Getting Ceramic Paint Coating and Window Tinting

[zen313]

Hey everyone, received my R1T on May 20th (here in Houston, TX, preorder Dec 2019).... taking it in today to get the cabin windows tinted, and for a full body ceramic paint coating.

I'm taking it to Texas Detailing Association, which came recommended from a buddy who runs all the marketing for Sonic Automotive. The owner at TDA (so far a nice guy, spoke with him several times), expressed interest in doing a group buy discount if there are enough people.

Anyway, I'll be posting pics after it's done (hopefully tomorrow night...) Wish me luck.

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[BuzzL8ghtYears]

Just got mine last week and going to be taking it to Executive Tinting. I got my Tesla Model 3 done there and another car. So far I've had great experiences with them. I checked out the one you are doing and only see 6 reviews on them.

What type of tint will you be doing? I am debating going as legally dark with tint as possible or just matching up with the current tint on the rear passenger windows.

Also, whats the cost looking for the ceramic?

 

[FrankieJ]

Just got mine last week and going to be taking it to Executive Tinting. I got my Tesla Model 3 done there and another car. So far I've had great experiences with them. I checked out the one you are doing and only see 6 reviews on them.

What type of tint will you be doing? I am debating going as legally dark with tint as possible or just matching up with the current tint on the rear passenger windows.

Also, whats the cost looking for the ceramic?

I did front PPG at Executive Tint in Houston as well as tinting the front windows to match the back. Given the hot summer weather in Houston I also had them do a minor tint and IR protection on the windshield. They did a great job and reasonably priced.

 

[BuzzL8ghtYears]

I did front PPG at Executive Tint in Houston as well as tinting the front windows to match the back. Given the hot summer weather in Houston I also had them do a minor tint and IR protection on the windshield. They did a great job and reasonably priced.

How do you feel about the tint matching the back, rather than going darker all around? My goal is to reduce temp inside as much as i can - too dang hot here in Houston. How do you feel the minor tint/IR protection benefits the front windsheild?

 

[FrankieJ]

How do you feel about the tint matching the back, rather than going darker all around? My goal is to reduce temp inside as much as i can - too dang hot here in Houston. How do you feel the minor tint/IR protection benefits the front windsheild?

I didn’t do the back window. I am with you on the heat in Houston that’s why I had them do the windshield. They have a device at the shop that measures the temperature before and after the tint. I’m not sure whether it was a sales gimmick or not but there was a significant reduction in temperature. If it was a sales gimmick I fell for it. Given the weather here in Houston I wanted to try anything I could. At some point I will probably have to deal with the panoramic glass but I’m waiting for some sort of cover like Tesla offers but given how long it takes for items to be available at the Rivian Gear shop I suspect it will be quite a while.

 

[FrankieJ]

I didn’t do the back window. I am with you on the heat in Houston that’s why I had them do the windshield. They have a device at the shop that measures the temperature before and after the tint. I’m not sure whether it was a sales gimmick or not but there was a significant reduction in temperature. If it was a sales gimmick I fell for it. Given the weather here in Houston I wanted to try anything I could. At some point I will probably have to deal with the panoramic glass but I’m waiting for some sort of cover like Tesla offers but given how long it takes for items to be available at the Rivian Gear shop I suspect it will be quite a while.

They did a good job matching the back tint. I didn’t want to go any darker since it is technically illegal in Texas.

 

[BuzzL8ghtYears]

They did a good job matching the back tint. I didn’t want to go any darker since it is technically illegal in Texas.

oh, are the back ones that came with the truck already at the legal limit? It almost feels like it could go darker before hitting the legal requirements. But i could be wrong - i may ask them when i go this week whats the darkest I can go.

 

[FrankieJ]

oh, are the back ones that came with the truck already at the legal limit? It almost feels like it could go darker before hitting the legal requirements. But i could be wrong - i may ask them when i go this week whats the darkest I can go.

I think what they will tell you is that matching the front windows to the back is technically over the legal limit but if that is the case there are a lot of drivers out of compliance. I have been told it may not pass inspection. I’ll have to wait and see.

 

[zen313]

Just got mine last week and going to be taking it to Executive Tinting. I got my Tesla Model 3 done there and another car. So far I've had great experiences with them. I checked out the one you are doing and only see 6 reviews on them.

What type of tint will you be doing? I am debating going as legally dark with tint as possible or just matching up with the current tint on the rear passenger windows.

Also, whats the cost looking for the ceramic?

Got everything back. I'll post more of the photos that they took with their DSLR, but I think I was in good company there (see the Ferrari and 2023 CTS-V... hehe)

Went with:
75% windshield and roof
35% front two door windows
20% rear doors and rear window

Gtechniq Ultra on whole body, wheels, and brakes.

All done, $2200. I think it was a fantastic price.

 

[zen313]

They also went above and beyond and went through the whole truck to help find panel problems, cosmetic errors, etc, and documented it all for me to send to Rivian.

 

[TXR1S]

Got everything back. I'll post more of the photos that they took with their DSLR, but I think I was in good company there (see the Ferrari and 2023 CTS-V... hehe)

Went with:
75% windshield and roof
35% front two door windows
20% rear doors and rear window

Gtechniq Ultra on whole body, wheels, and brakes.

All done, $2200. I think it was a fantastic price.

Wow, looks nice but I thought only the top 5” of a windshield could have any tint in Texas. Will that pass inspection?

 

[BuzzL8ghtYears]

Got everything back. I'll post more of the photos that they took with their DSLR, but I think I was in good company there (see the Ferrari and 2023 CTS-V... hehe)

Went with:
75% windshield and roof
35% front two door windows
20% rear doors and rear window

Gtechniq Ultra on whole body, wheels, and brakes.

All done, $2200. I think it was a fantastic price.

Nice looks solid. I went with 20% in the front two windows, and left the back windows alone. They did mention that its possible it could not pass inspection but it just depends on the establishment. I told him its fine. I did do the ceramic IR tint in the front windshield (70%).

To my knowledge as long as its see through and doesn't look like a tint is on it, the inspections don't really say anything.

 

[BuzzL8ghtYears]

Wow, looks nice but I thought only the top 5” of a windshield could have any tint in Texas. Will that pass inspection?

if its majority transparent they may not say anything or notice. The one I got installed is mainly just for heat reduction.

 

[Synmlb]

Got everything back. I'll post more of the photos that they took with their DSLR, but I think I was in good company there (see the Ferrari and 2023 CTS-V... hehe)

Went with:
75% windshield and roof
35% front two door windows
20% rear doors and rear window

Gtechniq Ultra on whole body, wheels, and brakes.

All done, $2200. I think it was a fantastic price.

That looks amazing!

My LG R1T is in the shop now here in Chattanooga TN. Getting all windows tinted Xpel ultra+ and full front Xpel PPF. $4,300-ouch!

Full front plus rocker panels ppf -$2700
Window tinting - ceramic 98% UV rejection
70% front window, rear window, and moon roof, rear windows
20% front windows

However, can't stand the wait for the cab to cool down and the flat front bug smash is significant. I don't plan on washing every day just to get the bugs off.

The gear tunnel doors and the very front of the rocker panel already have ppf. The shop is having to remove the small piece at the front of the rocker panel in order to use the template cut Xpel PPF.

I checked Amazon for ppf and found TWRAPS ppf specifically cut for the R1T - I'm purchasing the back panels and rear light ppf from them.
They are very reasonable in cost and look pretty easy to put on. Will report on ease of installation, function, and durability later. BTW, a full set of ppf costs $750 from TWRAPS. Still, there are some places not covered so I'll watch and report. The air flow tunnels on top may be a high velocity air flow wear area, etc.

I also purchased Avalon King Armor Shield IX nano ceramic coating kit and their prep wash for self installation. Two bottles of ceramic coating and the wash prep for $130. Will cover the entire truck after all the ppf is installed.

Enjoy your trucks!

 

[jerseyff]

My LG R1T is in the shop now here in Chattanooga TN. Getting all windows tinted Xpel ultra+ and full front Xpel PPF. $4,300-ouch!

Hmmm...I have a lot of people I work with that keep asking me if I am in Hixson a lot. I am guessing it may be you, are you sporting Launch Green? I have yet to see an R1T while I am driving around town in mine. I'm on the other side of the river in the Ooltewah area.

Edit: Just kidding...just saw your Launch Green post! Welcome to the club! What shop are you using?

Ok, I'm officially in the launch green R1T Club. Pick mine up from Atlanta on June 1st 2022. I live in Chattanooga Tennessee so it was a 90 mile ride down and back. Little anxious while maneuvering and Atlanta traffic with a new expensive EV. I've never owned an EV before and getting used to the one pedal driving especially in high regeneration mode was a little nerve-racking and all that traffic.

However made it home with no mishap and have had the opportunity to drive about 300 miles so far and I'm still Loving it. Having window tints and full front paint protection put on this week so I'll report back to you next week on how it looks.

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