The Team’s Automotive Division features an elite 2-day teams window tinting competition with 18 teams in the PRELIMINARY rounds. Day 1 consists of 2 preliminary rounds, with the top 5 scoring teams advancing to Day 2 to challenge the defending champions, Team Autobahn — Mike Powell & Kyle Whalen — in the finals.

OFFICIAL VEHICLE: Tesla Model 3

Day 1 Prelims

Teams Automotive Battles – Competition Format

The Teams Automotive Battles will take place across (6) Tesla Model 3 vehicles, with competitors divided into two official rounds.

Round 1 & 2– Preliminaries Round

• 9 teams compete head-to-head on the Tesla Model 3 battle cars per round.

• Each matchup places one team on the driver-side doors and the other on the passenger-side doors.

• Teams have 20 minutes to complete the two side windows (quarter windows excluded).

• Judges score each installation at the end of the round.

Advancement to the Finals

After all scoring from both rounds is finalized, the top 5 highest-scoring teams across the entire field will advance to the Tinter Battles™ Finals.

Day 2 Finals

The advancing five teams will be joined by the defending champions, Team Autobahn Mike Powell & Kyle Whalen, by making a field of (6) total teams.

Finalists must complete all four doors, quarter windows, and the rear glass within a 60-minute limit.

This is a winner-take-all competition where one team will claim not only a $5,000 cash prize but also the Tinter Battles™ World Championship Title in the Automotive Division. Along with the crown comes exposure on a multi-million–viewed platform that serves as a catalyst for professionals in the craft. What competitors choose to do with that fame and glory is entirely up to them. To ensure transparency and fairness, all judging will be recorded, broadcasted, and full scores will be released. Competitors are permitted to use their preferred film brand, provided their supplier is a supporter and sponsor of the show, and must bring their own tools.

Tinter Battles™ Team's Auto Division Competition Rules

• All film patterns must be hand cut.
• Scratches or damages to the vehicle will result in immediate disqualification.
• Peel boards will be provided for competitor use.
• When time expires, teams will have a limited period of 2 minutes to clean up and exit the floor.
• Competitors may use their preferred installation methods — judging is based on the end result, not the process.

The Teams Automotive Division is scored using a 100-point system, emphasizing installation quality, execution, and professionalism under a 60-minute time limit. All teams begin with a base score of 100 points, with deductions and bonuses applied based on performance.

Installation Quality Deductions

• Bubbles, specs, or contamination: −0.5 point each
• Large or clustered contamination (≥ ¼”): −3 points each
• Creases or light gaps: −5 points per inch
  Example: a ½” crease results in a −2.5 point deduction
• Inconsistent cut edges: −5 points per edge
• Peeling (any area): −15 points
• Incomplete door window: −15 points per window
• Unfinished rear window: −50 points
• Unfinished front windshield (if applicable): −50 points
• Unpresentable work area: −5 points per window
  Includes excessive debris, loose film scraps, tools obstructing the workspace, or lack of basic cleanliness around the vehicle at time of judging.

Disqualifications

• Touching or working on the vehicle after time expires: Immediate disqualification
• Vehicle damage: Immediate disqualification

Bonus Points

• Properly shaved edges: +5 points per edge
  Edges must be clean, uniform, and intentional to qualify.

Final Scoring

• The team with the highest final score wins the Tinter Battles™ Teams Division World Championship Belts
• Judging prioritizes installation quality over speed
• All windows are inspected visually under show lighting
• Judges’ decisions are final

Day 1 – Prelims: Elimination Series

• 15 total teams
• 5 Minutes Time Limit
• Heats of 3 teams each (2 installers per team)
• Team's Objective: Tint a single glass piece using Johnson’s Solar Silver 20
• No touching glass or film during prep until the announcer kicks off the round
• Once complete, judges will rank the best window to advance to the finals
• Speed + Quality = keys to moving forward
• 5 teams advance + defending champions (Marcus & Joe) = 6 finalists
  

Day 2 – Finals: Scored Competition

• 6 teams compete in the same heat
• Team Objective:
  Johnson’s Solar Silver 20 on a commercial window
  Johnson’s Solar Silver 20 on a residential window
  Trident 8 Mil Solar Silver 20 on a final commercial window
• 30 minutes total to complete all installs
• Judges score based on performance, precision, and quality
• Highest overall score = World Champions
• Winners announced live on the Battleground Floor as soon as scorecards are finalized
  

Prize & Requirements

• $5,000 cash prize + Flat Glass Battles World Championship Titles
  
• All films & cash prize provided by Johnson Window Films
  
• Competitors must bring their own tools
• Competition Glass Structures will be available for competitors.

Judging Criteria & Deductions

Film Quality & Installation Errors

• Bubbles, specs, or contamination: –0.5 points each

• Large or clustered specs (≥ 1/4 inch):
–3 points each

• Creases or light gaps: –5 points per inch
Example: A 1/2-inch crease = –2.5 points

• Peeling or lifting (any area): –15 points

• Incomplete window/panel installation: –15 points each

Conduct & Rule Compliance

• Touching or working on the installation after time has expired: Immediate Disqualification

• Damaging the glass, frame, flooring, tools, or competition property: Disqualification

Judging & Decision-Making:

• Judges have the right to huddle and discuss any situation at their discretion.
• All judges’ decisions are final.

The Heat Shrink Battles™ is a head-to-head window tint shrinking competition division of Tinter Battles™, where speed, skill, and precision determine who advances. A total of 16 single-entry competitors will step into the battleground to compete for the title of Heat Shrink Battles World Champion.

All competitors must first qualify in the official Heat Shrink Battles Qualifier to enter the main PRELIMS. Open qualifiers will be held on the show floor January 10 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, where participants will complete a timed heat-shrink challenge on a Tesla Model 3 windshield under the supervision of selected event officials. The fastest 16 qualifiers will advance into the PRELIMS later that same day.

Once qualified, the 16 competitors will be drawn at random into 1v1 battle rounds, where each head-to-head match determines who advances toward the championship. All qualified competitors will receive an official Heat Shrink Battles Competitor Bag, containing event materials and sponsored merchandise.

• Day 1 (PRELIMS): The top 16 qualifiers compete in head-to-head battle rounds. The first competitor to complete an approved shrink in each round advances. By the end of Day 1, 8 competitors will remain.
  
• Day 2 (FINALS): The top 8 competitors face off in continued 1v1 single-elimination rounds, progressing through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and into the championship final. The last competitor standing will be crowned the Heat Shrink Battles World Champion, earning the red-strap Tinter Battles™ Championship Belt and their place in history.

Rules

• Competitors may use their preferred window films, provided the supplier is a registered Tinter Battles™ partner.
  
• Once the battle round begins, competitors may start shrinking after the official countdown from the announcer.
  
• The first competitor to complete their shrink past the installable area must raise their hands to officially mark the stop time.
  
• Once “TIME!” is called, no further touch-ups are permitted during the judging process.
  
• If a winner is determined, the round is immediately over.
  
• If the first competitor’s shrink is disqualified, the second competitor must continue their shrink until completion.
  
• If both competitors are disqualified, the round is ruled a NO CONTEST, and neither advances.
  
• Film damage within the installable area results in immediate disqualification.
  
• A shrink is not official until approved by the referee and judges on site.
  
• Competitors may use any preferred shrinking method, but only the end result is judged.
  
• Each round has a maximum 5-minute time limit.
  
• All entries must be flattened using a hard card, glove, or hand.
  
• Any excess tension or lifting will not be accepted — if it won’t lay, it won’t pass.
  
• Judges have final authority in all rulings and results.
  

Competition Layout

• Each Tesla Model 3 windshield will feature a perimeter border clearly marking the installable area.
  
• A black-and-yellow caution tape line will divide the windshield station into two halves — this is known as the Caution Zone.
  
• If a competitor’s film tension or heat movement invades the opponent’s side, referees will throw a flag, signaling an immediate halt to the battle.
  
• Both competitors must pause their shrink while referees reset and realign the films.
  
• Once the referee gives the signal, the Heat Shrink Battle round will resume from the paused state.

Heat Shrink Battle Rounds will continue until we have our final remaining Heat Shrink Battle Champion!