Window tinting advice?

Mark_888 · Aug 18, 2009

MIKLO said:
Well said,lucky for me my Genesis came from the dealer with tinting already done,4sure its a good job but I wish it was a little darker ,but my guess is that its as dark as the law in my state allows.BTW I got my sliver genesis in January and really love driving it although I only have 4600 miles so far,I am gonna do a road trip soon.

MIKLO

Hre are the tint laws for Arizona:
http://www.tintcenter.com/laws/

Windshield Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer's AS-1 line.
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 33% of light in.
Back Side Windows Any darkness can be used.
Rear Window Any darkness can be used.

So if you wanted the same VLT (visible light transmission) on all 5 windows (except windsheild), you would probably have to stick with a 35 VLT.

bskinner · Aug 18, 2009

Have taken a few trips to and from Key West from S.C. Trust me, you want those colors, crystal clear. Hope August is treating everyone well.

scottdk · Aug 18, 2009

MIKLO said:
Well said,lucky for me my Genesis came from the dealer with tinting already done,4sure its a good job but I wish it was a little darker ,but my guess is that its as dark as the law in my state allows.BTW I got my sliver genesis in January and really love driving it although I only have 4600 miles so far,I am gonna do a road trip soon.

MIKLO

I wish I could tint your FONT COLOR

LLT · Aug 18, 2009

Mark_888 said:
Virginia has fairly strict tinting laws for VLT (visible light transmission), if you intend to comply with them (not sure how strict they are in VA):

VA Tint Laws:
Front Side Windows Must allow more than 50% of light in.
Back Side Windows Must allow more than 35% of light in.
Rear Window Must allow more than 35% of light in.

I would recommend Formula One Pinnacle 50% VLT. This is a ceramic film that is very high tech and has very good solar/heat rejection (43%), even the 50% VLT version. Since it is ceramic, it will not interfere with any mobile phone, radio, etc transmissions.

You could go darker (35% VLT) on the rear side and rear window if you wanted to if you don't mind different shades between front and rear. If you have a black interior, I think the Pinnacle 50 offers reasonable privacy, especially of hiding what is inside your car on the seat or floor when the car is parked.

This is the same tint as I have on my car. Musher51 also has this exact same tint, and he has photos of his car posted here:
http://www.genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/album.php?albumid=21

To locate a Formula One installer, go to this webpage and select "locate a dealer" at the top of the page.
http://www.formulaone.com/

I would estimate that the cost would be about $350 for this premium film with a high quality installer.

Thanks, Mark - I really appreciate it. Do you think this would do well on the white genesis / cashmere interior? Sure looks nice on black.

Mark_888 · Aug 18, 2009

LLT said:
Thanks, Mark - I really appreciate it. Do you think this would do well on the white genesis / cashmere interior? Sure looks nice on black.

It will definitely look nice, it just will not be quite as dark on the inside when looking from the outside.

Seattle Genesis · Aug 18, 2009

Got all my windows tinted with 35% ceramic tint all around. Im so in love with this car. Pictures coming soon.

jpq1999 · Aug 20, 2009

just did the Formula One ceramic yesterday (FL legal in front, darker in back). Price was $359, but he said he'd do it for $250 right then (slow day). An hour later, I was on my way!

MIKLO · Aug 24, 2009

I use this font to get your attention.......and it seemed 2work....lol.

MIKLO :grouphug:

scottdk said:
I wish I could tint your FONT COLOR

BaywayRic · Aug 29, 2009

This is a test post checking on system functionality. Any manager, please delete!

OBCT · Sep 19, 2009

Spurred on by this thread, I've done some considerable research in the area of car tint in the last couple of weeks, and have finally settled on an installer and tint manufacturer to recommend to my parents for their new "used" Genesis sedan.

Auto Mall Tint Specialist in Fremont (East SF Bay) run one of the highest regarded operations in the state. 18 out of 18 customer reviews (plus one follow-up) are 5 stars on Yelp [LINK]. There is also a lengthy thread on the forum of our direct competition (Club Lexus) on the topic of car tint in Northern California, dating back to 2004. Starting from the fourth post in that thread, and continuing for the better part of 25 pages worth of discussion, the overriding theme is one of enthusiastic praise for the work these guys do.

It ain't cheap, but that's because these guys only install the good stuff. Hüper Optik Ceramic; 3M Crystalline; Suntek Infinity OP; Suntek HP Charcoal; and a new player to the game (at least in North America): V-Kool [product brochure; pdf].
[YOUTUBE]QKKAffXs9Dw[/YOUTUBE]

For information's sake, I got a quote from Auto Mall Tint Specialist for V-Kool 70% on the front sides; Hüper Optik Ceramic 30%, 20% & 40% for the rear sides, rear & sunroof, respectively. It came to $800 all told. Pricey stuff, I know, but I think it'll be totally worth it in 5 years when the tint stills looks and works amazing and the car is consistently cool in the summer. It is amazing how many times I've read about people's bad experiences, as they warn others not to cheap out on tint or installer.

Not sure if this interests anybody, but it's where I find myself after considerable digging. I'll update you once my parents finally cave and get this stuff installed, with pictures and the whole bit.

Mark_888 · Sep 19, 2009

OBCT said:
For information's sake, I got a quote from Auto Mall Tint Specialist for V-Kool 70% on the front sides; Hüper Optik Ceramic 30%, 20% & 40% for the rear sides, rear & sunroof, respectively. It came to $800 all told.

That is pricy. I got a quote for Hüper Optik Ceramic 40% on 5 windows for $450. But living in CA, I guess there is not much competition because of the very strict VLT laws.

OBCT · Oct 10, 2009

Time for an update.

The installers we were planning on going with (Auto Mall Tint Specialist) are removing V-Kool from their product line. They said they could still get it for us, but they are no longer advertising it as a type of film they install. I didn't catch it all, but I believe they said that the manufacturers are changing the color of the V-Kool line that is available for automobiles, and that the new hue(s) have not been met with enthusiasm. Thusly, they no longer carry it. Unfortunate.

They do still carry 3M Crystalline, which is somewhat similar to V-Kool, and they have a great reputation, but I wasn't sure if $700 for the 3M Crystalline + Hüper Optik Ceramic combo (the updated quote I got) would be worth the price. These two products are available elsewhere. Needless to say, this company's apparent lack of trust in the V-Kool brand had me wondering... what other options are out there?

I did some more digging and found another business that sounded good. Premier Protective Films International out of Fremont (located just two blocks from the other place!!! =O).

Premier is a high-class establishment. They are a small outfit (1 location in NorCal, 1 in SoCal) that specializes first and foremost in paint protection film (renowned statewide, evidently), and then secondly, window film. I knew they were a bit of a high-end shop from their website, but going there in person made it very clear.

The technician we talked to said they have applied protective film to almost every make on the road - Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Aston Martin... you name it. We 'only' saw a Porsche 911 GT2 and a modded Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG in our brief tour. I didn't think to ask this at the time, but I wonder if we're the first Genesis owners to stop in. Probably.

These guys at Premier are perfectionists; a number of years ago, a small number of their customers (mainly Audi and Acura, IIRC) had intermittent problems with AM radio and keyless entry after installation of their slightly metallized Madico film. Premier thought this was unacceptable, so they decided to contract out an independent high-tech firm to develop proprietary non-metallic automotive tint just for them. The result? Diamond Cut IR film. Only available in 2 shops in the world.

This film has similar specifications to V-Kool, but comes with a lifetime warranty (as opposed to V-Kool's 5 year guarantee). No matter if you choose 15%, or all the way up to 72% VLT, the infrared and ultra-violet rejection present with Diamond Cut is constant at 92% and 99%, respectively. Not too shabby.

We were impressed by their demonstration and the appearance of their shop, so we scheduled appointments for the Genesis and our second car, a Mini Cooper, for the beginning of November (gotta love the "group" discount!). Total price for full tint installed on both cars, plus installation of XPEL headlight protection film already purchased for the Genesis: ~$1100.

I'll post pictures next month when it's finished.

Mark_888 · Oct 10, 2009

OBCT said:
... so they decided to contract out an independent high-tech firm to develop proprietary non-metallic automotive tint just for them. The result? Diamond Cut IR film. Only available in 2 shops in the world.

This is complete BS. There are couple of companies in the world that make a 70% high tech sputtered ceramic (non-metallic) film, mostly for commercial and residential windows. Commercial office buildings are where the real money is for tint films, especially now that non-metallic films are needed to allow for wireless phone and broadband service. These films are sold under many different brand names, some by companies that have nothing to do with the original manufacturer. It takes millions of dollars (many millions) of high tech equipment and R&D to make a ceramic sputtered film, and the film you have may be very good, but was not developed just for 2 auto tint shops.

I have a similar 72% film (maybe even the same film) on some of my home's clear-story windows that I don't need (or want) window coverings for, but do need IR and UV protection to help prevent fading of floors and furniture.

scottdk · Oct 11, 2009

OBCT said:
Time for an update.

The installers we were planning on going with (Auto Mall Tint Specialist) are removing V-Kool from their product line. They said they could still get it for us, but they are no longer advertising it as a type of film they install. I didn't catch it all, but I believe they said that the manufacturers are changing the color of the V-Kool line that is available for automobiles, and that the new hue(s) have not been met with enthusiasm. Thusly, they no longer carry it. Unfortunate.

They do still carry 3M Crystalline, which is somewhat similar to V-Kool, and they have a great reputation, but I wasn't sure if $700 for the 3M Crystalline + Hüper Optik Ceramic combo (the updated quote I got) would be worth the price. These two products are available elsewhere. Needless to say, this company's apparent lack of trust in the V-Kool brand had me wondering... what other options are out there?

I did some more digging and found another business that sounded good. Premier Protective Films International out of Fremont (located just two blocks from the other place!!! =O).

Premier is a high-class establishment. They are a small outfit (1 location in NorCal, 1 in SoCal) that specializes first and foremost in paint protection film (renowned statewide, evidently), and then secondly, window film. I knew they were a bit of a high-end shop from their website, but going there in person made it very clear.

The technician we talked to said they have applied protective film to almost every make on the road - Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, Aston Martin... you name it. We 'only' saw a Porsche 911 GT2 and a modded Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG in our brief tour. I didn't think to ask this at the time, but I wonder if we're the first Genesis owners to stop in. Probably.

These guys at Premier are perfectionists; a number of years ago, a small number of their customers (mainly Audi and Acura, IIRC) had intermittent problems with AM radio and keyless entry after installation of their slightly metallized Madico film. Premier thought this was unacceptable, so they decided to contract out an independent high-tech firm to develop proprietary non-metallic automotive tint just for them. The result? Diamond Cut IR film. Only available in 2 shops in the world.

This film has similar specifications to V-Kool, but comes with a lifetime warranty (as opposed to V-Kool's 5 year guarantee). No matter if you choose 15%, or all the way up to 72% VLT, the infrared and ultra-violet rejection present with Diamond Cut is constant at 92% and 99%, respectively. Not too shabby.

We were impressed by their demonstration and the appearance of their shop, so we scheduled appointments for the Genesis and our second car, a Mini Cooper, for the beginning of November (gotta love the "group" discount!). Total price for full tint installed on both cars, plus installation of XPEL headlight protection film already purchased for the Genesis: ~$1100.

I'll post pictures next month when it's finished.

As Mark said basically......this is complete BULLSHIT!!!!! Cancel you app. now! This is just outragous!! All this is........a marketing gimmick. OMG I feel like I want to throw up as a window tinting expert this is crap! My god PM me please.

scottdk · Oct 11, 2009

scottdk said:
As Mark said basically......this is complete BULLSHIT!!!!! Cancel you app. now! This is just outragous!! All this is........a marketing gimmick. OMG I feel like I want to throw up as a window tinting expert this is crap! My god PM me please.

Oh sorry

so this all makes sense, as you are looking for this in California

= $1 is $50,000 in Alabama and $20,000 in MN.

Mark_888 · Oct 11, 2009

The only part that I said was BS is that they "decided to contract out an independent high-tech firm to develop proprietary non-metallic automotive tint just for them."

I am not surprised about the price (which is for two cars and includes some other stuff besides the tint film). That being said, the price is maybe a bit high, but as noted, it is CA, and maybe they serve lattes in the waiting room.

OBCT · Oct 11, 2009

Mark_888 said:
The only part that I said was BS is that they "decided to contract out an independent high-tech firm to develop proprietary non-metallic automotive tint just for them."

I am not surprised about the price (which is for two cars and includes some other stuff besides the tint film). That being said, the price is maybe a bit high, but as noted, it is CA, and maybe they serve lattes in the waiting room.

How'd you know!?!

Seriously, though... I'm now very interested in this. It's possible that I got the wrong impression from what the technician said, but I'm fairly certain that that was the "jist". I'll throw 'em an email and get some clarification before getting too worried. Still got 3 weeks to cancel if it sounds real fishy.

Come to think of it, the film looks a lot like the V-Kool film I was considering earlier (to go along with the similar specifications). Is it possible that Premier contracted out a company that produces films like V-Kool to make a film very similar, but slightly different, for them, and then signed an agreement that allowed them to brand it however they want ("Diamond Cut IR")? I'm just trying to figure it out.

I agree that it makes no sense that a small company with two shops could support the R&D and production costs of their very own line of automotive film. One way or another, we were impressed by what we saw there, so I guess it's natural to want to believe what they say.

Also, if either of you have time, I'd be interested in your take on what they have to say about their tint in this thread (found over at ClubLexus).

We'll see how they reply to my email. I'll keep you updated.

Mark_888 · Oct 11, 2009

OBCT said:
Seriously, though... I'm now very interested in this. It's possible that I got the wrong impression from what the technician said, but I'm fairly certain that that was the "jist". I'll throw 'em an email and get some clarification before getting too worried. Still got 3 weeks to cancel if it sounds real fishy.

You probably heard the guy correctly. But just because the tint shop feed you a line of BS about them having the film made just for them, doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the film. If they say it is a high-tech 70% ceramic film, I am sure it is OK. Don't worry about it. If the price is OK with you, then go for it. Sounds like they have quality installers, which is very important.

OBCT said:
[I agree that it makes no sense that a small company with two shops could support the R&D and production costs of their very own line of automotive film.

We are not talking about just any kind of tint film. We are talking about a non-metallic sputtered ceramic film. Anybody can produce a dyed film (all it takes is some clear film and a tub of dye).

OBCT · Oct 11, 2009

Mark_888 said:
You probably heard the guy correctly. But just because the tint shop feed you a line of BS about them having the film made just for them, doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the film. If they say it is a high-tech 70% ceramic film, I am sure it is OK. Don't worry about it. If the price is OK with you, then go for it. Sounds like they have quality installers, which is very important.

We are not talking about just any kind of tint film. We are talking about a non-metallic sputtered ceramic film. Anybody can produce a dyed film (all it takes is some clear film and a tub of dye).

Maybe I wasn't clear. They're not claiming that they're using high-tech ceramic film. They're claiming it's something else entirely; something to do with nano-technology that has absolutely nothing in common with "conventional" films, including ceramic, metallized, dyed, or any hybrid of the same.

This is why your warnings resonated. Either I've stumbled onto something remarkable... or it's total BS. I've sent an email and expect a response tomorrow sometime.

The more I think about it, though, the more I think it's just re-branded V-Kool (which is considered a very good film itself). We will see!

OBCT · Oct 11, 2009

Wow guys.... umm... I don't know what to say. I just checked my email, and already received a response! I'll let our conversation do the talking.

me said:
I have a question for you. I posted my experience of Premier and Diamond Cut so far on a car forum I frequent. One of the things I mentioned was that Diamond Cut IR is unique (I was led to believe this either by what <Premier Employee> said in his spiel, some reading at this link, or maybe some of my own imagination... can't quite remember); different than all other tints out there. It's completely non-metallic and uses nano-technology of some sort to block infra-red and ultra-violet light, but not visible light. Quickly, a couple of people replied to my comments by saying there's no way a small company like Premier could offer a truly unique line of automotive tint. They say that there are only a small number of tint manufacturers in the world (especially North America), and it would be incredibly cost-prohibitive for your company to put the large amount of money into R&D and production needed to sustain something unique, especially when considering your relatively small - albeit high-end - clientele group. Now, I don't wish to assume that I know how to run your business better than you do, but I must admit that their arguments make some sense.

I did notice that Diamond Cut looks visually similar to V-Kool, an automotive tint once offered by Auto Mall Tint Specialist just blocks from you in Fremont (I was told they discontinued it due to a color change from the manufacturer, or something like that). I immediately wondered if these two tints share more than some obvious visual cues and comparable spec sheets, but had thought little more of it until now.

So, finally to my question: is Diamond Cut IR unique throughout North America? the world? Is it a re-brand of another type of film? What similarities (if any) that you are aware of does it share with V-Kool?

I'm not interested in uncovering any shop secrets here... I'm honestly just curious how you guys have managed to practically corner the industry on lifetime warrantied, very high rejection, aesthetically pleasing, long lasting, 100% non-metallic, ultra-transparent, competitively priced window tint. Maybe people are rightfully skeptical!

Sorry for the long email. I appreciate your time.

Premier Representative said:
It is always good to ask questions as it is important to be an educated consumer. Just to point out a very important answer to your inquiry. No, it is an exclusive product that we worked directly with a window film manufacturer to create for our specific needs. Vkool is a great product, but the shortcomings are listed below:

1. It is a multi-ply polyester system that does have metals embedded in it. Diamond Cut is a single ply system with 0% of metals.

2. Vkool cannot be installed onto curved surfaces such as the rear windows of most windows. If you speak with Automall Tint Specialists ,ask them about Vkool application for the rear glass. They will most likely tell you they can install Vkool onto all the side windows except the rear glass due to its curvature and the inability to shrink the film to have it conform to the curvatures. Diamond Cut can be applied and heat shrunk to some of the most curved of glasses.

We will not go into R&D costs, but our company has invested a significant amount of capital to bring about this product. There is no product on the market like it and will be launching this product for global resale in the first quarter of 2010. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you.

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