WindowFilm - 2006

Volume 10, Issue 4 July/August 2006

15 MINUTES
Architectural Glass

Desaulniers Decoded

Steve Desaulniers, owner of Tint Pros in Henderson, Nev., was one of the five locals competing in the 2006 International Window Film Tint-Off™ and the only one to place. Desaulniers, whose company offers both auto and architectural tinting, competed in the architectural glass competition at the request of his manufacturer, took third place and later sat down with Window Film magazine to discuss the industry, the competition and what makes a job difficult.

Q. How long have you been applying window film?
A. Thirty-seven years.

Q. How long have you been with The Tint Shop?
A. Since 1974.

Q. How’d you get started in the business?
A. My dad was in the business.

Q. How many projects do you think you’ve tinted since you started?
A. I can’t even imagine. At least 100,000 between cars and buildings and homes.

Q. What do you think is the biggest obstacle for tint shops today?
A. Pricing.

Q. What are your future plans for your role in the window film industry?
A. I’d like to continue just growing the business and maybe getting into graphics.

Q. What is your favorite frame to film?
A. Rubber-gasket framed flat glass.

Q. What is your least favorite frame to film?
A. Wood-framed windows.

Q. What style of windows do you find the most difficult to film?
A. High windows.

Q. If you could tint one building (or style of building) that you have thus far not tinted, what would it be?
A. A famous museum. Any famous museum.

Q. Did you encounter any obstacles in the tint-off, and if so, what were they?
A. Butting the film without a perfectly true straight edge was a bit of a problem.

Q. How competitive did you find the Tint-Off?
A. It was pretty competitive.

Q. What are your hobbies?
A. Windsurfing, deep sea fishing and body surfing. WF

Quick Facts:
Family? Married with two kids.
Favorite food? Sashimi.
Favorite movie? Comedies, in general.
Favorite pastime? Being at home with my family.
Favorite magazine? Window Film. I like to read about the industry.
Favorite sport? Windsurfing.
Favorite sports team? Denver Broncos.
One-word description of yourself? Easygoing.