Metro Detroit Window Tinting

[shemp]

I see there have been a few threads on window tinting in the D, but no good recent info. Can anyone recommend a tint shop? I'm looking to hear good feedback based on experience. I'm looking for somewhere that does good work and has reasonable prices. Preferably somewhere north of 10 mile and east of Woodward. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[jkm311]

I will be watching this post, Shemp. I am looking for a shop in the exact location. Let's hope some helpful Detroit Vibers can point us in a good direction. Just curious, what color is your Vibe and what percent tint are you gonna go? I have an '06 Abyss, and want to do all the windows the same percent, so gotta keep it kind of light so I don't get hassled. 35?? 40%??

[shemp]

A buddy of mine has recommended Sun-Shade on 15 mile in Troy (N. Side of the street between Livernois and crooks). He says they're not the cheapest place in town, but they do excellent work. I stopped by the other day but they were closed. I'll keep you posted.I have no idea what tint I want to go with, but I'm not planning on going too dark. My car is an '09 GT in Navy Blue.

[Truckin1999]

Maybe not close enough to you guys, but Bret LeBlanc (ShadowArt) is a mobile tinter out by me. He does top-notch work for a reasonable price. I'm sure its hard to come to your place and do it in the winter time unless you have a heated garage but if you can get to his garage your golden. His number is (248) 767-4818

[knaffie]

Yup, Bret did great work on my Vibe!

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by knaffie »Yup, Bret did great work on my Vibe!Pictures from the inside and outside please! And price?

[jkm311]

Shemp - That shop is VERY close to me, so that might be the way to go. Please post any prices you find out. I'm fairly certain that Vibes run around $250, due to the rear glass, the 2 tiny hatch windows, and the 4 passenger windows. Truckin -If I still lived in Wixom, your recommendation would have worked out PERFECTLY! Too bad I am not a pseudo-west sider any more! However, if Shemp's possible shop is a bit pricey, I might think about it. Price? Pictures?I just can't being myself to NOT do the front passenger windows and go super dark for all the rest!

[ou.grizzly]

Group Tint Anyone?

[shemp]

I plan to get a quote from Sun-Shade next week... I'll mention that there are a few guys interested, maybe he'll knock a few bucks off.

[knaffie]

I'll see about snapping some pics tomorrow, since its dark out now. I went 17% everywhere except he windshield and it looks damn good. Its not perfect, but its 99%.

[Truckin1999]

Ha! I didn't realize you joined Genvibe. Welcome to the site Chris.

[Truckin1999]

Here is a pic of my tint. Done by ShadowArt.Old One:

[shemp]

That tint looks great, and those wheels are tasty! Nice rig, Truckin.

[shemp]

Ok, I stopped by Sun-Shade today and Kevin quoted me a winter-price of $249 for any standard tint. After I mentioned some other guys might be interested, he volunteered to throw in the metalic tint for free (normally a $50 increase). I'm going to make it happen soon, whenever I know I'll be in Troy for a whole day (I've been all over the place for work lately). I'll let you guys know how it turns out.BTW, I'm thinking about going 20% all around (except windshield), but I might wuss-out and get 35% on the front windows. Your thoughts?

[Truckin1999]

I did 35 on the front windows cause I don't wanna get a ticket. I figure if they can at least see you through it they will let it slide.

[ShadowRuleZ]

Reasonable price, I paid $220 to get mine done on an Audi Avant. That place isn't in business anymore. Make sure to go to a place that will warranty the work, I had to take mine back and get three windows redone because of bubbles.

[jkm311]

Shemp -Thanks for looking into prices. That seems pretty fair. I wonder what his Spring price would be? Less? More?Truckin -That is one bad a$$ Abyss! Now I know how much work I have ahead of me! I think I'm gonna go 35-40% all the way around, just to look uniform, but not be magnetic to uniforms. Ba-doom-KSSSH! Thank you, thank you.

[knaffie]

17% all aroundBEFORE:AFTER:

[jkm311]

You're killing me, knaffie! That 17% is the $hit! I am too much of a wuss to go that dark, but that looks great...Hey, dumb question for you, and all: is metallic tint (like Shemp referred to), the only way to go? Is that what type of tint you and Truckin' went with, and have posted in your pictures? Some how I see myself paying 3-hundo on this job. And, for only 40% tint!I know, I know: Wuss!

[shemp]

Done. I stopped by on Friday and talked to the owner this time. I don't think he was too happy about the price I was quoted, but he honored it. He told me to post a price of $275-$315 on the forum, so YMMV.I got 35% on fronts, 20% in back, with their "high-quality" (metalic?) film. It appears that they did excellent work, and I really like the way the car looks with it. I downloaded a few pics to my work laptop... I'll post them tomorrow.The fronts look a little darker than I thought they would... I'm a little concerned that they might attract the wrong kind of attention from the boys in blue. If I get a ticket, I'll have to decide between no-tint on the fronts, or try to get away with a lighter shade....Since I'm a tint-noob, I wasn't aware of some of the stuff the guy told me: never use windex on the inside? does that really damage tint? what if I forget? or what if I take it to one of those car-washes that does the inside of the car? The kid that does the windows isn't going to know/care about that is he? ...the guy sold me a bottle of special tint-cleaner for $10. Is that legit or did I get piped?

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by shemp »Since I'm a tint-noob, I wasn't aware of some of the stuff the guy told me: never use windex on the inside? does that really damage tint? what if I forget? or what if I take it to one of those car-washes that does the inside of the car? The kid that does the windows isn't going to know/care about that is he? ...the guy sold me a bottle of special tint-cleaner for $10. Is that legit or did I get piped?Can not use products that contain ammonia I believe. Any auto parts store sells tint-safe window cleaner.

[jkm311]

Looking forward to the pics, Shemp. I'm glad you got your price, but a bummer for myself and others if we try and get the same! Oh well. I think you have made my mind up about getting 40% all around, seeing that you think the 35% looks too dark with 20% to compare it to on the back windows!In addition to the cleaner, you were probably advised to not open the windows for a full 24-48 hours, too? Perhaps longer with the cooler weather?

[shemp]

Yes, He told me not to roll the windows down for a week (because it's cold)... I never realized how many times I rolled them down until now.Don't be discouraged by my post. There's nothing stopping you from calling him and asking for a better deal. BTW, I just noticed that I originally said $240... It was actually $249. I'll edit the post above.Here are some pics (sorry about the quality... cell phone camera):

[jkm311]

Those look great! I wouldn't worry about the fronts. Compared to the deeper tint on the rears, I bet you'll be all right. Do you have a moon roof? The sunshine coming through will help to lighten up the front, too. Depends on how the Shelby Twp. and Troy blue boys are, judging on your photo locale... Now, just remember not to touch the window buttons! A buddy of mine had his shop of choice put a big orange tape "X" right over them, just in case.

[shemp]

Thanks. I do have a moonroof, and keeping the shade open helps the sides look lighter. My concern about the sides is when you look at a front 3/4 view, you can see the contrast between the windsheild and the side windows (see pic). It doesn't stand out, but if a cop wants to pick on someone.... I put tape on the switch too... if it wasn't there I would have moved them 50 times by now.

[jkm311]

I have faith in the sunshade! I would make it a habit to keep that open during the day. But, that's just me. I would also be the one to forget to open it on one nice, sunny Saturday and... pwnage... Now, the irony would be if I go with only 40% all around and I get picked off first! I'll be lookin' out for you, and give you a wave if I am toolin' around Troy. Have fun with it, it looks great. I have an '06 Abyss and just got some GrafxWerks white overlays for the Pontiac badges. But, I am waiting for the weather to get a little warmer for that application, and the tinting. Can't. Wait. For. Spring.