This week on the Born to Tint Podcast, we sit down with a true OG of the tint industry – Fernan Sainz, owner and operator of Sainz Designs out of Staten Island, NY. If you’ve ever competed, watched, or followed high-level tinting, you already know the name. 💪🔥
Fernan breaks down what it really takes to stay elite for decades, how competition sharpens skill, and why repetition, discipline, and humility separate the good from the great. This episode is packed with real-world lessons for installers, shop owners, and anyone serious about mastering their craft.
👇 In this episode, we cover:
🔧 The mindset behind 30+ years in the tint industry
🏆 Winning Team Auto at Tinter Battles 2026
🥇 Back-to-back WFR Ironman Champion (2024 & 2025)
🔥 25 Top-5 finishes at WFCT and what consistency really means
🎯 Why practice doesn’t make perfect – it makes you better
⚡ Torch vs heat gun – speed, control, and competition strategy
🧠 Learning through failure, wasting film, and leveling up faster
🤝 How competition pushes the entire tint industry forward
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been tinting for decades, this conversation is full of game you can actually apply. Iron sharpens iron – and Fernan is living proof.
👉 Follow Fernan on all platforms:
📲 @sainzdesigns
👉 Follow us on Instagram:
📲 @GreenValleyWindowTint
🎧 Watch the full episode now and tap in with one of the most respected installers in the game.
