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Beware Cheap Imitations
We
don't believe in importing cheap products as is the case with many
companies offering a 'cheaper' service. These cheap products will lose
their colour and metallisition on exposure to direct sunlight rendering
them unfit for purpose. Not only will they quickly look shabby, they
will end up costing you more in the long term when you have to have
them professionally removed or replaced.
We also do not recommend using products that have a dyed adhesive rather than a dyed polyester. Economy products almost always have a dyed adhesive. They can be problematic in numerous instances. Upon installation, these products can only be shrunk under low heat (otherwise the adhesive will melt and the colour will start to run), meaning it takes a long time to apply. Fisheyes (small bubbles of uncoated polyester) are often prevalent, meaning that you can often find small areas on the film that are clear and will look bad when installed (or you have to replace the film, creating waste). Also over time, the expansion and contraction of the glass can cause the film to also expand and contract. Eventually this leads to clear cracks appearing in the film and looks dreadful. You can often tell a dyed adhesive product as it has a 'slight blue colouring' when looking at the film. Dyed adhesive products are usually sold with no guarantee or a very short period (1 year)
Quality products such as the SolaFilm Charcoal range are dyed polyesters. These products can take a lot of heat under shrinking (drastically speeding up the tinting time), will never fade nor discolor and have a charcoal look about them. They are significantly easier to work with and result in a much finer end finish. More importantly, they are guaranteed for 5 or 10 years (depending on which products are being used).
Below are our suggestions as to the right questions to ask your automotive tinter before he undertakes any work.
We have all seen cars with tinted windows that look dreadful, bubbles
and creases in the tint, particles under the film or alternatively a
'suade effect' caused by incorrect application. We probably
automatically assume this was done by the keen DIY enthusiast who has
'had a go' on their own. This can be the case, but the reality is that
many of these cars have been done by professionals who have charged a
large amount of money and given a poor service using low quality products.
- How
long have they been in business? Whilst there are some excellent
tinters in the country who are relatively new (they may have been
trained well), if a company has been in business for a period of time,
the likelihood is that they provide a good service.
- Have
they always used the same products? There are many good products and
films in the market, but a recent influx of economical Far Eastern
products have arrived in the market within the last 12 months. They
offer a very attractive price, but the quality is often very poor,
leading to creasing, burning under forming and no guarantees. Go for
products that offer at least 5 years guarantee. You may pay more, but
you will not regret it.
- Our products are of Premium Quality as are some others in the market. They are manufactured in Europe and have passed all relevant tests
- Ask to see the actual products they are using. Are they just saying they use a quality product or do they actually use it?
- Ask
where you can go to see examples of their work. A good tinter will have
no hesitation in pointing you in the right direction.
- Ask
where the work is carried out. If its in a dust free environment,
great. If its in a dusty workshop, then maybe you should reconsider.
- Beware of ANY tinter who will give a 'Lifetime Guarantee". The film manufacturers do not give one (the norm is non or 1 year for dyed adhesive products and 5 or 10 years for dyed polyester products), so why does the tinter? They may well do a fantastic job, but they cannot guarantee a tint for life, because the films used by them DO NOT have this guarantee
- Finally,
ask what type of warranty will they give. If its less than 5 years,
think again. Ask If they will replace the tint if you are not happy (it
doesn't happen often, but mistakes are made) - a good tinter will always
agree to this.
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