Window Tinting

[hdavis]

A number of folks have e-mailed me asking for information on distributors of
the 3M high performance window tinting film I mentioned in an earlier post.

The bronze window tint material RE20BRARL provides a 46% reduction in heat
transfer due to sunlight. Most professional installers would call this a
medium tint, and it can not be applied to the front windows on either side
in some states (such as California). A lower density material is approved
for the two front windows: RE35BRARL.

I have found a dealer who is willing to sell me tinting material in large
quantity at a discount. If there is enough interest I am willing to
aggregate orders to purchase tinting in 100 foot rolls, cut it into sections
and send smaller pieces to those who order it.

I plan on ordering the tinting in a 40 inch width that should handle the
largest windows in the GMC (the back). The maximum that I measured on my
coach was a 32 inch height, so there's plenty of room for excess on the one
side. It takes about 24 feet of the medium tint and 3 feet of the light tint
to complete my Palm Beach. I think that I can buy the film for $6.00 per
linear foot - including taxes, you pay shipping from my offices to your
location.

If anyone is interested, measure your windows to verify the amount that you
would need and let me know. If I can get enough people to order, I'll buy in
bulk and split it up. If not, I'll see if the dealer can put together some
packages (probably at a higher price) to do the GMC.

BTW, the quotes that I've received from installers for the same tinting is
over $600 for the GMC using the high efficiency film. Any other quotes out
there?

Please let me know by private e-mail if you are interested in buying tint
for your GMC. I think that the cost will be about $170 for the materials
plus shipping. The dealer said that they will provide me with detailed
installation instructions. The basic set that they sent me is simple.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com

 

[hdavis]

[It looks like the following message got lost. If it's a duplicate I
apologize]

A number of folks have e-mailed me asking for information on distributors of
the 3M high performance window tinting film I mentioned in an earlier post.

The bronze window tint material RE20BRARL provides a 46% reduction in heat
transfer due to sunlight. Most professional installers would call this a
medium tint, and it can not be applied to the front windows on either side
in some states (such as California). A lower density material is approved
for the two front windows: RE35BRARL.

I have found a dealer who is willing to sell me tinting material in large
quantity at a discount. If there is enough interest I am willing to
aggregate orders to purchase tinting in 100 foot rolls, cut it into sections
and send smaller pieces to those who order it.

I plan on ordering the tinting in a 40 inch width that should handle the
largest windows in the GMC (the back). The maximum that I measured on my
coach was a 32 inch height, so there's plenty of room for excess on the one
side. It takes about 24 feet of the medium tint and 3 feet of the light tint
to complete my Palm Beach. I think that I can buy the film for $6.00 per
linear foot - including taxes, you pay shipping from my offices to your
location.

If anyone is interested, measure your windows to verify the amount that you
would need and let me know. If I can get enough people to order, I'll buy in
bulk and split it up. If not, I'll see if the dealer can put together some
packages (probably at a higher price) to do the GMC.

BTW, the quotes that I've received from installers for the same tinting is
over $600 for the GMC using the high efficiency film. Any other quotes out
there?

Please let me know by private e-mail if you are interested in buying tint
for your GMC. I think that the cost will be about $170 for the materials
plus shipping. The dealer said that they will provide me with detailed
installation instructions. The basic set that they sent me is simple.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com

 

[hdavis]

>
>Henry,
>I think it a very good gesture purchasing the 40" roll of film and
>dividing it up for interested parties. I have owned several tinting
>businesses, one under the "Sears" concession network carrying 3M brand
>film and can atest the merits of window tint. The reflective film you
>refer to is primarily designed to block heat by reflecting it off the
>glass as oposed to filtering and obsorbing the heat as colored filter
>film does.

That's why I like the bronze. At least in the 3M line it has the best heat
rejection of any of their films at the same opacity. (it's better by about
50% as compared to the smoke)

>
>A 100ft. roll of 40" reflective film seems a bit high at $600.00 though.

The price includes tax(which I pay since I'm not a reseller in Calif.) ,
shipping to me, packaging materials and a small allowance for waste. I
received a new quote from the distributor today for $459.55 per 100' roll of
the low e film. Shipping gets tacked on top of that. Also, the distributor
seems willing to sell smaller lots to individuals, but I don't have a price
yet. That would allow people who want a specific color for which we can't
get enough interest to still consider doing the tinting themselves.

>I was a 3M franchised dealer and realize you must pay more if you want
>the 3M logo on the box. I actually closed out my franchise when the 3M
>film topped 100% more than other premium brands of film.

I'm always open to alternatives. I don't have the technical details on other
films. If you have some, I'd love to get copies.

>
>The color on the side windows of the GMC, excluding the "A" frame, has
>a 35% rating. My experiance tinting GMC's is that another layer of 35%
>on those windows will equal the darkness of a 20% film on the "A" frame
>glass which is pretty much clear. 20% film coupled with the 35% color
>already in the side glass ends up a bit dark and you do not need it dark
>to reject the heat. In most states, motorhomes can have 20% on the side
>windows. The tint rule is primarilly directed at cars and trucks and
>most have a loop hole for vehicles such as limos, motorhomes & trailers.
>

What sort of price range did you charge (or would you charge) to tint a
GMC?

>Have you looked into pricing of other premium brands of film.

When I had my daughter's car tinted I looked at a large umber of film
samples at a number of tint shops. I selected the bronze because it was
superior in heat rejection by a good margin. I mentioned this film here on
the list and a number of people asked for more information. That's why I
offered to get some bulk rolls.

>From my
>local supplier, if I remember correctly, I pay # $350.00 for a similar
>roll of metalised scratch resistant film, I will check my files tomorrow
>at the shop.

Great! I'm always interested in saving some money providing that the
material does the same job. In the dozens of films that I looked at the 3M
stood out by a wide margin for heat rejection. Since that was my primary
goal the decision was easy.

>
>I've heard all the quality stories of 3M, actually I was one of the ones
>touting them. I will tell you though from being in the business that 3M
>film is a bit overrated with regard to other good films that are
>available.
Also, the bronze film you referred to leaves the windows
>with a sort of brown color.

I personally don't find the very slight brown tint to be objectionable. But
then I am partially color blind. My wife who is not color blind likes the
tint. Guess it's a matter of personal preference and coach color scheme.

I would suggest a neutral colored film
>which leaves the glass with a leaded crystal color. With the 35% smoke
>color of the side windows, the neutral film seems to match better.
>
> Access to the film is not really even half the battle, the most
>expensive film in the world will not look good and last unless it is
>properly installed!

That's another story! I've done small tints, but nothing as large as the
back window of the GMC. The distributor who will sell the 3M material says
that they will provide complete installation instructions. But, as you say,
doing and watching/reading are two different things.

>
>Our windows are mostly flat except for the "A" frame which have a bit of
>a compound curve. Even though, I would not suggest attempting
>installation without a good tinting lesson. Tint acts kind of like wall
>paper, you must pattern the pieces in a certain sequence, clean the
>surface and stick the film exactly right then squeegy out the water from
>the center out. Sounds easy right?, I wish that were so. After a
>couple of frustrating tries, many people end up with a pile of wrinkled
>film all stuck together making up new words for their feeling toward the
>tinting!

The numbers that I posted are a bit pessimistic so that I think there'll be
some extra to experiment with first.

>
>If you still want to purchase the 3M film, I would be happy to share
>installation techniques with the group, I would suggest though,
>investigating other brands of film.

Any suggested brands?

>
>If enough people would like, I would be happy to do a hands on seminar
>at the Marion Rally on tinting techniques. Anyone interested, please
>let me know soon and I'll call Ralph to try and set it up. If you pick
>up the 3M film now, hang onto it until then. By the way, do not pinch
>or roll up the film too tight, that could damage the film at the very
>least make it a ----- to install.
>
>If you decide to look at other films, let me know and I'll price 100'
>rolls of 40" film for you here.

Would you mind? I don't have any particular brand loyalty, but would like to
get a good performing tint for heat rejection.

>
>Sorry, I didn't chime in before now on this subject, but I missed the
>Emails. I guess I fell into the trap of only looking at subjects I was
>working with. I would be happy to help you with this project.

That would be terrific.

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com

 

[jim bounds1]

Henry,
I think it a very good gesture purchasing the 40" roll of film and
dividing it up for interested parties. I have owned several tinting
businesses, one under the "Sears" concession network carrying 3M brand
film and can atest the merits of window tint. The reflective film you
refer to is primarily designed to block heat by reflecting it off the
glass as oposed to filtering and obsorbing the heat as colored filter
film does.

A 100ft. roll of 40" reflective film seems a bit high at $600.00 though.
I was a 3M franchised dealer and realize you must pay more if you want
the 3M logo on the box. I actually closed out my franchise when the 3M
film topped 100% more than other premium brands of film.

The color on the side windows of the GMC, excluding the "A" frame, has
a 35% rating. My experiance tinting GMC's is that another layer of 35%
on those windows will equal the darkness of a 20% film on the "A" frame
glass which is pretty much clear. 20% film coupled with the 35% color
already in the side glass ends up a bit dark and you do not need it dark
to reject the heat. In most states, motorhomes can have 20% on the side
windows. The tint rule is primarilly directed at cars and trucks and
most have a loop hole for vehicles such as limos, motorhomes & trailers.

Have you looked into pricing of other premium brands of film. From my
local supplier, if I remember correctly, I pay # $350.00 for a similar
roll of metalised scratch resistant film, I will check my files tomorrow
at the shop.

I've heard all the quality stories of 3M, actually I was one of the ones
touting them. I will tell you though from being in the business that 3M
film is a bit overrated with regard to other good films that are
available. Also, the bronze film you referred to leaves the windows
with a sort of brown color. I would suggest a neutral colored film
which leaves the glass with a leaded crystal color. With the 35% smoke
color of the side windows, the neutral film seems to match better.

Access to the film is not really even half the battle, the most
expensive film in the world will not look good and last unless it is
properly installed!

Our windows are mostly flat except for the "A" frame which have a bit of
a compound curve. Even though, I would not suggest attempting
installation without a good tinting lesson. Tint acts kind of like wall
paper, you must pattern the pieces in a certain sequence, clean the
surface and stick the film exactly right then squeegy out the water from
the center out. Sounds easy right?, I wish that were so. After a
couple of frustrating tries, many people end up with a pile of wrinkled
film all stuck together making up new words for their feeling toward the
tinting!

If you still want to purchase the 3M film, I would be happy to share
installation techniques with the group, I would suggest though,
investigating other brands of film.

If enough people would like, I would be happy to do a hands on seminar
at the Marion Rally on tinting techniques. Anyone interested, please
let me know soon and I'll call Ralph to try and set it up. If you pick
up the 3M film now, hang onto it until then. By the way, do not pinch
or roll up the film too tight, that could damage the film at the very
least make it a ----- to install.

If you decide to look at other films, let me know and I'll price 100'
rolls of 40" film for you here.

Sorry, I didn't chime in before now on this subject, but I missed the
Emails. I guess I fell into the trap of only looking at subjects I was
working with. I would be happy to help you with this project.

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

>
> A number of folks have e-mailed me asking for information on distributors of
> the 3M high performance window tinting film I mentioned in an earlier post.
>
> The bronze window tint material RE20BRARL provides a 46% reduction in heat
> transfer due to sunlight. Most professional installers would call this a
> medium tint, and it can not be applied to the front windows on either side
> in some states (such as California). A lower density material is approved
> for the two front windows: RE35BRARL.
>
> I have found a dealer who is willing to sell me tinting material in large
> quantity at a discount. If there is enough interest I am willing to
> aggregate orders to purchase tinting in 100 foot rolls, cut it into sections
> and send smaller pieces to those who order it.
>
> I plan on ordering the tinting in a 40 inch width that should handle the
> largest windows in the GMC (the back). The maximum that I measured on my
> coach was a 32 inch height, so there's plenty of room for excess on the one
> side. It takes about 24 feet of the medium tint and 3 feet of the light tint
> to complete my Palm Beach. I think that I can buy the film for $6.00 per
> linear foot - including taxes, you pay shipping from my offices to your
> location.
>
> If anyone is interested, measure your windows to verify the amount that you
> would need and let me know. If I can get enough people to order, I'll buy in
> bulk and split it up. If not, I'll see if the dealer can put together some
> packages (probably at a higher price) to do the GMC.
>
> BTW, the quotes that I've received from installers for the same tinting is
> over $600 for the GMC using the high efficiency film. Any other quotes out
> there?
>
> Please let me know by private e-mail if you are interested in buying tint
> for your GMC. I think that the cost will be about $170 for the materials
> plus shipping. The dealer said that they will provide me with detailed
> installation instructions. The basic set that they sent me is simple.
>
> Henry
>
> Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
> PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
> Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
> ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
> fax: (408) 462-5198
> http://www.henry-davis.com