Want to get my windows tinted but I had a very bad experience once...

[XtremeModder]

Hey everyone, about 4 years ago I had my (now traded in) 2000 civic's windows tinted at A1 Auto Tint in Pickering. What I didn't know is before I traded it in that it had faded so bad in 3-4 years that the 10% rear windows were about 25-35 and my 2 front windows were basically untinted.

To make matters worse my whole set of rear defroster lines were completely ruined (something I never realized.

I then paid $180 cash and it was garbage tint obviously.


Now, I have a 2010 Civic EX-L and want to get the F1 Pinnacle Ceramic Tinf (is this the bet one I can get?) so I emailed auto-links as they're somewhat close and a lot of people recommend them on here. They told me that because I'm an RFD member I get a discount and would pay $250. I think this seems reasonable but I would like some honest opinions, good and bad. I understand a business can never make 100% of their customers happy so I am keeping an open mind.

The only thing I worry about is having those rear defroster lines breaking as that's really all they'll be able to break apart from door panel clips. And if they do break them how would I go about proving it. I'm just cautious with who I let do any work/service to my vehicle. Is there a specific person at auto links that does better work than other employees?


Also. Last question is what % should I go with for an all around match, they recommend 30% as to not get pulled over but I'd love to do 20%

[cyc1120]

I've heard nothing but good things about autolinks. I had my tints done there as part of a RFD group buy and am 100% satisfied!

[brian.gerson]

Wow $250 for that level of quality is a steal. I paid $200 tax-in for SolarGuard HP, which I think is not as good, and they did not remove any door panels.

[VisionGlassTorontoLtd]

Don at iTint in Woodbridge has been doing tints for over 20 years, with a outstanding reputation and also has the police department accounts for all their vehicles. I'm sure he would be a great choice and he did have a special for $200 going not that long ago.

[jasonkwan86]

I usually send all my people to Thornhill Tints, ask for Richard.

[MS MSP]

I usually send all my people to Thornhill Tints, ask for Richard.

seconded.

And do a search as tint in the GTA has been discussed to death.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

I usually send all my people to Thornhill Tints, ask for Richard.


seconded.



Thirded...

Best in the business.

[AcidBomber]

I've heard nothing but good things about autolinks. I had my tints done there as part of a RFD group buy and am 100% satisfied!

Same here. Got mine done last month at Auto-links as well and it looks awesome with no defects. Nice shop and they do a great job.
Definitely go with ceramic if you want to avoid fading.

[boredstudent3]

The only thing I worry about is having those rear defroster lines breaking as that's really all they'll be able to break apart from door panel clips. And if they do break them how would I go about proving it. I'm just cautious with who I let do any work/service to my vehicle. Is there a specific person at auto links that does better work than other employees?

i think you had an appointment with Auto Links before and backed out of it, correct Dave?

none the less i'm just like you, pretty an*l about who i let touch or service my vehicle. we're in the same boat. and with that character trait in common, i would recommend you to go to Auto Links. no hesitation man.

you also ask about a specific person at auto links who does better work than another employee there? keep in mind they work as a team: John, Cody, Steve, and the new guy Ben

used to be only John applied the tints, but now Ben does so as well. he needed help as they are jammed pack everyday...it's good for them, they're busy, and you don't stay busy if you're no good at the work.

Steve and Cody do all the prep work (i.e. tint plotting, door panels, window cleaning, etc.) Cody also does all the electrical work for starters, alarms, etc.

like Nike says, just do it. nothing bad will happen there.

[XtremeModder]

i think you had an appointment with Auto Links before and backed out of it, correct Dave?

none the less i'm just like you, pretty an*l about who i let touch or service my vehicle. we're in the same boat. and with that character trait in common, i would recommend you to go to Auto Links. no hesitation man.

you also ask about a specific person at auto links who does better work than another employee there? keep in mind they work as a team: John, Cody, Steve, and the new guy Ben

used to be only John applied the tints, but now Ben does so as well. he needed help as they are jammed pack everyday...it's good for them, they're busy, and you don't stay busy if you're no good at the work.

Steve and Cody do all the prep work (i.e. tint plotting, door panels, window cleaning, etc.) Cody also does all the electrical work for starters, alarms, etc.

like Nike says, just do it. nothing bad will happen there.

Correct and you know my name how? I backed out due to time and I thought it wasn't a good idea to tint the BMW cause I was most likely selling it and did. Will be making an appointment for next friday

[tebore]

I would not recommend Thornhill Tints. In less than 2 years my tint has faded and or started to turn purple. Richard's nephew did my windows and had a bubble or two so he redid it. Richard came out and was very rude to me saying I was holding up the rest of the cars and was ruining his schedule.

You can see the original color from where the window tucks in to the frame. Any part exposed to the sun has faded.

[Andro]

Did mine at FX Auto in Markham. It was Pinnacle F1 tint 35% all over. Did not know about Auto Links at that time, maybe they were not even in business then. They did a great job and tint is like new (had it for about 3 years now). Heat rejection is incredible.

[boredstudent3]

Correct and you know my name how? I backed out due to time and I thought it wasn't a good idea to tint the BMW cause I was most likely selling it and did. Will be making an appointment for next friday

that's awesome man, glad you got over the hesitation hump. looking forward to some pics and your experience of the process.

1 bad experience in the past doesn't mean all future experiences will be bad...:)

[Mayosandwich]

I have 5% tint all round and never been pulled over. 5% is limo tint.

[XtremeModder]

5% all around and you never get pulled over? I'm thinking either 30% or 20% all around. AL recommended 30% all around though and that's the legal limit is it not?

[ElvaSoShexai]

There is no set legal limit in ON. It's at the discretion of the police. Generally 30-35% is considered legal. And the limit is only for front side windows. It's fine as long as police are able to see inside the front windows. But I had 20% all around with no issues even when pulled over.

Back passenger and rear windshield have no limit. They can be as dark as u want

[booblehead]

Technically, tinting is illegal. Period. It's up to the police officer discretion to pull you over or not.

[Andro]

Technically, tinting is illegal. Period. It's up to the police officer discretion to pull you over or not.

It's not illegal if the officer can see you through the window.

[XtremeModder]

There is no set legal limit in ON. It's at the discretion of the police. Generally 30-35% is considered legal. And the limit is only for front side windows. It's fine as long as police are able to see inside the front windows. But I had 20% all around with no issues even when pulled over.

Back passenger and rear windshield have no limit. They can be as dark as u want

Thanks for that, I'm wanting 20% all around did you find it a bit difficult at night driving with the windows up (visibility wise I mean). I'm sure id be fine it didn't take long to get used to 5% rears in my last car...

[RastaManMax]

Audioheaven. Ask for Jeff Try. I'm going to be taking back the Bimmer to get the rear window retinted or to see if they can get the dot matrix to fit better. For anybody with a BMW, they will know what I mean in that the dot matrix on this car is particularly bad. On my G, Maxima and gf's Civic, the matrix looks amazing. Most shops tell you this ahead of time and just leave it as is. These guys followed up with me to find out if I liked the tints - just been too busy to take it back.

They did my gf's 07 Civic and it was one of the best I've ever seen so we went in a few weeks ago and got my G35 coupe and BMW 325CI tinted. They use Solargard tints. I have Solargard on my 1997 Maxima and it still looks like the day I got it. On the Maxima I have 13% which looks great on that car because it's black but reversing on a non-streetlit street can be difficult. On the Civic my gf got 35% which I think is probably the best balance between actually looking tinted, night visibility and sun rejection if you're not sure with what to go with. Went with 23% on the Bimmer and G and very happy with this % but it is a bit aggressive.

Whatever you choose, go all around the same %. Looks cheesy otherwise IMHO. If you're leaning towards the 20's, go for it. The 23% does allow for a fair bit more night visibility than my 13% and still is a reasonable bit darker than the 35%. I find the 35% a bit too light on very sunny days when taking long drives.

[EPcjay]

+1 for Solargard. My personal contact uses their HP line, and I have no issues with it. It's been a year already, and still looks good. I got 23% all around. It's perfect. not too bright, not super dark.

[Cerenity]

20% all around from EJ Tint in Markham
$250 for Llumar tint with lifetime warranty

[ElvaSoShexai]

Thanks for that, I'm wanting 20% all around did you find it a bit difficult at night driving with the windows up (visibility wise I mean). I'm sure id be fine it didn't take long to get used to 5% rears in my last car...

nah, 20% isn't that dark. But then each brand of tint is slightly different. Had 15% all around before getting 20%.

I've had cars done at thornhill tints and audio heaven. I can't remember which grade of tint, but I did like my TT one better. I think AH used to use a better grade tint for their specials, my most recent car, seems to be thinner film vs couple years ago, but maybe it's just me.

[DJ Trance AZ]

I first got my tints @ FX Auto Markham and it was a total disaster; lots of tiny air bubbles and very poor customer service! Few weeks later I went to Audio Heaven and paid close to $420 to have it all re-done. The Vietnamese tinter @ Audio Heaven did a very fine job; lots of patience and NOT even one air bubble on my windows!!

[dagambler]

Technically, tinting is illegal. Period. It's up to the police officer discretion to pull you over or not.

Not true. There's an acceptable level of tint. I got pulled over and the cop had a device that measured how much light passed through the front, side window. He had an example of a piece of glass that was barely legal and it was most definitely tinted.

[platinumtiger19]

I'm going to make an appointment with Audio Heaven to get my car tinted next week, hopefully. I'm pretty much set on doing 20-23% all around.

[steve-0101]

Did mine at FX Auto in Markham. It was Pinnacle F1 tint 35% all over. Did not know about Auto Links at that time, maybe they were not even in business then. They did a great job and tint is like new (had it for about 3 years now). Heat rejection is incredible.


I first got my tints @ FX Auto Markham and it was a total disaster; lots of tiny air bubbles and very poor customer service! Few weeks later I went to Audio Heaven and paid close to $420 to have it all re-done. The Vietnamese tinter @ Audio Heaven did a very fine job; lots of patience and NOT even one air bubble on my windows!!

I had mine done at FX on the recommendation of a buddy and they did a great job.