window tinting in San Diego, CA

I used the guy recommended by Toyota Escondido. He actually came to my office in Miramar and did the installation in the parking lot. I don't recall his name, but he had an office in the Carlsbad/Vista area, if memory serves. Relatively inexpensive, too.

I'm relatively conservative, so I didn't do heavy tinting (35%?) and none on the front windows at all, so I can't help you there. On the other hand, I can tell you my A/C is not working nearly as hard as it used to.

Congrats on becoming a Prius owner!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Champagne Super Nova @ May 16 2006, 10:54 PM) [snapback]256701[/snapback]</div>

None whatsoever. Good luck with yours!

 

I had my windows tinted in the San Diego area. The name of the place was SimmonsSolar Control, 619-463-8724. He was mobile and came to me and did an exceptional job. It was $200 for all my windows. I did the back 5 windows in black limo tint and the front 4 windows (includes the little wing windows in the front) in a lighter tint. I did not do the lower window on the hatch since that already has a tint to it. FYI, California law does not allow ANY tint on the front windows regardless of the tint factor. By tinting my front windows, I am taking my chances at being pulled over and having to have it removed. I have had friends who have come across this situation on even the slightest tinted front windows but I figured if that happens, I will just have to take my lumps from the police and remove it and then go out and have it reinstalled for $75. I too was skeptical about the metallic tint not only for cell phone reception, but also the radio reception of what I already consider a poor receptor! I have the 2005 pkg 6 JBL radio and it gets really bad reception in my opinion. I went ahead with the metallic tint and in 4 months I have not noticed any degradation with either my cell phone or the radio reception.

 

I went to TODDS TINT SHOP in Oceanside. Mike the owner charged me $180 inc tax for all windows (front and back). Give him a call 760-529-0200.

 

I just had my Prius tinted by Solar-Care (760) 726-1838.
They were mobile, came to me, and seemed quite professional.
My only complaint is that while they were tinting my other car (the BMW 325) the rear window regulator crapped out.
I don't believe it was their fault, as two other window regulators have been replaced in that car under warranty. I think it's just another Bimmer Bummer.
Anyway, cost was $245/each for all except windshield and lower back window.
I went with Llumar non-metallic 50% in the front and Llumar non-metallic 35% in the rear. The 35% matched the pretinted lower back window pretty nicely as viewed from the outside, though you can clearly see the difference when inside looking out. All in all, quite satisfied with material and workmanship.
For what its worth the previous poster mentioned Don Simmonds (SimmondsSolar Control) at a price of $200. Though I didn't select him, Mr. Simmonds was recommended by the salesperson at Toyota Carlsbad.
Photos of the finished product are in my Gallery album:
http://priuschat.com/index.php?act=module&...um&album=76

Oh yeah, did I say I love this car?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Champagne Super Nova @ Jun 1 2006, 02:38 PM) [snapback]264248[/snapback]</div>

Yes, there is a little difference between them. Like the previous poster mentioned, from the outside if you didnt know it was different you probably wouldnt notice; but from the inside looking out it is much more noticeable. No matter how you handle it, I think that there would be a difference. If you were to tint it, it will probably come out much darker then the others. I think it is fine untilnted, I havent had anyone that has noticed it other than myself, my sife hasnt even noticed the difference!

 

I got my magnetic gray prius tinted in Pt Loma. I got all the windows tinted with lighter tint in the front. It looks like a good job. The place is a little shady, but the work was good and done in 2 hours as promised. He quoted $250 for all, but seeing that it was a very slow day and I was going to do more research, he settled on a significant discount. Lifetime warrenty and he will remove the front tint for free it you get a fix it ticket. He says he will give a discount for referrals, so mention this post. The shop is at Rosecrans and Midway.
Custom Tint
619-267-2332
I'll try to post a pic next week.

 

Wow $200!??! Well i payed $400 for my tinting. He came highly recommended and used V-Kool on my front two windows. Search the topics for Bay Area Tint and it'll pop up. Basically my job would have cost about $300+ if i decided not to take the v-cool film.

When choosing a tinter make sure he/she's reputable. All tint's will look good at first.. but a year down the road...

Anyways, just a comment about the v-kool. OMG!!
In all honesty if you want something that is legal by cali standards and give you the BEST performance i'd go with the v-kool.

To put it plainly my 70%VLT V-Kool(Light Visible tint) compared to my 15%VLT Sunteck HP(Very Dark Nearly Limo) are worlds apart in terms of heat reduction. I'd buy v-kool again. Seriously you can feel the amount of heat reduced in comparison to both tints.

Cheers.

Edit: With regards to price. I was quoted 200+ by my local custom shops. However their films used were really no brand names. Be careful, what you pay for is what you get.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Speed @ Aug 25 2006, 03:00 PM) [snapback]309512[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, V-Kool is the best for IR reduction because its not really a tint but more of a filter. If you're interested in the technical stuff its here. I have V-Kool 75 on my windows. It's amazing and you can't even tell they're tinted.

Two things.

1. It is metallic so SatNav receiption can suffer a bit
2. It must be edge sealed.

 

[attachmentid=4867]Here's the result:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(K2D2 @ Aug 25 2006, 12:14 PM) [snapback]309354[/snapback]</div>

 

Nice work K2D2! That's a good looking car

I got a quote from Kearny Mesa Toyota : $50/window even for the little ones. For 9 windows it would be $450. Needless to say, I'll be calling the numbers listed in this thread when I go looking for the tint.

 

I had my window tinting done at Monumental Workx. This is the 3rd car I had tinted there. I did a slightly lighter shade on the fronts, but the rears, trunk window, and the sliver on the trunk I brought all the way down to 5%. I think the fronts are 20%. The little sliver at the bottom is a little darker because it has tint on it from the factory. Originally they put a lighter shade because it would have been closer to the same, but I didn't like it so I had them put the darker tint on and now it is perfect! Theo and his team are awesome!