would allow me to run sat nav if I ever win lotto.

A big thanks for answering all these questions and your welcome to post up your contact details.

Check your private messages :) :D

Hi Tony,
I have done a few 800M's and I must say they are not my favourite.
They have horrible door trims to remove for starters and curvey rear screen with deep access.
A $360 plus GST would be right on the money for a quality install using a top film like Madico's Onyx 35% True Black.
Removing the old film is sure one big task and you'd need something like a wallpaper steamer to get the film to play ball. Might be better to get someone to do the entire R and R. Removal should be about $100.

A metal film can be used on that car.

The franchise in Canberra had changed hands I believe but I'll ring my mate in Sydney who owns the trademark name and franchisee and he should be able to provide me a contact name for you.

(I did a lot of Mazda's for Malcolm Gough, ex-managing director of Mazda Motors Australia before models were even released to the general public.) :wink:
My own 323 at the time was featured in the Melb Motor Show under Mazda's stand. That was good.
Rob.

[tinter]

I met a SolarTint guy up in QLD recently that was also a decent person to talk to, ask questions of etc...

So is it some sort of course you guys do???

LOL

Keep up the great work tinter!!!
We all appreciate it!

http://www.kitty-ranch.net/kitty/thumbsup.gif

Kitty,
There is no actual training academy as such...it's more of a suck it and see learning curve.
Most guys in the game these days learn from other tinters within their own shop. But you have to have the knack and an eye for detail and perfection. If you haven't got that (and not many have) you'll never make it as a tinter.
I was self taught in the days when there was no car tinting even around. Geez I'm old. LOL
I'm still learning 29 years later...just done the new RX8 so I have that one under the belt now.
The shift these days (which I totally abhor) is where tinters brag about doing 7-8 a day every day by themselves. This is total BS so watch that in the place wherever you may get your glass done.
Rob.

[TEGBOY]

I am looking to get my Integra tinted, there is still window tint on the rear glass, I have already removed the side and front ones.

I was looking at getting yellow tint, as I have a tan leather interior and thought it would look pretty nice offset against the interior,, how obvious is the yellow tint??

I am after something that not only reflects the heat and UV cos I don't want to destroy my interior

Any ideas of $$ to install new tint and remove the old tint??

Cheers,
Clint
---------
teamazm.com

[Dutchy]

hey rob

thanx yeah i thought i smelled a rat. :x
ill have to c what i can do.


Jez

[tinter]

Hi Rob,

I am interested in removing the tint off my Eunos 800M and getting some new stuff. I have been quoted $400 from Solar tint here in Canberra. Do you know anyone up this way with a good reputation because the service I received from Solar Tint wasnt fantastic.

:D

Hi Tony,
I've done some checking for you via the Solartint Head Office in Sydney and the franchisee told me that there are 2 branches in Canberra.
Both are owned by a guy called Dave...one in Belconnen and the other in Fyshwyck.
That's about all I can do for you short of making a bitch complaint to Sydney on freecall 1800 225069.

Rob.

[BigBoyLemonade]

They weren't really bad just I wouldn't have called it friendly as I would expect... My main concern is whether the job is done properly

[tinter]

[quote=tinter]What state are you located in Cloud?
that's a problem i'm in New Zealand.

Cloud,
Again done some research for you. I hope Auckland is near you because you can try the NZ agent there called Rolf Stookey from "Tint Pro" and get the Madico Onyx there.

Regards,
Rob.

PS. I have a tinting friend at Nelson on the top of the Sth Island that may be able to help with the fitting too.

[KittyKatSmack]

Hi Rob,

I am interested in removing the tint off my Eunos 800M and getting some new stuff. I have been quoted $400 from Solar tint here in Canberra. Do you know anyone up this way with a good reputation because the service I received from Solar Tint wasnt fantastic.

:D

Hi Tony,
I've done some checking for you via the Solartint Head Office in Sydney and the franchisee told me that there are 2 branches in Canberra.
Both are owned by a guy called Dave...one in Belconnen and the other in Fyshwyck.
That's about all I can do for you short of making a bitch complaint to Sydney on freecall 1800 225069.

Rob.

Solartint in Fyshwick were the ones that screwed up Bruce's tinting.... we struggled to get it corrected.... am sure many regulars remember me bitching about it, LOL!

Maybe try Belco as a first preference, or BBoy's tinting, lol

[Cloudland]

Cloud,
Again done some research for you. I hope Auckland is near you because you can try the NZ agent there called Rolf Stookey from "Tint Pro" and get the Madico Onyx there.

woo, really appreciate!
i guess this would be it
http://www.insolglas.co.nz/Automotive.shtml

btw, would U suggest a reasonable price to tint the sp20 either in OZ or NZ? thanks.

[tinter]

Hi Cloud,
Not sure on NZ pricing because they have an extra importing cost from Oz as well to take into consideration.
In Oz, a heat rejecting film like Onyx should be around the $320 plus GST mark. That includes a custom fit, all panels removed and replaced etc..
Rob.

[Mazda_Brian]

Question....

I got 15% tint, and everything in that respect is fine, the darknss is perfect, I love the look.

I was cleaing up the windows (because the tinting company leftthem grubby and ****ty looking), and found some of the tint has little bits of grit under it.

My question, how pissed off sould I be at this, and how hard should I explode at the guy tomorrow when I talk to him.

Also, what will be involved in removing the grit, and will the ting bubble if the tint is left there.

Replies will be appreciated.

B.

[platypus]

brian, its already been answered

[TEGBOY]

After myself (Clint) and Dan (Rupewrecht) met Rob (Tinter) yesterday, I would wholeheartedly recommend him for anyone. The patience and dedication he shows is incredible. He is also one hellava a nice guy.

Rob will most definately be tinting my car, even though it means a 1.5hr drive it will be well it.

Thanks for the tour of the shop yesterday Rob... I just hope next time Jim Richard's Cayenne is there for me to drool over :)

[tinter]

Thanks guys for the impromptu visit... Jim was there today.
:wink:
Rob.

[Rupewrecht]

Thanks guys for the impromptu visit... Jim was there today.
:wink:
Rob.

LOL that'd be right!

thanks again for all your time :)

[BigBoyLemonade]

Well I am getting my car tinted at Solar Tint Fyshwick ACT next week. I would have waited till i could get down to melbourne but I am taking the car to autosalon next weekend.

I have the option for Top Metallic or the Onyx Black.

Which is the better film. I don't care about sat nav anymore cause I have been told if the aerial is mounted near the front windscreen it works fine of any tinted car.

[KittyKatSmack]

*said with accent*

Black!

Word!

Peace

respectin.......

[Rupewrecht]

*said with accent*

Black!

Word!

Peace

respectin.......

no no, it's *bleck* ;)

[tinter]

Hi Tony,
It would be very hard to go past the Madico Onyx 35% True Black.
It's a great metalised heat reflective solar control film with goods looks without it appearing shiny.
I have it on my own cars and obviously I have the choice of all.

Rob.

[mrpayner]

Hi Rob,

Just read your previous post there.. what would be a round-a-bout price for this particular film?? I need to get my glass redone as the rear window has greatly reduced visability due to the current tint.

Regards
Adam

[Cosmo Dude]

A ballpark price would be useful, from there I can put some $$$ aside before paying a visit and get a firmer price.
Only one more window to swap before tinting can occur :D

[Cloudland]

Hi tinter and all

is SolarGard a good brand? i havn't had time to check the onyx out, bumped into a tint shop the other day and quoted NZ$260 all inclusive. just wondering.

forget it - found ONYX yesterday, the quote is $250. made a booking. thanks tinter.

[tinter]

Cloud,
I have that Onyx on my own personal car and on my son's newish Corolla Conquest we found. You'll find it tops. Hopefully the tint shop have their wits about them to install it properly. Let us know how you liked it!

Adam,
Generally speaking, for a whole car allow a hundred for removal but save that and have a go at removing it yourself. Metho will dissolve the old remaining glue once you get the base film off. Then budget for mid 300's for a top notch install.

Rob.

[BigBoyLemonade]

Howdy! thanks for your advice Rob.

I had my car done at Solar tint Fyshwick and they did a perfect job!

I got the Madico Onyx Black 35%

Strip of old tint and application of new tint for $400
Im very happy with the job. Im glad I have a sunroof cause keeping the windows up is a bummer.

I will take some pics of the new tint this weekend.

[tinter]

Ahhhh great Tony.
I'm glad they did you a fine job. You should be able to use the windows immediately...at least the way I install it you can.
It would be well and trurly dry by now...go for it.
Later,
Rob.

[BigBoyLemonade]

Why do they say 48 hours? I thought it was 24 hours at the most.

[tinter]

For them the more time the better to make sure the film has had the water in between the glass and film evaporated and the adhesive cured.
Rob.

[Cloudland]

Hi Rob

i had a bad luck, check the pictures, these are taken today, 2 days after i got my car tinted for NZ$250, i think there's some dirt left, i'll have to go back to the shop - but what can be done? is it possible to clean them or i'll have to ask them to re-do the job? thanks

http://www.cloudworld.net/image/tint/PC030038.jpg

another 2 pics
http://www.cloudworld.net/image/tint/PC030039.jpg
http://www.cloudworld.net/image/tint/PC030040.jpg

the tint looks good overall, although it can be darker for my like, i guess the 35% limit is too conservative.
http://www.cloudworld.net/image/tint/PC010018.jpg
http://www.cloudworld.net/image/tint/PC010024.jpg

[tinter]

That's contamination Cloud! A nice word for crap between film and glass. :cry:
The only way to fix it is to do a complete strip and redo on that offending piece of glass. That's the rear obviously and it could be the remnants of a previously placed internal sticker's adhesive or just crud.

What they should have done was to prep that rear glass with OO fine steel wool (can't scratch glass or damage heater demister grid using that grade) then visually inspected the entire window before applying film.

This crap has been missed by the installer unfortunately. It cannot be lifted now...she's dead meat mate.

Love the colour of the film as it looks very neat and compliments the yellow. The next version down in reduced light transmission is the illegal 20% (2 layers of what you've got already) and the loss of vision and your ability to see safely would have been very compromised.

You made the right choice.... now it just has to be fixed.
Cheers,
Rob.

[tinter]

Cloud,
Here is what I played with on Friday....fairly rare beast... requested only moi to tint it...a new BMW 645 with $30,000 worth of German body kit, wheels and tyres, exhaust etc..
Car was worth more than $250,000 before mods.
Rob.


http://img34.exs.cx/img34/6104/30-BMW645_4.jpg

[Cloudland]

woooo! that IS a rare one!

oh thanks, i'll get back to have the rear re-done. and i guess the 2 small pieces around c-collar as well.

[Cloudland]

Hi tinter

i went back to the shop this afternoon, in telephone the guy asked me whether the thingy i mentioned can be seen from 3 metres away - he said the "regulation" says if it can't be seen from 3 metres away, then it's not a problem. oh yes i hate this he also said something on the rear window are leftover of weldings etc. the gurantee is for peeling, bubbles, etc, caused by some larger area of uncleaned surface, etc, and not the small dirt in my case. he called it a rather perfect job, and said i can show the car to other shops they'll say it's normal etc, etc. he asked me if i want to re-do the job but apparently he won't do everything for free and he can't gurantee that the new job would be completely "dirt-free".

i shouldn't have picked the cheapest shop.

btw, he didn't seem to take off the any of the panels and just worked the glass on the door with rubber trim loosened, he said he should have done that (take the glass out). and he only spend like 2 hours something on the job.

[tinter]

Cloud,
This 3 metre bull**** is something some smart arse in the States came up with to absolve themselves from redoing warranty work. It doesn't cut for a try-on down here!
Of course you can see it and therefore it's not right.
It's also very unlikely to have welding spark splatter on it unless the rear has been repaired in a panel shop and they haven't protected the glass against hot iron filings off a grinder for example....more BS!

Not taking at least the door trim panels off and only spending a minimum amount of time on it and the cheapest job going and the dicking around he is giving with all the excuses under the sun sounds like a someone who shouldn't give up their day job.

Take up his offer and get it checked out by another very experienced tint shop and see what they have to say. Give me another photo of the junk a little further back if you will.
Later,
Rob.

[chipa]

Well everyone, after finally getting everything sorted after the xmas fun, I thought I would let you know that on the 23rd I got my windows done by Rob (tinter) with the Madico Onyx film.

I've got to say I'm damn happy with not only the finished product but Rob's professionalism. He was great, even took the time to explain to me why he did things the way he did. Anyone in Melbourne or heading there and you want your windows tinted, I’d say its worth your time to give him a call!

[Cloudland]

if there is a trans-tasman ferry doesn't cost an arm and a leg...

[pr1mo]

yeah ill be going up to have a chat to rob about my windows shortly i think. will have to speak to mr Wrecht about borrowing the bug while theyre being done too :P

cheers mike

[tinter]

if there is a trans-tasman ferry doesn't cost an arm and a leg...

I'm looking for a holiday Cloud...can I bring over my squeegee? :lol:
Thanks Chris for being so punctual considering the great distance you travelled and what a great car?
Loved the tail light lenses.
Rob.

[Cloudland]

I'm looking for a holiday Cloud...can I bring over my squeegee? :lol:
no kidding ugh? :)

[BigBoyLemonade]

Hey Tinter,

Me and friend tried to tint my civic today and got the side doors done pretty well but what steps do you take to tint the hatch back rear. Its pretty flat besides the curves at the bottom.

Any tips? its just dodgy supercheap tint. Its just our runabout, we don't care to much, no bubbles so far.

Its an 88-90 ED 3 Door Civic

[tinter]

The Civic rear ain't no walk in the park with that model.
You'll have to install it in 2 or 3 horizontal pieces (forget heat shrinking expertise for a novice) and hide the join on the demister line.
You do that by overlapping each piece of film on to the other, squeegeeing it out and cut the 2 with a very sharp blade right near the line. Take out the piece on top and the other underneath and re-squeegee out again.

I can feel a "destroy-it-yourself" result coming up here.
Rob.

[BigBoyLemonade]

Yeah we already had that result... wint + outdoors + wind = death
We are going to pull the hatch off when we get round to doing it...

[Asterix]

Here's a qn...
I had my windows tinted on my R34 Skyline last week.
As I have a sunroof, I asked for that to be tinted too & they said I can't.
The reasoning they gave me was that the glass would explode.

Is this crap, or what's the go??

[BigBoyLemonade]

Sorry to cut in tinter but yes this is true, I never believed it until I heard about one of my employee's friends shattering just yesterday, supposely the heat gets trapped in and then any slight movement or bump will smash it.

[platypus]

sounds like the glass is fitted to tightly

[Asterix]

Sorry to cut in tinter but yes this is true, I never believed it until I heard about one of my employee's friends shattering just yesterday, supposely the heat gets trapped in and then any slight movement or bump will smash it.

I asked why the rear window wouldn't pop too & it MUST get almost the same sun but going off Axedos' theory I guess the rear window doesn't move that much.

Cheers for the feedback!

[platypus]

nor is in a tight enclosure, such as a roof lining

[tinter]

Here's a qn...
I had my windows tinted on my R34 Skyline last week.
As I have a sunroof, I asked for that to be tinted too & they said I can't.
The reasoning they gave me was that the glass would explode.

Is this crap, or what's the go??

There are specific films I have that are perfectly OK for roof applications. In a nutshell asterisk.....it's crap. Have they given up their day job?
I have it on both my Outback factory fitted sunroofs (it's a limited edition H6 model) and it makes a massive difference in solar heat gain.
Rob.

[tinter]

Sorry guys,
I should have read further down.
All automotive glass fitted into vehicles these days is heat tempered or toughened. It's a manufacturing process that fires the glass in a furnace very rapidly and then it is cooled down slowly with fans.
This process hardens the glass right through and should it break, it crystalises into zillions of small safety bits of glass.
This is why this type of glass can be installed with incredibly dark film and not break despite huge glass temperature increases.
For a roof to break it probably has a flaw in it or it has been knocked with something sharp and hard and then "BOOM" like a shotgun going off beside your head.
Rob.