Tinter Producing Documentary on Film’s History
June 6th, 2018 by Tara Taffera
This photo from 1962 is of Howard and Lynn Baldock. Lynn is the Last Man Standing aka “Flow-Man,” according to Maldonado. They are next to the Sun Stop wagon. Transparent Glass Coatings was one of the original Big 3 window tinting companies that started it all in the early 50s, Maldonado says.
If you are a history buff you may already know that the window film industry was founded on liquid glass tinting by the industry’s early pioneers. Eric Maldonado’s father J.O. was one of those early industry folks, and when his father passed away in April 2018, Maldonado started working on a documentary, “Flow-On” The History of Window Tinting. “It is a tribute to the early pioneers of the liquid glass tinting business,” says Maldonado.
J.O. Maldonado owned Acorn Glass Tinting Co since 1966, and the movie began as a tribute but later evolved into much more. “I have been working with many of the earliest pioneers including Richard Bamburg and ‘the last man standing’ Lynn Baldock,” Maldonado says.
He adds that he grew up learning about many of these pioneers as he started working in the family business from a very early age. He explains that the Maldonados, including brothers, sisters, cousins, etc., are a large group and many are involved in the film business and Maldonado Bros Window Tinting, which serves the San Francisco Bay area. The business does a good amount of subcontracting work as well.
J. O. Maldonado teaches a flow coating class in the late 60s.
Maldonado stays busy in the window film business then works on his documentary in between. He is currently in the pre-production stages but will have a movie trailer completed by the end of August. He then plans to submit the final product to various Film Festivals.
“This has always been a tribute to the window film industry and the pioneers who started it all,” he said. “I want them to be acknowledged for how they started the industry, and spread it across the world.”
But it did all start with his Dad and Maldonado will always treasure those memories.
Jim Schatz in 1972 prepping a window before “flow coating.” His father Lester Schatz started Ray Stop Window Tinting in 1958. Jim traveled all over the world training installers for his father’s company, according to Maldonado.
“When I visited him in Oregon a week before his passing, I arrived at 1:00 a.m. and we stayed up talking tint for hours,” he says. “Even he was amazed at his energy level. When I told him I purchased some tint machines, he said he never thought he’d see one again. He was amazed that not only did I find some, but that I was able to make contact with some of his old friends from the early days. And that was the beginning of my connection. That is why I wanted the tint machines. Because it is liquid gold to me and a way to always stay connected to my father.”
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Very Cool!
What you are doing is wonderful and important to the future of the young folks entering the industry now.
I hope you could also find some Photo’s of your dad with a car slightly tipped for “even flow”.
Congratulations and we will keep him and your family in our thoughts.
Bill Burke
I always knew Lynn was star
That is so cool that you are working on this project. I look forward to seeing it and I hope the IWFA can offer the DVD as an item to purchase from their library.
What a remarkable story and family contribution — the industry and all of mankind is truly grateful.
Blessings,
Bruce & Peggy Bear
Thanks Shawn. And I hope the IWFA will offer the DVD too!
Eric Maldonado
Thanks Bill for your kind words.
My dads company only worked on residential and commercial jobs in the early days. We started doing autos with film in the 70’s and I started tinting cars at my dad’s shop in 1978 at the age of 13. Whenever we would get a customer that didn’t want a seam on their back window, we would take it down the street to Milton’s.
I’d love to speak with you further in depth if you have time? I have your contact info and can reach out to you in the next week?
Thanks again,
Eric Maldonado
I might be able to find a pic of that
I wish I would have recorded all the stories told at J.O. Maldonado’s life tribute. He is not only a window tinting pioneer and legend but a mentor and sub father to many young men through the years.
Thank you. Here is a link to the movie trailer.
http://www.FlowOnMovie.com
Thank you. Here is a link to the movie trailer.
http://www.FlowOnMovie.com
Thank you. Here is a link to the movie trailer.
http://www.FlowOnMovie.com
J. O. Maldonado is my father in-law and is the reason I started tinting. His son John was supposed to Tint my 77 Chevy truck for me in 1986 and when he kept putting me off my father in-law made me Tint it with his guidance, thank you Johnny haha. I owe a lot to J. O. not only for sharing the secrets of the industry but for letting me marry is daughter and being a part of the tint mafia.
This future documentary, seen in a preview here, is so important. Can’t wait to see the final version. To me it is such a blessing. It is also a tribute to my father, Lester Schatz / Ray Stop Window Tinting – since 1958, who helped start this industry along with Eric’s dad Joe. Great tribute to them and the very first early pioneers who started and helped found the window tinting industry. It’s a neat feeling to know I have been a small part of that group. I am proud to be a member in good standing n the Flow Tinter’s club.
Another bit of information that some weren’t aware was that it was the U.S. Government that invented glass tinting around the early 1940’s, unless you want to refer to the earliest pioneers of window tint, Stained glass of the 1300’s.
Has this video been released?
Hi Ally, the release date for the documentary has been changed to summer 2020. I can be found on Facebook where I have some movie posters and other info about its progress.
Thank you so much for your interest!
Sincerely,
Eric