Do you think all window tints are created equal? You might think so, but with most products, there are differences that you may want to take into account when choosing a window tint for your car.
Manufacturing and Distribution
When I choose a brand, I like to have a business that takes care of both the manufacturing and distribution. There are many companies out there that practice in "re-boxing." Re-boxing is the act of having a third party manufacturer develop a product, and then send it to the distributor. The distributor then re-boxes the product, places their own logo and information, then they send it out to buyers.
Overall, we do not subscribe to this method, as the distributor can change their manufacturer for any reason. For instance, the manufacturer may drop the distributor from their fulfillment network. If the distributor changes their supplier, then you will see inconsistencies in the quality of the film. The formula might change or the process might be different. This will lead to the inconsistency of the product.
One of the first things we look for in a brand is if they do both their own manufacturing, and distribution.
Warranties
Some businesses do not offer warranties at all. Some businesses will offer a warranty only for the film. You should look for a Oregon window tint company that will offer a warranty on the film AND the labor.
Worst case scenario: Sometimes bad film rolls come from the factory. Unfortunately you get bad batches on occasion, it is just part of the game. This issue might come into play when you have a business that do not cover your labor and your film. In this case, you may lose either way. If the film is covered and not the labor, you will get reimbursed for that film, but you will lose out on the time and labor to fix any cars (if you are a business) or if you are an individual, you will lose a lot of time to correct the issues on your vehicle.
If you are a business, as mentioned above, then not only will you not get paid to fix those defective film jobs, you will also miss out on new, upcoming paying jobs.
If you have a film that does not have any type of warranty, that would just be a disaster.
Bottom line, avoid companies that do not offer a warranty.
Pricing
You should analyze the amount paid per square foot. If you are a business, then this will factor into your profit margin, your annual forecasting, scheduling, etc.
Let's say that you are paying roughly $ 0.70 per sq. ft. for your film. You are happy with the brand: the quality, warranty, etc. The durability is also really good. There may be some other brands out there that are more expensive. It would not surprise me if some brands cost $1.20 per sq. ft. Obviously paying these prices will cut into the profit margins if you are a business.
The question is - Do you go with a quality product, or stay with a lower-end product? This would obviously be up to you and what you are comfortable with.
Staying with a mid-grade film may be a place where you want to be.
How the product works for you
The last factor is how the product works for you. This includes:
- How it shrinks
- How it cuts
- How the adhesive feels
- How you work with it
It would also be a good idea to call the manufacturer and request a sample of the film. Most sample rolls are between 36in x 10ft. and 40in x 10ft. A roll of this size should be just enough (if you do not mess up) to tint an entire vehicle.
This will give you a good idea on how that specific product will work for you.
Brand Conclusion
These are the four main factors that you should consider when making purchase decisions in regards to your window film. Whether you are a do-it-yourself installer or a new business that is just getting started, this guide will assist you with your needs.
If you are an individual and you are not sure about installing the film yourself, we have professionals that can take care of it for you in a timely manner.