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41 miles from Gilroy • A 45 minutes drive
Santa Cruz Window Tinting & Paint Protection
Premium tint and PPF at inland prices—45 minutes over Highway 17
4.8/5from Santa Cruz customers
Lifetime Warranty
Same-Day Service
Serving Santa Cruz Since 1993
Santa Cruz drivers know Highway 17—the rock chips from trucks, the fog that traps moisture, the salt air that corrodes everything. That's why surfers, UCSC staff, and Capitola families make the 45-minute drive over the hill to Blackout. We get your lifestyle: Sprinter vans with roof racks, Tacomas covered in wax and sand, 4Runners that see Nisene Marks and Big Basin. Our climate-controlled Gilroy facility provides the dust-free, humidity-controlled environment that beach-town shops can't match. Same 3M and LLumar films as downtown Santa Cruz, but at inland prices and with 30+ years of experience. Whether you live in Westside, Pleasure Point, Scotts Valley, or Soquel—we've served the coastal community since 1993.
Areas We Serve in Santa Cruz
DowntownWestsideEastsideCapitolaScotts ValleySoquelLive Oak
Services for Santa Cruz Drivers
Premium window tinting, paint protection, and detailing services—all just 45 minutes from Santa Cruz.
Automotive Window Tinting
Protect your interior from coastal UV and keep your ride cool during Santa Cruz summers.
- Coastal-grade ceramic films
- Saltwater corrosion consideration
- UV protection
- Heat rejection
Paint Protection Film
Shield your paint from Highway 17 debris and coastal salt air with premium PPF.
- Highway 17 protection
- Salt air resistance
- Self-healing technology
- Full front packages
Ceramic Coating
Long-lasting protection against Santa Cruz's coastal elements—salt, fog, and UV.
- Coastal environment optimized
- Multi-year protection
- Easy maintenance
- Hydrophobic finish
Surf Vehicle Specialists
We understand beach vehicles—from Sprinter vans to Tacomas to classic VW buses.
- Van conversions welcome
- Roof rack friendly installs
- Sand and salt considerations
- Lifestyle vehicle experts
Car Audio
Professional car audio installation—head units, speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto upgrades available.
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Premium speaker upgrades
- Subwoofer installation
- Sound deadening available
Chrome Delete
Modern blackout styling for your vehicle's chrome trim. Popular with Tesla, BMW, and luxury vehicle owners for a sleek, sporty look.
- Window trim blackout
- Grille and emblem wrapping
- Premium 3M vinyl
- Same-day service available
Auto Glass Replacement
Windshield and window replacement with ADAS calibration. Insurance claim assistance included.
- OEM & aftermarket glass
- ADAS calibration available
- Insurance assistance
- Same-day scheduling
Marine & Boat Protection
Marine window tinting and ceramic coating for boats. Salt-resistant films protect cabins from UV and glare.
- Salt-air resistant films
- UV protection for cabins
- Marine-grade materials
- Trailerable boats welcome
Getting Here from Santa Cruz
Distance: 41 miles
Drive Time: 45 minutes
Main Routes: Highway 17, Highway 1, Highway 9
Step-by-Step Directions
From downtown Santa Cruz, take Highway 17 South over the Santa Cruz Mountains (beautiful but winding—take it easy!). Merge onto Highway 1 South toward Watsonville, then take Highway 152 East (or continue to Highway 101 South). Follow 101 South to Gilroy and exit at 10th Street. Turn east on 10th, right on Camino Arroyo, then left on Holloway Rd. We're behind Target. Total drive is about 45 minutes from Santa Cruz or 35 minutes from Scotts Valley. Alternative: From Capitola, take Highway 1 South to Highway 152 East for a slightly faster route.
Frequently Asked Questions from Santa Cruz Customers
How far is Blackout from Santa Cruz?
We're approximately 41 miles from downtown Santa Cruz—about 45 minutes via Highway 17 and Highway 101. While it's a bit of a drive, the savings compared to coastal shop prices and our dust-free, humidity-controlled facility make it worth the trip.
What's the best route from Santa Cruz to your Gilroy shop?
Take Highway 17 South over the Santa Cruz Mountains to Highway 1 South, then merge onto Highway 101 South toward Gilroy. Exit at 10th Street, turn east on 10th, right on Camino Arroyo, then left on Holloway Rd. We're behind Target. Total drive time is about 45 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz.
Is it worth driving from Santa Cruz to Gilroy for tinting?
Many Santa Cruz customers say yes! The 45-minute drive over Highway 17 saves significant money compared to coastal shop prices, and our 33+ years of experience ensures a perfect installation. Plus, our indoor facility means no coastal humidity affecting your install.
Do you work on surf vehicles and vans?
We've tinted countless Sprinter vans, Promasters, Tacomas, 4Runners, and even classic VW buses from Santa Cruz. We understand the lifestyle vehicle community and work around roof racks, solar panels, and conversion builds.
What about the coastal salt air affecting my tint or PPF?
Great question! Our ceramic tints and paint protection films are designed to handle coastal conditions. The PPF actually provides extra protection against salt air corrosion, which is why many Santa Cruz customers add it after experiencing the marine environment's effects.
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