Cost of tinting

Check out EBay for tint options ($25) - you can get a kit there, and Craigslist has many installers - I think it can be done around $80...

 

I paid $180.00

 

I'm paying $135 for 2 ply tint and a lifetime warranty. They are also going to tint my wife's car for $50.

 

I paid $340 for high-end ceramic tint on all windows except the windshield and lower back (under the spoiler), also with a lifetime warranty. If the prices everyone else is quoting is for anything other than basic dyed tint then you're getting a good deal.

 

My installer offered Lumar at $300 and some other kind at $200. I went for their highest option, Formula One Pinnacle at $400.

3M seems to offer several brands so be sure to research the brand you choose. And don't cheap-out by hiring the cheapest installer to save a buck. You'll be looking at their workmanship every time you drive your car.

 

I paid $200 for a good quality tint. Don't go the cheap route or you will have major issues down the road.

 

The ebay option is not bad, I did it and found it easy to install. I noticed that the material is not the top of the line and has a tendency to get scratched if not handled carefully, but that's ok, I'd rather spend 30 bucks and a couple of hours than $150-200. The results look as good as my previous car which was professionally installed.

The vinyl paint protection is a whole other ballgame, I don't recommend that you try to get it from ebay and install yourself. It's much more difficult and unforgiving.

 

My buddy tints for a dealership and when we have tint days he will charge $100 for a coupe, $130 for a sedan and $10 for the winsshield strip.

The ceramic tint is Huber Optik and is a very high heat rejection film. I opted to go with two sheets of limo on the back door and back glass on my Civic Hybrid and I will do the same with the Prius. It really cuts down on heat coming through the glass.

I used to always tint the windshield (entire windshield) with 35% but now the police in AZ are really catching on to that and I don't want to get pulled over.

 

I like the look - but in what world do people tint front (or even sides - as it's not legal in many states). It's just asking to be pulled over - of course if that doesn't matter - who cares... Yes - when an officer pulls next to you, you can pull down the windows - but that seems like a hassle

 

I put 35% on the fronts...i just don't like the sun...no other way around it. i would rather deal with a fix it ticket than to not have front tint...

 

I take mine in for Aerogard and ceramic tint about $1300. I sure hope they are good. I've heard good things.

 

Here in AZ they don't care how dark the back is as long as the front doors are 35%. A lot of people don't like the fact the back windows are darker than the fronts but to me it's about keeping heat out of the car.

 

WTHeck? for 1300 it would have to play DVDs, wash itself and brush my teeth on the way to work!!! $1300 for real? ...for tint??

 

+1
We waited almost 2 years to do it ... it's a little darker than I'd like, but otherwise it's good.

.

 

The place I go to charges 180. If you can get a group buy together 5 or more cars, its 150. They use Laminx and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

He said it was for Aerogard (a paint protectant film) as well as the tint. Still seems overpriced though.

 

oh...that makes more sense...but still a little overpriced unless it covers the whole car or something. the paint protection usually just covers some of the front bumpers, mirrors, some of the hood etc and goes for $700-800 depending on material quality and dealer.

so...adding 380 for the ceramic tint brings you up to ~1200...so that's almost close, though IMHO, still a little high.

 

i was quoted $1100 for 3m paint film.


custom job, full hood, bumper and mirrors

 

Aerogard is the paint protection film (clear bra); bumper, half-hood, half-quarter-panel, rocker panels and rearbumper=$950 of that total and $300 for the ceramic window tint.