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Any Automotive Window Tinters?
I got asked by a neighbour on our estate to tint the windows on his vehicle.
Not something I’ve done, and recommended a guy I know. He’s let him down, and he booked in with another company that was recommended.
They’ve had his car 4 days, and it’s still not done, despite ringing and booking in.
It seems quite a common thing… we’ve the facilities already to tint, but need to get some training to do it to the level we’d be happy with.
Having spoken to a local training place, who’ve been recommended, I’m after some impartial advice/opinions?
I think we can provide a better service, but is it worth the time, hassle, and investment in getting trained?
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13 Replies
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The basics of tinting is straightforward enough, but like everything, it’s not just as easy as it looks on youtube!
A great many window tinters have turned their hand to wrapping for the same reason your considering tinting, and why not? It is a good idea!
My personal reluctance is that its another aspect of our trade that will require the removal of vehicle body parts and that’s where time and costly mistakes are made. -
I posted the same question sometime earlier this year. The replys were pretty much stick to what you know its not easy. 100% correct however like yourself i knew their was a market in my area for it. Anyway during 5 weeks of corona and no work i trained myself up. Hours of youtube and about 100 quid of material. Did 5 rear windows as pracitice on my own motor. Then did my friends free of charge. Then got asked to tint a customers car, i explained the situation that we are learning and they were happy to have it done at half price cash. I did 3 cars like this and then took the jump to advertise and charge proper money. Its not easy, i dont look forward to doing it but i can do it now.
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I’ve seen a course, it’s a few days, but costs about £2000
I don’t mind paying, if it’s viable. I don’t want to start pushing the service, without first knowing what I’m doing, and tarnish our reputation.
The neighbours picked up his van, they’ve had it 4 days, and I think I could have done better, or at least not let it leave the show room with dirt and dust under the film.
There’s a market for it.
What sort of margin/price can you make?
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I think a course is a good idea to pick up the basics but 2k! is way too much. Ive seen day courses for 400 quid. I think a days course, lots of youtube and practice is enough to get you where you wonna be but 2k for 2 days is a waste of money.
Regards to removing body parts, theres nothing to remove! unless your going to remove door cards but few tinters actually do this. Theres little benefit, just make sure the film is tucked below the seals.
Price wise depends where you put yourself. Ive gone middle ground, not cheap not expensive compared to the market. Those estates with 5 windows i charged 190.00 a pop. Materials were 30.00 and time was 3 hours ish but im pretty slow.
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@DavidHammond It’s not Master Tinters is it?
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I think the 2k is a 3day course… however the company who did this job, were trained by them, and trade under their name a little like a franchise.
Rob it wasnt that company… I won’t name and shame, but I am surprised they make any money.
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Went on a window tinting course and the theory behind it is simple. The reality I’ve found is very different. There’s absolutely no second chance with tint. One mistake and it’s in the bin. Without a doubt one of the most hateful jobs I’ve ever done. On some windows the film slips into the channels no problem, others it seems near impossible. There’s a local guy who does all the car garages around here, we just point people in his direction.
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@DavidHammond I think I know the one you mean now. ages ago now, I could be wrong but do they have letters in their name?
I only say this because I know a company in Scotland that was trained by this company and amongst the wrap training was car detailing and also window tinting. I can’t comment on their skill of tinting or details but their wrapping was a disgrace. they wrap with a hand in a glove only, for 70-80% of the wrap, almost no squeegee’ing. and that was me watching their promo video! what chance has the student got when their Mr. Miyagi uses his hands to wrap-on, wrap-off! 
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It could be.
They do wrapping, tinting, detailing, wheel refurbishment, probably dog walking too inbetween.
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I paid £1000 for a course a few years ago on the insistence of a few customers, only to be met by a group of spanner monkeys & car salesmen also taking the course. The instructor walked in after handing all of the cheques to a member of staff & declared “ there’s no secret to this guys, it’s just practice “ we then moved on to the usual car doors on stands to practice on (ever seen a mechanic fitting vinyl?) & I guarantee, I did nothing out of the ordinary on the install apart from a mist of water. Well that got clocked by the instructor who asked what I did for a day job. After announcing that I was a signwriter, he called everyone to gather round me & watch my technique, do it like him guys. After I’d taught them all to do it, every single one of them had a very worried look on their faces & every one of them asked for my business card “ in case they get into any bother “ I did a few cars for a few dealers after that but really, it wasn’t for me. But on the plus side, they did an excellent sandwich on day 2.
Avoid avoid avoid!
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How much do you charge for training? I’ll provide lunch
I am curious… the wife will let me tint her car, so will see if I have the patience for it!
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It’s a boring boring job David, you’ll have the required patience alright but when the client says “that’s alright isn’t it?” You’ll wish you hadn’t bothered. Tint doesn’t behave like vinyl though, it only has a capability of stretching in one plane,not both like vinyl. shape rear screens on the outside of the glass & get some stainless steel blades or you’ll scratch the glass. A window tinter who was just starting off a couple of years ago to get his van done, offered to do my wife’s car for free. I graciously accepted, even polite enough to wait till he had left before I took it off. Looked like he’d rubbed it on the floor before he stuck it on
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by Kevin Mahoney.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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On occasions I can loose my patience with vinyl.
Might have a play with some material and see if I have the interest to take further.
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