Window tinting

Pojo,
A couple of years ago I had my car tinted with Sol-Ace F1 (premium), and my wifes with the next grade down.

The lesser grade has started to show signs of "purpling" (which most tints do), whereas the F1 is as good as the day it was installed. It is also more resistant to wear and tear, and blocks the UV. (I've got fair skin and burn easily, but not behind the F1 tint).

I bought mine from Sol-Ace Arncliffe. I had one warranty claim where there were some bubbles forming under one of the windows, but they told me to bring it in and they fixed it on the spot - no questions asked.

I would not recommend the one we put on the Missus' car. Am unsure whether the F1 is still available.

Now have an 05 Prado, and as soon as I get the opportunity I'll be going back to them to get the tints done.

I do not work for Sol-Ace. Just a satisfied customer.

Hi there pojo. Metallic tint ( the good stuff) is manufactured by about three or four
companies ,mainly USA ,doesn,t matter what brand , eg Solace,Tintacar.
If you are offered a 25 year or lifetime warranty you can be sure it is metallic with a UV protection of about 90% and the real deal,just shop around for prices.
There are different shades,, 30%...20% right down to 5% (limo tint) dark as you can go, very illegal but looks great,have it on my GQ.
Prices for your 4by in Perth range from 290.00 to over 450.00 for the same tint???
Cheers Syd.

I have only ever used 3M brand tint applied by one of their agents which is DMS Energy in Perth. The reason I use that brand is when tint became possible about 30 years ago they were the only ones that would quote UV and heat reduction figures. All the rest just crank on about how good their product is but can't support their claims with technical data. You only have to look at some of the distorted, bubbled, streaky tint jobs around to see how bad some of them are. I have no affiliation with 3M but I have never had a warranty claim or problem of any kind. The guy in Perth who does it only does 4 jobs per day and reckons if he does any more than that he can't do them properly. Their warranty is lifetime on labour and the product whereas some is only for the time you own it which I suppose is OK since you probably don't really care much about what happens after you sell the vehicle. They also claim that if you do have a problem they wil re-tint the whole vehicle not just the affected window. Mine cost about $380.00 with a $50.00 RAC discount and it is black metallic. They refuse to install anything below 35% light transmission because they don't want the legal liability that goes with it.

Hi Pojo,
I looked into the tint market a while ago. 3M and F1 and the other top grades - as one other replier mentioned before - are the same thing, only a few companies in the world make them.

I think the 'Triple' Metallic (Which is the heat cutting out phase), and also has excellent UV (99.9999% whatever....) reduction.
I think you answered your own question - you are happy with your F1.

I have the (F1, 3M, TopTint - same thing), which has the reflection look. Hard to see inside (like a mirror), but no problems looking out. Mines rated at 35% (In NSW apparently they might be introducing light meters for the (RCW thing). So 35% is legal there.

I was not aware that the darker tint (Whilst looking super dopper), did not have the heat/UV values of the good stuff (Not sure about the night viewing with that darkness either). Not had it, nor been in a car with it, so i can't comment on that, but the F1 (stuff), did not make that darkness level.

Also, you can get a top strip across the front windscreen (just about eye level - for legal reasons), that helps lots.
If you can provide a medical certificate and present it to the RTA (NSW here), about your skin 'cancer' condition and that YOU NEED UV proection all round, then you can legally get the whole windscreen done. Again - the F1 stuff, with 35% is quite ok for that.

As for bubbling, my experience has shown it to be either lack of preperation (properly cleaning and de greasing the glass). And poor aplication.
At first there are small air pockets, they go - if done right!
Most normal sedans need 3 strips across the back windscreen. A good Tinter will use 2 - again - how good is the tinter?

Hope that helps.

Alan.