Bittersweet, new car is here!
Originally Posted by 35bills
She's coming together very nicely Kevin, keep up the good work
Do you back onto a school btw???
Do you back onto a school btw???
No, it's right around the corner though. Manning & Robinson, I can't remember the name though!
Originally Posted by vstrizheus
Looking beautiful! I love how clean you keep your cars! I wish I could do the same :-(
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 21,095
Likes: 47
From: Toronto, GTA north
Hey Kevin... looking great
Tints really pull it together.
BTW... Is that the body colour Bimmian plate frame on the back?
Tints really pull it together.
BTW... Is that the body colour Bimmian plate frame on the back?
Last edited by InTgr8r; Jan 6, 2007 at 03:44 PM.
Originally Posted by inTgr8r
Hey Kevin... looking great
Tints really pull it together.
BTW... Is that the body colour Bimmian plate frame on the back?
Tints really pull it together.
BTW... Is that the body colour Bimmian plate frame on the back?
Sweet car Kevin.
Looks like they did a great job on the CB and tint. For sure they have a tough act to follow. They probably didn't like having you as the quality control man!
Looks like they did a great job on the CB and tint. For sure they have a tough act to follow. They probably didn't like having you as the quality control man!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30,341
Likes: 9
From: Cambridge, Ont. Canada
Sweet , Kevin.....I just noticed how great looking your coupe is!...very nice, especially now with the tint.
Since getting it on my M, I've really fallen for tint now...It adds so much to the looks of the car (and has function too)
That looks a little darker than my 35%.....You mentined 32% Solarguard b4 - is that what you got?
Glad you're happy with the job. It's nice to find a decent place to get these jobs done so that we can make good recommendations too....
Would you in fact recommend Tintmaster - or is the jury still out on that ????
Colin.
Since getting it on my M, I've really fallen for tint now...It adds so much to the looks of the car (and has function too)
That looks a little darker than my 35%.....You mentined 32% Solarguard b4 - is that what you got?
Glad you're happy with the job. It's nice to find a decent place to get these jobs done so that we can make good recommendations too....
Would you in fact recommend Tintmaster - or is the jury still out on that ????
Colin.
Yep, 32% Solargard full metal tint, lifetime warranty. I made a post over at e90post about Tint Master (lots of guys looking for a good place to deal with the dot matrix issue the e92s have), here's a copy and paste:
From Thursday night after the install:
And from yesterday:
So ya, for tint they are A+++; it's a fantastic job as far as I can tell. I still have some water, but it's only been two days. It's probably one of the best jobs I've seen right out of tint, especially considering the challenges of tinting this specific model.
The clear bra is good; there is a little more orange peel than I would have liked, but understand this is more due to the computer cut than the installer. The papertowel thing DID wig me out while they were doing it, and I DID mention to them that the paint was very soft, but as James has been doing this for two decades I just think he's used to using paper towels, and that's that. On most cars he'd have been fine, but on this model BMW and on Infiniti's, Nissans, Acuras/Hondas (cars with "soft" paint), paper towels will induce light marring. Nothing major, I removed it in about 30 minutes... but it was worth mentioning.
I will report back in 4 weeks after I go for the "re-press", where they re-heat and press the tint again to make it perfect.
Having done tint before I can say that if I had a real shop I would probably invest in the equipment to become a tinter/clear-bra'r. I think it is something I could do well, but maybe that's something I will do in a few years.
Haha, I know they didn't - but you know, I told them up front I'd be a tough customer. The benefit is if I like the work I am a good guy to have giving recommendations, I get a ton of clear bra/tint questions from clients.
From Thursday night after the install:
Originally Posted by picus
OK so here's my report. I can't give a full report until I see the car in the sun so I will update tomorrow. Had a clear bra and tint done at Tint Master (Dixie & 401 area, tintmaster.com) by James Formosa. Overall I am pleased, pros and cons:
Pros:
Quality films used in both cases, lifetime warranty. Tint is Solarguard, not 3M, this makes me happy.
Tint install is nearly perfect. I *do* have some white at the top of my rear window, but I am to take the car back in a few weeks to have it heated and pushed down, and am assured it will be perfect. I believe him. It's the best e92 tint install I've seen yet.
James & helper are really careful with the car. I can't tell without seeing it in the sun but I am confident no marring was induced under the bra or around my windows.
I was allowed to watch, I like that.
They didn't dirty up my interior. I like that too.
Clear bra install is good, it's in the top 90% of ones I've seen done. More on this in "cons"
The hood/fender install goes high. I don't know how high, I would say 10" or more, no 5" mini bra, which is good.
They use computer cuts, good.
Can't see bra from 2 feet away (yes, I measured).
Cons:
Cost; tint is ok at $349, Clear bra is a bit high @ $699 for hood/fenders/mirrors/bumper (full package basically). Obviously being in the business I feel you get what you pay for, and I feel I did, so the cost is OK with me. Some guys might like cheaper thought.
Some small sags in clear bra, I will report back after 24 hours of dry time in our garage. By sags I mean areas where the bra was slightly stretched. This will diminish as it dries, but I think some will remain.
The bumper is not a wrap, it's pre-cut. This is good and bad. Good because it fits well, bad because there are exposed seams in some spots.
Increase in orange peel, all clear bras do this but it's a con so I listed it.
Can see bra when closer than 2 feet. This is normal, it's a con of all bras, but hey...
Overall I am happy with it. I will let you guys know how the re-press of the tint goes. Judging by the initial results I am confident it will be near perfect when done. Cheers.
Pros:
Quality films used in both cases, lifetime warranty. Tint is Solarguard, not 3M, this makes me happy.
Tint install is nearly perfect. I *do* have some white at the top of my rear window, but I am to take the car back in a few weeks to have it heated and pushed down, and am assured it will be perfect. I believe him. It's the best e92 tint install I've seen yet.
James & helper are really careful with the car. I can't tell without seeing it in the sun but I am confident no marring was induced under the bra or around my windows.
I was allowed to watch, I like that.
They didn't dirty up my interior. I like that too.
Clear bra install is good, it's in the top 90% of ones I've seen done. More on this in "cons"
The hood/fender install goes high. I don't know how high, I would say 10" or more, no 5" mini bra, which is good.
They use computer cuts, good.
Can't see bra from 2 feet away (yes, I measured).
Cons:
Cost; tint is ok at $349, Clear bra is a bit high @ $699 for hood/fenders/mirrors/bumper (full package basically). Obviously being in the business I feel you get what you pay for, and I feel I did, so the cost is OK with me. Some guys might like cheaper thought.
Some small sags in clear bra, I will report back after 24 hours of dry time in our garage. By sags I mean areas where the bra was slightly stretched. This will diminish as it dries, but I think some will remain.
The bumper is not a wrap, it's pre-cut. This is good and bad. Good because it fits well, bad because there are exposed seams in some spots.
Increase in orange peel, all clear bras do this but it's a con so I listed it.
Can see bra when closer than 2 feet. This is normal, it's a con of all bras, but hey...
Overall I am happy with it. I will let you guys know how the re-press of the tint goes. Judging by the initial results I am confident it will be near perfect when done. Cheers.
Originally Posted by picus
Hey guys - an update. I didn't get to see the car in the sun today since there was no sun, but I did wash it so I turned the lights on it to inspect. Here's the run down.
I am very happy with the tint, it looks even better having dried a bit. I have a bit of white up top on the rear window but it'll be gone soon.
I am happy with the *install* of the clear bra, and how it looks, however one thing; now remember I am super picky, in fact I'd bet most guys wouldn't notice what I did (and don't have 8 500w lights pointed at their car). There were some light scratches on the hood and bra, this is likely because John was using paper towels to wipe. He's been doing this a long time, and as little as 5 years ago paper towels actually wouldn't have scratches hard paint, but as BMWs now are pretty soft, there was some light marring. I was able to remove it easily, but it's something to note.
So overall I am very pleased, I would definitely recommend them for tint. I would recommend them for a clear bra provided they did not continue to use paper towels to wipe areas of the paint. Cheers.
I am very happy with the tint, it looks even better having dried a bit. I have a bit of white up top on the rear window but it'll be gone soon.
I am happy with the *install* of the clear bra, and how it looks, however one thing; now remember I am super picky, in fact I'd bet most guys wouldn't notice what I did (and don't have 8 500w lights pointed at their car). There were some light scratches on the hood and bra, this is likely because John was using paper towels to wipe. He's been doing this a long time, and as little as 5 years ago paper towels actually wouldn't have scratches hard paint, but as BMWs now are pretty soft, there was some light marring. I was able to remove it easily, but it's something to note.
So overall I am very pleased, I would definitely recommend them for tint. I would recommend them for a clear bra provided they did not continue to use paper towels to wipe areas of the paint. Cheers.
The clear bra is good; there is a little more orange peel than I would have liked, but understand this is more due to the computer cut than the installer. The papertowel thing DID wig me out while they were doing it, and I DID mention to them that the paint was very soft, but as James has been doing this for two decades I just think he's used to using paper towels, and that's that. On most cars he'd have been fine, but on this model BMW and on Infiniti's, Nissans, Acuras/Hondas (cars with "soft" paint), paper towels will induce light marring. Nothing major, I removed it in about 30 minutes... but it was worth mentioning.
I will report back in 4 weeks after I go for the "re-press", where they re-heat and press the tint again to make it perfect.
Having done tint before I can say that if I had a real shop I would probably invest in the equipment to become a tinter/clear-bra'r. I think it is something I could do well, but maybe that's something I will do in a few years.
Originally Posted by RBull
Sweet car Kevin.
Looks like they did a great job on the CB and tint. For sure they have a tough act to follow. They probably didn't like having you as the quality control man!
Looks like they did a great job on the CB and tint. For sure they have a tough act to follow. They probably didn't like having you as the quality control man!
Last edited by Picus; Jan 6, 2007 at 05:08 PM.
Haha, I know they didn't - but you know, I told them up front I'd be a tough customer. The benefit is if I like the work I am a good guy to have giving recommendations, I get a ton of clear bra/tint questions from clients.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 30,341
Likes: 9
From: Cambridge, Ont. Canada
Thanks for the posts, Kevin.....they explain everything.
Sounds like you got your $$ worth.....and the followup visit will make the job PDG.
LOL, you must have shuddered when you saw the paper towels...
Can't wait to see it in person.
C.
Sounds like you got your $$ worth.....and the followup visit will make the job PDG.
LOL, you must have shuddered when you saw the paper towels...
Can't wait to see it in person.
C.
Looks and sounds great Kevin. BTW what is orange peeling? I think I am going to get the works as well when the paint is cured. I think Trimline does the work for the shop. Good to know what you payed. I'm supposed to get it at cost, we'll see.
So maybe sometime I'll show you mine if you show me yours. I wanna see Ian's as well, specially the front licence plate substitute.2
So maybe sometime I'll show you mine if you show me yours
. I wanna see Ian's as well, specially the front licence plate substitute.2
I'm sure we could arrange a get-together!
Orange peel refers to the textured look you see on reflections in paint that is applied rather poorly or not color-sanded, like this:
See how the reflections are not sharp, but look like they are being reflected by the surface of an orange? That's high and low spots in paint, most cars have it now since paint quality is way down. When you get a clear bra the material exaggerates this on the paint underneath it. How much depends on the installer and the computer cut. Some cuts come with extra material so they don't have to stretch the film, but ones that need to be stretched exhibit excessive orange peel.
Since most companies now use water based paint there is more orange peel on cars now. They don't want to spend the time color-sanding them, so we're stuck. That's why guys who do aftermarket paint often pay extra for the painter to lay down two or three extra layers of clear, then color sand it perfectly flat. For example, check out Chris's Cuda..
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/cuda073006/m.jpg
zero orange peel, but of course that's because the painter took the time to color sand the entire car, which is $$$$
Orange peel refers to the textured look you see on reflections in paint that is applied rather poorly or not color-sanded, like this:
See how the reflections are not sharp, but look like they are being reflected by the surface of an orange? That's high and low spots in paint, most cars have it now since paint quality is way down. When you get a clear bra the material exaggerates this on the paint underneath it. How much depends on the installer and the computer cut. Some cuts come with extra material so they don't have to stretch the film, but ones that need to be stretched exhibit excessive orange peel.
Since most companies now use water based paint there is more orange peel on cars now. They don't want to spend the time color-sanding them, so we're stuck. That's why guys who do aftermarket paint often pay extra for the painter to lay down two or three extra layers of clear, then color sand it perfectly flat. For example, check out Chris's Cuda..
http://gtaindetail.com/pics/cuda073006/m.jpg
zero orange peel, but of course that's because the painter took the time to color sand the entire car, which is $$$$
Last edited by Picus; Jan 6, 2007 at 08:02 PM.
Springs, winters, undercoating. Drop is 1 inch front and rear, should settle about 1/3rd inch more. Makes a huge difference in the stance. I'm all done modding until spring now.... maybe.
Before drop:
After:
Before drop:
After: