Window tinting and paint protection film (PPF) can provide emerging adults a potential pathway to success. It’s a road that Jesus Bujanda, a Denver high school trades instructor, shares with his students. Short of supplies and training, the film community stepped in with resources to help Bujanda’s students. Billy ‘Frickin’ Murray, territory manager at Autobahn, Hüper Optik and Edge, organized the efforts.

Take it From Me

Billy ‘Frickin’ Murray (left), territory manager at Autobahn, Hüper Optik and Edge, with Jesus Bujanda, a Denver high school trades instructor.

“I feel like I’ve been a good example,” Murray says of his involvement with the program. “I learned in a one-car bay; I went to work for the Tint World franchise; I worked on my own, doing mobile tinting; I worked for a corporate company where I managed several locations; and now I’m a film sales rep. There are careers all over this industry that aren’t just installing film—they’re available to you.”

Murray connected with the class in-person on March 15, helping Bujanda set up his plotter. Murray hopes to assist with the creation of a syllabus and a gradable course before the next school year.

“I think it’s a sign that the industry is getting big enough to impact people outside of the industry,” Murray shares. “It’s always been a goal of mine to find out how I can get more exposure outside of the industry, so that we can show how successful people’s lives have been because of the industry. This high school class is an awesome step toward an apprenticeship-style accreditation program.”

Training the Future

“He’s been teaching there for about 20 years,” Murray says. “He wanted to make sure that he could teach kids a skill they could take into the workforce.”

Helping Hands

The window film community is rallying together to provide assistance and financial support to Bujanda’s course. Specifically, a number of companies and individuals have stepped up to help Bujanda’s class of 10-12 students:

• Edge offers Bujanda discounted window tint and PPF;

• Erik Devash and Tint Wiz provided a free account; Cody Becker, general manager of Shore Tint and More in Seaford, Del., assisted with account set up;

• Iron Duck Designs provided a logo for the course;

• Tint’er brand supplied Bujanda and his students with t-shirts;

• Jeff Welch of Tint Hozilla provided sprayers for the course;

• Mike Watson, an authorized distributor of Tinta Tools, is donating tools;

• Fusion Tools is donating tools;

• Kevin Yu and Hexis help with supplies.

Bujanda, who first connected with Murray on an industry Facebook group, holds a background in automotive paint and collision work.

“He started teaching collision and mechanics, but he said, ‘These are dirty jobs, and not everyone is willing to get that dirty,’” Murray says. “He transitioned into signage and wraps. They have a printer, a plotter and a laminator. They build and print banners and signs for the school. He wanted to offer more work that could keep kids from getting dirty. He looked into tint and PPF; giving students more options than just turning wrenches.”