window tinting?

Aslet · 06-30-2007, 06:12 PM

Has anyone tinted the windows on their 944? I am looking to do it myself (scared of the shops) and am looking for any tips for the 944 windows. If anyone has also done it themselves, where did you get the film from, I have found it hard to find a film dealer that has any good quality films... So any tips or help with where I could get the film at would be great!

Thanks!

Randy
1984 944

jezza944 · jezza944's Garage

No real problems doing the flat windows yourself, but the large curved rear hatch will be a PITA. With older type tints, they used to have to cut sections to make the curve, and the tint was narrower making joins necessary. Now tint comes in larger sizes, and experts use heat to do the rear in one piece. I've never seen tinting done with joins last very long as it shrinks and looks terrible in time. I honestly would bite the bullet and go to a pro tinter. Here in Oz sides and hatch would cost about $250 USD.

Icey1174 · 07-01-2007, 04:08 PM

Someone on here had a pic of their red 944 with dark tint. It looked awesome. I talked to the place that installed my alarm. One guy there did a 944 and he said he would never do another one. He said the hatch was a PITA. Took hours he said. I would look around your town for the best shop to do the tint. You wouldn't want the biggest piece of the car looking like crap! There are good shops out there. You will pay for them. The cheaper shops are usually the shops you need to worry about. So goes my personal experience. $150 to $250 sounds about right for state side pricing. Anything more than that and I would think they were taking advantage of the Porsche name plate.

Please put some pics up if you get it done. I would really like to see how it turns out. What color is your car? I want to do mine but I want to redo the interrior and paint it first.

Aslet · 07-01-2007, 04:13 PM

Anyone know of a good shop near Hartford, CT? I do think i will have a shop do it if I can find a good quality one. There is one place near by that quoted me $150, but it was a sketchy place and I dont really want them near my car, hehe.

My car is a 1984 and is Garnet (dark) red metalic with a tan interior. If i get it done I will post pics, but i have many other to-do items first, including the install of the new brke pads i got and maybe getting a KLA sub to install. Not to mention i have to work, so i can pay for my car spendings.

Blondie · 07-01-2007, 04:15 PM

I know the red 944 you're talking about...those pics are burned into my mind lol thats how I envision my red '44 looking after tint!

Icey1174 · 07-01-2007, 04:22 PM

That was a hot car! Now that I think of it... I think it was the guy that sold it to the kid that worked at the gas station. I think it was the same car.

Sometimes the sketchy places are the best places. Ask around to see who people like and who does a good job. Look for a "Cruize Night" or a local car show. Those guys will all point you in the right direction.

There was this place here in Buffalo in the worst neighborhood with the worst looking exterrior. The inside was awesome. They did the best work no matter how big or small the job was. They treated everyone with respect too. The $20K jobs and the $100 jobs got the same treatment. They did all the work on the Sabres and Bills cars. They now have a nice building.

Appearences may be deciving!

Aslet · 07-01-2007, 04:45 PM

True, I was looking around just now and found Mr Tint of New England... Anyone hear of them before or use them for tints? They look like a good place and they use some good name brand films (3M). They are also like a 20 minute drive for me, so this may be the place... Any feed back on them from anyone?

Icey1174 · 07-01-2007, 04:49 PM

Go over there and look at their work. All good shops here in Buffalo take you right into their shop and so you current projects. They do good work, they are proud of it, and they want to show it off.

I am not sure how many people on here are in your area. Everyone seems to be pretty well spread out.

Tidybuoy · 07-02-2007, 09:42 AM

My friend just had his new BMW windows tinted at a shop. The job was so well-done that I cannot tell it's a film - it's perfect. I plan on taking my car to this same shop in the next month or so. After seeing his car, I know I would not be able to do the same quality myself.

Icey1174 · 07-02-2007, 09:46 AM

CA might be a little too far for him.

Tidybuoy · 07-02-2007, 09:49 AM

Agreed...but they must have good shops over on that side.....

Icey1174 · 07-02-2007, 10:19 AM

They must. I still think his best bet is to look up some Cruse Nights or a local car show. Those guys usully know the local aftermarket business real well and are ALWAYS more than happy to tell people about their car!

Aslet · 07-02-2007, 10:24 AM

Thanks for the tips, I think I may also follow up and check out this Mr Tint place sometime.