Hosted at the all-new, 7,500 square-foot Wiz Castle in Orlando, Fla., Tinter Battles 2024 is the fourth rendition of an event that has infused excitement into the fields of window film, paint protection film (PPF), ceramic coatings, and vinyl wraps. The gathering is streamed to the masses and features Heat Shrink Battles; Squeegee Battles; Flat Glass Battles; Windshield Battles; and more.
Talking With The Texas Squeegee
“There was a tremendous amount of pressure going from a space as grand as the Omni Resorts in Amelia Island, Fla.,” shares Tintertainment Founder Carlos Olazaba. “Our pivot for 2024 is geared toward live-streaming. The Wiz Castle provides a great level of creative freedom. It’s special because we held the second Tinter Battles in this exact building.”
Tintertainment hosted the first-ever Tinter Battles in Houston, Texas, in 2021. In 2022, Tinter Battles returned with an event in Orlando, Fla. Tinter Battles 2023 took place at the Omni Resorts in Amelia Island, Fla.
Among Olazaba’s mentors are Erik Devash, Founder of Tint Wiz; Marco Cazorla, Territory Manager at XPEL; David Karle, Eastern Regional Support Director at CoolVu; and David Sarao, Owner of Ultimate Window Tinting in Orlando, Fla.
“We want people to leave with something that could change their lives,” says Olazaba, who is also known as The Texas Squeegee. “Our ultimate objective—above anything else—is to entertain, give back, and provide value.”
Olazaba shares more of his journey in the first issue of Loop Magazine, an ad-free magazine entering production in Q2 2024.
“What Does Tinter Battles Mean to You?”
Alexis Figueroa (‘El Magic’), Owner of Magic Shade Window Tinting and Detailing in Fort Worth, Texas, performed a song dubbed Tint 4 Life at Tinter Battles 2023. He returns for a performance at this year’s rendition.
Billy ‘Frickin’ Murray, Territory Manager at Autobahn
“Tinter Battles is a fun cross between getting people together and giving them something to compete at.”
Cody Becker, General Manager at Shore Tint and More in Harbeson, Del.
For many, industry events are like checkpoints in life. Pressing pause on the day to day, Cody Becker, General Manager at Shore Tint and More in Harbeson, Del., reflects on how far he’s come since the first-ever Tinter Battles in Houston, Texas, in 2021.
“This isn’t just a job for the Tinter Battles team—this is a passion,” says Becker, who has attended all four Tinter Battles. “Being able to see this grow with them, I have a similar attachment. I’m loving it just as much.”
Becker’s weight loss journey has inspired many throughout the window film, PPF, ceramic coatings, and vinyl wrap segments. At Tinter Battles 2021, Becker’s weight exceeded 300 pounds. But since then, he’s achieved significant progress, now weighing under 200 pounds as of Tinter Battles 2024.
“A lot of people respect it,” Becker says. “A lot of people are coming up to me and congratulating me. It’s really cool.”
Fred Zwilling, Owner of Solar Spectrum Window Tinting in Keller, Texas, and Product Development Manager at Global Window Films
“Seeing Tinter Battles online interested us,” says Zwilling, who was on the cover of Window Film magazine January/February 2000. “We wanted to check it out; this industry is always evolving.”
Jeremy Davis, Owner/Operator of Pro Tint LLC in Palm Coast, Fla.
“This is my tint family; I love everyone that I am around.”
Jordan ‘Shady Jay’ Jernigan, Window Film Specialist at Luxury Window Tinting in Greenbrier, Ark. (Drove more than 1,000 miles from Arkansas)
“You’re coming to see your friends from all over the place,” Jordan says. “The people that you don’t see but once or twice a year. We’ve been anticipating this for a long time.”
Jordan, accompanied by his wife, Jessica, and their children Nyah and Paxton, made the trip. On their way, the Jernigan’s visited industry friends at The Tint Diva in Alabama, and Mitchell’s Tinting in Florida.
“It’s all about the camaraderie,” Jordan adds.
Joshua and Ricky Miller of Green Valley Window Tint in Henderson, Nev.
Joshua and Ricky Miller are two of many industry influencers eager to share their voice in The Wiz Castle’s PodCastle (a dedicated podcast room). The duo has recorded more than 30 episodes for their industry show dubbed the Born to Tint Podcast.
“We’re going on residential and commercial sales calls, and lots of customers say, ‘You’re the guys in the videos,’” the brothers share. “The idea of a podcast has been around for so long. Seeing it come to life is nice.”
Green Valley Window Tint launches a flat glass training program this year. Classes will span three to four days and accommodate five to eight students.
“No one pushes for flat because it’s a great unknown,” they add. “But if you’re already doing auto, transitioning to flat is not hard. We want to put this out there for auto tinters.”
Josh Welch, Photography and Video Production Specialist at Autobahn, and Founder of MixxFlixx Media
“Tinter Battles is one of the most fun events,” Welch shares. “It’s laid back—you get to do a lot of hanging out and catching up. I have come a long way in the past two years. When I came to Tinter Battles 2022 two years ago, no one knew who I was.”
Kado Serri-Charette, Chief Education Coordinator (CEC) at Tint Wiz
“[With The Wiz Castle], it feels like inviting people into my home. Seeing people love it is such a cool feeling.”
Kash Qaddus, Owner of Top Tint Service in Decatur, Ga.
“It’s all about networking, and getting to know your fellow tinter better.”
Marian Giorgakis, Sales and Marketing at Energy Products Distribution (EPD)
“The networking, the excitement, and the ‘Tintertainment.’ Seeing everybody and getting together—it doesn’t feel like work.”
Patric Fransko, Founder of Eye Magnet Management and Window Film Pros
“I love the new energy in the industry, and this event captures that,” says Fransko, who celebrates 25 years in the window film industry this year. “[Lots of] suppliers don’t look at each other as hardcore competitors; they look at each other as friends in the industry. There’s a lot of camaraderie.”
Rick Tallman, Founder of Window Film Revolution, and Owner of TNT Window Tinting in Carrollton, Ga.
“This is our break; this is our time to come hang out with a bunch of tinters,” says Tallman, who is also the Founder of Window Film Revolution’s Family Reunion. “They’ve done a great thing here, and we’ve done a great thing with the Family Reunion. What’s the next step? What’s the next thing we can do to improve our industry?”
Window Film Revolution’s 2024 Family Reunion will take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tenn., from August 27-30, 2024.
Roger Mann, Owner of Tri State Window Tinting in Blairsville, Ga. (also known as The Red Dot King)
“This is my first Tinter Battles,” says Mann, who produced more than 30 custom, Tinter Battles-themed NT Cutter Pro’s (Red Dots) for the show. “You get to meet people like Eliu Albelo [owner of Best Deal Window Tint in Orlando, Fla.]. He showed me how to torch a back window, and he made it look like butter. It’s hands-on training, which is very expensive to do at your shop.”
Ryan Wilcox, Lead Installer at Top Tint Service in Decatur, Ga.
“My first Tinter Battles was in 2022. The entertainment part blew my mind. It was like WWE—the excitement and the showmanship. It’s great to be able to interact with your tint family. I love being around everyone.”
Samuel Parral, Owner of Motorsports Window Tinting LLC in Dobson, N.C.
“When you come to a place like this, you meet all kinds of people. Networking, and being in rooms full of like-minded people is amazing.”
Shawn Vogler, Vice President at SolarFX Window Films
“[This event] has a fun format. This is free flowing.”
Steven Britt, Installer at RSL Automotive Creations in Norcross, Ga.
“This is my first tint industry event. I’ve been hearing about them. Initially, I just thought of everyone as competition. Now I see this industry as a big family.”
Tim Ham, PPF industry veteran
“I’m retired, but this is about meeting people, talking to them, and helping them excel. It’s about seeing someone else succeed.”
Trey Williams, Lead Installer at Surface – Tint, Wraps, and Design in Forsyth, Ga.
“It’s like Christmas every three to four months in this industry,” Williams says of industry events like Tinter Battles.
Williams entered the industry in July 2022 after jobs in roofing, carpentry, and landscaping. He also spent three years in the U.S. Army.