jimstsx

Hello to everyone...

I am looking for a good window tinter....actually a great window tinter....in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/West Valley areas of Arizona.

I'm sure that there are good places and bad places here in AZ and I am hoping that some of you guys and gals can help me out a bit.

There are about 1000 tinters in the phone book and I don't know who to trust with my car!!

Also, are there any tint laws I should know about here in AZ?

Thanks for the help and for taking the time to read this!

Yui

Don't go to Danny's Car Wash up in Scottsdale. Smite and I have both been there, with disappointing results. Zasker1 might be able to hook you up with some place though.

jimstsx

I appreciate that people are helping me and looking into this....I found a few places in the phone book but who knows about those places. Airpark Tint seemed ok but as I said, I'm not too sure about anyplaces out here.

Thanks again.

FuriousGeorge83

any suggestions for tucson? I heard the specialists were ok but who knows from experience?

Laxdog3421

I got mine done at dannys' family in north scootdale and it looks great and it didn't take long at all. No bubbles at all.

jimstsx

LaxDog...

Any pics of your car with the tint?

Thanks.

TSXXY

i think as long as you go to a "professional looking" (horrible to judge a book by its cover, i know) but if you go to a decent place that you know has been around for a while, and has no problem backing up their workmanship then i'd say go with them. Just kinda do some homework as to what film they use, and if it's top-notch.

just my $.02

Marko

CJams

www.tintcenter.com
www.tintdude.com

Both are great resources for laws and tint shops.

Zasker1

Let me find my tinters contact info. I spend alot of time researching this and his name came up often. He did a great job. I dont have any experence with Dannys but every car dealer I talked to implyed they do wholesale quality work and they would not take their personal cars there.

smite

Ya as Yui said, I had a rough time with Danny's. My car has been at Scottsdale Acura for a week now while they fix the cut door gasket, damaged interior panel and razor cut on the back windshield. Oh and they had to retint the whole car again too. I'm just hoping there is going to be no more damage when I pick it up...

That said, Danny's has been pretty good in taking care of everything. If you want Huper Optik, Danny's is your only choice. I also looked into Formula One Pinnacle as another ceramic tint (as I was concerned about nav reception), but amazingly there is no dealer in Phoenix metro area. I was considering going down to Tucson to The Specialists as I had heard good things about them.

If you want just a regular 3m, madico, llumar metallized or hybrid tint applied then you might want to consider a guy named Sprinter over on the tintdude site. He seems to be active on the site and looks like he would stand behind his work.

Good Luck.

jimstsx

Thanks to all for the information thus far, I am really looking into this tint situation because I have seen some really good tint and really bad tint since I arrived.

Zasker, if you can dig up your tinter's contact information I would appreciate it!


Has anyone heard of Airpark Tint in North Scottsdale? I saw their website but again, don't know anything about them.

I am also going to check out the websites that you guys provided.

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing what further information you guys have provided.

jimstsx

Also...what is the deal with the inside gasket savers??!!


I called a few places and was told that they would have to retrofit something inside the window with the gasket so dirt doesnt get inside the window and scratch the tint?

Any thoughts or ideas on this?

stogie1020

I bought my TSX at Beaudry (now Chapman) in Tucson, and took the car to the same tint shop the dealership uses. It was right accross the street, but I can't remember the name (Safelight, maybe?). Anyway, they did a mediocre job, as I have some small bubbles less than a year later... Not enought of a problem for me to drive down there and have them replace it (yet...), but an annoyance, definitely. Keep us posted on what you come up with in Phoenix/Scottsdale, since I am sure I will need the current tint replaced in a couple of years.

With the heat here now, maybe I will just use blackout curtains...

Do a search for "moleskin" regarding the gasket issue

jimstsx

Hello....

I am working through a list of places and don't know where to go yet. Again.....any and all input is welcome!!!

I will post pictures when the job is done.

smite

I would suggest researching the various types of tint available on the market and cross reference that with your list of priorities. Once you have an idea of what you want then go looking for a dealer of that tint. I have heard good things about Airpark Tint and Metro Tint from others, but I have no personal experience with them. I would imagine any well established firm that stands behind their work would be acceptable. You do generally get what you pay for, so if you go for that $99 special, you can be sure that the quality of the tint or the install is probably not that good.

jimstsx

I agree with the statement, you get what you pay for. Do you have any further information about Airpark?

Has anyone else heard anything about Airpark in N. Scottsdale?

smite

An acquaintance at work had his tint done there and he had no complaints. It's hardly an endorsement, but just passing along the info. Just based on the area and the caliber of other businesses in the area, I'd say they are a good bet. BBB record is clean.

jimstsx

Thanks for the info Smite.

I appreciate the help.

jimstsx

I checked the BBB website and just wanted to see what you guys knew about Airpark Window tinting in N. Scottsdale.

The BBB had no complaints on file but I thought a second opinion from everyone on here couldn't hurt!

I look forward to hearing what you guys think.

Thanks!!!

ChrisBrown

I took my car up to Arrowhead Honda in Peoria. It was perfect. No bubbles, lifetime warranty, so if one shows it's worth a complete re-tint. I spent $300ish.

jimstsx

What's $300ish? On the high or low side of $300...?

I really need these windows tinted, I'm not used to over 100 degress!!!!!!!

lilballa

I didnt wana make other thread for this..but does anyone know any good tint shops in the monroeville/pittsburgh area??
Any suggestions on percent would be nice..im thinkiing arond 35%..thanks

jimstsx

If you can't find a good tinter in the Pittsburgh area...I know a good one in Youngstown, OH. About 50 minutes from Pittsburgh if it helps.

jesh411

Anyone know any good tinting places in tucson i am going to be moving down there in soon and taking my 06 tsx. Also any recomendations on percentages for that area since its so hot thanks

stogie1020

Jesh,

I have heard good things about the Specialist, but haven't used them myself. I went to Safelight, and am not impressed with the quality of the install. Ironically, this is where Chapman Acura was sending cars at the time for tint. obviously, avoid the guy in his pickup truck next to the hotdog stand on the corner (you will see them, and rock chip guys on the South side of town).

jesh411

stogie1020,
thanks what percentage tints did you get

stogie1020

I don't remember the exact number, but it was one "back" from the most they would legally do. They did the back a little darker than the fronts, and I thought it might look weird, but it looks great, and i can see out of it during the day. I used to drive a car with near limo tint all around, and at night it was almost impossible to see out the side windows.

FuriousGeorge83

didnt want to start another thread on tints so Im gonna piggy back off this older thread if you guys dont mind.

Question is, Illinois has a no tint in front window policy and as dark as you want in the back. I have wisconsin plates and was thinking about getting tints done there. Can I still get a ticket in illinois (mostly chicago)? and do you think it will be worth the hassle? more likely to get pulled over in chicago because of it?