acl15

apparently not many people visit the norcal section so I'm going to post here...


Since i know a lot of 2IS owners have tinted their windows... Does anyone know of a good tinting place in norcal, preferablly near southbay/san jose area? I'm looking for 3M color stay or formula 1 pinnacle series or any good quality tints.

What do you guys think of 45 front, 35 back? or should i just stick to 35 all around for a black/cashmere IS?

Thanks!

Tony1

I think 45% is way too light, go with 35% all around, why would you want
to mix and match your window tints?

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

You gave NorCal 11 hours since this new post (at 2am) to respond and you posted on Easter Sunday?

Your local active communtiy is roughly around 200 active members, so it can take possibly a few days to get a response to a rare question such as yours.

I know of a couple of highly recommended shops in the south bay, but none with the specific Ceramic Tint brands you are asking for.

I'm not sure most people even know what a ceramic tint is all about. What is special about this type of tint may I ask?

acl15

From what I've learned from reading these forums, most tints are made of metal (steel), which may interfere with nav, radio, and cell phone reception. Formula 1 (ceramic) or 3M color stay (nano carbon something) do not have this problem and are also better at keeping heat out.

But anyways, could you list those highly recommended shops even if they do not carry ceramic?

STIG

i had mine done at fremont auto tinting (Sedney Lee) place. Excellent job and you will love it!

Fire Chief

We went to a long established company in Livermore - Rocky Mountain Tint. We chose the Formula 1 ceramic tint. At their suggestion due to the Cashmere interior with red exterior, we went 15% back window, 35% rear sides and 50% front sides. It looks really great and "the same across the back 3 windows." Why darker on the back? They explained that with the light colored Cashmere interior, the large rear shelf would reflect so much sun light back out the window in the full sun that the reflected light would overpower the tint and make it look too light. They are right, in the sun, the 3 windows look the same. The fronts at 50% help with the heat but don't look illegal at a glance...

Jhoo

I give to Sam and his crew at PREMIER. Give him a call and for your own good have him install a clear bra on your car for you too.

PREMIER MOBILE AESTHETICS GROUP
Elite Paint Protection Film Specialists
Certified Madico Safetyshield Master Installer
Automotive / Flat Glass Solar & Safety Film Technicians
Business: 510-390-6920
Business: 510-406-1500

acl15

Do you have any pictures of your car in the sun? Thanks

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Well sure. It has been mentioned on the NorCal section for years and now I see here on the IS section some recommendations to to go to Sidney Lee at Auto Mall Tint Specialists in Fremont AutoMall Exit.

They have been in business for over 15 years and have done tons of CL members cars. There are basically two key people that do most of the work. They are the owner (Sid) and his partner. This means the quality is consistently high and the overhead is low. I always stay away from car stereo, tint and other service shops where they have a revolving door of employees. No quality control in that environment.

Their High end is the Huber, but the best for keeping heat out is their v-cool. The films that are reflective have the metal content which can interfere with the Nav. Talk to Sid for advice on their films. He knows all the good attributes about the tint he sells and is pretty good at helping his customers decide what to get and warantees everything.

haniiip

do you think this 15%, 35%, 50% will also work for my sterling leather interior?... how's their pricing? tnx..

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

You know this whole blending thing is a great concept. It works on black interior why not for every color?


Another key reason for doing more than one tint shade is to blend cleverly from a very light tint on the front passenger doors to quite dark in the rear. This greatly minimizes the chance of being pulled over for tint.

At the same time you don't see this sudden transition from no tint on the driver glass to limo tint on the rear passenger glass. Cosmetically it looks much better to blend to a darker tint .

On a black interior, all the tint looks the same since most of the time you are looking down into a car, so the dark interior is deceptive.

As far as pricing. The concept of you get what you pay for applies here.

AznJason

iTrader: (5)

Just curious, how long does it take them to do the tint? Is it an all day thing? Is it something I can stay there and sit around for?

Fremont is ~20 mins away, just figuring what I should plan for..

acl15

Thanks for the recommendation. I think i'll check them out later this week. Do you know if they give any kind of discount to CL members since you mentioned theyve done a lot of our cars?

Fire Chief

Pics here and also posted in this and the detailing forum under REd 350 detailed with Zanio:

http://web.mac.com/stugary/iWeb/Gary...0Detailed.html

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Well first off it is by appointment as they have 2 locations.

You can stay there and wait but I think it takes atleast a couple of hours.

It never hurts to mention CL. They will atleast stay honest with what they have charged the rest of us and I will add future influence in trying to get us the best pricing.

We give a lot of free recommendations for their shop so it is definitely time to ask for payback. I will probably hit them up for donations at the upcoming meets.

Overall his pricing is competitive and workmanship always high. They don't really try to get over on anyone, but it never hurts to mention CL like I said.

Mentioning my name (Glen) doesn't hurt either.