Thinking about adding tint to my '08 LS460
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: CA
This is the third car I've had done by a local individual in Denver, I doubt if he would do you much good in CA. His prices have been going up along with everything else but last was $135 and a very good job, took about an hour.
He does the rear glass, with its compound curves, in one piece. He makes a template using the film on the outside. Contours it with a hot air gun, trims it, then crawls inside, separates the laminate sheet and wets/squeegees it to the inside. (He separates a corner of the laminate/film with his teeth in an instant. Drives me crazy... takes me forever to do that using various means ;-)
He does this out of his personal garage, I think he's moonlighting from a regular tint shop.
Check CL for local tinters, they're all over the place around here and about half price of the tint/bra shops.
I didn't want him to take the door panels off because oftentimes they break a few of those plastic retainer plugs. I'm guessing Lexus uses something of their own and hard to find and he wouldn't have had replacements.
Whit
He does the rear glass, with its compound curves, in one piece. He makes a template using the film on the outside. Contours it with a hot air gun, trims it, then crawls inside, separates the laminate sheet and wets/squeegees it to the inside. (He separates a corner of the laminate/film with his teeth in an instant. Drives me crazy... takes me forever to do that using various means ;-)
He does this out of his personal garage, I think he's moonlighting from a regular tint shop.
Check CL for local tinters, they're all over the place around here and about half price of the tint/bra shops.
I didn't want him to take the door panels off because oftentimes they break a few of those plastic retainer plugs. I'm guessing Lexus uses something of their own and hard to find and he wouldn't have had replacements.
Whit
It's just that I have a difficult time trusting the individuals, especially to do this on my baby. If they mess up or do a shotty job then I cant really hold them liable, like I could a business that has a license and something to lose. Which, in turn, would, IMO, make the business do a more thorough job in the 1st place.
But, never-the-less, I will see if there are any with outstanding referrals and maybe that is the way to go for a quality job and low price.
Thanks all for your input. I will post my pics of the tint once it is complete.
Dwij.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: GA
Tint
Unsure how GPS is affected by tint, since the GPS antenna (shark tail) is mounted externally. Seems to me it would not affect GPS. Some tints may affect radio transmission due to EMI, but ceramic tint overcomes that...at least in my case. I know someone who owns a Camry and had a tint job at the same place as I did. She can't get good AM reception. May be a cheaper quality tint.
If you have a smart phone or a portable NAV device, try it to see if you lose the GPS signal. If it works, then I suggest the problem is a NAV software problem...not a tiint problem.
If you have a smart phone or a portable NAV device, try it to see if you lose the GPS signal. If it works, then I suggest the problem is a NAV software problem...not a tiint problem.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: FL
This week I had the Pinnacle Non Metalized - Ceramic film 35% installed all the way around, but not the windshield, on my "new" 2008 black LS 460. It's a FormulaOne high performance auto tint from Llumar. Took two hours. We need 35% for the heat and strong rays here in Tallahassee. Doesn't look overly dark and is legal in Florida. Makes the whole car look better and helps control the heat.
I've used that previously on my LS 430 and RX 330, and used something similar on my LS 400 years ago. All have aged perfectly. Cost $230, including a $30 discount coupon. Well worth it.
I've used that previously on my LS 430 and RX 330, and used something similar on my LS 400 years ago. All have aged perfectly. Cost $230, including a $30 discount coupon. Well worth it.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 653
Likes: 53
From: Insane Diego, CA
My previous BMW 7 had an antenna array located below the rear window parcel shelf. Using metal tints on the rear window would cause significant interference with AM radio signals.
Is there a similar concern with the 460?
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