bassplayer

I took my car, black TL, to a tint shop that was located at a car wash and I received a quote for $400 to tint the whole car.

What seems to be the price for a quality tinting job? I am in California.

Is there anything that I should know prior to having it done?

thanks...

EddieXo

i dont know why some places cost more then others. I know that the place that acura took my car was charging my gf 150 to get her 3 rear windows tinted and acura took my car there so it must be good i guess...

death

I'm on the East Coast and I have gotten numerous quotes, none over $200... VA area, and that's for all windows. Then again Cali is probably a little more expensive. That's my two sense...

jbx35

$230 for all 5 windows in Llumar 20% heat reflective metal film. No dye film with lifetime warranty. Doesn't interfer with radio or cell phone.

shimbo519

shop around......that is WAY OVERPRICEd!

2001TL4KCdude

$160

NYDesi80

I agreee...way over priced... got mine done for 140 20's all around .. and 3M. KEEP SHOPPING!

Bxscig

I got mine done for $160, 5 windows @ 35%. Great job too but in NYC. Local shop. It shouldn't be that high, some of the other places I went to were $220 or so.

goldendragon576

$200 all around. Got the better tints too!
$400 is TOO much...I could get another car done for that.

drcookie

I got five windows done for $250. 40% front and 35% rear. Definitely shop around.

Cheeers !!!

Eternal TL2k3

i paid 250.. though they do regular type of tint for 200... 400 is way too much

Ricky Williams

280 at Eclipse in Sacramento. 20% all around and work is guranteed for life. All the Sacramento Kings get their cars done so they must be decent. C Webb, Bibby, etc.....If its under 200 then something is wrong or the warranty is not as good.

dtpjigzer

If you're in sac, CA. it's only 180 for all the windows except the windshield! that guy did all my previous cars, and my friends and families car. decent price and professional quality!

bloo_tls02

I got mine for $180. That quote that you got is totally off-the-wall (no matter where you are). I figure in CA. it would be cheaper b/c there is prob a tint shop around every corner.
Most pro. shops use the Llumar tint, nothing less.

bassplayer

thanks for all the responses. $400 does seem a bit high, even for the bay area.
Who is the best manufacturer of tint?
What type looks best with a black car? mirror? smoke? or?

DOLEFEE

Huper Optik films is the best, hands down. Rejects heat anywhere from 75% - 95% depending on the type of film. The best reflective/fully metallic tint or darkest limo tint rejects 55% at best. I got the "Drei" film on my '03 TL-S including windshield for $330(side job) Not too bad considering the normal price is $629 w/o the windshield. This tint is a must for AZ or any other place that gets up in the high temps. Here's the link:

http://huperoptikusa.com/

Just my $.02...

Ackman

145.00 ALL THE WAY AROUND.

tdoh

That's my bro you're talking about... Small world!

bassplayer

Well, here is what I found:

$350 for cpu cut
$250 for hand cut

Which is better?

Also, should I use tint without metal for the rear window. so, it does not affect the antanna?

your help is greatly appreciated.

maxx96

jbx35: Do you have any problems with your radio or alarm? I ask because I know Llumar is a very good paper but I have experience with metal paper (not Llumar) and when I put it in my old Maxima, my reception for the alarm went down the drain, I was in luck because the Max uses dual antenna so the radio stayed ok but not as good as without the paper, this is why I have not put any paper yet on mine. Also, I will not put any paper with dye on so 5 mo. later is fading out.
If you can, give me some input on this, thanks!

jbx35

I was a little worried that my reception for radio and cell phone would be affected, but they weren't. I tried all the AM and FM stations and they come in just as strong as before. My cell phone works just fine, no drops, static or anything. I did NOT think about the alarm before getting it done and I don't think the range on that was reduced. Everything seems to be perfect. I did get black vinyl put on the upper part of the rear window where there are those little 'dots' everywhere. I wasn't sure how that would turn out, but it looks very good too. Can't even see where the film meets the vinyl. The look from outside in is non-existent, you can't see in well enough to make out anything. Inside looking out is like looking through a good pair of sunglasses. If it weren't for the front window I wouldn't need sunglasses. At night you can see headlights no problem, but can't seem to make out exactly what make or model car is coming up on you. The auto dim feature on the rearview mirror still works though. I was hoping the heat reduction would be greater than it was. Still hot, not near as hot, but not what I thought 50-60% reduction was. The Huperoptiks was just too pricey. Like someone else said, almost $600 just for the 5 windows and not dark enough for me. I am seriously thinking about getting the windshield done with that though. That is where most of my residual heat is coming from. These cars have BIG windshields.
Hope this helps.

TLover8888

OK, anyone who paid more than $200 for LIFETIME warranty got RIPPED OFF!!!! regardless of tint film...its the job that the price depends on, not the type of film.

jbx35

Just your opinion I'm sure as there are many factors that determine the final price. Quality shops will be very close on price in the same market.

Raheel

hey bassplayer are you in Kansas?

garticus

$130 in Florida, $400 is WAY overpriced, even for Cali...

bassplayer

no, i am in northern california- where everything is more expensive!

i have not found anything under $200 here.

disgookonfiya

most places i went to down here for my previous cars all quoted less than 150 (most places quoted 120), lifetime warranty and all....

maxx96

jbx35: Thanks a lot for the info, I know that even with good paper the car still gets hot and it is because the hot air is trapped inside more than in a house for example. I gess I will look around for price and yes the installation makes a difference in how much you pay but the paper is what counts at the end. Thanks again.

99LagunaTL

$120 lifetime guarantee - don't spend $400!!!