Year: 2008
Model: LS460
Color: Pearl White on Cashmere w/cherry wood

Want to know your thoughts about:

1.) Suntek or 3M Film? Does it matter?
2.) % tint? I was thinking 35% all around
3.) Any places in SF Bay Area you recommend?
4.) What is the typical price of doing all 5 or just back 3?
5.) Any other questions I should be asking?

Thanks for the knowledge!

Dwij.

 

be aware that if you ever decide to remove it, you may have issues keeping the defroster lines on your back windshield, which means you might have to get a new rear windshield installed :X

 

Oh Wow, that did not even occur to me. I have the automatic mesh curtain that goes up and down, but thought that having all windows tinted and not doing the back windshield would look cheesy. I will have to put this on my list of questions for the tint shop.

Thanks Cheez80.

Dwij.

 

I wouldn't worry about that too much.

3M films! I went 5% all the way around and 35% windshield.

 

*shrugs* there are ways to get tint off without scraping, but my tint guy says a lot of them don't work very well. just something to ask your tint guy about

 

I found a place near my home: http://www.automalltintspecialist.com/ and they had spectacular reviews on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/auto-mall-ti...ialist-fremont
Got an appt tomorrow to check the place out. They also do something called protective films for the bra or the entire vehicle. I am not sure if I need this. Thoughts?

 

I have a black on black 07 LS and had the windows done by a pro down here in So Cal, I used http://www.formulaone.com/en/pinnacle.aspx film and at the advice of the folks here had it done professionally. I went 35% in the rear and 50% in the front, its perfect and keeps a LOT of the heat out during the summer, I highly recommend it. I paid $250.00 to have it done by a person that came highly recommended. It was worth every penny now looking back.

 

$250 is double what it should cost for the whole car to be done plus a strip on the windshield. Should be more like $135-ish for the whole car. The windows are not that big and dont have extra unnecessary cuts. Depending on your zip code, you shouldnt spend more than $175 on tinting your entire vehicle.

 

well, that's pretty bad advice -- you're going to pay more than 135-175 to get good quality tint. something like huper optik is going to run you in the 4-500+ range, and possibly more if you have options like the motorized sun shades in the doors (because the doors are a ***** to take apart, apparently). i feel this class of car deserves better window tint than the cheapest you can find :P

 

Paid $450, 30% five window 3M tint in the South Bay. Lifetime warranty. Zero problems so far.

 

The same place also installed the 3M clear bra, a bit more expensive. California Auto Tinting and Polishing, in Campbell.

 

so to properly tint cars with motorized sun shades in the doors, the installer would need the doors to be taken apart first, THEN tint the windows? that's news to me.

 

Some installers take the doors apart because it a lot easier to apply the tint this way and some do not. My installer did not have any issues with rear windows, but wanted to take front doors apart. I wouldn't let him, so he had to work a bit harder for his money. Still did a very good job. I went with 20% all around. Did not do the windshield. Price - $175, if I remember correctly. I also don't remember which tint was used, but it's been a few years already and I'm pretty happy. In ref to % used, you have to call your MVA (motor vehicle admin) to find out what's legal in your area.

 

Formula one is the best! Work is guaranteed for as long as you own the car and they use ceramic. No problems with radio reception. I had 35% done which is the legal max in GA.

 

*shrugs* i'd probably prefer to have the door panel taken off if i were tinting my car