"Do it yourself" window tint.
03-05-2015, 12:35 PM
#16
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Hickory, NC
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
I've tinted windows in cars several times, and while it can be a bit frustrating it isn't hard. The windows must be super clean and you'll need several cheap tools; new razor blades (the razor blade pen type work great), a spray bottle with soapy water in it, a small squeegee (I trimmed down a dollar store dustpan to make mine), and some masking tape.
If at all possible, do this in a garage where there is no wind. Wind will ruin you as you do this... Do it when it is warm, as when it is cold the adhesive won't stick as well.
Patience and don't be in a hurry....and buy a little extra tint in case you mess up some. CLEAN windows!
If at all possible, do this in a garage where there is no wind. Wind will ruin you as you do this... Do it when it is warm, as when it is cold the adhesive won't stick as well.
Patience and don't be in a hurry....and buy a little extra tint in case you mess up some. CLEAN windows!
03-05-2015, 11:33 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Phoenix, A-to-Z
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Pro tinters get it done in under an hour for most vehicles. $200 divided by 8 still equals $25 an hour....
Delicacy and patience versus brute force = WIN in the tint realm....
It is OK that one uses too much soapy water on the windows while installing as it all gets forced back out during install.. Keep the surfaces wet and you will be better off.
Delicacy and patience versus brute force = WIN in the tint realm....
It is OK that one uses too much soapy water on the windows while installing as it all gets forced back out during install.. Keep the surfaces wet and you will be better off.
03-05-2015, 11:52 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Pro tinters get it done in under an hour for most vehicles. $200 divided by 8 still equals $25 an hour....
Delicacy and patience versus brute force = WIN in the tint realm....
It is OK that one uses too much soapy water on the windows while installing as it all gets forced back out during install.. Keep the surfaces wet and you will be better off.
Delicacy and patience versus brute force = WIN in the tint realm....
It is OK that one uses too much soapy water on the windows while installing as it all gets forced back out during install.. Keep the surfaces wet and you will be better off.
03-06-2015, 01:03 AM
#19
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hudson, FL
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
So I've never liked tinting windows by myself, but for $120, I got all my windows done at a shop and it turned out good without any bubbling or color fading.
03-06-2015, 11:10 AM
#20
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Pro tinters get it done in under an hour for most vehicles. $200 divided by 8 still equals $25 an hour....
Delicacy and patience versus brute force = WIN in the tint realm....
It is OK that one uses too much soapy water on the windows while installing as it all gets forced back out during install.. Keep the surfaces wet and you will be better off.
Delicacy and patience versus brute force = WIN in the tint realm....
It is OK that one uses too much soapy water on the windows while installing as it all gets forced back out during install.. Keep the surfaces wet and you will be better off.
I watched "Pro Tinters" do it and they even removed the door glass to do them, and others who do not but they only charge about $125 for a job. Worth every penny for me to watch and not do myself, then if I see any small problem guess what 8>)
Last edited by Fred/N0AZZ; 03-06-2015 at 11:13 AM.
03-06-2015, 08:16 PM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah I almost persuaded myself to do it because of that but there are a lot of factors that made me decide to just have it done.
Some of the factors are:
1. Not sure of the quality of the precut stuff
2. Just buying all the tools is a hassle
3. No readily available enclosed space
4. Not a ton of expendable time
5. Not patient
6. No warranty
Some of the factors are:
1. Not sure of the quality of the precut stuff
2. Just buying all the tools is a hassle
3. No readily available enclosed space
4. Not a ton of expendable time
5. Not patient
6. No warranty
03-07-2015, 12:09 AM
#27
::CF Administrator::
Yeah I almost persuaded myself to do it because of that but there are a lot of factors that made me decide to just have it done.
Some of the factors are:
1. Not sure of the quality of the precut stuff
2. Just buying all the tools is a hassle
3. No readily available enclosed space
4. Not a ton of expendable time
5. Not patient
6. No warranty
Some of the factors are:
1. Not sure of the quality of the precut stuff
2. Just buying all the tools is a hassle
3. No readily available enclosed space
4. Not a ton of expendable time
5. Not patient
6. No warranty
2. I don't see squeegees, razor blades, a spray bottle, soapy water, masking tape and patience as being that hard to do
3. This is an issue. You'll need a wind-free shaded space to do it.
4. I'm sure if you want it bad enough, you'd make it happen
5. Then pay someone else to do it, and don't really see the point of this post in the first place...
6. Then pay someone else to do it.
Sounds like you need to take it somewheres.
PRO TIP: You know those little steamers? Like the shark? If you screw up, or it starts to bubble, or whatevs, those little steamers work GREAT for removing it. Then you can start fresh.
I did my own, 5% limo tint on the rear windows and hatch. Turned out great. You do need to be patient and have CLEAN WINDOWS. I spent about $30 total in film, had the rest.
All I can say is it sounds like you would be better off having someone else do it.
03-07-2015, 06:10 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Anderson, SC
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1. Precut. Meh. Buy it in sheets and cut it yourself. Not hard.
2. I don't see squeegees, razor blades, a spray bottle, soapy water, masking tape and patience as being that hard to do
3. This is an issue. You'll need a wind-free shaded space to do it.
4. I'm sure if you want it bad enough, you'd make it happen
5. Then pay someone else to do it, and don't really see the point of this post in the first place...
6. Then pay someone else to do it.
Sounds like you need to take it somewheres.
PRO TIP: You know those little steamers? Like the shark? If you screw up, or it starts to bubble, or whatevs, those little steamers work GREAT for removing it. Then you can start fresh.
I did my own, 5% limo tint on the rear windows and hatch. Turned out great. You do need to be patient and have CLEAN WINDOWS. I spent about $30 total in film, had the rest.
All I can say is it sounds like you would be better off having someone else do it.
2. I don't see squeegees, razor blades, a spray bottle, soapy water, masking tape and patience as being that hard to do
3. This is an issue. You'll need a wind-free shaded space to do it.
4. I'm sure if you want it bad enough, you'd make it happen
5. Then pay someone else to do it, and don't really see the point of this post in the first place...
6. Then pay someone else to do it.
Sounds like you need to take it somewheres.
PRO TIP: You know those little steamers? Like the shark? If you screw up, or it starts to bubble, or whatevs, those little steamers work GREAT for removing it. Then you can start fresh.
I did my own, 5% limo tint on the rear windows and hatch. Turned out great. You do need to be patient and have CLEAN WINDOWS. I spent about $30 total in film, had the rest.
All I can say is it sounds like you would be better off having someone else do it.
03-07-2015, 07:15 AM
#29
Beach Bum
Here in NC, tint for driver/passenger windows cannot exceed a certain percentage of tint. Which is too light for the summer sun.
I use static-cling tint on these windows, about 15% light transmission. Come inspection time, just peel off tint, no residue left behind. Tint does not crinkle or crease and can be reused unlimited times.
Definitely a steep learning curve doing tint, after doing 6 vehicles over the years, I finally have it down.
I use static-cling tint on these windows, about 15% light transmission. Come inspection time, just peel off tint, no residue left behind. Tint does not crinkle or crease and can be reused unlimited times.
Definitely a steep learning curve doing tint, after doing 6 vehicles over the years, I finally have it down.
