Brandon ‘Hoss’ Evans, owner of Xtreme Shades in Smithfield, N.C., wasted no time securing work for his newly-founded business in 2019. A commercial development, grading and soil stabilization company based in the Angier, N.C., area kept him plenty busy. A contracted arrangement saw Evans tint the windows of more than 20 tractors over an eight-month period.
The Tractor Business
“We talked price, and there wasn’t haggling because their employees were looking for comfort in the heat,” says Evans, an Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge dealer. “From there, I posted pictures of various tinted machines on social media. After posting a picture of a tinted tractor, I’d have 10 customers call over the next month.”
Brandon ‘Hoss’ Evans, owner of Xtreme Shades in Smithfield, N.C., has tinted an estimated 300 tractors during his 18-year career in the window film industry. (Photo courtesy of MixxFlixx Media)
Evans has tinted an estimated 300 tractors during his 18-year career in the window film industry. In 2023, he tints tractors with Autobahn’s Black Ceramic Window Film and Ceramic i3 Window Film.
“For a tractor project involving Autobahn’s Black Ceramic Window Film—for the sides and back glass—I start at $1,600,” says Evans, who’s tinted nine tractors this year alone. “But I take everything apart. That’s how I explain the price to customers. A competitor might do it for $600, but they’re cutting film around the hardware.”
Disassembly Required?
“Some installers tint the glass while it’s still on the tractor because it’s easier for them,” Evans says. “But I take tractors apart. I don’t have to be on a ladder or hanging on the side of a tractor trying to heat shrink a piece of film. I can lay the glass on a table and clean it.”
While removing the glass from the tractor, Evans also disassembles the surrounding hardware. This includes the door handles and the rubber gasket that goes around the outside of the glass.
On average, Brandon ‘Hoss’ Evans spends four hours deconstructing hardware and installing window film during a tractor project.
“I’ll tint the glass and trim around the holes where the hardware goes,” he says. “I will then re-assemble the hardware and put it back on the tractor.”
Heat shrinking is an essential element of tractor tinting. But Evans says this step should be familiar for experienced automotive tinters.
“A lot of installers ask about heat shrinking on social media,” Evans shares. “You have to think outside of the box, but it’s just like shrinking most rear windshields on cars.”
The Learning Curve
Evans has more than a decade of tractor tinting experience, speeding up the installation process significantly. On average, the industry veteran spends four hours deconstructing hardware and installing window film during a tractor project. He encourages newcomers to remain patient.
“When I first started disassembling tractors, I would spend six to eight hours on them,” he shares. “On a newer tractor, a sheet of glass is anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. Novices should definitely [hire] an extra set of hands. Call someone who has tinted tractors in the past for pointers and insights.”
Tractor tinting may not be for everyone in the window film industry, but Evans says, “You won’t know if it’s worth your time unless you try it. Take your time. The return is great if you’re charging for disassembling hardware. Even if it takes you eight hours, you still generated $2,000 that day.”