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Considering a Window tint

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Prius The First, Mar 31, 2007.

  1. Prius The First

    Prius The First New Member

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    Wanting to tint the windows in our 2007.

    Not a clue as to what it would cost.

    If you don't mind, what did you pay and how was it done?

    Film? Spray? What to avoid?

    Thanks!
     
  2. priusFTW

    priusFTW Gen III JBL non Nav

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius The First @ Mar 31 2007, 10:44 AM) [snapback]415439[/snapback]</div>
    I paid $200 for it to be professionally done, it is guaranteed for life. Not too many places around that do that sort of thing where I live, I had to drive almost 2 hours. The owner was awfully nice though, and has been in the business over 20 years. I didn't mind the price as much as I wanted it done right ... and it was, I am very happy with the work. I had the back two doors and the hatch done to 35% tint. Can't do the driver side or passenger front side unless you have a medical waiver in New Hampshire, which i do not, but every state is different. The place i had it done is here: http://www.tintit.com/

    I find that it makes a big difference both in the appearance of the car, and keeping it somewhat cooler. Be sure to ask the person who does it for you how long they have been in business.
     
  3. tbstout2

    tbstout2 Member

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    I paid $235 here in the D.C. area. The guy did an awesome job.
     
  4. edmarin

    edmarin New Member

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    I had it done in the dealer for 299 good job but for my taste a little to light on the tint color.
     
  5. jackovalltrades

    jackovalltrades New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tbstout2 @ Mar 31 2007, 08:42 PM) [snapback]415698[/snapback]</div>
    I'm in the DC area and looking for a good place. Can you share the name and location? Also, just out of curiosity did you go with the legal or darker?
     
  6. slothfratelli

    slothfratelli Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Apr 1 2007, 11:57 AM) [snapback]415946[/snapback]</div>
    http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/aos/301880690.html

    I went with these guys. Took 2 hrs and looks great. I went 25 in the back and 35 on the two fron sides (illegal) with the windshield strip.
     
  7. jimmylozza

    jimmylozza New Member

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    Just got a quote for $199 from a local Toyota dealership. Lifetime warranty.

    Whatever you do, make sure they have plotter-cut film. Otherwise, they use the outside of the window as a template and cut directly on the outside of your car. They can easily cut your window gaskets.
     
  8. Sunfire4jc

    Sunfire4jc New Member

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    i had 5 windows done (front - 35%, back/trunk - 20%) for $200 in Socal, Lifetime warranty. Alot of shops tend to charge around $250 or so.
     
  9. tbstout2

    tbstout2 Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Apr 1 2007, 11:57 AM) [snapback]415946[/snapback]</div>
    I went to:

    Undergorund Tint Shoppe
    7708 Backlick Rd
    Springfield, VA 22150

    (703) 451-9031

    I did go legal. Going "less-than-legal" costs more money.
     
  10. priuscali07

    priuscali07 New Member

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    Damn Socal beats Norcal in this area. The better looking shops here are charging $300+ for lifetime warranty tint, and $200+ for the "will go purple soon" tint. I feel like they are scaring me into the $300 job.

    I found a good window tint site that has good articles like how much to pay for window tint and stuff. The site also talks about DIY Pre-Cut film, and it seems like a Prius car tint will cost $74.95, and the film would be the High Performance film thats the shops use.

    Going to give it a try this month.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sunfire4jc @ Apr 5 2007, 09:42 AM) [snapback]418246[/snapback]</div>
     
  11. uclabruins

    uclabruins Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhitePriusZOOM @ Apr 11 2007, 01:30 PM) [snapback]421608[/snapback]</div>

    In Los Angeles, I got all windows (10 total) tinted (medium Llumar tint - 35%) except the front windshield for $160. Lifetime warranty. This was the 2nd car I had done at this place in 5 years, so that might have helped.
     
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhitePriusZOOM @ Apr 11 2007, 01:30 PM) [snapback]421608[/snapback]</div>
    If you are in the Fairfield/Vacaville area there is a great tint shop that doesn't cost too much and another in Sacramento. Not sure where you're from though.

    My tint for every window but the lower hatch and the windshield was about $150. This included the little side windows near the dash. I would say $200 or so is a pretty normal price for a quality tint job with good materials.
     
  13. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    if you're planning on having the windshield tinted (ie you have a prescription or other medical waiver) expect that to add a good chunk to the cost of your tint. we've been wanting to do this since january, but have had to stick away money for tires instead :angry:

    make sure you get a quality brand tint, ours came with a lifetime warranty including labor to remove and replace should it start to look crappy.
     
  14. priuscali07

    priuscali07 New Member

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    Hmm,

    Thanks for the tip, but I am in the south bay, so it would be a 1+ hour drive for me, 2 hour if there is traffic. I am thinking I will give SnapTint a try. You can choose the between 4 film types, and I chose SolarGard HP True Grey, which according to the SolarGard website, it is one of the films in their top line of film.

    If I screw up, they will charge me $9.99 for replacement pieces. We'll see how it goes. <_<



    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Apr 11 2007, 05:17 PM) [snapback]421747[/snapback]</div>
     
  15. pkittie

    pkittie Junior Member

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    Hey Sunfire & ucla bruins:

    Where did you guys get your tint done?

    Thanks.
     
  16. bogeybob513

    bogeybob513 rtc513

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius The First @ Mar 31 2007, 09:44 AM) [snapback]415439[/snapback]</div>
    Had mine done in South Carolina for $180. Really need it in the south. Also consider getting a stripe job-dresses up the car. About $60.
     
  17. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    Does anyone know what tint level the bottom window in the rear hatch comes from the factory with? I would like to get my rear side and upper hatch windows tinted the same as the bottom hatch window, but am having a hard time replicating the tint (it may be my eyes or the lighting conditions, but when I have visited 2 tint shops and checked the samples they show me that they claim to match the bottom hatch window, the sample is either too light or too dark by just a tad). Also, is there any problem with the rear hatch defrost heating element and the tint film?
     
  18. Rxmxsh

    Rxmxsh Member

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    Wow. Sounds like I got a good deal.

    20% on the rear and back
    35% on the front (and the tiny windows)

    Lifetime Warranty all for $165 - that's here in SoCal. I have a friend who's retired LBPD and he sent me to his shop he's gone to for 20 years. They are awesome. I got there at 9 and they did my car first, I was out by 11 - but there were about 5 cars waiting by the time I left...
     
  19. priuscali07

    priuscali07 New Member

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    Yeah, and it seems the color is just slightly brownish, while most tint is slightly greyish. It is somewhere around 20% but I can't seem to find one that matches exactly.

    The tint people tell me that defrost heating will have no impact on good tint.



    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ Apr 12 2007, 09:55 PM) [snapback]422408[/snapback]</div>
     
  20. Ghostrider

    Ghostrider New Member

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    300 out the door for the ceramic tint which is very nice on gray. Also we had three Prii who wanted the same tint so we got a volume discount