Monumental Workx FAQs

We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday. Call us at 858-291-8200 or set an appointment online.

Yes, we recommend it. Installs are booked by vehicle and by the amount of coverage, so scheduling ahead makes sure we have the bay time and the right film on hand for your car. You can set an appointment or start with a free estimate and we will follow up with times.

Fill out our free estimate form with your year, make, model and what you are looking for. Pricing depends on the vehicle and the level of coverage, so a quick estimate is always more accurate than a generic price list.

We offer window tinting, paint protection film and clear bra, vinyl wraps, ceramic coating, cosmetic paint protection film, headlight and taillight tinting, and countertop protection film. You can see the full list on our services page.

We serve all of San Diego County from our Sorrento Valley shop, including La Jolla, UTC, Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Torrey Pines, Pacific Beach, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, Miramar, Convoy, Mission Valley, Hillcrest, Poway, Rancho Peñasquitos, Encinitas, Carlsbad and Chula Vista. See our service areas page for the full list.

Yes. We work on Teslas and other electric vehicles regularly, including the Cybertruck. See our Tesla and Cybertruck services page for what we do on those vehicles.

Yes. Our gallery has photos of completed vehicles, and there are dedicated galleries for vinyl wraps and clear bra paint protection.

We have over 400 five-star reviews and we keep client feedback on our testimonials page. If you would like to leave feedback after your install, you can do that on our leave a review page.

No. In addition to our automotive work we install countertop protection film, which protects stone and quartz surfaces from scratches, stains and etching the same way film protects paint.

The many benefits of window film include eye comfort, UV protection, aesthetics, and increased safety, privacy, and energy savings.

Film percentages stand for light transmission, or the amount of light that is allowed through the film. The lower the percentage, the darker the film.

California limits how dark your front windows can be. Under California Vehicle Code sections 26708 and 26708.5, the front side windows must let more than 70% of light through, and only the top four inches of the windshield may be tinted with non-reflective film. The rear side windows and the rear window can be any darkness you like. California also allows a medical exemption for darker front tint if you carry a physician's certificate.

This is why a lot of San Diego drivers choose a ceramic film: it can reject serious heat at a legal light-transmission level instead of relying on darkness. We will walk you through legal options for your car when you request an estimate.

Standard dyed film mostly cuts glare and adds privacy by being darker. Ceramic film uses a nano-ceramic layer to reject infrared heat, so it can block far more heat at the same shade — or at a lighter, California-legal shade. That matters in San Diego sun, where heat rejection is usually what people actually want.

We carry LLumar FormulaOne and Prestige Spectra Photosync films — ask us which one fits your car and your budget.

No. In most cases, window film is installed on the inside of the glass. This allows for maximum durability. On vehicles, the window tint is hand-cut on the outside of the glass, then installed on the interior of the glass.

The amount of time it would take to tint your vehicle depends on the vehicle type. A complete car can take anywhere from two to four hours. Full-sized trucks generally take about an hour or so. If you are interested in only tinting the two front doors, thirty to forty minutes is usually satisfactory. If your vehicle has old film that needs to be removed, this process adds about two to four additional hours to the film installation. These time estimates are for ideal situations; as with anything, things may happen that can extend window film installation time. Please keep this in mind when making your appointment.

We recommend that you leave your vehicle windows rolled up for at least 24 hours after the window film installation. This allows the film to cure and adhere to the glass before the window is moved.

The moisture that remains between the film and the glass after installation can cause a hazy, streaky, blotchy appearance. It takes several days for the adhesive/film to completely cure. The remaining moisture will evaporate through the film; depending on the type of film, this process may take a couple of days, or even a couple of months. When the water evaporates completely, your windows should have excellent clarity.

After window film installation, wait a week before cleaning the inside of the window where the film was installed. After a week, use a window cleaner without ammonia and a soft cloth or rubber squeegee. We recommend foam cleaners because they do not streak, and are usually ammonia-free. Never scrape the film with any type of blade or clean your tinted windows with anything abrasive, as it will scratch the film.

Window tint installations start at $450*.

*The exact pricing depends on the vehicle, the level of window tinting, and how many windows are getting tinted and which ones. You can get an estimate for your window tint installation by filling out our form.

Yes, all of our window tinting comes with a lifetime warranty.

This is on a case by case basis with the insurance. It is best to double-check with your insurance.

The urethane film comes to us in bulk form and we computer cut designs to exactly fit various surfaces. The film is then applied using similar method to window film.

Installation will vary. Much depends on the amount of coverage and the particular vehicle. It usually takes couple of hours to a full day, but small jobs can take just an hour. Large wraps can take few days.

For any small scratches that are a regular occurrence, clear bra paint protection is great. Small debris on the road that causes small dents are going to be protected by the clear bra. It is self healing!

It will not recover if it in the noticeable tear however.

Our invisible bra films are UV Stable, so the sun discolors the entire vehicle at the same rate. As long as you maintain the vehicle’s paint on a regular basis, washing and waxing, there will be no discernable difference.

The acidic reaction from bugs does not affect the surface of the film the same way it affects the paint, so the residue can be washed off with car soap and water easier than it would be from the paint. Never leave bug splatters on the auto bra for an extended period of time, as it may stain the film as well.

They do different jobs, and plenty of cars get both. Paint protection film is a thick urethane layer that physically absorbs impact — it is what stops rock chips and road rash. Ceramic coating is a hard, hydrophobic glass layer that protects against UV, oxidization, chemicals and staining, and makes the car far easier to wash — but it will not stop a rock.

If your main worry is chips on the front end, start with film. If it is gloss, sun and easy cleaning, start with coating. Tell us how you drive and we will tell you which one your money is better spent on.

Clear bra is about defense — a clear urethane film applied to high-impact areas like the hood, bumper, fenders and mirrors to take the rock chips instead of your paint. Cosmetic paint protection film changes how the car looks while it protects, so you can shift the finish or the color and still have a protective layer over the factory paint.

This depends on the manufacturer. We will tell you the exact warranty on the specific film we quote you — see our XPEL paint protection page for one of the films we install.

It is a good idea to discuss this with your insurance because the answer can vary. A lot of insurances do in fact cover clear bra paint protection, but you should always double-check with your insurance first.

Depending on the day some wrap installations can go faster than others. We do spend enough time to ensure a quality installation. It also depends on the vehicle, so once we know what car we are working on we can provide a time estimate.

The average vinyl wrap installation starts at $2,800*.

*The exact pricing depends on several factors such as the make and model of a car, the year, and if it's a full or partial wrap. You can get a more precise breakdown by filling out our form.

Normally, a wrap can stay between 4 to 6 years on the vehicle depending on conditions, care and overall treatment. We use the very best Avery and 3M products available in the industry. Each component is backed with a proven warrantee. Vinyls have 5 – 6 year manufacturer warrantees while our solvent inks have a range of 3 – 7 years. We also use lamination that acts as a protective film against many abrasive cleaning applications and protects the print from minor scratches and regular wear-and-tear.

Absolutely. The wrap is actually applied to the vehicle using heat and pressure-sensitive adhesives that can be reactivated and removed by our installers. The removal process is short and does not damage the vehicle.

Hand washing is best. Avoid high pressure washes and be careful never to use an ice-scraper. Sweeping off windows with a soft broom and rear defroster will cause no damage to your window graphics.

Yes. You can wash it just like you did before it was wrapped, but it is not recommended that you use wax. We recommend brushless car washes.

We highly recommend NOT to pressure wash the vehicle after installation of the vinyl. Some pressure washers can potentially lift up the vinyl because of improper use of the water pressure. The wrap is an investment to your marketing and advertising strategy and thus it should be protected.

It depends on the manufacturer. A vinyl wrap requires maintenance to keep it looking new and pristine.

This depends on the insurance you have. It is a good idea to ask your specific insurance if they cover vinyl wraps.

Wax and sealants wear off, which is why the old routine was wash, wax, and repeat. Ceramic coating bonds and cures instead, so it keeps working. It is self-cleaning and it enhances gloss, which means continuously applying waxes and sealants can be a thing of the past.

Yes. Traditional clear coat has a hardness rating between 2H and 4H. Ceramic coating hardens to a rating of 9H or better — as of now, that is as hard as paint coating gets. That hardness is what increases your vehicle's resistance to oxidization, stains, scratches, corrosion and other environmental contaminants.

Yes. Ceramic coating is hydrophobic, which means water beads up and rolls off the surface, taking dirt and debris with it. That self-cleaning effect is one of the main reasons people choose it — it saves the time and money that would otherwise go into washing, waxing, removing blemishes and restoring minor paint damage.

Yes. It protects against UV rays, oxidization, chemicals and surface contaminants. Less deterioration means the vehicle holds a higher resale value — which matters in San Diego, where cars sit in strong sun year round.

It depends on the vehicle, its current paint condition and whether any paint correction is needed first. Send us your year, make and model through our free estimate form and we will give you a real number for your car.

Ceramic coating is a chemical and UV shield that transforms gloss and cleaning. It does not stop rock chips. If chip protection is your priority, look at paint protection film — and many customers put film on the high-impact front end and coating over the rest of the car.

Four things. The tint protects your lights from chips, dents and scratches from rocks and road debris. It prevents the foggy, hazy appearance that comes from UV exposure. Existing cracks, dents and scratches in your lights become less visible. And your car stands out, with colors including clear, blue, yellow and black.

Clear, blue, yellow and black. You can go with a full color or keep it subtle — it is your call on how far you want to take it. Our team has been professionally trained to work with tints of all colors on all makes and models.

It helps. Existing cracks, dents and scratches in your lights become less visible once the tint is applied, and the tint protects the lens from picking up new ones.

It depends on how dark you go. California requires your lights to emit the required color and remain visible from a set distance, and a heavy tint can reduce light output enough to cause a problem. Tell us how you use the car and we will recommend a level that gets you the look without putting you at risk — start with a free estimate.