B8 S4 Rear window tint installation

[sf_loft]

Hi guys, today I talked to a local tint shop who's got superb reviews and when I told him that I'd like to tint my B8 S4 he told me that he hasn't figured out how to do the rear windows. He had to turn away another customer who owns a B8 S4 because he couldn't remove the rear brake light and didn't want to make a cut around it. For those of you who have tinted your cars, do you have any tips?

I'm looking to get 3M's Crystalline 70% all around and was quoted $500 for front and rear windows without the back window. These are new films that are really expensive with 55% heat reduction and 99.9% UV protection. I'm looking for a light tint that offers the best heat and UV protection for the interior. The factory windows already have a 75% tint to it and by adding another 70% on top, you're looking at 50-60%. 3M also carries the Crystalline 90% with the same protection.

[ahcow]

I am getting mine done Friday, I am a little worried about the rear window too. I hope they don't mess anything up back there...

[silver-rings]

Its fairly easy, they just need to pull down on the headliner slightly then slide the light down towards the rear of the car. If they dont know how to do it, im not sure if i would trust them to tint my car. Make sure you look at some of their work closely before getting yours done. The 3M Crystalline is extremely difficult to apply, even for an experienced tinter. GL!

[Brooklyn]

I just paid $245 for 35% tint all around but I simply went with a llumar ceramic film with a lifetime warranty that also claims to block 99.9% of the UVA and UVB rays. I had them cut around the rear brake light because I wanted that light to work as intended. $500 for a tint job is crazy. $500 for a tint job that doesn't include the back window (the largest window covered no less)...well that's beyond my comprehension. The 3M stuff does sound interesting. I wonder how much of that $500 is the film?

[NWS4Guy]

Its fairly easy, they just need to pull down on the headliner slightly then slide the light down towards the rear of the car. If they dont know how to do it, im not sure if i would trust them to tint my car. Make sure you look at some of their work closely before getting yours done. The 3M Crystalline is extremely difficult to apply, even for an experienced tinter. GL!

Yep, grab and pull the headliner at the rear and it comes loose, they need to be someone who knows their stuff, if they use too much water, it WILL run down the C pillars and pool on the stock Amp and fry your system (B&O or regular).

[Brooklyn]

Seems word is getting around about the amp frying. Started to mention this to the shop I used and they finished the sentence for me. Highly suggest anyone getting tint mention that upfront, because from previous experiences it appears most shops go by the "spray a bucket's worth of water" routine.

[silver-rings]

I just paid $245 for 35% tint all around but I simply went with a llumar ceramic film with a lifetime warranty that also claims to block 99.9% of the UVA and UVB rays. I had them cut around the rear brake light because I wanted that light to work as intended. $500 for a tint job is crazy. $500 for a tint job that doesn't include the back window (the largest window covered no less)...well that's beyond my comprehension. The 3M stuff does sound interesting. I wonder how much of that $500 is the film?

The Crystalline film is about 3 times the cost of the Llumar ATX or CTX product. Rightfully so because it is a much higher quality product.

[Brooklyn]

I guess so. Tinting sure has come a long way.

[zerinA4]

My tinter told me he *could* do it but we both agreed that it probably shouldn't be done since it required messing with the headliner. I'd rather it not go over the 3rd brake light than mess with anyting like that.

[Brooklyn]

lol - my installer told me it was illegal to cover the rear light with it anyway, though I suspect this may have been a ploy to just avoid the asspain of messing with the light.

[silver-rings]

My tinter told me he *could* do it but we both agreed that it probably shouldn't be done since it required messing with the headliner. I'd rather it not go over the 3rd brake light than mess with anyting like that.

You really dont have to mess with it too much, just slightly pull it down only about a 1/4"

[silver-rings]

I guess so. Tinting sure has come a long way.

Yes it has, ive been tinting professionally for 15 years now. There have been some huge advancements in the last few years, mainly due to the signal-based electronics in vehicles now. GPS, Bluetooth, TPMS, etc..

[NWS4Guy]

lol - my installer told me it was illegal to cover the rear light with it anyway, though I suspect this may have been a ploy to just avoid the asspain of messing with the light.

lollerskates. That is BS, my wife's Land Rover comes with the entire rear window tinted stock from the factory, covering the rear 3rd light.

[Drizz]

Had them cut around my brake light as I didn't want them pulling down the headliner. Had I known it was such a small tug maybe I would have went a different route, but oh well...I'm happy with the look either way.

[Brooklyn]

yeah, I laughed when I heard it and I'm pretty sure he realized I wasn't laughing WITH him.

[LeadToRome]

Anybody have an opinion of 3M crystalline v. Huper Optik ceramic?

[P0234]

lol - my installer told me it was illegal to cover the rear light with it anyway, though I suspect this may have been a ploy to just avoid the asspain of messing with the light.

It is in VA, I've gotten hassled about it at inspection time.

[Brooklyn]

ahh - didn't know that, but not surprised...

[dgibbs]

I might be up in the city this saturday if you want to take a look at my tint. I'm pretty sure they just cut out the spot for the rear brake light. I went with these guys (http://premiermobilegroup.com/) and had the ceramic tint that does a lot of what you are saying, heat reduction, uv and it still isn't too dark so I don't hassled by the man. *knock on wood*

[HyperM3]

My installer removed the rear light cover in like 10 seconds. Looked very easy. Rear brake light is VERY bright and can be seen through my 30% tint easily. Also got LLUMAR but I only paid $180 for all 7 windows(not including windshield of course).

[sf_loft]

$500 is a lot of money and as someone said, it's the latest tint technology. You are basically getting the protection and heat reduction of a dark tint in a clear application. They also offer Crystalline 90% with still the same 55.5% heat reduction and 99.9% UV. This shop that I called has awesome reviews and has 22 years of experience. They apply tints to luxury cars and they were at least being honest in not wanting to risk doing something that they are not familiar with. I can go to some random tint shop who wants the business but will probably ruin your car. I don't mind paying more if the shop has the reputation.

Do your tint shops file the edges of the tints to make it look like it's factory installed?

[Legacykid]

My installer removed the rear light cover in like 10 seconds. Looked very easy. Rear brake light is VERY bright and can be seen through my 30% tint easily. Also got LLUMAR but I only paid $180 for all 7 windows(not including windshield of course).

Where is this..my guy is about 225?

[wwhan]

For the 3M's 70% Crystalline, I was quoted $450 for front side windows, rear side windows and 50% tint for the back window in the Bay area. I would like
to find a shop that is fully capable of quality work. I had not heard of the 90% 3M's Crystalline tint.

I was thinking of getting 50% tint on the rear window.

Ok, I found the 90% Crystalline 3M product, which is very new.

Here are the dealers listed on the 3M page;

Auto Image
184 Old County Rd
Belmont, CA 94002

King Tint
1232 Montgomery Ave
San Bruno, CA 94066



There is an 80% (Blue AIR 80) clear tint from Llumar, but it is blue tint which would be a problem in CA.

http://www.llumar.com/en/AutoSolarControl.aspx

http://www.llumar.com/pdf/en/LLumarAutoSpecsUS.pdf

There is also Llumar, from link above ;

UVSHIELD Series
Neutral AU 75 UV
Neutral AU 85 UV

[VZWalex]

My installer removed the rear light cover in like 10 seconds. Looked very easy. Rear brake light is VERY bright and can be seen through my 30% tint easily. Also got LLUMAR but I only paid $180 for all 7 windows(not including windshield of course).

wow $180 ??? what series film did he use?

[wwhan]

He is in NJ, Everything is priced slightly higher west of the Rockies.

[Brooklyn]

Tint place I used had three different types of llumar tint. One was dye only at around $150 or so, $199 for metallic, and $249 for ceramic. Sounds like you got the dye or metallic.

[HyperM3]

wow $180 ??? what series film did he use?

Tint place I used had three different types of llumar tint. One was dye only at around $150 or so, $199 for metallic, and $249 for ceramic. Sounds like you got the dye or metallic.

Didnt realize there were different series of film. It was 30% metallic is all I know he referred to it as.

[wwhan]

ATC SERIES (PREMIUM DYED FILMS)
Charcoal ATC 05
Charcoal ATC 15
Charcoal ATC 20
Charcoal ATC 35
Charcoal ATC 40
Charcoal ATC 50
ATR SERIES (HIGH-PERFORMANCE METALized FILMS)
Charcoal ATR 05
Charcoal ATR 15
Charcoal ATR 20
Charcoal ATR 30
Charcoal ATR 35
Charcoal ATR 40
Charcoal ATR 50
Bronze ATR 20
Bronze ATR 35
Bronze ATR 50
Black (Stealth) ATR 05
Black (Stealth) ATR 18
Black (Stealth) ATR 30
Black (Stealth) ATR 38
Black (Stealth) ATR 50
CTX™ series (SIGNAL-ENABLING FILMS)
Charcoal CTX 05
Charcoal CTX 15
Charcoal CTX 30
Charcoal CTX 40
Charcoal CTX 50
PLATINUM PLUS series (REFLECTIVE FILMS)
Silver Neutral PP 18
Silver Neutral PP 35
UVSHIELD Series
Neutral AU 75 UV
Neutral AU 85 UV
SAFETY AND SECURITY Series
Clear Sa CL SR PS7 88
Charcoal SA 15
Charcoal SA 35
Charcoal SA 50
AIR series
Blue AIR 80

[VZWalex]

He is in NJ, Everything is priced slightly higher west of the Rockies.

yeah I figured but also for the price it must have been Dye film or a really good hook up on metallic. I am semi up to date with the tinting options and prices since a good friend of mine has been tinting for over 22yrs and we have plans on opening up a shop in the near future with our services .... I do Paintless Dent repair, light scratch removal and headlight restorations and her does Window Tint, Clear bras and Vinyl wraps. I have been comparing a few films myself since I want to make some changes to my MKV and the Q5 .... I will post up a small graph I made showing the comparison as soon as I finish it ... mainly looking at 50% ceramic tints and some 70% options for possible windshield.

[johnz]

I think part of the cost is the labor. It is more difficult to install than normal tint. It took my 3M guy almost twice as long to install it as a normal tint. He said even the side windows are tough because Audi's have a very tight fit between the glass and window seals. And he did do the rear window and worked around the brake light-it was a bitch! I am pleased with the results, probably would have gone with a cheaper tint if I didn't plan on keeping the car for the long term

[BoostLover99]

I had 3M Crystalline on my windshield (50% VLT) and did not enjoy the clarity of the film; it was *mega* expensive ($300 just for the windshield) and would not do it again. It always looked like you were looking through a little bit of hazy sky, which annoyed me to no end. I didn't think it was worth the cost.

[sf_loft]

I had 3M Crystalline on my windshield (50% VLT) and did not enjoy the clarity of the film; it was *mega* expensive ($300 just for the windshield) and would not do it again. It always looked like you were looking through a little bit of hazy sky, which annoyed me to no end. I didn't think it was worth the cost.

If your tint guy knew about the technology he would advise on not using Crystalline on the windshield. The guy who quoted me the price warned me about the crystalline when viewed at an angle as it has an optical distortion. When looking straight through it, like side windows, it is completely crystal clear. It wasn't meant to be applied on high angled surfaces like windshields. He mentions that most people will only install the 3M Crystalline on the driver and passenger side windows for maximum protection and apply regular ceramic tint on the rear sides and rear windshield.

I'm also thinking of a gradual look as you go backwards with the car. 70% front sides, 60% rear sides, and 50% rear windshield. I've seen this done on another car and I think it looks cool. The difference from window to window is only 10% so you don't get this mismatch look.

[sf_loft]

I think part of the cost is the labor. It is more difficult to install than normal tint. It took my 3M guy almost twice as long to install it as a normal tint. He said even the side windows are tough because Audi's have a very tight fit between the glass and window seals. And he did do the rear window and worked around the brake light-it was a bitch! I am pleased with the results, probably would have gone with a cheaper tint if I didn't plan on keeping the car for the long term

That's what I've noticed. The seals are so tight and it goes all around the edges of the window. What complicates my situation even more with the rear windshield, aside from the brake light, is the automatic sun-shade. Makes it even tighter to get to the sides.

[sf_loft]

I was just searching YouTube and found this installation on an A4. Seems like the installer cut away the camera as he was trying to install around the brake light.

[Brooklyn]

Well that's interesting considering everything I've read said it was designed specifically with windshield applications in mind.

If your tint guy knew about the technology he would advise on not using Crystalline on the windshield. The guy who quoted me the price warned me about the crystalline when viewed at an angle as it has an optical distortion. When looking straight through it, like side windows, it is completely crystal clear. It wasn't meant to be applied on high angled surfaces like windshields. He mentions that most people will only install the 3M Crystalline on the driver and passenger side windows for maximum protection and apply regular ceramic tint on the rear sides and rear windshield.

I'm also thinking of a gradual look as you go backwards with the car. 70% front sides, 60% rear sides, and 50% rear windshield. I've seen this done on another car and I think it looks cool. The difference from window to window is only 10% so you don't get this mismatch look.

[ahcow]

They spray THAT much water into the car? -.- Is that even safe?

[NWS4Guy]

They spray THAT much water into the car? -.- Is that even safe?

Not a good installer

[sss4b8]

I have 17% installed all around. It was pretty quick. because the tint was pretty dark, i just told the installer to cut around the brake light. It looks alright. let me know if you want to see a pic. but its probably too late anyway. Good luck with the tint!

[ahcow]

I have 17% installed all around. It was pretty quick. because the tint was pretty dark, i just told the installer to cut around the brake light. It looks alright. let me know if you want to see a pic. but its probably too late anyway. Good luck with the tint!

Where did you get your tint done?

[BoostLover99]

Good to know - the on angle distortion sounds exactly like what I experienced.