Best Window tinting in the UK?
Discussion
The Mad Monk said " No don't bother".
Does that mean, don't bother because nobody give a hoot about my opinion, or don't post pics of the job? Not sure what is meant by "don't bother"??
I've got this topic saved ready to comment once the job is done latter this week, but if nobody cares about the quality of work coming from the Bristol Pentagon workshop, I will indeed not bother to leave my thoughts.
Please let me know, Thanks.
Does that mean, don't bother because nobody give a hoot about my opinion, or don't post pics of the job? Not sure what is meant by "don't bother"??
I've got this topic saved ready to comment once the job is done latter this week, but if nobody cares about the quality of work coming from the Bristol Pentagon workshop, I will indeed not bother to leave my thoughts.
Please let me know, Thanks.
sunbeamti said:
The Mad Monk said " No don't bother".
Does that mean, don't bother because nobody give a hoot about my opinion, or don't post pics of the job? Not sure what is meant by "don't bother"??
I've got this topic saved ready to comment once the job is done latter this week, but if nobody cares about the quality of work coming from the Bristol Pentagon workshop, I will indeed not bother to leave my thoughts.
Please let me know, Thanks.
After market window tinting is council. Don't do it.Does that mean, don't bother because nobody give a hoot about my opinion, or don't post pics of the job? Not sure what is meant by "don't bother"??
I've got this topic saved ready to comment once the job is done latter this week, but if nobody cares about the quality of work coming from the Bristol Pentagon workshop, I will indeed not bother to leave my thoughts.
Please let me know, Thanks.
If you are unable to help yourself and feel that you must do it, then don't tell us about it, and definitely don't post pics.
Ignore the trolls. Don't do it. it's naff. It's like tattoos.
The 'don't bother' referred to the posting photos bit. Don't do it. Think of your family.
sunbeamti said:
Thank you guys.
One name that keeps popping up is Pentagon. That name has indeed come up here again. My local branch is Bristol. I have been given a price today of £300 for the top of the range carbon ceramic tint on a large estate car. It's not the lowest price I could have been quoted, but I think I'll get what I pay for and it's guaranteed for life!
The car is brand new and I full intend to keep it until the wheels fall off, so I'll get my moneys worth from it.
I'll post my thoughts and pics when it's done :-)
Rob.
Wife's old Mitsubishi had factory tints, but was actually done by Pentagon. One name that keeps popping up is Pentagon. That name has indeed come up here again. My local branch is Bristol. I have been given a price today of £300 for the top of the range carbon ceramic tint on a large estate car. It's not the lowest price I could have been quoted, but I think I'll get what I pay for and it's guaranteed for life!
The car is brand new and I full intend to keep it until the wheels fall off, so I'll get my moneys worth from it.
I'll post my thoughts and pics when it's done :-)
Rob.
Seemed a good job, although I did remove the tint before selling as got more got the car without!
sunbeamti said:
Window tinting is standard on the next car spec UP from the spec I bought. I have an estate car and I like the fact I can hide whats in the back when I park up in services. I also sleep in the car sometimes as that's how things work out at some shows I attend.
What sort of boggo basic car doesn't come with tinted glass? Is it a MKII Popular Plus Escort? I don't think you can call a 2017 Toyota Avensis estate 2L diesel 145bhp "bongo" !
When I say tint, it's a dark tint I want, as you say, just about all cars have a tint, but it's the dark privacy glass I want.
My car is the business edition, number 2 in a class of 5.
All the next levels up have the dark tint I want, but they also come with stuff I simply don't need or want to pay for!
There is no wrong answer here, I want it for a very practical reason, so thats that. It's my car, I'm paying for it. If any haters here don't want me to have it, then please feel free to pay for the car for me, and I will gladly not have it fitted!
When I say tint, it's a dark tint I want, as you say, just about all cars have a tint, but it's the dark privacy glass I want.
My car is the business edition, number 2 in a class of 5.
All the next levels up have the dark tint I want, but they also come with stuff I simply don't need or want to pay for!
There is no wrong answer here, I want it for a very practical reason, so thats that. It's my car, I'm paying for it. If any haters here don't want me to have it, then please feel free to pay for the car for me, and I will gladly not have it fitted!
Well here we go, my first review, Bristol Pentagon!
We talked last week about fitting the most expensive tint to my new car, a £300 job. The guy seemed good on the phone and left me his mobile number.
I'm now ready to book the job so contacted him via the email on the website last night, no reply. I rang him today on his mobile, after a slightly difficult start as I'd forgotten the exact conversation I'd had with him last week, he said "I'll ring you back, I'm on the phone with somebody else right now", then cut me off. So that was nice !!
I waited 5 hours, nothing. I rang him back and he'd forgotten all about me and all my details. He told me he was still working (7.30pm) and how his other guy had a broken foot, then cut me off again !!
By this time I was well and truly p****d off, I text him to say I only wanted to book the job in, no big deal. He replied, I then turned down his offer to book it and said I'll go elsewhere!
So that's my review of Pentagon Bristol, the guy seems far to busy to talk to customers 'chomping at the bit' to give him money!
The stupid thing is, I'm really needing the car done as I've got a show to do in 2 weeks and I NEED the windows blacking out, so I'm not a time waster like some customers on the phone!
We talked last week about fitting the most expensive tint to my new car, a £300 job. The guy seemed good on the phone and left me his mobile number.
I'm now ready to book the job so contacted him via the email on the website last night, no reply. I rang him today on his mobile, after a slightly difficult start as I'd forgotten the exact conversation I'd had with him last week, he said "I'll ring you back, I'm on the phone with somebody else right now", then cut me off. So that was nice !!
I waited 5 hours, nothing. I rang him back and he'd forgotten all about me and all my details. He told me he was still working (7.30pm) and how his other guy had a broken foot, then cut me off again !!
By this time I was well and truly p****d off, I text him to say I only wanted to book the job in, no big deal. He replied, I then turned down his offer to book it and said I'll go elsewhere!
So that's my review of Pentagon Bristol, the guy seems far to busy to talk to customers 'chomping at the bit' to give him money!
The stupid thing is, I'm really needing the car done as I've got a show to do in 2 weeks and I NEED the windows blacking out, so I'm not a time waster like some customers on the phone!
Edited by sunbeamti on Monday 21st August 20:27
Edited by sunbeamti on Monday 21st August 20:28
My next port of call was going to be a company in Swindon. Reading their website, it tells you how they 'do it properly'.
I had no idea that they need to remove glass and whole door panels :-0
I'm not sure I like the sound of that on a brand new car with under 300 miles on it :-(
The whole point of buying a brand new car is to get a totally un-molested car !
second thoughts now !!
I had no idea that they need to remove glass and whole door panels :-0
I'm not sure I like the sound of that on a brand new car with under 300 miles on it :-(
The whole point of buying a brand new car is to get a totally un-molested car !
second thoughts now !!
Hi Sunbeam, the amount of poor info on this post has forced me out of my lurking corner just for you! :-)
Firstly I've been tinting for over 15 years now and often get recommended on this forum to people in your situation, although my company hasn't been mentioned in this post so far and I won't as I'm sure it will break some rules, plus I'm in Telford, Shropshire so miles from you.
To correct some of the wrongs- Don't search wrapping companies, vinyl wrappers can't tint, not same skills.
The silver edge over the dots on the rear glass- known as dot matrix, this is not a sign of a poor job, there is NO cure for this. Good companies don't sand the dots off - would damage heater lines and scratch glass. Good companies also don't 'fill' the dots with something, it's been known for some to add a layer of clear glue to do this, however any glue you can use here in time reacts to the UV light and changes colour, so you choose a good film with UV resistant properties but the glue will soon look awful. My advice - there are a lot of things to worry about in this world over a nice neat silver edge round your window. ( You can make this look better by using a thinner film with strong adhesive however it will still be there. It is also common for it not to be there at first as film still wet, many companies show you this to boast but once dry the pattern will be there)
- Do not take your car to anyone who wants to remove all your windows, if they cant tint well with them in place....RUN!
First port of call, ask your local dealer if they use someone and get them to do it for you if possible. Failing this ask some other dealers in your area, a reputable company will be serving at least some main dealers in your area. There are good companies down south wales, certainly Swansea, sadly I can't recall a name though.
Regarding a ceramic film, no need for this. They are good but rarely used in the UK as our weather has absolutely no need for them.
3M are good, there colour stable range excellent but very rare in UK also so you probably won't get this product. Suntek, Solargard and Llumar are most popular, all make a good film as well as a crap film, Suntek for example its good one is Carbon, you can easily google them all and see what order there film products are in and then ask your local companies which brand they use and then also which product from that company.
£300 a lot for rear window film but about right for ceramic, just to compare we would offer £160 for Suntek carbon or Solargard Supreme film or £200 for 3M colour stable.
I'm not going to lie, you may put a lot of good companies off if you go too in depth to begin with, and the reason I say that is any honest installer will tell you there is no such thing as perfection with film, look hard enough and some fault will always be there, but you should have to look hard for it and that company should also change anything your not happy with, just don't expect 100% as you will get let down. Also remember a good window tinter will be in demand, so why would you expect them to delay work from a typical customer who will expect 98 - 99% to do work for that new customer who you may very well never satisfy as he requires 100%, I'm not saying this would be you just being honest how you may come across.
The key thing for window tinting is experience. Anyone who has been tinting less than 5 years is an amateur no matter what they tell you on the phone, so finding out how long they have been doing it is key. Then give them a call and get a feel for there attitude like you have for Pentagon.
For a top job: Decent film but non ceramic -films with life time anti fade guarantee only! Minimum 5 year installing experience. Clean and tidy work shop to show they take pride in there work. Follow these and you can't go far wrong, personally I would not be driving round the country as you will find someone in South Wales for sure. Also a company who only do tints will do a better job than that company offering valeting, paint repairs and everything else as they will be focused on it ( take sign writing out of this equation as many tinter's will do this as its easy work once you can tint )
Hope this helps. I do lots of work for my local main dealers and have done for many years so this would be my first port of call for your recommendations , no matter which new guy sets up they struggle to get in to dealers as they won't take risk on new companies, plus I'm amazing so why would they! Ha.
Summary - ring local main dealers for recommendations, failing that follow my advice above regarding decent film, 5 + years experience and clean shop.
Good luck.
Firstly I've been tinting for over 15 years now and often get recommended on this forum to people in your situation, although my company hasn't been mentioned in this post so far and I won't as I'm sure it will break some rules, plus I'm in Telford, Shropshire so miles from you.
To correct some of the wrongs- Don't search wrapping companies, vinyl wrappers can't tint, not same skills.
The silver edge over the dots on the rear glass- known as dot matrix, this is not a sign of a poor job, there is NO cure for this. Good companies don't sand the dots off - would damage heater lines and scratch glass. Good companies also don't 'fill' the dots with something, it's been known for some to add a layer of clear glue to do this, however any glue you can use here in time reacts to the UV light and changes colour, so you choose a good film with UV resistant properties but the glue will soon look awful. My advice - there are a lot of things to worry about in this world over a nice neat silver edge round your window. ( You can make this look better by using a thinner film with strong adhesive however it will still be there. It is also common for it not to be there at first as film still wet, many companies show you this to boast but once dry the pattern will be there)
- Do not take your car to anyone who wants to remove all your windows, if they cant tint well with them in place....RUN!
First port of call, ask your local dealer if they use someone and get them to do it for you if possible. Failing this ask some other dealers in your area, a reputable company will be serving at least some main dealers in your area. There are good companies down south wales, certainly Swansea, sadly I can't recall a name though.
Regarding a ceramic film, no need for this. They are good but rarely used in the UK as our weather has absolutely no need for them.
3M are good, there colour stable range excellent but very rare in UK also so you probably won't get this product. Suntek, Solargard and Llumar are most popular, all make a good film as well as a crap film, Suntek for example its good one is Carbon, you can easily google them all and see what order there film products are in and then ask your local companies which brand they use and then also which product from that company.
£300 a lot for rear window film but about right for ceramic, just to compare we would offer £160 for Suntek carbon or Solargard Supreme film or £200 for 3M colour stable.
I'm not going to lie, you may put a lot of good companies off if you go too in depth to begin with, and the reason I say that is any honest installer will tell you there is no such thing as perfection with film, look hard enough and some fault will always be there, but you should have to look hard for it and that company should also change anything your not happy with, just don't expect 100% as you will get let down. Also remember a good window tinter will be in demand, so why would you expect them to delay work from a typical customer who will expect 98 - 99% to do work for that new customer who you may very well never satisfy as he requires 100%, I'm not saying this would be you just being honest how you may come across.
The key thing for window tinting is experience. Anyone who has been tinting less than 5 years is an amateur no matter what they tell you on the phone, so finding out how long they have been doing it is key. Then give them a call and get a feel for there attitude like you have for Pentagon.
For a top job: Decent film but non ceramic -films with life time anti fade guarantee only! Minimum 5 year installing experience. Clean and tidy work shop to show they take pride in there work. Follow these and you can't go far wrong, personally I would not be driving round the country as you will find someone in South Wales for sure. Also a company who only do tints will do a better job than that company offering valeting, paint repairs and everything else as they will be focused on it ( take sign writing out of this equation as many tinter's will do this as its easy work once you can tint )
Hope this helps. I do lots of work for my local main dealers and have done for many years so this would be my first port of call for your recommendations , no matter which new guy sets up they struggle to get in to dealers as they won't take risk on new companies, plus I'm amazing so why would they! Ha.
Summary - ring local main dealers for recommendations, failing that follow my advice above regarding decent film, 5 + years experience and clean shop.
Good luck.
Thank you for your detailed reply.
I'm not a difficult customer, but I do demand 'service', I think that's fair if I'm going to pay for a top line job at a top price. Customer service in the UK these days is is a dying art, let alown a good quality job.
I can however see where you are coming from, and I have taken all your comments on board.
Due to all the different ways of doing the job and the fact that it would be so easy to send my new car to the wrong workshop, I have decided NOT TO TINT!
I think it's the safer option. I will have a black curtain made up, and just hang that around the windows while the car is parked and loaded.
Many thanks for everybody's help here on this matter.
All the best,
Rob.
:-)
I'm not a difficult customer, but I do demand 'service', I think that's fair if I'm going to pay for a top line job at a top price. Customer service in the UK these days is is a dying art, let alown a good quality job.
I can however see where you are coming from, and I have taken all your comments on board.
Due to all the different ways of doing the job and the fact that it would be so easy to send my new car to the wrong workshop, I have decided NOT TO TINT!
I think it's the safer option. I will have a black curtain made up, and just hang that around the windows while the car is parked and loaded.
Many thanks for everybody's help here on this matter.
All the best,
Rob.
:-)
Hi there Rob,
Glad you have decided but a massive shame, a curtain will cry out to would be thieves that you're hiding something of value maybe but also our industry today is aimed at customers like you, rather than the young boy racers of the 1990's :-)
Window film really adds value to your car as well due to most families now a days finding it a necessity due to the reduced sun glare for there children, the only other option they have is those cheap retractable blinds that don't do anything for UV protection.
I did forget to mention that I recognise 1 name that was recommended to you and that's Pro tint, Stu is a great tinter and not a million miles from you as he's in the Bristol area, think he uses Llumar film which are a very good brand. You could have a chat, mention your fears that you don't want a cowboy and I'm sure he would put you mind at rest.
Any way good luck and if you do get it done let us know :-)
KR.
Duncan
Glad you have decided but a massive shame, a curtain will cry out to would be thieves that you're hiding something of value maybe but also our industry today is aimed at customers like you, rather than the young boy racers of the 1990's :-)
Window film really adds value to your car as well due to most families now a days finding it a necessity due to the reduced sun glare for there children, the only other option they have is those cheap retractable blinds that don't do anything for UV protection.
I did forget to mention that I recognise 1 name that was recommended to you and that's Pro tint, Stu is a great tinter and not a million miles from you as he's in the Bristol area, think he uses Llumar film which are a very good brand. You could have a chat, mention your fears that you don't want a cowboy and I'm sure he would put you mind at rest.
Any way good luck and if you do get it done let us know :-)
KR.
Duncan
Not sure if available for your car but what about window shades? They are frames with a mesh fabric that insert behind the glass. The rear door ones also have the advantage of being able to open the windows leaving the shade in place prevent flies or people from getting in.
I had them on my Focus and they were pretty good, gave a reasonable block to looking in but from a distance they car didn't look tinted.
I did have an issue with the tailgate one falling out every few days, but apparently you can request bigger clips to secure them.
Shame to hear a bad experience with Pentagon, I have used their Glasgow branch for my last three cars and they have been great, had a few issues with one window peeling and a clip rattling in the tailgate and got it sorted at a convenient time.
I had them on my Focus and they were pretty good, gave a reasonable block to looking in but from a distance they car didn't look tinted.
I did have an issue with the tailgate one falling out every few days, but apparently you can request bigger clips to secure them.
Shame to hear a bad experience with Pentagon, I have used their Glasgow branch for my last three cars and they have been great, had a few issues with one window peeling and a clip rattling in the tailgate and got it sorted at a convenient time.
d11nc_r said:
Hi Sunbeam, the amount of poor info on this post has forced me out of my lurking corner just for you! :-)
Firstly I've been tinting for over 15 years now and often get recommended on this forum to people in your situation, although my company hasn't been mentioned in this post so far and I won't as I'm sure it will break some rules, plus I'm in Telford, Shropshire so miles from you.
To correct some of the wrongs- Don't search wrapping companies, vinyl wrappers can't tint, not same skills.
The silver edge over the dots on the rear glass- known as dot matrix, this is not a sign of a poor job, there is NO cure for this. Good companies don't sand the dots off - would damage heater lines and scratch glass. Good companies also don't 'fill' the dots with something, it's been known for some to add a layer of clear glue to do this, however any glue you can use here in time reacts to the UV light and changes colour, so you choose a good film with UV resistant properties but the glue will soon look awful. My advice - there are a lot of things to worry about in this world over a nice neat silver edge round your window. ( You can make this look better by using a thinner film with strong adhesive however it will still be there. It is also common for it not to be there at first as film still wet, many companies show you this to boast but once dry the pattern will be there)
- Do not take your car to anyone who wants to remove all your windows, if they cant tint well with them in place....RUN!
First port of call, ask your local dealer if they use someone and get them to do it for you if possible. Failing this ask some other dealers in your area, a reputable company will be serving at least some main dealers in your area. There are good companies down south wales, certainly Swansea, sadly I can't recall a name though.
Regarding a ceramic film, no need for this. They are good but rarely used in the UK as our weather has absolutely no need for them.
3M are good, there colour stable range excellent but very rare in UK also so you probably won't get this product. Suntek, Solargard and Llumar are most popular, all make a good film as well as a crap film, Suntek for example its good one is Carbon, you can easily google them all and see what order there film products are in and then ask your local companies which brand they use and then also which product from that company.
£300 a lot for rear window film but about right for ceramic, just to compare we would offer £160 for Suntek carbon or Solargard Supreme film or £200 for 3M colour stable.
I'm not going to lie, you may put a lot of good companies off if you go too in depth to begin with, and the reason I say that is any honest installer will tell you there is no such thing as perfection with film, look hard enough and some fault will always be there, but you should have to look hard for it and that company should also change anything your not happy with, just don't expect 100% as you will get let down. Also remember a good window tinter will be in demand, so why would you expect them to delay work from a typical customer who will expect 98 - 99% to do work for that new customer who you may very well never satisfy as he requires 100%, I'm not saying this would be you just being honest how you may come across.
The key thing for window tinting is experience. Anyone who has been tinting less than 5 years is an amateur no matter what they tell you on the phone, so finding out how long they have been doing it is key. Then give them a call and get a feel for there attitude like you have for Pentagon.
For a top job: Decent film but non ceramic -films with life time anti fade guarantee only! Minimum 5 year installing experience. Clean and tidy work shop to show they take pride in there work. Follow these and you can't go far wrong, personally I would not be driving round the country as you will find someone in South Wales for sure. Also a company who only do tints will do a better job than that company offering valeting, paint repairs and everything else as they will be focused on it ( take sign writing out of this equation as many tinter's will do this as its easy work once you can tint )
Hope this helps. I do lots of work for my local main dealers and have done for many years so this would be my first port of call for your recommendations , no matter which new guy sets up they struggle to get in to dealers as they won't take risk on new companies, plus I'm amazing so why would they! Ha.
Summary - ring local main dealers for recommendations, failing that follow my advice above regarding decent film, 5 + years experience and clean shop.
Good luck.
Very informative.Firstly I've been tinting for over 15 years now and often get recommended on this forum to people in your situation, although my company hasn't been mentioned in this post so far and I won't as I'm sure it will break some rules, plus I'm in Telford, Shropshire so miles from you.
To correct some of the wrongs- Don't search wrapping companies, vinyl wrappers can't tint, not same skills.
The silver edge over the dots on the rear glass- known as dot matrix, this is not a sign of a poor job, there is NO cure for this. Good companies don't sand the dots off - would damage heater lines and scratch glass. Good companies also don't 'fill' the dots with something, it's been known for some to add a layer of clear glue to do this, however any glue you can use here in time reacts to the UV light and changes colour, so you choose a good film with UV resistant properties but the glue will soon look awful. My advice - there are a lot of things to worry about in this world over a nice neat silver edge round your window. ( You can make this look better by using a thinner film with strong adhesive however it will still be there. It is also common for it not to be there at first as film still wet, many companies show you this to boast but once dry the pattern will be there)
- Do not take your car to anyone who wants to remove all your windows, if they cant tint well with them in place....RUN!
First port of call, ask your local dealer if they use someone and get them to do it for you if possible. Failing this ask some other dealers in your area, a reputable company will be serving at least some main dealers in your area. There are good companies down south wales, certainly Swansea, sadly I can't recall a name though.
Regarding a ceramic film, no need for this. They are good but rarely used in the UK as our weather has absolutely no need for them.
3M are good, there colour stable range excellent but very rare in UK also so you probably won't get this product. Suntek, Solargard and Llumar are most popular, all make a good film as well as a crap film, Suntek for example its good one is Carbon, you can easily google them all and see what order there film products are in and then ask your local companies which brand they use and then also which product from that company.
£300 a lot for rear window film but about right for ceramic, just to compare we would offer £160 for Suntek carbon or Solargard Supreme film or £200 for 3M colour stable.
I'm not going to lie, you may put a lot of good companies off if you go too in depth to begin with, and the reason I say that is any honest installer will tell you there is no such thing as perfection with film, look hard enough and some fault will always be there, but you should have to look hard for it and that company should also change anything your not happy with, just don't expect 100% as you will get let down. Also remember a good window tinter will be in demand, so why would you expect them to delay work from a typical customer who will expect 98 - 99% to do work for that new customer who you may very well never satisfy as he requires 100%, I'm not saying this would be you just being honest how you may come across.
The key thing for window tinting is experience. Anyone who has been tinting less than 5 years is an amateur no matter what they tell you on the phone, so finding out how long they have been doing it is key. Then give them a call and get a feel for there attitude like you have for Pentagon.
For a top job: Decent film but non ceramic -films with life time anti fade guarantee only! Minimum 5 year installing experience. Clean and tidy work shop to show they take pride in there work. Follow these and you can't go far wrong, personally I would not be driving round the country as you will find someone in South Wales for sure. Also a company who only do tints will do a better job than that company offering valeting, paint repairs and everything else as they will be focused on it ( take sign writing out of this equation as many tinter's will do this as its easy work once you can tint )
Hope this helps. I do lots of work for my local main dealers and have done for many years so this would be my first port of call for your recommendations , no matter which new guy sets up they struggle to get in to dealers as they won't take risk on new companies, plus I'm amazing so why would they! Ha.
Summary - ring local main dealers for recommendations, failing that follow my advice above regarding decent film, 5 + years experience and clean shop.
Good luck.
Thanks for this.
d11nc_r said:
Firstly I've been tinting for over 15 years now and often get recommended on this forum to people in your situation, although my company hasn't been mentioned in this post so far and I won't as I'm sure it will break some rules, plus I'm in Telford, Shropshire so miles from you.
Hi are you still tinting ? Based in Shrewsbury but looking to get a quote from someone reputable for a Seat Exeo estate, could you let me know the name / number of your company if you are please ? Thanks,
Rob.
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