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View Full Version : Tint brands. Forumla 1 vs. SolarGuard - opinions?


SoCalAgentMSK
09-29-2004, 05:15 PM
www.formulaone.com / www.tintplus.com

www.solargard.com

I am looking to tint my Dolphin/black 2002 A4 and have narrowed it down to two companies. One of them uses Forumla One film while the other uses Solargard. The person offering the Solargard is coming in below $200 while the company with Formula One is coming in at the $325 - $350 range (Ceramic high end film)

I wanted to ask you guys and see which one you had and if you've had any problems or good experiences with either of these two products. A4NCAR You live close to me and I know you got the Formula One I wanted to get your impressions of it. Thanks for all of your help.
bhvrdr
09-29-2004, 05:21 PM
Originally posted by SoCalAgentMSK
www.formulaone.com / www.tintplus.com

www.solargard.com

I am looking to tint my Dolphin/black 2002 A4 and have narrowed it down to two companies. One of them uses Forumla One film while the other uses Solargard. The person offering the Solargard is coming in below $200 while the company with Formula One is coming in at the $325 - $350 range (Ceramic high end film)

I wanted to ask you guys and see which one you had and if you've had any problems or good experiences with either of these two products. A4NCAR You live close to me and I know you got the Formula One I wanted to get your impressions of it. Thanks for all of your help.

I had Formula One on the Porsche and old Audi and it was awesome quality and great color (i dont care for the metallic look). IIRC the heat reduction was far better than many others for the same light reduction level. cheers! Mike
FINA4
09-29-2004, 05:36 PM
I have SolarGard in my 2004 A4 and I like it a lot. Car is much cooler now after sunshine and now bubbles or whatsoever.

I went HP Charcoal 43% sides and HP Charcoal 32% on back window.
A4NCAR
09-29-2004, 05:46 PM
FormulaOne "Pinnacle" ceramic tint all the way (and a big YES to Tint Plus). I've tried pretty much all their tint series since '85 and this ceramic is definitely the best overall IMO. But my needs/taste may differ from yours. I went with 50%, which to me is pretty dark (or dark enough). I've had darker and when I had my Premier Series tint removed, I actually wanted to leave it that way. That's why I went with the lightest ceramic. I would have liked it a little lighter, but it looks amazing. Not reflective, nice color (charcoal gray)... very nice. And the benefits of ceramic are far better then metal tint (heat/glare rejection, easier to see out,..etc). It's expensive, but I think it's worth it. It'll last a long time too. I had tint for 10 years and it still looked good (and that was a hybrid type). Tint Plus is also great with warranty/customer service and fixing any issues you might have.

The metallic Premier tint was too reflective (causing a green cast) and the Ultimate, while not as reflective, has a green cast to it already. The metal/dye hybrid tint may look good, but then it has metal and dye. Not the best quality, but decent enough.

I posted on AW about it.
RippleChip
09-29-2004, 06:07 PM
I have the same Formula 1 tint, though 38% and I love it. Can't be happier with the look and results. Car is dramatically cooler, totally different world on those hot sunny days.
shehatezme
09-29-2004, 06:08 PM
I had Solarguard and I loved it. Great tint and great quality.
d4m0n
10-02-2004, 08:47 AM
Originally posted by A4NCAR
FormulaOne "Pinnacle" ceramic tint all the way (and a big YES to Tint Plus). I've tried pretty much all their tint series since '85 and this ceramic is definitely the best overall IMO. But my needs/taste may differ from yours. I went with 50%, which to me is pretty dark (or dark enough). I've had darker and when I had my Premier Series tint removed, I actually wanted to leave it that way. That's why I went with the lightest ceramic. I would have liked...

Any pics of your car with this tint? Mine should be here in a week or two and that's one of the first things I want to get done.

Thanks
RippleChip
10-02-2004, 09:05 AM
Here's mine with 38% Ceramic Formula One Tint.

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/10MG_7180-med.jpg

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/10MG_7154-med.jpg
Tallbino
10-02-2004, 09:16 AM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by RippleChip
[B]Here's mine with 38% Ceramic Formula One Tint.

wow, i really like the look of that. It's not too dark and it still looks classy. I've got to find a place that uses formula one around me
lawong
10-02-2004, 05:21 PM
If it were between Formula 1 and Solarguard, I would choose based on quality of the installer.

I personally have Solarguard, but I've heard phenominal things about the formula 1 stuff. I went with Solarguard because the local installer that everyone goes to has been reliable.

Also, keep in mind that pictures of tinted windows are nearly impossible to capture properly. The darkness of the window tint will always vary with the amount of ambient lighting and also what sort of contrast adjustment your digital camera will be making.
A4NCAR
10-02-2004, 10:06 PM
Originally posted by d4m0n
Any pics of your car with this tint? Mine should be here in a week or two and that's one of the first things I want to get done.

Thanks

FormulaOne Pinnacle ceramic tint, 50% all around. They have a 38%(?) also. The ceramic tint is the best IMO.

http://www.image-hosting.net/images/digital/A4NCAR/duplicate_4449_127_2752.JPG
imajn34
10-02-2004, 10:16 PM
A4NCAR, you said that ceramic tint is pretty expensive, do you mind disclosing the price? Where did you get it done at? TIA. 50% looks perfect.
RippleChip
10-03-2004, 07:06 AM
Ceramic was not much more than the metallic based tint. I went to the best place around, and without tax it was 285 CAD, not bad at all.
A4NCAR
10-03-2004, 08:27 AM
Originally posted by imajn34
A4NCAR, you said that ceramic tint is pretty expensive, do you mind disclosing the price? Where did you get it done at? TIA. 50% looks perfect.

$300 Tint Plus (http://www.tintplus.com/). 50% is perfect for those who want a lighter looking tint. It's not in LA, but you can schedule install for Saturday. Takes a couple hours total. If it's too far, or inconvenient, try the Dealer Locator (http://cpfilm.know-where.com/formula-one/)
canadian_driver
10-03-2004, 10:17 AM
i got solargard 22% and to tell you the truth im not all that impressed with it, it looks good and stuff but it now has scratches in it from putting my windows up or down, its not bad or anyhting, but it annoys me
piaadoll
10-03-2004, 11:21 AM
Originally posted by lawong
If it were between Formula 1 and Solarguard, I would choose based on quality of the installer.

I personally have Solarguard, but I've heard phenominal things about the formula 1 stuff. I went with Solarguard because the local installer that everyone goes to has been reliable.

Also, keep in mind that pictures of tinted windows are nearly impossible to capture properly. The darkness of the window tint will always vary with the amount of ambient lighting and also what sort of contrast adjustment
your digital camera will be making.

i have the same tint percentage as lawong and had it done the same time and my decision was based more on the installer. i love my tint though..although i feel i went a bit conservative and that i should have gone a bit darker..

but gosh, the formula1 on ryan's car looks really good.
d4m0n
10-05-2004, 01:44 PM
Originally posted by A4NCAR
FormulaOne Pinnacle ceramic tint, 50% all around. They have a 38%(?) also. The ceramic tint is the best IMO.

Thanks. That's perfect! That's exactly what I'll be getting.
godard24p
10-05-2004, 06:30 PM
Originally posted by A4NCAR
FormulaOne Pinnacle ceramic tint, 50% all around. They have a 38%(?) also. The ceramic tint is the best IMO.

http://www.image-hosting.net/images/digital/A4NCAR/duplicate_4449_127_2752.JPG

nice pic darryl.
[:D]