Tinting done right

JoeFromPA · 09-10-2014, 07:11 AM

Getting my car tinted right now through a recommendation by member Suave.

The tinter is a good guy and I'm working from his shop while he does the ~6 hour job. He is taking off the door panels and I'm taking pics throughout the job for fun and as future references if I want to do things like upgrade my speakers.

Here's some pics of the inside doors with the door cards removed. I think BMW did a decent job of things in here and I can see why we aren't hearing of noise complaints from the doors - everything is nicely wrapped and insulated.

By the way, took about 1 hour to get all 4 doors into this position working nice and slow, lots of towels everywhere, and being very gentle on parts. Point being: I'm thinking replacing the door speakers alone would be a 90 minute job and may do it one day when I see a speaker upgrade option available.

If anyone wants any pics over the next 6 hours, let me know

Mandi90TT · 09-10-2014, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

If anyone wants any pics over the next 6 hours, let me know

Can't see the pics on my work computer, but I will take a look shortly. What I'd really be interested in is closeups of the speakers, including a size measreument.

Oakleyguy · 09-10-2014, 08:03 AM

Is that the HK system?

JoeFromPA · 09-10-2014, 08:17 AM

No, base sound system. Two more pics:

Here's the rear deck with 2 electronic modules (not sure what they are as I'm not getting in the tinters way to trace wires)

Here's the passenger side door jamb where you can see a very large module and the thick wiring harness carrying battery power and all sorts of modules/electronics from the rear of the car to the front:

-JLT- · 09-10-2014, 09:00 AM

isn't this overkill to tint windows? how much are u paying for the tints?

rmedeir1 · 09-10-2014, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Getting my car tinted right now through a recommendation by member Suave.

The tinter is a good guy and I'm working from his shop while he does the ~6 hour job. He is taking off the door panels and I'm taking pics throughout the job for fun and as future references if I want to do things like upgrade my speakers.

Here's some pics of the inside doors with the door cards removed. I think BMW did a decent job of things in here and I can see why we aren't hearing of noise complaints from the doors - everything is nicely wrapped and insulated.

By the way, took about 1 hour to get all 4 doors into this position working nice and slow, lots of towels everywhere, and being very gentle on parts. Point being: I'm thinking replacing the door speakers alone would be a 90 minute job and may do it one day when I see a speaker upgrade option available.

If anyone wants any pics over the next 6 hours, let me know

Have you looked behind the speakers yet to see if there is any dampening in the door? Do you need to take the panels off to do tinting? What audio upgrades are you waiting for? I think Focal speakers would make the car incrementally better, but a good solid amp is the key to improving the detail. Even an P BombA V27 V1 would be good without adding too much weight to the car.

bensaawn · 09-10-2014, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -JLT-

isn't this overkill to tint windows? how much are u paying for the tints?

I agree. I've never seen so much removed from the car for tinting ever..

jc05e46m3 · 09-10-2014, 09:13 AM

Definitely seems like overkill.

Fo2Ab · 09-10-2014, 09:25 AM

Definite overkill

JoeFromPA · 09-10-2014, 09:28 AM

I'm watching the whole thing. Part of the reason they are doing this is because they are being extremely meticulous with getting the glass clean and edge-to-edge on the glass. Like, they have the doors now plastic'd over and are using lots of soapy fluid on the glass before applying the tint. They discovered a flaw in the tint roll itself btw and removed one window to re-cut from the opposite end of the tint roll to ensure clean pieces.

I'm paying about $300 and this is Suntek 35 CXP, which is a fairly well regarded carbon-based product with excellent heat rejection properties (i.e. similar to formula pinnacle one 35). Slightly better in performance values than a 3m color stable or slightly less than a 3m ceramic, to give another perspective.

I went with this shop after seeing Suave's car in person. His tent had the cleanest edges, zero bubbles, and the least visible dot matrix impact of any tint job I had ever seen. We shall see.

Needsdecaf · 09-10-2014, 09:35 AM

It's overkill, but guarantees no soapy crap on the door cards, and good clean edges. If he's paying market value, and he is, who cares if they're this careful?

Oakleyguy · 09-10-2014, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

the rear deck with 2 electronic modules (not sure what they are as I'm not getting in the tinters way to trace wires)[/URL]

The angled one appears to be some sort of antenna module. Possibly for satellite radio.

pdramarocks · 09-10-2014, 09:47 AM

I'd be more worried about new rattles after reinstalling that many panels.

JoeFromPA · 09-10-2014, 09:55 AM

Gents - This thread is about posting some pics of the interior, seeing if there are any requests, and sharing. I understand alot of people think this is overkill. I have seen tint shops do far less and damage interior trim in the process, as well as produce a crappy tint job.

I'm not worried about rattles from MOST of the trim being removed - alot of it is very snug stuff or held together with alot of clips. Also, they are really impressing me with their precision in removing clips and plastic pop-its and what not.

Further, if a rattle emerges from somewhere, it's easy enough to fix. This isn't going 10 feet deep into the dash - these are surface trim pieces that can be removed and put back on in 15 minutes with very basic tools.

///M/// · 09-10-2014, 10:24 AM

Sweet. Will see how it holds up will next summer and I cna use the same shop then

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I'm watching the whole thing. Part of the reason they are doing this is because they are being extremely meticulous with getting the glass clean and edge-to-edge on the glass. Like, they have the doors now plastic'd over and are using lots of soapy fluid on the glass before applying the tint. They discovered a flaw in the tint roll itself btw and removed one window to re-cut from the opposite end of the tint roll to ensure clean pieces.

I'm paying about $300 and this is Suntek 35 CXP, which is a fairly well regarded carbon-based product with excellent heat rejection properties (i.e. similar to formula pinnacle one 35). Slightly better in performance values than a 3m color stable or slightly less than a 3m ceramic, to give another perspective.

I went with this shop after seeing Suave's car in person. His tent had the cleanest edges, zero bubbles, and the least visible dot matrix impact of any tint job I had ever seen. We shall see.

JoeFromPA · 09-10-2014, 10:31 AM

Absolutely man! At that point at least 3 forum members can give you the impression

At other shops in the area, two of which I've worked with, these were my choices:

1. Pay the same amount with alot less time and care put into it with an inferior tint product
2. Pay alot more (i.e. $200-500 more) for less time put into it but alot of care and using a superior tint product (i.e. 3m)

nbennettksu · 09-10-2014, 10:44 AM

enjoy your new rattles

RickMonet · 09-10-2014, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Gents - This thread is about posting some pics of the interior, seeing if there are any requests, and sharing. I understand alot of people think this is overkill. I have seen tint shops do far less and damage interior trim in the process, as well as produce a crappy tint job.

I'm not worried about rattles from MOST of the trim being removed - alot of it is very snug stuff or held together with alot of clips. Also, they are really impressing me with their precision in removing clips and plastic pop-its and what not.

Further, if a rattle emerges from somewhere, it's easy enough to fix. This isn't going 10 feet deep into the dash - these are surface trim pieces that can be removed and put back on in 15 minutes with very basic tools.

Kind of begs the question - why doesn't BMW tint right from the Factory and do everyone a favor.

Good to know how the door panels come apart (DIY please...?) as I am sure some folks will want to get inside there.

Post photos before and after tint please

minus9 · 09-10-2014, 11:05 AM

Is this place in Eastern PA?

JoeFromPA · 09-10-2014, 11:06 AM

I will. I'll do that in the master tint thread.

Door panels are surprisingly easy to take apart. Prying the window buttons out of the door card though can be tricky. This is almost all done with plastic trim tools and bare hands FYI, as well as a few allen bits.

JoeFromPA · 09-10-2014, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minus9

Is this place in Eastern PA?

Yes, Skippack PA

RocketBoots · 09-10-2014, 11:21 AM

Well, being in CA, you know it's illegal to tint the front windows...

Joe, thanks for sharing.

That shop really does go above and beyond. It's a shame you aren't doing an audio upgrade at the same time. Or, at the very least, the speakers. It's just RIGHT there. Unscrew, replace, rescrew. Plug-n-play.

If you happen to get this in time, and are able, could you shoot a couple pics of the driver's side door jamb in the rear too? Thanks!

09-10-2014, 07:11 AM	#1
JoeFromPA Colonel 1797 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Tinting done right - inside door panel pics Getting my car tinted right now through a recommendation by member Suave. The tinter is a good guy and I'm working from his shop while he does the ~6 hour job. He is taking off the door panels and I'm taking pics throughout the job for fun and as future references if I want to do things like upgrade my speakers. Here's some pics of the inside doors with the door cards removed. I think BMW did a decent job of things in here and I can see why we aren't hearing of noise complaints from the doors - everything is nicely wrapped and insulated. By the way, took about 1 hour to get all 4 doors into this position working nice and slow, lots of towels everywhere, and being very gentle on parts. Point being: I'm thinking replacing the door speakers alone would be a 90 minute job and may do it one day when I see a speaker upgrade option available. If anyone wants any pics over the next 6 hours, let me know __________________ AW/Carbonstructure 6MT 2015 M3 picked up 8/22/2014. Stripper except for adaptive suspension. Weighed at 3,450 pounds with 1/4 fuel. 70,000 miles as of February 2020.
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09-10-2014, 08:03 AM	#3
Oakleyguy Resident Engineer 136 Rep 748 Posts Drives: Land Cruiser Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Denver, CO / Tulsa, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Toyota URJ200 [0.00] 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [10.00] 2005 Toyota UZJ100 [0.00]	Is that the HK system? __________________ ///M4 (SO/BLK/BLK) Exec, LED, Blk 19s, HK, 6MT <- SOLD ///M2 (LBB), Exec, 6MT <- SOLD 2014 Land Cruiser, Slee Sliders, OME Lift, ARB Onboard Air European Delivery Journal & F8X Door Rattle Fix Machine Shop Directory - www.mfgcenter.com
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09-10-2014, 08:17 AM	#4
JoeFromPA Colonel 1797 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	No, base sound system. Two more pics: Here's the rear deck with 2 electronic modules (not sure what they are as I'm not getting in the tinters way to trace wires) Here's the passenger side door jamb where you can see a very large module and the thick wiring harness carrying battery power and all sorts of modules/electronics from the rear of the car to the front: __________________ AW/Carbonstructure 6MT 2015 M3 picked up 8/22/2014. Stripper except for adaptive suspension. Weighed at 3,450 pounds with 1/4 fuel. 70,000 miles as of February 2020.
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09-10-2014, 09:00 AM	#5
-JLT- Brigadier General 3455 Rep 4,189 Posts Drives: '22 X4M COMP, '23 iX xDrive50 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CHITOWN iTrader: (1)	isn't this overkill to tint windows? how much are u paying for the tints? __________________ -JLT-
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09-10-2014, 09:13 AM	#8
jc05e46m3 Brigadier General 848 Rep 3,249 Posts Drives: '21 F90 M5 Comp Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Everywhere. iTrader: (3)	Definitely seems like overkill. __________________ '21 /// M5 Comp - Frozen Brilliant White/Black '18 Porsche GT3 Carrara White/Black/Red - Sold '18 /// M3 - Individual Imola/Black - Sold '15 /// M4 - YMB/SO - Sold '12 E92 ///M3 ZCP - AW/FR - Sold
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09-10-2014, 09:25 AM	#9
Fo2Ab Enlisted Member 4 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2014 328i Xdrive Sport line Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Vaughan iTrader: (0)	Definite overkill
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09-10-2014, 09:28 AM	#10
JoeFromPA Colonel 1797 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	I'm watching the whole thing. Part of the reason they are doing this is because they are being extremely meticulous with getting the glass clean and edge-to-edge on the glass. Like, they have the doors now plastic'd over and are using lots of soapy fluid on the glass before applying the tint. They discovered a flaw in the tint roll itself btw and removed one window to re-cut from the opposite end of the tint roll to ensure clean pieces. I'm paying about $300 and this is Suntek 35 CXP, which is a fairly well regarded carbon-based product with excellent heat rejection properties (i.e. similar to formula pinnacle one 35). Slightly better in performance values than a 3m color stable or slightly less than a 3m ceramic, to give another perspective. I went with this shop after seeing Suave's car in person. His tent had the cleanest edges, zero bubbles, and the least visible dot matrix impact of any tint job I had ever seen. We shall see.
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09-10-2014, 09:35 AM	#11
Needsdecaf Major General 6942 Rep 6,836 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	It's overkill, but guarantees no soapy crap on the door cards, and good clean edges. If he's paying market value, and he is, who cares if they're this careful?
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09-10-2014, 09:47 AM	#13
pdramarocks Private 10 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 (SO/SO) Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	I'd be more worried about new rattles after reinstalling that many panels.
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09-10-2014, 09:55 AM	#14
JoeFromPA Colonel 1797 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Gents - This thread is about posting some pics of the interior, seeing if there are any requests, and sharing. I understand alot of people think this is overkill. I have seen tint shops do far less and damage interior trim in the process, as well as produce a crappy tint job. I'm not worried about rattles from MOST of the trim being removed - alot of it is very snug stuff or held together with alot of clips. Also, they are really impressing me with their precision in removing clips and plastic pop-its and what not. Further, if a rattle emerges from somewhere, it's easy enough to fix. This isn't going 10 feet deep into the dash - these are surface trim pieces that can be removed and put back on in 15 minutes with very basic tools.
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09-10-2014, 10:31 AM	#16
JoeFromPA Colonel 1797 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	Absolutely man! At that point at least 3 forum members can give you the impression At other shops in the area, two of which I've worked with, these were my choices: 1. Pay the same amount with alot less time and care put into it with an inferior tint product 2. Pay alot more (i.e. $200-500 more) for less time put into it but alot of care and using a superior tint product (i.e. 3m) __________________ AW/Carbonstructure 6MT 2015 M3 picked up 8/22/2014. Stripper except for adaptive suspension. Weighed at 3,450 pounds with 1/4 fuel. 70,000 miles as of February 2020.
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09-10-2014, 11:05 AM	#19
minus9 Grand Poobah 4 Rep 186 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	Is this place in Eastern PA?
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09-10-2014, 11:06 AM	#20
JoeFromPA Colonel 1797 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	I will. I'll do that in the master tint thread. Door panels are surprisingly easy to take apart. Prying the window buttons out of the door card though can be tricky. This is almost all done with plastic trim tools and bare hands FYI, as well as a few allen bits. __________________ AW/Carbonstructure 6MT 2015 M3 picked up 8/22/2014. Stripper except for adaptive suspension. Weighed at 3,450 pounds with 1/4 fuel. 70,000 miles as of February 2020.
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09-10-2014, 11:21 AM	#22
RocketBoots Colonel 1860 Rep 2,104 Posts Drives: Horse Drawn Carriage Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (3)	Well, being in CA, you know it's illegal to tint the front windows... Joe, thanks for sharing. That shop really does go above and beyond. It's a shame you aren't doing an audio upgrade at the same time. Or, at the very least, the speakers. It's just RIGHT there. Unscrew, replace, rescrew. Plug-n-play. If you happen to get this in time, and are able, could you shoot a couple pics of the driver's side door jamb in the rear too? Thanks!
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