[buckybadger]

Can anyone from San Diego recommend a good tint shop?
I've heard of BumperDoc (http://www.bumperdoc.com/) and Detailworks (http://www.detailworks.com/Main.htm)and just wondering if anyone has experience going to these shops for tinting?


Thanks!

[Enjoiyourlife]

sdtint.com

guys are legit and not too expensive. did well on the dot matrix too.

[Nr!qUe]

Really nooby question, what's the dot matrix?

[solefald]

Name: Alvin O's Custom Window Tinting
Street: 8148 Ronson Rd
San Diego, ca 92111-2009
Phone: (858) 874-8468


he did my car, and i sent a bunch of my friends over his way. everyone is extremely happy with his work.
located right next to BMW of San Diego. Merc dealer sends all their customers his way too.

avoid Tint Devil on Miramar Rd. by all means!

[solefald]

Originally Posted by Nr!qUe

Really nooby question, what's the dot matrix?

little black dots all around the edges of the glass. its hard to tint those areas.

ive seen some ghetto shops actually cut the tint, so it does not go over the dot matrix, making it look like shit

[buckybadger]

Thanks everyone!
After reading some great reviews about Alvin O's custom window tinting shop and getting some great recommendations from customers, I think I'll give them a call..

[StrifeM3]

Originally Posted by deznium

I spoke to Alvin O's tinting shop and they told me that it's illegal to tint the front driver/passenger side windows in California. Is this true? I also heard that people still tint the front windows irrespective of this rule.. Has anyone here done this? What happens if you get caught by the cops and how much is the fine?

Just curious and confused now...

Yes you can tint the front and yes it is illegal. If you are caught you can either get it taken off or just pay the fine.

[jnizzle]

Originally Posted by solefald

...avoid Tint Devil on Miramar Rd. by all means!

THANK YOU!!!

if anyone is interested in the reason why:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114749

[Wake27]

You probably do have to keep paying it. Most members here ignore that rule. Did they say they wouldn't do it?

[jnizzle]

Originally Posted by deznium

One last question...
To the guys who went to Alvin O's tint shop (or any other).. do the tint shops take apart anyone of the stuff in your car for tinting? like doors, rear parcel shelf etc... I just got a TSB done on my rear parcel shelf and don't want them to take apart anything from that area, otherwise they might make it worse... just curious...

Thanks again

Alvin only take off the door panels because he tints past the gasket. I dont think he takes apart anything else.

[jnizzle]

Originally Posted by deznium

Isn't that risky?? I'm not sure now to take it to Alvin... I don't like the idea of someone opening up my car, except the dealership (and only if there's a TSB for a fix)...

Well, think about it this way, if you take it to BMW SD...guess who's gonna be doing ur tint?...Alvin. He used to be the tint contractor for Cunningham as well. Anyway, most of the time, if you take it to a dealer for tint, they bring in their contracted tint guy to perform the work.

Honestly, Alvin did a great job on mine. Real professional. I'd cruise by his shop and just talk to him. He'll go over the entire process with you so that you'd be comfortable.

good luck.

[solefald]

Alvin and the guys who work for him are GREAT. They tint hundreds of luxury cars, and i have not heard a single complaint.

Yes, on E92, they will have to take off the door panel... if you want high quality tint job. The tint HAS to go under the weather seal, because E92 slightly opens windows when you open doors. Taking off a door panel is super easy, just as putting it back on. I've done it 100's of times on different cars (used to work as a stereo and alarm installer) and have not messed up a single one.

You may have misunderstood what he told you. It is NOT illegal to tint windows, but it IS illegal to tint them darker than 35% (lower number means darker tint).

I wanted to get something pretty dark, but he recommended 22% fronts and 13% rear, which makes front appear a little darker than it really is. Plus the contrast with black interior and AW car, made it look exactly like i wanted to. He invited me over to the shop, so i could check it out, showed me different tints and explained how it will work and what they need to do and how. That gave me a peace of mind... I was giving them my first, 3 day old BMW after all!

Dropped my car off the next morning, Alvin himself gave me a ride to work, and at 5 pm the car was ready and they even detailed it. He asked me to come back in 2 days so they could go over it again and make sure everything is fine.

Honestly, that was one of the best customer service experiences I've had!


Also, if you get a ticket, they will take the tint off for free.

[DANMACINSD]

Sweet, this is right by my house. Now I know where to head when I'm ready for the tint.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by deznium

I hope you don't work for Alvin.. and if they're going to take off the door panels, I'm not going to them, period. It doesn't matter how many years of experience or cars they've done... The car will never be the same again. Sorry if I'm being crazy here but that's how my brain is wired to think..
I still appreciate your concerns/replies in helping me out.

No, i do not work for Alvin, nor have i ever. I met him on the day before he did my tint, when i came down to check out his shop. Have not seen or spoken to him since my tint was done, but i did send some people over his way.

If you don't want your panels taken off, it is completely up to you. Your car, your rules, but if you are so anal about your car, i guarantee that the shitty tint cut above the weather seal will bug the hell out of you. I know it would bug me tremendously, especially because it is there, right next to your face, every time you drive the car.

Originally Posted by deznium

I checked up with BMW of SD and they don't give there cars to Alvin.. at least that's what my SA told me.

I bought my car at Brecht, and when i asked about getting tints the guy just pulled out a bunch of business cards out of his desk and told me "Pick one". I don't think BMW has an official tint shop they send people to, but i did see couple of fresh Merc's in front of his shop, with the stickers still attached to the windows.

[Wake27]

I'm gonna have to check him out too, sounds legit.

[Wake27]

Is it really a problem?

[Silvertige]

Anyone try Mr. Tint in Escondido/Vista? They are the only installers of Formula one ceramic tint in the San Diego area.

[jnizzle]

I would give Alvin a call and bring ur car in. Alvin's pretty reasonable...and if ur not happy bout the tint, im sure he'll take care of it.

[Wake27]

Originally Posted by deznium

Yeah I think for a $450 bucks tint job it definitely is...it's an obvious crease in the tints and even if I paid $100 bucks I would still consider it the same... Don't tell me this is normal for you now

Idk I can't really tell how obvious it is and whatnot. Not saying it shouldn't be a big deal, I just wasn't sure.

[hasrice]

Originally Posted by deznium

Thanks, but it's too late for me as I already went to Alvin, probably next time

They don't do anything about the dot matrix. I did it with them with f1 pinnacle and all areas on dot matrix have spots. Rear window defroster lines aren't clean and have gaps, creates a bit of diffusion at night.

According tot he tint installer, they make no effort to do anything special on dot matrix cars. They simply accept that all models with dot matrix windows will have this spotting problem.

They do not perform any special techniques, such as using vinyl or glue.

[200Duece]

Call Solarcare and speak to Carlos

[hasrice]

is that a crease or is it a two piece tint job?

how is the tint on the dot matrix on your doors? Those dots are huge too.