Atlas_Gen

Hello all,

I am a new member to this forum and I've been a new owner of a 2004 Acura TL for a few months now.

So onto my question!

I bought this TL that was originally from Arizona so the first owner had 20% tint put on the windows and just today a cop pulled me over and said the reasoning was because my tint looked too dark, he asked if I knew what the % was and I said no because I bought it like this from the car dealership so he got his handy dandy scanner out and checked my tint and bam 20% - in my state of Minnesota, the legal tint is only 50%

Is it worth tinting my windows to 50% or should I just take it all off? I got a quote from a tint shop and they charge $120 to take off the tint and $220 to put on the 50% tint but I've been doing some research and might just take off the tint myself at home for $30 with a steamer and a razor blade. The 20% tint looks really nice on all 4 windows plus the back window but I don't want to get pulled over again and get ticketed.

Thanks and I look forward to your responses!

Slpr04UA6

Check your state laws for the rear passenger windows first. You may not have to remove that. I am not sure.

For removal, I've heard steamers work well.

I have used this method with no drawbacks. Let the car sit in the sun for a few hours (to heat up adhesive), then use a razor blade and start at one edge just to get a piece of tint you can grab. Then pull the tint at an angle towards opposite side. After that, in a spray bottle, mix up some dish soap and water, spray all over window that has adhesive on it. Use razor blade to clean all adhesive off window, wiping glue on a paper towel/rag. I use a new blade for every window, or every two. I always have paid to have rear window removed, due to not wanting to mess with rear defroster. ~30

It really is easy.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

I have 50% on mine and I like it a lot. I'm from Minnesota as well. I got mine done from sun control. Minnesota tint law is 50% all around. I tried to get away with 20% on the back and 50% on the front windows, but no luck

csmeance

A good quality film will help reject heat so the interior won't get as hot even if it's 50%. I would suggest you pull off your existing film on the 6 windows and leave the rear windshield to the experts due to the defroster lines.

Make sure they don't cut the rubber wipers on the inside of the doors on the 4 windows and that felt is installed so it doesn't scratch the tint!

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Yes a good quality tint will do the job. I did some research before I spent the money on getting mine installed, I tried finding a dealer in Minnesota who installed Huper Optik but the closest installer was in Chicago, so I went with Formula 1 Pinnacle Series from Sun Control, who even installed moleskins and a lifetime warranty against scratches or any imperfections that may arise.

Acura080590

That looks nice for 50%. I'm in MN as well and I've had 35% in the past on another car with no issues and loved it. Parents have had 20% with no luck. What color is your interior? That plays a role in how dark it "looks"

Atlas_Gen

50% looks really nice - I was thinking of going with 35% but because of the laws I'll just stick with the 50%

Atlas_Gen

I've got grey interior.

Atlas_Gen

I emailed Sun Control to get a quote on how much the window tint would be at they said $399 for the Formula 1 Pinnacle Series, does that sound about right? A bit pricey.

I found another shop called Tint My Ride in Rosemount. They quoted $120 for tint removal and $220 for the 50% tint. I might go with Tiny My Ride.

Atlas_Gen

Actually I might set up an appointment with Sun Control because TintMyRide uses Global Window Films which has the metallized film.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Yeah that was what I paid. I removed all the tint on my side windows and they said the would take care of the rear for me because I wasn't going to touch that lol. Got to think of the benefits as well, lifetime warranty, moleskins and the tinted the rear quarter window correctly by tucking it in where it should be, most shops will cut it short.

Atlas_Gen

I just picked up my keys today from Sun Control in Eden Prairie while I was on break at work today and guess what? They curb rashed the hell out of my new wheels. WTF is that about? Seeing the pictures on their website with the nice luxury cars, you would think that they would treat your car very well but nope! So I called the president Todd Jensen and left him a message on his cell phone and left a voicemail on their office phone and then sent him an email with pictures of the scratches and the scratches were definitely NOT there when I dropped my TL off because I baby the hell out of it. So I asked him in the email for something to be done because I'm a very dissatisfied customer and how the hell do you not take care of the car that you are working on. I'll post some pictures of the curb rash. I got MB Wheels Weapons and they were $137 each.









And you can see in the picture that they did rub my wheel against the curb because it's all dirty and I washed my car before dropping it off and I always check my wheels when I park.

You can bet that they are definitely going to get a call tomorrow morning from me right away and I'm going to keep bugging them until they either replace the scratched wheel or write me a check for it.

nfnsquared

Did you check your odometer to see if they took it for a joyride? (I always note the odometer and I tell the manager and the tech that will be working on my car that I know the starting mileage.)

Also, if I had brand new wheels, I'd make the manager walk around the car with me and agree that there is no prior damage. Hindsight is 20/20, but food for thought.

Or did they just curb it when moving it into the shop?

I'd give the owner time to look into it. I'm sure he probably had no idea this happened until you brought it to his attention. If he's a responsible owner, he'll look into it and find out which of his employees was driving the car.

Atlas_Gen

I checked my odometer but forgot to write it down When I dropped my car off at the shop, they were closed since they only take appointments so I put my keys in the drop off box. It looks like they curbed it when they moved it out of the shop because when I left my car I parked it in the parking lot no where near a curb.

Yeah, I'll give him a call tomorrow morning and see how he wants to deal with it, either buy me a new wheel or write me a $137 check and I'll get the wheel myself.

I'm still furious about this. I had a gut feeling about my wheels when I saw it parked next to a curb because when I park next to a curb, I make damn sure that I'm not parked right on it.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

I'm sorry to hear that. I took mine to the one in St.Paul, I stayed there through the whole appointment because I don't know anyone down in that area. They seemed to treat my car pretty nice. Let us know what Todd says.

How did the tint turn out otherwise?

Atlas_Gen

Todd scheduled me an appointment for the one in St.Paul but I had to work and it's a bit farther away so I couldn't bring my car there otherwise I would have gone there too since it's the HQ so I went with the one in EP since it's near me. He sent me a text today and said that we'll schedule a meeting next week after the Labor Day weekend and get things figured out. I'm glad that he personally messaged me.

I only took cell phone pics so the quality isn't good but I'll get more later when it's sunny since it was overcast when I took the pictures.

BEFORE with 20%


AFTER with 50%


I liked how it looked with the 20% but 50% will have to do.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

It still looks great. Just like mine, seems darker than 50%. Hope the wheel issues gets solved for ya.

Side note- we are planning a meet for the twin cities Azine September 28th I'm not sure how active you are in the regional part of this forum, but check out the Midwest section.

Atlas_Gen

Thanks, me too!

Oh awesome! I'd be down for a meet, it would actually be my first meet. I'll take at a look that section.

Atlas_Gen

I met up with Todd today after I got off work and he wrote me a check to buy a new wheel, now that is how professionals deal with an issue! Thanks Todd! Now to order my new wheel!