Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

I bought my new Max about 2 months ago and started looking to get my windows tinted right away. The place that I normally go (Sunshield Energy Control Systems in New Rochelle NY) did all my old cars, but their prices were out of control ($465!) for the Max. I searched and searched for a place that did a job as good as them (perfect - literally). To my disappointment, no shops could compare. The sample work that I saw at other shops had flaws in it, the tint did not go to the edge of the window, etc.

Because Sunshield does house / office window tinting as their primary business, I had to wait over a month until my appointment came up. I picked 20% charcoal after having 5% on my T/A. The 5% was awesome (you couldn't see in the car when you were right next to it!) but it was hard to see out at night.

This past Saturday was my appointment. It took them about 8 hours to do my car (like I said, they do flawless work) and when I picked it up that night I could see right through it! I was so disappointed that I didn't go darker (and that I had spent $465).

I spoke to them about my options, and they said the best thing to do is go with a 2nd film over the 1st one. They said that taking it off would be more trouble than it’s worth (and I would also get charged for labor). The plan is to put another film of 35% over the existing 20% to give the appearance of 5% (more like 7%). Oh, this 2nd coat will cost me another $389. That would make my total tint job about $854!!!!

I'm I insane for getting it redone? Like I said, the work is flawless, its just too light. I would love to hear from those who have experienced something similar due to a bad decision like mine. I guess some times in life you have to suck it up, but it still hurts.


:bawling: :bawling: :bawling:

Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

whattttt ..... paid that much money for your windows to get tinted ... i paid 160 to get my 96 tinted 20%

Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

Again, I saw the work from other shops that varied from $150 - $220. The work looked like just that, cheap. This place is ridiculously expensive, but the work is the best I have ever seen. I had no problem spending $465 for this type of quality, but to spend another $389 seems insane.

Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

If you are this ****ed about the $$$ needed for the tint job to start with, just wait until you get pulled over for the tint being (pardon the pun) clearly illegal in NY.

Stick with the 20%. It's perfect. 5% is rediculous.... just get a can of spray paint.

S hit man you got ripped a new A$$hole....Why would you pay that much...it cost me 250 for 20% all around and the windsheild....

5% is rediculous. I paid $100 for my 19% 3M tint, was done at a friends shop so he gave me a really good deal.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

Thanks for the input buddy :rolleyes:

Not only did you answer the questions in the previous post, you've enlightend me on my infraction of NYS law. After hearing this, I'm going to rip the tint off and put a limiter on my car to cut the fuel when I hit 55 MPH.:kiss:

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

No need to get sarcastic :).

Go ahead and do what you want, just don't b!tch about the costs.

:D

If anyone wants to host, I have some picks of the car for your review.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

The costs are part of it. However, I think most people are missing the point:

Point: If you spend WAY more money than you want to get a job done right and then it turns out not the way you want, what do you do? Do you live with it? Or do you dive in and fix it so it's just so?

Just looking to get opinions. I'm sure someone on the org has had a mod done (turbo, supercharger, headers, etc.) that just didn't turn out the way they wanted. :D

Yeah dude..you got ripped.

I paid 140 and it's flawless. Not one problem or bubble after 7 months. I got 20% and they did a great job. I would NEVER pay over 160 to tint a car's windows. Most people won't even pay what you paid to tint an SUV.

I understand they do quality work, but they charge so much because they are a commercial tinter (buildings and such). It's just not worth the money :rolleyes:

Alrite guys, lets not make him feel bad, what's done is done.

But honestly man, like everyone else here said, you paid a WHOPPING price for that tint! :eek:

The place I took my Max to get window tinted only charged $155 for regular (smoked tint) which includes all the windows, sunroof etc, or $255 for the Platinum Tint, which is a nice reflective tint that I got (not too ghetto either). Mind you, that is still a bit high, but the work was flawless, there's a lifetime guarantee, and they use Llumar which is pretty good.

I don't know about going with the 2nd layer of film....when I asked my tinter about it, he said it wasn't recommended because there's always a possibility of it peeling off. Maybe do some research before deciding.

My .02

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

uhhh, yeah...me....I wish that my 50/35 (legal) was darker, but I would rather spend the money elsewhere than redo the tint. :goofy:

I paid $180 for 20% Llumar tint. They did an excellent job and I only see 4 little flaws total on all windows. the rear is 1 peice also :) I feel for you having to pay that much for a decent tint job.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

Nope, not missing the point...what we have been saying (in different ways) is:

1. you paid way too much
2. you want something you should really not be driving around with anyway
3. IT IS YOUR CHOICE WHAT YOU DO...if you have the $$$ and time, go get it fixed the way you want...if other reasons, just live with it. If you have a written document that spells out satisfaction regardless of reason, use it. If you have a good relationship, maybe that will help.

Not sure what any opinions will do to make you happy. :gotme:

I pad $160 for my Thunderbird to have 30% tint installed perfectly. I paid $130 to have my 2003 Maxima tinted at 30% with major flaws on every window. It's almost always a crap shoot in Reno.

dude those prices are rediculous. i payed 130 all around 35/5, back one peice too :) lifetime waranty =]

dont go back there, go to a normal shop and have it done there.
you dont need to pay for the guys rent u know

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

1) Cost is relative, I think that the quality of the job dictates whether or not it is "too much".
2) Sheesh! Are you gonna write me a ticket or what????? :laugh:
3) True. However, it's not about having the money or the time. When things are worth it to me both those are not a factor. I will spend the money and make the time. Unfortunatly, I really have no one to blame but myself as far as the % I picked. :(

I'm gonna have to ride this one out. If it bothers me in month, I'll get it re-done. Thanks for all the flames..err..I mean replys :D

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

1. ok
2. by your own admission on the T/A seeing at night was hard...I don't care about your convenience/taste...I said that to take into account the cars/pedestrians/etc. you found it hard to see already...looking cool is no reason to be inherently irresponsible
3. ok

:D

:eek:

D@mn, I guess everything up in NY is expensive, but what you paid seems ridiculously high man. Here in Atlanta, you can get a great tint job for $150-200. The 35% tint on my Maxima was $145. The tint job on the 740iL we just sold was $200, if that that gives you an idea. Excellent workmanship in both cases.

Shameless plug, but very deserving: Atlanta Tint & Detail in Norcross!

lol. i paid $120 for 20% titanium. the tint is perfect. its has the 1 piece back, blah blah all the stuff that any NORMAL tint shop should do. thats embarrassing to say the least.

Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

I paid $260 for flawless work and 35% tint. You are crazy to pay that much.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

Ok, we've established that I'm insane. Now do you have anything helpful to add?

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

What next, give up my "Gangster Lean?" :laugh:

I agree with you, but the only problems I had were backing up in the dark. I would never go blind; I would just roll down the window. I'm not stupid!

Oh, I always thought "Cool" and "Irresponsible" went hand in hand! :D

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

like you said earlier, if you can live with it for a month, you can live with it for longer. visibility may be to your liking, who knows. :D

paying for quality is fine, nothing wrong with that. i just think maybe you needed to do some more research in other towns nearby to find an automotive tint shop. it's not possible that they ALL suck. but yeah, what's done is done.

here's where i stand on the retinting business (you asked for opinions) if you're going to spend that much for a tint job, get it done right. meaning, take off the old stuff and redo it on the glass. no tinting on top of tinting. if you do that, you're asking these wonderful tinters to do fundamentally unsound work. kinda defeats the purpose of paying that much for quality.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

Thank You! Finnally, a useful reply! :rollsmile

I agree, the retinting didn't sound too good to me either. Having said that, can anyone offer any places that do top quality work in the NY area (Westchester or Long Island)? Also, what's a fair tint removal price?

Remove the tent yourself. You use a heat gun and razor blade. It's real easy. Be careful on the back glass not to snag a heater coil.

Is this what you heard or the voice of experience? I am not flaming or starting a fight...I just want to know if you actually did this yourself before I try it on mine...

I paid $270 to get my windows tinted, but it was with some high quality stuff, and they do a really good job. I only went 35% though...wanted to keep it legal.

Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

Man u must be insane, I had my done for 150 with lifetime warranty, and it looks perfect. U got ripped, if you r willing to pay additional 300some dollars to get it redone then u need help (no hard feelings I hope;)). :D

That really sucks man. Mine is gonna cost me $210 for the whole car @ 5% and the windshield @ 70% UV. I hate hearing when fellow MAx owners get ripped off.

I got a bridge I can sell ya...

Ya know, when I 1st came here back in July, you were only a Maxima Fanatic......How many post do you make here a day?? :eek:

This guy gots to lay off the crack bc its screwing up his decision making.

After you get done paying another $400 to get your tint down to 5% and then a police officer gives you a fix-it ticket for your tint and you have to pay another couple hundred bucks to get it removed, and then re-tinted, I am going to just LMAO at you :D

man... you guys are brutal. :(

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

I go to Stadium Auto Glass right next to Shea Stadium..$140 for all windows. Great job.

I dont see why you guys are so hard on him about this. We all know of places that will TOTALLY f'up your car. He found a place that takes care of him. He said he sees a difference and was willing to pay for it. When you buy a watch, you can buy a casio or a cartier - they both keep time - only diff is in the small details... Having worried about my car everytime I've had anything done, I can see paying alot more than the going rate to have something done right the first time and them not damage anything. Trust ain't cheap.

Re: Window Tint..I think I'm gonna cry (long)
 

yeah.