Planning on getting my windows tinted very soon and I was wondering if any of you guys are painting the "bubbles" around the back window. I had an Accord that I had to have this done to because the tint won't stick to that texture. Is it the same for the TL-S?

 

My tint shop needs to perform what it called an acid wash to treat the "dot matrix" area. So that the tint film will stick.

 

I have my windows tinted with legal tint (30% for Maryland) and don't have the bubbles covered. I couldn't find anyone who would acid wash it, and one lady told me she knew of one person but they got complaints because the chemicals got on the people's interior and messed it up. You can really only tell when you're looking right at the window, but most people don't even notice. It might be different though if you are going for something a little darker. If you do get it acid washed, then make sure it's with someone reputable so your interior doesn't get messed up

 

I tinted mine and it did fine. The accord is different I think. The accord had little circles, and the TL has the dots. At least that's what the tint guy said. He said the dots don't have as much of a problem.

 

Some tint shops use black vinyl tape (dunno exactly what it's called but it is basically a thin vinyl adhesive) to cover up the dot matrix. On dark tint film you can hardly notice the difference between the vinyl color and the tint color.

 

How much usually does a tint job cost?

 

What type of tint did you guys use? I'm looking into it, but I don't want one that will interfere with my navi reception. Is it only the metallic tints that interfere?

 

$315.00 All the way around. 50% front, 20% rears, and vinyl applied to the upper 8" of the rear glass. Jim @ Acme glass in Fairfield, CA.

 

$185. All 5 windows. I had it done on my Infiniti. It had no effect on the nav. system.

 

damn thats expensive. out here in maryland, there is a guy that does it for $99 for all 5 windows. he does an excellent job and even does all the windows in one piece(including the rear).

 

$90 sounds almost too cheap. I paid $230 eight years ago on my Vigor (35%) all around. I paid $225 two weeks ago for 35% all around on my TL. As for the dot matrix, the applied the tint right over it. unluss you look right at it, you don't even notice it. When I first got it back, it looked blotchy over the dot matrix. Basically it was sticking in some areas and not over others. THey said give it some time and it will become more uniform. It's much better now, but there's still a little "botchiness" in a couple of spots. I'll give a couple more weeks. If it doesn't clear up, I'll bring it back.

It's warranted for as long as I own the car.

 

I had mine done at Dedona in Greensboro, NC. They tinted the dot matrix area w/ no trouble at all. I don't know if they did anything special but they didn't mention it. It cost $250 for 40% all around. Maybe kind of pricey but they did an absolutely flawless job and tinted all the way to the edges of the windows (which a lot of shops don't do, around here anyway).

 

Any good tint shop recommeded in San Francisco/Bay Area? What price am I looking at ? Thanks in advance.

 

I did it in Manassas VA.. cost me 190 cash.. no tax.. at all....
he told me he can put silver reflective but it's an illegal in va.. so.. couldn't add reflective.. the car will looKKKKKK so SEXY.. if i add that.. and it's just extra $40 buck... i wanted it so bad.. but and he shows me the chrome color.. ooooh... nice..$$$$$.....

 

here..in S. CAL...i got an offer of $180 for high quality titanium tint..all 5.

G

 

I paid $199 for all 5 windows. Its been about 6 weeks, and so far no problem with the dot matrix and no problem with nav reception.

 

Just like with many other types of purchases, you get what you pay for when it comes to tint; not all tint films are the same quality. Ever seen tint that was originally dark gray/black turn dark blue? Cheap tint film start out looking great but give it some time in the sun and watch what happens--color changes, bubbles. Plus make sure you get tint that blocks UV.

The $120+ prices I see in this thread are about right, depending on how many windows and what kind of tint. Remember, on a TL/TL-S there is a bit more labor involved when it comes to tinting the rear passenger windows since each rear door has two pieces of glass, so you may want to keep that in mind if you're trying to compare apples to oranges when it comes to tint prices on various cars.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Tony

 

You definitely get what you pay for!!
High quality metallic tints will give you more natural color and may carry a life time warranty, but some brands of metallic base tints may interfere with the Navi.

Madco has a line called "Onyx" and its the most natural metallic tint I've seen. Kind of expensive though, but it depends on the tint shop. Go with someone who does great work.

 

I wonder if they can cut out a section of tint around the Navi antenna so that it doesn't interfere with the reception.

The Navi antenna, by the way, is that chocolate-truffle looking lump on the right side of your rear window glass.

 

The metallic tint I have on now doesn't interfere with the navi now. My '99 had a previous version of the Madco Autolux Metallic tint and I noticed some lower reception. Don't get me wrong. My navi operated just fine with the slight reduction in reception. I just noticed the little reception signal turning yellow more often.

On the other hand I heard from a Lexus owner that the metallic tint really slowed his navi performance. I am glad that Madco made a new line to accomodate.

Ask your tint shop before you commit to spending $200.

 

Here in SoCal I got mine for $140 Titanium for all five windows. It also comes with lifetime warranty. Mine was a medium tint not sure what percentage that is.

 

I think medium is about 30-35%; limo is considered to be 5%.

Tony

 

Just came back from the tint shop. Got 35% on the sides and 20% on the back. Looks fantastic. I have to let it "set" for the next two days, but it looks like it will hold on the dots.

 

As Tony from Richmond, Ca. pointed out, You get what you pay for. I could have had all 7 windows done for $179.00 @ another shop, (which I've had do one of my other cars and It turned out fine) But I've heard about this Jim guy @ Acme glass in Fairfield, CA is the best. Not only does he use llumar high performance, (Professional) film of the highest quality, he also removes the whole sun deck (including the Sub-woofer cover), removes the rear corner glass from the frame, and "ALL" the door panels. in addition to appling Vinyl over the upper section of Dot matrix on the rear glass. Only because he is not happy with the results of trying to cover it with the film. Yah I feel $315.00 is a little steep but after spending $33 K on my Wht Diamond Pearl TL-S I wanted to have the BEST>>>>The break down is $159.00 for the Rear (everything behind the driver), $100.00 for the front Driver,Passenger windows, and an additional $35.00 for having to use Vinyl. If I wanted to wait untill winter, It would have only costed me around $200.00.

 

Where in Manassas? I'm gonna be looking to get it done in a couple weeks and that's right down the road

thanks aot

 

satinsilverTLS,

dood..u r in San Marino??....where'd u get ur tint for 140? 5 windows? give me the location dood..

G

 

As said u get what ya pay 4! I had my TL done 17 mo ago, cost $235.00 for all but windshield, 29%, 3M top of the line, guaranteed for life of ownership, tapered edges, (to keep from "peeling), & the DOTS have some small lines like (have to know what 2 look for!)Love it, & well worth it.

 

I'll be getting my tint today from Tint Plus in Laguna Hills. They use Formula One and it's going to cost $225 for five windows.

 

I just had my car done last week @ Tint Works & Auto Glass in Walnut, Ca. right across the street from the Metrolink Station. It cost me $135.00 OTD. 13% on the rear windows and 32% up front. The film is HP Charcoal and is warrantied for the life of the car. This is the 3rd vehicle I have had done there in the last 10 years. The fact that they have been around that long should tell you something! I am very pleased with their work and highly recommend them to anyone living in SoCal.