Solar Shade
Family-owned automotive services retailer in Waynesville, Ohio, founded in 1979, operating a 6,000 sq ft facility offering window tinting, paint protection film, and aftermarket accessories to consumer and small-business customers across Warren County, Dayton, and Cincinnati.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersWaynesville, Ohio, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Solar Shade does
Solar Shade Truck And Car Paradise is a privately held, family-owned automotive services retailer founded in 1979 and headquartered in Waynesville, Ohio. The company operates a single 6,000 sq ft facility staffed by approximately 9 employees and serves roughly 2,100 vehicles per year across Warren County, Dayton, and Cincinnati. Its core offerings are window tinting (for automotive, residential, and commercial applications), paint protection film (PPF) installation, and aftermarket truck and car accessories drawn from a 1,000+ SKU catalog.
The business model is direct-to-consumer retail services with a per-job pricing structure and free estimates. Window tint jobs are quoted between $50 and $800 depending on film tier and coverage, while PPF installations range from $1,200 to $7,000 based on vehicle coverage area. The company holds two notable supplier exclusivities: it is an LLumar SelectPro dealer and is identified as Ohio's only FormulaOne Elite Window Tinting Company, providing differentiated access to premium manufacturer product lines. Ancillary revenue is generated through accessories and through third-party consumer financing partnerships (Snap Finance, DECKED).
The company carries no technology platform or digital product surface beyond a content-marketing blog; service delivery is technician-driven in-store. Customer acquisition is primarily local/regional via walk-in, word-of-mouth, and emerging search-engine content. There are no documented funding rounds, acquisitions, leadership changes, or geographic expansions in the available data, consistent with a mature, bootstrapped single-location operator.
Solar Shade firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Solar Shade
- Legal name
- Solar Shade Truck And Car Paradise
- Website
- https://truckparadise.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Family-owned automotive services retailer in Waynesville, Ohio, founded in 1979, operating a 6,000 sq ft facility offering window tinting, paint protection film, and aftermarket accessories to consumer and small-business customers across Warren County, Dayton, and Cincinnati.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Solar Shade industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Window Tinting and Aftermarket Services
- SIC
- Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Window Films & Tinting Retail (Privacy, UV, Decorative Films) (CRAIAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Exterior Painting & Surface Coatings (HSAPAKAF)
Keywords
Where Solar Shade is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Waynesville, Ohio
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Solar Shade business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Window Tinting Services: Professional installation of automotive, residential, and commercial window films including auto tint, paint protection film, solar films, decorative films, and safety/security films. Revenue generated from labor and materials for installation services.
- Truck and Car Accessories: Sale and installation of aftermarket accessories including lift kits, wheel-and-tire combos, bumpers, grille guards, nerf bars, floor liners, hood shields, vent visors, and more. With over 1000 product lines available.
- Paint Protection Film (PPF): Installation of paint protection film for rock chip prevention and paint preservation. Pricing varies by coverage area and film type selected.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Basic Dyed Window Tint - $50-$100 per window / $200-$500 full sedan |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Carbon/Ceramic Tint - $400-$800 full vehicle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PPF Front End Coverage - $1,200-$2,000 standard pickup |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PPF Full Coverage - $2,500-$4,000 crew cab all panels |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PPF Premium/Ultra-Thick/Color Change - $4,000-$7,000 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Installation Labor - $100-$400 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Solar Shade product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Solar Shade is a single-location automotive aftermarket service business that professionally installs LLumar and FormulaOne window tinting films, paint protection film (PPF), and solar, decorative, and safety window films for automotive, residential, and commercial customers. It also sells and installs more than 1,000 lines of truck, car, and SUV aftermarket accessories including lift kits, wheel-and-tire combos, bumpers, grille guards, nerf bars, hood shields, and vent visors, alongside suspension, towing, and maintenance services. All products sold are installed in-house at its 6,000 square foot Waynesville, Ohio facility with three enclosed installation bays.
Product overview
Solar Shade Truck And Car Paradise operates as a physical retail and installation business offering window tinting products and vehicle accessories. Their core offerings center on window film products from LLumar and FormulaOne brands, available in various technology tiers (ceramic, carbon, dyed, metalized). They provide professional installation services for automotive, residential, and commercial window tinting, along with paint protection film (PPF) for vehicles. The company also offers vehicle accessories including suspension services (lifts/lowering), wheels and tires, exterior and interior accessories, and maintenance services. Digital tools include film viewers that allow customers to preview how different films will appear on their vehicles. The business operates from a 6,000 square foot facility with certified installers and provides a lifetime warranty on professionally installed automotive window films.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Auto Window Tinting Professional installation of automotive window tinting films (LLumar and FormulaOne product lines, including dyed, carbon, ceramic, and high-performance series) on cars, trucks, and SUVs, backed by a lifetime warranty on professionally installed LLumar films. Targets individual vehicle owners in the Warren County, Dayton, and Cincinnati Ohio areas.
- Paint Protection Film (PPF) Professional installation of clear urethane paint protection film to protect vehicle paint from rock chips, scratches, road debris, bug splatter, and UV; features self-healing, stain resistance, and superior optical clarity. Pricing varies by coverage area. Targets individual vehicle owners seeking to preserve paint and resale value.
- Residential Window Tinting Installation of window films on residential properties for energy efficiency, UV protection, glare reduction, and privacy. Targets homeowners in the southwestern Ohio service area.
- Commercial Window Tinting Installation of window films on commercial buildings for solar control, energy efficiency, UV protection, and safety. Targets commercial property owners and managers in the southwestern Ohio market.
- Suspension Services (Lifts and Lowering) Custom suspension modifications including lift kits and lowering packages for trucks and cars, installed in-house. Targets truck and car owners seeking aesthetic or performance suspension changes.
- Wheels and Tires (Sales and Installation) Sale of wheel-and-tire packages for trucks, cars, and SUVs with professional installation. Targets individual vehicle owners seeking wheel/tire customization.
- Exterior and Interior Vehicle Accessories Sale and installation of more than 1,000 lines of truck, car, and SUV exterior and interior accessories including bumpers, grille guards, nerf bars, floor liners, hood shields, vent visors, fiberglass caps and lids, and tow products. Targets individual vehicle owners for custom installations.
- Safety and Security Window Films Installation of safety and security window films designed to strengthen glass and hold shattered pieces together, providing protection against break-ins and accidents. Includes dedicated school safety and security film service. Targets commercial building owners, schools, and homeowners.
- Decorative and Solar Control Window Films Installation of decorative glass and window films and solar control window films for residential and commercial properties for aesthetic, glare-control, and energy-efficiency purposes.
- Maintenance, Repair, and Performance Services Vehicle maintenance and repair services, engine and transmission lubricants, gas and diesel performance parts and services, and truck and car care products offered as part of the company's one-stop shop vehicle service capability.
Quantifiable outcome
- Blocks 99% of harmful UV rays
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Solar Shade
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Solar Shade technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Solar Shade partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LLumarcoreSolar Shade is Ohio's only LLumar SelectPro Dealer, offering the exclusive line of FormulaOne High Performance Auto Tint. LLumar SelectPro dealers are evaluated on unique customer experience measures before qualifying for status. They have access to advanced window tint products and technology and average 2,100 vehicle installations per year.
- FormulaOnecoreExclusive authorized FormulaOne dealer for Warren County, Dayton, Centerville, and Cincinnati areas. Solar Shade offers the exclusive line of FormulaOne High Performance Auto Tint including Stratos Series, Pinnacle Series, Classic Series, and Air Series.
- DECKEDminorDECKED truck tool box products are sold at Solar Shade as part of their 1000+ product lines of truck accessories. Displayed as a proud partner in the accessories section of the store.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Solar Shade competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Maaco: Largest auto paint and refinishing franchise in North America. While focused on paint and collision, it also provides some auto appearance services and competes for the same vehicle-owner customers.
- Madico: Manufacturer of architectural and automotive window films, safety/security films, and solar control films. A direct competitor-supplier to LLumar in the same product category.
- Eastman Chemical (LLumar / FormulaOne): Manufacturer of LLumar and FormulaOne window films and PPF. Solar Shade's exclusive product partner and parent of the brands that anchor its SelectPro and Elite designations.
- XPEL: Leading manufacturer of paint protection film, window films, and ceramic coatings. Comparable as a key supplier in the PPF/tint category, with growing direct-to-consumer channels that could disintermediate dealers.
- SunTek Window Films: Manufacturer of automotive and architectural window films, including PPF. Competes with LLumar and FormulaOne at the installer-product level.
- 3M Window Film Solutions: Major manufacturer of window films, sun control, and safety/security films for automotive, residential, and commercial applications. Competes with LLumar for installer relationships.
Direct peers
- Ziebart: Auto protection services franchise offering window tinting, paint protection film, rust protection, and detailing. Comparable service model with a long-established franchise footprint and similar product categories.
- DetailXPerts: Auto detailing and paint protection franchise that offers interior detailing, ceramic coatings, and PPF. Operates a similar professional-service model with comparable offerings.
- Tint World: National window tinting and auto accessories franchise offering vehicle tint, PPF, vehicle wraps, and aftermarket accessories. Operates a comparable service-and-retail model and targets the same individual vehicle owner segment.
Emerging players
- WeatherTech: U.S. manufacturer and direct-to-consumer seller of premium automotive accessories (floor liners, cargo protection, window deflectors). Comparable on the truck/SUV accessory side and increasingly competitive in D2C channels.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Solar Shade social profiles
Digital presenceSolar Shade financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Solar Shade leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Solar Shade funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Solar Shade M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Solar Shade
What does Solar Shade do?
Solar Shade is a single-location automotive aftermarket service business that professionally installs LLumar and FormulaOne window tinting films, paint protection film (PPF), and solar, decorative, and safety window films for automotive, residential, and commercial customers. It also sells and installs more than 1,000 lines of truck, car, and SUV aftermarket accessories including lift kits, wheel-and-tire combos, bumpers, grille guards, nerf bars, hood shields, and vent visors, alongside suspension, towing, and maintenance services. All products sold are installed in-house at its 6,000 square foot Waynesville, Ohio facility with three enclosed installation bays.
Is Solar Shade a public or private company?
Solar Shade is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Solar Shade founded?
Solar Shade was founded in 1979. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Solar Shade based?
Solar Shade is headquartered in Waynesville, Ohio, United States, in the North America region.
How does Solar Shade make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Window Tinting Services are the primary driver. The others are truck and Car Accessories and paint Protection Film (PPF).
Who are Solar Shade's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Maaco, Madico, Eastman Chemical (LLumar / FormulaOne), XPEL, SunTek Window Films and 3M Window Film Solutions. Direct peers are Ziebart, DetailXPerts and Tint World. WeatherTech is listed as an emerging player.
Does Solar Shade have an API?
No public API is recorded for Solar Shade.
What industry is Solar Shade in?
Solar Shade's product category is Automotive Window Tinting and Aftermarket Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAKAJ, Window Films & Tinting Retail (Privacy, UV, Decorative Films), with a secondary code of HSAPAKAF, Exterior Painting & Surface Coatings. Its SIC code is 5200.