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Celebrity Cars: Famous Vehicles We've Tinted in SV
Blackout Team· Window Tinting Experts
·Updated ·6 min read
We've tinted cars for tech CEOs, athletes, and celebrities. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at celebrity vehicle protection.
After 30+ years operating in Gilroy—right in the heart of Silicon Valley—we've worked on some cars that would make your jaw drop.
Tech executives. Professional athletes. Entertainment industry A-listers. When they need vehicle protection done right, many find their way to our unassuming shop behind the Target off Highway 101.
We keep our clients' privacy sacred. But with their permission, and careful discretion about certain details, here are some of the most memorable celebrity vehicles we've transformed.
The Ground Rules
Before we dive in, a few things:
- We never name names without permission. Privacy is part of our service.
- Some details are intentionally vague. Protecting identity matters.
- Every vehicle had the owner's blessing to be mentioned (even anonymously).
- We're not name-dropping for clout—this is genuine behind-the-scenes stuff.
Now, let's talk cars.
1. The Tech CEO's Stealth Fleet
The Client: A household-name tech company executive
The Vehicles: Three identical black SUVs
The Request: "Make them all look the same—and completely invisible"
This CEO travels between locations using a three-vehicle security convoy. Same make, same model, same color—and after our treatment, impossible to tell apart.
What we did:
- Matched tint percentages exactly across all three vehicles
- Used ceramic film that doesn't interfere with security communications
- Added PPF to high-contact areas to prevent scratches revealing which car is actually used
The goal? If anyone is watching, they can't tell which SUV the principal is in.
The lesson: Privacy isn't just about legal VLT—it's about strategic uniformity.
2. The Athlete's Custom Show Machine
The Client: A professional athlete (multiple championships)
The Vehicle: A one-of-one custom American muscle car worth more than most houses
The Request: "I want it to photograph differently than it looks in person"
This build was already magazine-cover material. But the owner wanted something special: different visual effects depending on lighting and angle.
What we did:
- Color-shifting PPF on select panels
- Metallic window film (on a gas car—no EV concerns)
- Ceramic coating that enhances the color-shift effect
The result: Under natural light, the car looks one color. Under flash photography or LED, it shifts dramatically. Every photo is different.
3. The Silicon Valley Classic Collection
The Client: A founding member of a now-giant tech company
The Collection: 12 classic European sports cars, each worth mid-six to seven figures
The Request: "Protect everything without changing how they look—they need to be concours-ready"
This one was intimidating. When a single paint chip costs thousands to fix, you don't rush.
What we did (over 8 months):
- Clear PPF on every painted surface of each vehicle
- Ceramic coating over PPF
- Careful documentation of each car's existing imperfections
- Custom cut patterns since no pre-cut templates exist for 1960s exotics
The stakes: Any mistake could ruin a $500,000 paint job. No pressure.
The outcome: The collection now tours concours events without accumulating wear. Insurance premiums actually decreased because the protection reduced risk.
4. The Low-Key Billionaire's Daily Driver
The Client: One of the richest people you've never heard of
The Vehicle: A modest Japanese sedan that costs $35,000
The Request: "Please don't make it obvious that I did anything to it"
Not every wealthy person drives a supercar. This client specifically wanted to stay under the radar while still getting premium protection.
What we did:
- Clear ceramic window film (legal and invisible)
- Full PPF in clear gloss (undetectable)
- Ceramic coating for easy maintenance
Why it matters: Protection doesn't have to scream "expensive." Some clients want invisible armor.
5. The Entertainment Industry Personal Fleet
The Client: An entertainment industry figure (you've seen their work)
The Vehicles: Personal daily driver + family vehicles (4 total)
The Request: "I need privacy, and my kids need UV protection"
Celebrity families have unique challenges. Paparazzi exist, but so does genuine concern for children's safety from California sun exposure.
What we did:
- Maximum legal tint on all vehicles
- Clear ceramic windshield film for UV without darkness
- Factory-matching tint for seamless appearance
- Priority scheduling to minimize time the vehicles were off-site
6. The Wine Country Wedding Convoy
The Client: A prominent family (Bay Area knowledge would identify them)
The Vehicles: 6 matching luxury vehicles for a destination wedding
The Request: "They need to match perfectly for photos—we have 72 hours"
Wedding planners' nightmare: mismatched vehicle tint in professional photos. Our challenge: identical treatment on 6 cars in 3 days.
What we did:
- All 6 vehicles tinted with identical film lot numbers (no batch variation)
- Precise 20% VLT on all windows
- Quick-cure installation to meet deadline
- White-glove delivery
The day of: Drone photos of the convoy looked like a magazine ad. Every car matched exactly.
7. The One That Surprised Us Most
The Client: A legendary figure in automotive history
The Vehicle: A car they literally helped design decades ago
The Request: Something we can't fully reveal
This one still gives us chills. When someone whose name is on the building brings you their personal version of the car they created... you don't take that lightly.
We can't share what we did or what we learned during the process. But the experience of working on automotive history—with the creator watching—was unforgettable.
What we can say: Even legends need window tint.
8. The International Dignitary
The Client: A foreign diplomatic official
The Vehicle: An armored luxury sedan
The Request: "Film must meet specific security and privacy specifications"
We've done security vehicle work before, but this one had requirements we'd never seen. Every film had to be approved by security teams. The installation happened under supervision.
Special considerations:
- Film couldn't interfere with ballistic glass properties
- Communication frequencies had to remain unaffected
- Darkness levels had specific diplomatic requirements
The result: A vehicle that meets both protection and protocol standards.
9. The Tech Launch Vehicle
The Client: A major tech company (not Tesla, for once)
The Vehicles: 20+ vehicles for product launch events
The Request: "They all need to look identical and premium for video production"
When a tech company shoots promotional content, every visible element matters. These vehicles would appear in launch videos seen by millions.
What we did:
- Matched tint across all vehicles regardless of factory glass variations
- PPF'd the front of each for consistent reflection properties
- Ceramic coating for that "just detailed" shine in any lighting
- Same-week turnaround for 20+ vehicles
The outcome: Watch any major tech product video—you might see our work.
10. The Everyday Clients Who Surprise Us
Not every memorable project involves a celebrity. Some of our most satisfying work comes from:
- The firefighter who saved for 5 years to protect his dream car
- The nurse who wanted PPF before her first road trip with her newborn
- The teacher who bought his first Tesla and wanted it done right
- The small business owner wrapping her fleet to build her brand
Fame isn't required for memorable. Passion for your vehicle—that's what we respect.
Why Do High-Profile Clients Choose a Gilroy Shop?
Fair question. We're not in San Francisco or Palo Alto. We don't have a flashy showroom.
What we have:
- 30+ years of experience others can't fake
- Discretion built into our culture
- Quality that speaks for itself
- No ego about who walks through the door
Every vehicle matters to somebody. We treat them all the same way.
Your Vehicle Deserves the Same Care
Whether you're a celebrity or a commuter, your vehicle gets the same attention to detail that these high-profile projects received.
Explore our services: Window Tinting | PPF | Ceramic Coating | Chrome Delete
📞 Book your appointment — privacy is always standard.
📍 Visit our Gilroy shop — you never know who else might be in the bay.
Visit the Experts in Gilroy
Blackout Window Tinting is the Bay Area's premier choice for premium auto protection. Based in Gilroy at 610 Holloway Rd (behind Target), we've served the South County and Silicon Valley area for over 30 years. Whether you're coming from Morgan Hill, Hollister, or anywhere else in the Bay Area, we're your trusted local source for professional window tint, PPF, and ceramic coating.
📞 Questions? Call us at 408-848-8468 or get a free quote online.
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31+ years
The team at Blackout Window Tinting has been serving the Bay Area since 1993, providing premium window tinting and vehicle protection services.
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