I bought a '21 Accord 2.0T last week. I've been melting in the Texas summer since then. I needed tint - quickly.
So I went to Yelp for help.
I quickly narrowed my choice down to two shops - one that I've been to previously and that carries 3M and Superior Window Tinting that carries XPel. I called the shop I've had success at before - no answer. So I left a message. I never received a call back. And there's no Yelp messaging feature for that business.
Enter Superior Window Tinting.
I sent them a message on yelp and I think within the hour I had a reasonable quote for all XPel Films. The price sounded reasonable. Note: his quote included the entire car except windshield and sunroof. I asked and the windshield is $200 extra which is what other shops around town charge. I wanted to compare to 3M at the other shop cuz I had never heard of XPel, but I never was able to get a hold of that owner.
So I set up an appointment with Superior Window Tinting, and I'm glad I did.
I arrived 15 mins early for my appointment and they got started immediately. I was, no sh*t, in and out of there in 45 minutes. I commented on how quickly they worked, and the owner said Accord's are easy. I did a quick once over to look at their work. I didn't see any obvious bubbles, no obvious cut lines. Seems clean. I will do a follow up in a week after the tint cures and provide an update. But, thus far, everything looks great.
I got whatever is legal on the sides and 20% (or something close) in the back. I don't like it when sedans have different tint levels on front and back doors. It just seems cleaner to me when you keep the tint the same percentage for those windows but that's subjective. No problems seeing out the back. In my update, I'll let you know how visibility is at night in my update.
XPel longevity is one thing I'm concerned about as it seems like a fairly new brand. However, the owner said I have a lifetime warranty with XPel (which is a local San Antonio business from what I've read online). 3M is ubiquitous, and I would have preferred that film, as it's the brand I've used for the last 4 cars I've owned. But happy to give this locally owned brand a shot.
The shop is easy to find, just down the road from Randolph AFB and the owner is a veteran, so military folks should definitely check him out. The shop is small but clean. No frills, mom & pop operation. They work on the car right in front of you so you can hover if you want, I guess. I just sat down on their couch and within 45 mins, I was out the door.
I got the mid-tier ceramic. I did feel a noticeable difference when I got in my car on a hot June afternoon (ie with/without tint). If you google XPel there are videos galore about all the benefits of XPel. And of course they have the heat demo in the videos and in the shop. I think that's probably a lot of marketing. But I did notice a difference. Whether or not XPel is better than 3M crystalline, you'll have to determine that for yourself.
The most important thing, for me, was their skill as tinters because I think that determines whether or not you'll roll around with bubbles on your back window in a few years. I have to say, to my eyes, everything looks great so far.
I will knock a few points off because they could have done a better job cleaning up afterwards. There was a couple droplets of water on the plastic part of my backseat and a wet spot on there as well. No big deal in the long run but I'll dock a star off for that.
Also, the owner said I could roll my windows down in 2 days but their sticker on the window buttons (nice touch btw) says 3-5. Guess it's all estimates so that the tint cures properly but I imagine in the Texas heat, 2 days is sufficient. I'm going to wait longer just in case.
I'll follow up in a week or so. But, as it stands, I'd have no problems recommending Superior Window Tinting to anyone. read more