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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 09:58 AM
  #1  
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Default Window Tinting

Anyone ever had luck tinting their own windows? I'm just looking into doing it myself. Apparently a whole lot cheaper. Just seeing if anyone has any ideas, thoughts, or experience.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 10:17 AM
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Tint is one of the few things I'd gladly pay to have a pro do. A DIY job can go downhill quickly, and cause more work to remove, then end up paying anyway. YRMV.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 10:29 AM
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The side windows are very easy on these jeeps. Cut out a paper template leaving 1/4 from the top lip of the window so it doesn't get ripped by the window seal, the rear glass however needs to be taken to a shop, it's a double concave glass making it almost impossible without the right tools
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 11:09 AM
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Thanks for the input guys! I was quoted $270.00 for everything including labor. Then i saw the rolls of tint at Autozone for $13.99 and my jaw dropped. What tool would make doing the back glass easier MOAB?
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 11:43 AM
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The back glass uses a special type of tint. It requires a heat gun
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 11:51 AM
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If that's for all the windows, then that's a good deal. In window tint material, you get what you pay for. That Autozone stuff won't stretch and shape to the back window or lay over the defroster lines nice.


If you don't mind bubbles then you can try it yourself. I would pay $270 and get a warrantee
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 11:53 AM
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^this for sure.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 12:40 PM
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Okay, I see. Well then, looks like i need to make an appointment lol.. Thanks for clearing it up for me!
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 01:07 PM
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I wouldn't say that's completely true, I've had tint on Windows as well as friends and my father in law for years. Used the film from walmart. Looks great. We just had someone do the rear glass being that's double concave. I paid about $100!total for my labor and the rear glass to be done. It's not hard to do at all, just take your time and do it right
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by JPXJMOAB
I wouldn't say that's completely true, I've had tint on Windows as well as friends and my father in law for years. Used the film from walmart. Looks great. We just had someone do the rear glass being that's double concave. I paid about $100!total for my labor and the rear glass to be done. It's not hard to do at all, just take your time and do it right
I think I may give doing the windows a shot. For 13 a roll i can afford to screw up once haha.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 01:32 PM
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I'll never try tint myself. Professionals have a lot better tint than what I could buy. It doesn't fade, actually black and not purple, red or brown. And it matched the factory rear tint color and darkness. My sister, myself, and many friends have all had professional tint and that's the only way I'll ever go.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Hunt_U_Down
Thanks for the input guys! I was quoted $270.00 for everything including labor. Then i saw the rolls of tint at Autozone for $13.99 and my jaw dropped. What tool would make doing the back glass easier MOAB?
Originally Posted by MI_Offroad
If that's for all the windows, then that's a good deal. In window tint material, you get what you pay for. That Autozone stuff won't stretch and shape to the back window or lay over the defroster lines nice.


If you don't mind bubbles then you can try it yourself. I would pay $270 and get a warrantee
I was quoted $200 for my '00 XJ. And that was with removing the old tints. They turned purplish. No idea how much that bugs me when I catch them at a certain angle. Got to get them done. I figure this is the same as paying somebody when I had my headliner done. Some things are just better left to the pros. Wish my '00 had factory privacy glass like my '96 did.

Last edited by Ralph77; Mar 22, 2016 at 02:59 PM.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Hunt_U_Down
I think I may give doing the windows a shot. For 13 a roll i can afford to screw up once haha.

Its not the $13 that would be a waste, its removing it after you installed it, ever remove old Window Tint? do it once and you won't want to do it again.

I have done it myself, and paid the pro's, I will not do it myself again.

Window Tint is one thing I will leave to the Pro's
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 07:14 PM
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Don't buy crappy tint!!! You will absolutely regret it.
It is horrible to cut, doesn't shrink easily or evenly, and fades in about 3 years.

I only use Llumar, 3M, and I would consider using Huper Optik but have not yet had the chance.

Getting a clean tint job is really difficult. It really does take experience for it to look perfect after its all dried.

I won't even attempt to tint my own cars because I am too much of a perfectionist.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 08:20 PM
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DIY tint screams ghetto louder than a $5 prostitute stereo.
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