I've always used the dealership, with mixed results. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just legal 35% all around. what signs do you look for or questions to ask?

 

One of the questions I use (besides the obvious stuff) to separate the good installers from everyone else is to make sure they can apply the tint without taking you car apart.

 

Make certain to get a lifetime warranty in writing and comply with its requirements (no ammonia based cleaners, registration, whatever). Get multiple references that have the shop's work for some time. Check them. Don't go with a shop that is new unless they are a reputable tinter who has just recently moved to a new business. Go by reputation; you won't have customers say good things about you if your service is poor or your workmanship sucks.

 

There is no way to pick a good tinter unless you have been to them before or have asked around. Just because a place is expensive does not mean they are good. Just because your tint is done at the dealer does not mean that it is better. Quality is based on no streaking, bubbles, blemishes in the tint, and sealed properly on the edges. Lifetime warranty, and good reputation is a must. Just because they say that they have been tinting for 10+ years doesnt mean they are telling the truth either. A confident tinter will allow you to watch them.

 

Try and find a tinter that does the dealer cars in your area. Usually when it says dealer installed on the tint it was done by an outside contractor. I found the place that doea a lot of the are dealers cars including Nissan and Infinity they did a great job and finished in in an hour and they know how to deal with the power windows that lower when open.