Window Tinting
Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: AZ
We just purchased our Starfire pearl last week. First thing I did was get the front windows tinted.
Washington law is 35% on the front windows. I went with a Madico Charcool 35% and it matches up very nicely from the outside while staying legal.
The interesting part is the solar-green front glass gives the windows an greenish tint on the inside looking out. The wife loves it with the cashmere interior though!
Came out very nicely... Used a high quality, local shop. Could have used 3M material, but it was significantly thinner and just appeared lower quality than the Madico.
Lifetime warranty on everything.
Washington law is 35% on the front windows. I went with a Madico Charcool 35% and it matches up very nicely from the outside while staying legal.
The interesting part is the solar-green front glass gives the windows an greenish tint on the inside looking out. The wife loves it with the cashmere interior though!
Came out very nicely... Used a high quality, local shop. Could have used 3M material, but it was significantly thinner and just appeared lower quality than the Madico.
Lifetime warranty on everything.
Could you tell us what was the cost of the tinting? Did you get the little front triangle windows also tinted? Thanks!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Standard price in the Seattle area is $120 for the front windows. I paid $10 each extra for the winglets.
Yes, I did the winglets. At first, we were not going to, but when the front tint was done, it didn't look right without them done (at least in my opinion).
Yes, I did the winglets. At first, we were not going to, but when the front tint was done, it didn't look right without them done (at least in my opinion).
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: ny
Thanks.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
absolutely. There is the panel as well as a trim peice that needed to be removed. They 'hung' the panel off such as to not have to worry about any of the electronics.
They outlined the window to cut the tint from the outside as a template. Left an overhang to run below.
Also note - they ran the tint to the edge of the glass - not leaving the border that you sometimes see. He then 'filed' the edge of the tint to smooth it all out. The tint looks like it's part of the glass.
He did a fantastic job.
They outlined the window to cut the tint from the outside as a template. Left an overhang to run below.
Also note - they ran the tint to the edge of the glass - not leaving the border that you sometimes see. He then 'filed' the edge of the tint to smooth it all out. The tint looks like it's part of the glass.
He did a fantastic job.
Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: AZ
absolutely. There is the panel as well as a trim peice that needed to be removed. They 'hung' the panel off such as to not have to worry about any of the electronics.
They outlined the window to cut the tint from the outside as a template. Left an overhang to run below.
Also note - they ran the tint to the edge of the glass - not leaving the border that you sometimes see. He then 'filed' the edge of the tint to smooth it all out. The tint looks like it's part of the glass.
He did a fantastic job.
They outlined the window to cut the tint from the outside as a template. Left an overhang to run below.
Also note - they ran the tint to the edge of the glass - not leaving the border that you sometimes see. He then 'filed' the edge of the tint to smooth it all out. The tint looks like it's part of the glass.
He did a fantastic job.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
I'm no pro-tinter...
My .02 on NOT removing the door panel is that you are begging for problems in the long term. NOT removing the panel and in the case of the RX - the trim peice that has the window seal -- is a very bad idea.
I'm sure on some cars you can do the job by just pulling back on that seal - but I sure wouldn't want that.
The door panel pops off with ease. The trim peice pops right up. If your installer knows what he is doing (mine did) - it literally took 12 seconds to pop the panel loose and let it 'hang' with the wires still attached.
If you own a new Lexus and your tinter does NOT remove the panel - I'd be worried. Otherwise, you're not going to get eough of the tint film below the seal or you will get it below the seal, but how will they ensure it's holding to the window?
Again, I'm no pro... but not removing the panel is not an option in my opinion - at least if you want a high quality job that will last the abuse from a daily driver and a wife who loves the starbuck's drive through.
My .02 on NOT removing the door panel is that you are begging for problems in the long term. NOT removing the panel and in the case of the RX - the trim peice that has the window seal -- is a very bad idea.
I'm sure on some cars you can do the job by just pulling back on that seal - but I sure wouldn't want that.
The door panel pops off with ease. The trim peice pops right up. If your installer knows what he is doing (mine did) - it literally took 12 seconds to pop the panel loose and let it 'hang' with the wires still attached.
If you own a new Lexus and your tinter does NOT remove the panel - I'd be worried. Otherwise, you're not going to get eough of the tint film below the seal or you will get it below the seal, but how will they ensure it's holding to the window?
Again, I'm no pro... but not removing the panel is not an option in my opinion - at least if you want a high quality job that will last the abuse from a daily driver and a wife who loves the starbuck's drive through.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: ny
A lot of tints guys do remove them. It's painful. My previous car door panels made noise after tinting. I don't like it either, but it seems they usually can work out the better results of tinting after removing doors panels.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: None
Removing the door panels. Now, that makes sense, except you have to have a complete trust in a complete stranger, not a certified Lexus mechanic, to take the door apart and put it back in the same condition.
I have to agree, simply slipping the tint inside the door is not going to make the bond very strong. I had the tint replaced 3 times on the front windows of my 05 MDX because after 4-5 months it would start pealing off from the bottom, mostly after cold weather and rolling down the windows.
I have to agree, simply slipping the tint inside the door is not going to make the bond very strong. I had the tint replaced 3 times on the front windows of my 05 MDX because after 4-5 months it would start pealing off from the bottom, mostly after cold weather and rolling down the windows.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: ny
Sometimes price is the main factor. If my dealer can do the same quality/material/price as the outsides vendor I've been aware of, I'll love to give them this job because the local dealer will cover this tints' warranty, too.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Take it to the Lexus dealer. You'll pay twice as much and they just farm it out to the same person you could go directly to in order to get it done.
Ask your dealer for who they 'recommend'. Ask the local Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes dealer who they recommend as well.
You'll get a name or two you can trust.
Ask your dealer for who they 'recommend'. Ask the local Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes dealer who they recommend as well.
You'll get a name or two you can trust.