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VIP AUTO TINT AUTOMOTIVE WINDOW TINTING
RULE OF TUMB
We've all seen cars driving down the road with bubbles in their window tint, or with peeling tint. And here's the bad news:
Most of those people didn't try to install the window film themselves. They paid for a poor-quality installation.
"The materials used to tint an automobile only account for about 50 percent of the total job. The rest of the 50 percent is for the quality of the installation labor."
So, how do you choose a shop that will do you proud?
You can check with friends and neighbors to see if they recommend a local installer. Or, if you can't go that route, you'll need to do some comparison shopping. Solar Control's companies has put together a list of tips for finding a quality installer.
"I would look in your local area all the companies with ads and not any of the in-column names only," he says. "Next, I would make a list on a piece of paper of the companies that you call and write down the following information:
1. How long has the company been in business under the same name and same ownership?
Do they have a city business license that they can show you that states the date they went into business in your area?
Many shops go out of business each year and just change their name and move down the street to avoid having to do any redo work. This is a very common problem in the industry.
2. How long has the installer [who] is going to be doing the actual tinting workmanship/labor on your vehicle been in the business?
... A minimum of five to seven years of experience is a must, or pass on them.
3. Do they have a physical shop and location [where] they do the work ... [so] you can come down and look at their workmanship?
What DOESN'T it cover and what are the RESTRICTIONS listed on the invoice? Some tint shops put a sticker on the outside of your windows. If you remove their sticker, you void the entire warranty. ... You must read their written warranty in full. Only choose a manufacturer's full lifetime written warranty on LABOR [and] MATERIALS, including removal of the old defective film, and make sure you get the warranty card that the manufacturer gives them with all the information written down on it (manufacturer's name, the film roll numbers, type of film being used, the ... Color and type of film being installed, where on the vehicle and the full retail price you paid).
4. What type of warranty do they give? Is it in writing? Is it a manufacturer's full written warranty? For how long?
What DOESN'T it cover and what are the RESTRICTIONS listed on the invoice? Some tint shops put a sticker on the outside of your windows. If you remove their sticker, you void the entire warranty. ... You must read their written warranty in full. Only choose a manufacturer's full lifetime written warranty on LABOR [and] MATERIALS, including removal of the old defective film, and make sure you get the warranty card that the manufacturer gives them with all the information written down on it (manufacturer's name, the film roll numbers, type of film being used, the ... Color and type of film being installed, where on the vehicle and the full retail price you paid).
5. Is all the work done inside of their shop or outside in the parking lot?
If they do it outside, pass on them.
6. What manufacturers of window film do they carry?
Do they carry a complete line of films, including a high-performance film? If they don't carry none metalized films, pass on them.
7. Are they a current member of the IWFA (International Window Film Association) since 1992?
If they are, then this is a good point, as they had to sign [an] ethical standards agreement to join the IWFA
9. Then go out and take a look at the actual workmanship at their shop.
If they don't do it in one piece, then pass on them.
10. Do they do all the back windows in one piece of film with no seams, splices, darts, relief line cuts?
If they don't do it in one piece, then pass on them.
11. Does all the film on the side doors go to the top edge of the glass and also go to the side edges of each piece of glass?
If they don't do it in one piece, then pass on them.
12. Is their shop a dust-free, air conditioned, well-lighted, clean and neat shop? If it isn't, pass on them
If they don't do it in one piece, then pass on them.
13. Do they have all the films they carry displayed on physical display panels?
If they don't do it in one piece, then pass on them.
14. Do they remove all of the door panels [to perform the installation],
or do they just jam the inside door rubber down with a plastic tool to cut time?
If they don't do it in one piece, then pass on them.
15. Do they remove the ... Package tray from the back window?
This is a very important item if you want a neat and clean, dust-free job.
16. Do they COVER the rear speakers from the back window area before they tint the rear window
or do they leave them and let the water hit the inside of the speakers and thus possibly ruin them down the road?
17. Can they eliminate the 'white area' at the top of the dot matrix area of the back window?
Or after the film dries will the dot matrix look like the film has not stuck properly to [this] area? Good shops know how to deal with this problem."
22962 Clawiter Rd unit # 21
Hayward CA 94545
(510)779-8883
vipautotint21@gmail.com
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