I am soon going to be purchasing a 2002 focus sedan, and want to get the windows tinted. I am mainly interested in keeping the car cool, with privacy second. I do not want to break the bank, but do want a quality, heat insulating film. Can anyone recommend a specific brand or type of film, and maybe offer recommendations of locations near Los Angeles to go to? Also, if you are an installer, could you give a rough estimate of what I am looking at spending? My last time tinting a car, I went to a shop in Santa Monica, he used some type of ceramic film, and he offered a lifetime warranty on the film itself, as well as his installation. I was very happy for $200 for 4 doors, back glass and sun strip, but the film did not offer GREAT heat insulation, only minor to medium at best. I may be willing to spend up to $500 if the film is REALLY worth it, but that would be hard for me to take that kind of hit to the wallet right now, lol!
$350 here. Depends on the installer / car really. Dont cheap out whatever you do, you dont want to be one of those dudes with the bubbling / peeling tint cruising around
Dear Artemis & Friends When I was searching for quality film two years ago 3M's Crystalline was a top choice. I chose it for our van's two front windows. I had a place called The Tint Guy install it based on rave reviews of the work. There was a bubble in the film when I left the facility, but they assured me the bubble would disappear. It did. Within three days it was gone. I'd rate the installation as a 10 out of 10. I chose Crystalline 70 (or 30-percent tint). The Tint Guy refers to that level as "clear." Other than a slight blue tint, Crystalline was a good choice for us. I believe I paid around $140 for the two windows and two small viewing portals forward of the two windows. This included the film and labor. —Jaddie
Not at all looking to cheap out, I fully understand the consequences of cheaping out on tint, and I HATE cheap tint. That is why last time, I was happy to pay $200. His install was perfect, completely immaculate! I took great care of the tint the entire time I had the car. I just wish the actual film he used was a little better at thermal insulation. It helped a good bit with heat, but it was still a black subaru, lol! I opted for a highly recommended location near me that offered a quality ceramic tint, instead of just going to one of the jose or pedro's tint and alarm special for $99 on every corner out here, lol! That is why this time, I want to do a little bit more research and get something with better thermal insulation. I was looking mainly for recommendations, if anyone knows, on specific brand or type of film so I can ask for it by name, or if you are in the area, or know the area, maybe a recommendation to a shop, or at least a ball park estimate of what it costs to get quality tint in LA. I am considering, this time, even getting front glass fully tinted with something for reduced glare and heat, just that I ALWAYS drive wearing polarized glasses, and it will drive me crazy if the tint does that rainbow spots thing you sometimes see with polarized glasses, lol!
