DIY or Pro Install? - 3M Crystalline Window Tint

3M Crystalline Tint Install

  • DIY install ALL windows

    Votes: 2 18.2%

  • DIY Side windows + Pro install Windshield/Rear

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Pro install ALL windows

    Votes: 9 81.8%
  • Total voters
    11
D

Dredogol

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Hey all,

So summer is around the corner, and I was planning on tinting my windows very soon.
I plan on using 3M Crystalline Film for all my windows.

90% Windshield + 40% AS1 Bar
50% All Side Windows
50% Rear Window
(Yes... my state does allows these tint levels)

Question to everyone is:
1) DIY install all windows using expensive 3M Crystalline film
2) DIY install ONLY Side Windows (easier to do) + Pro install Windshield/Rear
3) Pro install all windows

I would "like" to save money, but the bigger question I have is with top grade 3M film... is it worth doing yourself?
I know 3M offers excellent life-time guarantee and warranties with their film... but I have a feeling you need to get it installed by a 3M certified tint shot to get those guarantees.
Plus, if the film ever bubbles for whatever reason... shops "should" guarantee reinstall within a few months... rather than SOL if I did it myself.

Your thoughts?
 
Pro install, if anything goes wrong take it back, get quotes because rates will vary as well product used


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Pro all the way. Don't skimp on something like this. It is not as easy as it looks.
 
Tinting is one thing I won't touch. I leave that to the guys who are really good at it. If you're trying to save money, think about how much it will cost to have to do it twice.
 
did 30% on sides and rear. didn't touch windshield. i'm older and did not want the 'blacked' out look. i think your idea of 50% is really on the light side, imo. have you seen 50% in person?

i'd let the pros do it as well. not much money. i think i spent $400 for their 'top of the line,' 'most heat reflective'... blah, blah, blah.

followed their instructions re not cleaning or rolling down windows, and couldn't be happier with the results.
 
trailsnail said:
did 30% on sides and rear. didn't touch windshield. i'm older and did not want the 'blacked' out look. i think your idea of 50% is really on the light side, imo. have you seen 50% in person?

i'd let the pros do it as well. not much money. i think i spent $400 for their 'top of the line,' 'most heat reflective'... blah, blah, blah.

followed their instructions re not cleaning or rolling down windows, and couldn't be happier with the results.
Click to expand...

trailsnail:
50% Front-side windows is the minimum in my state.
Rear-side/Rear have no limits, but would rather keep same % to make it look consistent.

I'd rather not go any darker in case I go to other states, would get me pulled over for no reason.
They can't ticket... but waste of my time.
 
totally agree on the consistent look. that was important to me as well. what i did not know before looking into tinting, is the tinter will do any % you desire (i thought they were required to do the legal %'s). by going a 'middle of the road' tinting, i don't feel i'll attract any unnecessary attention. haven't had a ticket in decades. i see much darker tints on most other cars. my point about the 50% level is that i considered 40% pretty light. at 50%, i'd be thinking about not doing it at all. i respect your opinion re tint laws and if that's where you want to be, i certainly can't disagree with your logic.

Dredogol said:
trailsnail:
50% Front-side windows is the minimum in my state.
Rear-side/Rear have no limits, but would rather keep same % to make it look consistent.

I'd rather not go any darker in case I go to other states, would get me pulled over for no reason.
They can't ticket... but waste of my time.
Click to expand...
 
50 will almost be unnoticeable unless you got those super clear windows I have seen on some Hondas and Subarus.

20 or 35 is norm


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trailsnail said:
my point about the 50% level is that i considered 40% pretty light. at 50%, i'd be thinking about not doing it at all. i respect your opinion re tint laws and if that's where you want to be, i certainly can't disagree with your logic.
Click to expand...

Actually, because it is 3m Crystalline, the main reason I'm getting it is because of the IR (heat) block it achieves.
90% blocks roughly 40-45% IR heat compared to tint that is non-ceramic.

If I didn't want the IR blocking... I would have gone with cheaper Color Stable or other brands like Llumar.
 
Do it yourself, then post up a review of how you did it and how it turned out, that would be awesome! :props:
 
custmsprty said:
Do it yourself, then post up a review of how you did it and how it turned out, that would be awesome! :props:
Click to expand...





:laughing::laughing::laughing:



My take? Never do anything that you are not 100% sure of that you have to get right on the first shot unless you are experienced at it.
 
PaulMys said:
:laughing::laughing::laughing:



My take? Never do anything that you are not 100% sure of that you have to get right on the first shot unless you are experienced at it.
Click to expand...

But I want to see it!!!!

:awesome:

My tint guy is so awesome and so cheap you pretty much can't do it yourlself for less. Back in April 2012 when he did my GC he had done approximately 30,000 vehicles up to that point in his carrer.

I can't even get it in the back seat of my GC, nor do I want to and he tinted the freaking slanted back window perfectly, I cna't even reach it inside to clean it! I watched him do the whole install, he's a magician with tint. $140.00. Needless to say I gave him a hell of a tip :props:

PS: He doesn't use 3m, they beg him to.

 
It is not possible to do it yourself as a first-timer. Go pro and check your local yelp ratings.
 
People around my area do it them self's, BUT it look gay because they go under the ''LEGAL LIMIT''

Which is 35% and you can not go under that. But they do.... i have seen 20% and 5% and i cant see the driver of the car
and it makes me uneasy that i cant make eye contact with the driver.

The kids these days even tint there Brake light's, thus voiding there insurance but dont tell them that.

Dont DIY get a pro guy to do it. =)
 
I bought into the IR thing on our van this time. Does it make a difference maybe in my head cause I spent more $. It might really scientifically but I don't think I would buy it again

Others may argue but find a quality tint place and just trust the product they use. Don't get hung up on brand x or y. If they are using it it has to at least keep them from redoing car after car. Most tint is pretty good now a days. I'm sure there is Ali baba or Chinese cheap tint somewhere out there but most tint guys or places are going to use 1 of a few brands.

I have used 4 different people and on two of them I didn't even know what brand they used. Didn't care didn't ask. One place went on about brand and warranty etc. other went on saying he was the best just about everyone else is a hack. The others just did the job professionally and fairly.

Had a piece or two of dirt on a window on one install he promptly replaced that on the spot after showing him. Used him again on a couple cars

If you have your heart set on 3M whaveter tint then find a retailer of it local to you and set and appointment. Have them show you the different % and have them tell you what they recommend for your car


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I got an estimate for 3M Chrystaline. $495. Any thoughts where this is good or bad?
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
I got an estimate for 3M Chrystaline. $495. Any thoughts where this is good or bad?
Click to expand...

That sounds very cheap compared to what it costs in California. How much does that include? I got a quote for $350 just for the windshield here in NorCal.
 
I went with the 3M Chrystaline after the installer showed me the difference in the film versions. The Chrystaline really blocks out way more heat than the next best film without darkening the car where you can't see out of it. He wound up doing a great job and only charged me $400. I found out he also does PPF which should be great for my next car. If anyone needs the name of a good installer in middle Georgia, pm me.
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
I went with the 3M Chrystaline after the installer showed me the difference in the film versions. The Chrystaline really blocks out way more heat than the next best film without darkening the car where you can't see out of it. He wound up doing a great job and only charged me $400. I found out he also does PPF which should be great for my next car. If anyone needs the name of a good installer in middle Georgia, pm me.
Click to expand...

Does that include the windshield. In CA the windshield by itself is $300.


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