Tint Question
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Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 137
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From: San Diego (Chula Vista), CA
2006 E350
Tint Question
I have a local car audio shop quoting me $600 for all 7 windows and asked me if I have Navigation because some tints interfere with the signal. I am not questioning his knowledge because I'm sure he's done thousands of installs but what kind of tint should I ask for and what not to ask for? Is it the metallic tint to avoid? I have been quoted with at least half that price at other places and they did a good job on a friends A6 and Lexus. Should I go for the less expensive or go for the more expensive since they "may" know a lot more? Also I saw on some C class thread that it also interfered with their remotes.
$600.00 is too high... I bet you went into one of those places that likes to model it self after West Coast Customs or 310 Motoring.
On the other hand, don't be cheap. Some people may tell you they can "do" the work and it may look fine at first, but it will start bubbling especially on the upper part of your back window.
As for metallic tints... YES stay away from them. A friend said, when he took his metallic tint off (he had bought a used car) he was able to use he garage door opener without having to lower his window as he did with the tint. And I am pretty sure, that chrome and gold colors are illegal in the state of California.
Good luck
On the other hand, don't be cheap. Some people may tell you they can "do" the work and it may look fine at first, but it will start bubbling especially on the upper part of your back window.
As for metallic tints... YES stay away from them. A friend said, when he took his metallic tint off (he had bought a used car) he was able to use he garage door opener without having to lower his window as he did with the tint. And I am pretty sure, that chrome and gold colors are illegal in the state of California.
Good luck
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
2018 Macan, 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, 2024 G63
Seeing this thread I would like to ask a question:
I got tinting done for my car using some kind of polarized film... which is very light in color but stops 40% of the heat radiations and 99% UV radiations.-- At least that's what the numbers looked like on paper
Now my question: the Back glass of the car is not that clear -- specially at night-- maybe because of the defogger?? Don't no.
Do you guys.. having tint .. have this kind of problem.. or its just me.
I have warranty with the tint and was thinking of going back to him.. but wanted to check first.
I got tinting done for my car using some kind of polarized film... which is very light in color but stops 40% of the heat radiations and 99% UV radiations.-- At least that's what the numbers looked like on paper

Now my question: the Back glass of the car is not that clear -- specially at night-- maybe because of the defogger?? Don't no.
Do you guys.. having tint .. have this kind of problem.. or its just me.
I have warranty with the tint and was thinking of going back to him.. but wanted to check first.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: San Diego (Chula Vista), CA
2006 E350
How about Non Reflective tint? Anyone hear of Audio Excellence in Bonita, CA? They were the ones that did a friends A6 and Lexus. They had a few bad comments on Stereo installs but I'm risking it because of recommendation from the friends.
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600$.. man they are taking you for a ride.. I got my windows tinted in Hunington Beach, Shop around for a while it seems that avg. price I got was between 200 and 300 dollars..
yes some type of tints have metal in them might cause the navigation not to work so that is correct.. just avoid getting metallic tint..
I went 25% all around on my car..
yes some type of tints have metal in them might cause the navigation not to work so that is correct.. just avoid getting metallic tint..
I went 25% all around on my car..
If this shop is asking if you have a Navigation, then they have either a non-metallic or metallic film they are choosing from. $600 for standard tint is quite expensive. If it is for ceramic, which it probably is not, then getting it for slightly under $600 is the range. There is the following ceramic based films:
Similar in performance and technology: the ceramics is in the film itself giving it a longer life
Madico Advanced Ceramics
Huper Optic
Formula One Pinnacle: this film is also "ceramic", but is actually coated on the surface of the film, which can have longevity issues with its performance as it begins to wear
Similar in performance and technology: the ceramics is in the film itself giving it a longer life
Madico Advanced Ceramics
Huper Optic
Formula One Pinnacle: this film is also "ceramic", but is actually coated on the surface of the film, which can have longevity issues with its performance as it begins to wear
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 336
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From: Long Beach, CA
07 E350, 03 Lexus ES300, 04 CLK 320 (gone)
..+ 1just got all my windows done for $225. (I had an extra layer of film put on the back window for max limo)....
I think someone is trying to meet their July quota on you....be careful bro!!

searched the web and got this...please read the ratings..
http://sandiego.citysearch.com/review/32646952
Last edited by LB Bnz; Jul 22, 2007 at 11:07 PM.
Edward
I could see metallic tint affecting cell phones and garage door openers, but isn't the antenna for the nav on the roof?
Oh and for $600 are they replacing the windows with pretinted glass, or maybe putting in a new exhaust?
$200-$250 is a good number...
Oh and for $600 are they replacing the windows with pretinted glass, or maybe putting in a new exhaust?
$200-$250 is a good number...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: San Diego (Chula Vista), CA
2006 E350
Excellent feedback. Thanks everyone and I did not go with that shop that was charging $600 when everyone else was giving me $200 - $300. Is it possibly that I may already have felt on my windows? The guy at Audio Excellence checked my windows since he has done Mercedes before and know of the felt issue. He said that I do not need any since it felt that it was already had some. I did feel it and it felt as if it had very tiny hairs on it. So far no scratching though and I've had it for 3 weeks now. Hopefully he was right. I did see that court case with Audio Excellence on the stereo install but since they did 2 of my friends A6 and Lexus, I went ahead and took the chance for $230. I had to tell the installer a little lie that I had a father in law that had the new S550 and wanted to see my tint install before he brings it in. I'm very happy with the install though. A little dark for my taste (20%), should have went a tad lighter.







