tinting windows

[Andrew C280]

Hey everyone,

can I do my own tinting or should i take it to a shop also I have enquired at a shop that was recomened buy the dealer they want about $365 canadian for the top of the line tints.

i am going 28% front which is legal in ontario and then limo privacy in the back.
;)

[Kswiss]

360 can. is like what..280 or so us. That's way too much to pay for tint. I suggest searching around for other stores..

[C43]

It's funny. I have had many cars tinted. I never realized how good my buddy was, until he could not do it anymore. I just had the C43 tinted sunday. My Friend said he could do it. I picked it up and the car looks like it was tinted by my 3 year daughter. Granted it was free, but I look ridiculous. Now I am going to a pro. My advice pay a pro. I will pay 150.00 max.

(I am talking about a pro tinter, not a hooker)
;)

[tinter101]

Guys, I'm the Club202 tint expert. Please let me help. I've
owned my tint shop for almost 20 years now. The market
for tint really varies all over the country. The main thing is
don't cheap out. There are so many hacks out there and we
are talking about your Benz. First, it was good to ask your
MB dealer who they use. Then go talk to the owner/manager
of the shop and come off really picky. Tell them you won't accept
any dirt, hairs, creases or light gaps in your tint. Ask who the most
experienced tinter is and request them to tint your car. Then
remind them of that the day of your appointment. Leave the car
with them, don't wait for it. You don't want to rush them. Tinting
is like a paint job, you get what you pay for most of the time.
Also request a lifetime non-fading tint, this is sort of new and
will be worth it. Please e-mail me direct or search this site for
more info. I've posted a few times on tinting.

[jnolte]

Thumbs up tot he resident tint man!!

[H3MAN]

you know what man i dont know with the deal about going to a pro or not yes once again a pro tinter not a hooker lol
but i just wanted to say if ur gona get ur windows done get the sides done all the same u know whats legal on the front do it on the rear side windows too and get the back screen limo black trust me from the side your car wont look multi shaded which looks ultra crap to me but its your preference just check out some 202's with that they look crap, and u know what else if you tint the back screen limo the rear windows will look darker due to less light in the back of the car than the front so ull still achieve what you want with a better look remember the tints arent supposed to stand out the car is all the tints are there for is making your car look smooth man, but if ur gona do it ur way, do it man and dont hesitate but thats my opinion

cya

H3MAN

[69chevelle]

Can someone please explain what the deal is with the tint that scratches on w202's? I have had some people tell me about spacers in the doors that scratch the tint. Other people say thats just a myth.... What is the real deal? Can you tint it normally or do you have to felt the door panels or sand something down???

[tinter101]

It's true, 202's will get some fine scratches after a while.
The trim piece on the inside that is pressed up against the
windows is made of plastic with no felt attached. Debris will
find its way between the glass and moulding and leave fine
scratches. When I bought my C43 it was pretty bad, I re-tinted
the whole car and after one year I have 2 or 3 fine scratches
forming on the driver door. (the most used window)
I think the best way to prevent this is to get different trim (with
felt). I will do some research and find a trim piece from another
car that will fit and I will post it.

[69chevelle]

Thanks for the info... I will have to find a tinter in the SF Bay area that does a good job. Seems that San Leandro is the only closest shop that does a good job.

[C280Rookie]

hi tinter 101,
do you know any very good tinting shops in LA?
or anyone in Los Angeles, either in Torrance,CA or Simi Valley,CA know of the very best tint shops in these areas?
thanks

[tinter101]

I suggest looking on www.tintdude.com . You will find lots
of info and a shop locater. Make sure you get an experienced
installer.

[C280Rookie]

Originally posted by tinter101
I suggest looking on www.tintdude.com . You will find lots
of info and a shop locater. Make sure you get an experienced
installer.

Thanks

I will look into this site.

[albanianbenz]

tinter101 did you find out any info on obtaining a trim piece with felt. what do you charge for a mirror tint on our benz and do u guarentee the items previuosly listed, im just getting a feel i am from IL

[tinter101]

Do not have the tinting done if it doesn't have a
lifetime warranty. The tint shop should be established
for many years as well. There are alot of fly-by-night shops
that will be gone when you go back for warranty. More important
than how long the shop has been there is the experience
of the tinter that will be working on your Benz.
The trim piece I will be working on this fall and winter. As soon
as I store my car, I will pull a trim piece from the front and rear
door and keep them at my shop to carefully compare to other
cars as I get them in. When I find a working replacement I
will test it on my car first and then post it here. We will have a
solution to this in a few months or sooner.

P.S. Make sure the tint you get has a lifetime fade warranty also.
This is fairly new and worth it. I don't charge extra for mirror tint
but it's not legal in WI so I don't use it much. IL will not allow
tint on the front 2 doors but I don't know what there policy is
on mirror tint. I'd call the state police or a local tint shop and ask.

If you want to make the trip up to WI, I'll put the tint of your
choice on for $175. We normally charge $205. (202 special)

[C280Rookie]

hi tinter101

i am getting my windows re-tinted. do i just tell tint guy if he could put some felt on the trim so i won't get scratches?
i notice that my current tint has some fine scratches.

[FreeStyler]

Hey Chevelle, where in San Leandro is there a good tint shop? I live in the heart of san leandro i would love to know a good place to get my windows tinted. Thanks man.:)

[tinter101]

Rookie,

I'm not sure that they will put the felt on for you or even know
what your talking about. You could see if a fabric store has
some self-adhesive felt that could be stuck to the inside of
your trim piece. I'm not sure if it will be too tight to go back on
or if it would slow the power window down enough to burn
out the window motor. This is why I'm going to find a replacement
trim that can be used instead of what we got now. Let us know
what you try and how it works. Thanks.

[C280Rookie]

Originally posted by tinter101
Rookie,

I'm not sure that they will put the felt on for you or even know
what your talking about. You could see if a fabric store has
some self-adhesive felt that could be stuck to the inside of
your trim piece. I'm not sure if it will be too tight to go back on
or if it would slow the power window down enough to burn
out the window motor. This is why I'm going to find a replacement
trim that can be used instead of what we got now. Let us know
what you try and how it works. Thanks.

Hi Tinter,

Ok, I get your point. I will try to look for some self-adhesive felt you're talking about and I will surely let you know how it goes.

I'll be in touch.

Thanks

[69chevelle]

Originally posted by FreeStyler
Hey Chevelle, where in San Leandro is there a good tint shop? I live in the heart of san leandro i would love to know a good place to get my windows tinted. Thanks man.:)


California Sunscreen
Number: 1-800-400-tint

[jnolte]

couldent you just cut out the trim that scratches the tint?

[tinter101]

I think if you cut out the existing trim, there would nothing
left between the glass and the door panel. You would get
road noise for sure. It wouldn't look right either. If I can find
another trim piece that fits, it would be the way to go.

[FreeStyler]

Thanks again chevelle.

[albanianbenz]

Bump for tinter101 he did my tint job a couple weeks ago on my 99 C230K. Its excellent and comes with lifetime warranty

[jnolte]

Originally posted by tinter101
I think if you cut out the existing trim, there would nothing
left between the glass and the door panel. You would get
road noise for sure. It wouldn't look right either. If I can find
another trim piece that fits, it would be the way to go.

any luck?

[tinter101]

I haven't put my car away for winter yet, therefore I didn't
pull my trim pieces to compare to other cars yet. Within 2 weeks
I will have my trim here and will begin the process of matching
them up. We will have a solution within a couple months so
please be patient.

[69chevelle]

I just got mine done a week ago...35% all around....They sanded the trim down by hand so it would not scratch. I drove down to Los Angeles at speeds of 130mph. There is no road noise.

I was racing an M3 part of the way down... We were neck and neck at 120mph then he pulled away from me :dpress:
He had to be doing 145 or 150. I was scared I was going to blow my engine because my rpms were at 5000 so I backed off.