Posted: 4/7/2010 7:31:58 AM EDT
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Anyone ever successfully tint their own windows with a quality result? I've seen it done and it doesn't look incredibly hard, but it's obvious there's a technique to it.
NAPA sells Gila brand tint for about $15 for a 24"x6' roll. Any recommendations for film and technique websites? |
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Even when you get it done by a pro, it will begin to bubble and peel off in a few years. If you are going to spend the money, get factory tint. If you are going to sell the car in a few years (3 or less) go for it. Any longer than that, expect to have problems with it.
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Anyone ever successfully tint their own windows with a quality result? I've seen it done and it doesn't look incredibly hard, but it's obvious there's a technique to it. NAPA sells Gila brand tint for about $15 for a 24"x6' roll. Any recommendations for film and technique websites? DON'T USE GILA It is too thick! I worked in a parts store for 4 years - had a guy do my windows that had been doing it on the side for about fifteen years. He absolutely hates Gila - it is not pliable enough and for whatever reason it doesn't stick as well as other brands. ETA: My job looks better than several 'professional' jobs that I have compared. It all depends on who is doing it. If you're doing it yourself for the first time...yeah I would just skip it and take it to someone who knows what they are doing. |
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My 17 year old truck has tint done by a pro with no bubbles. Imagine that, maybe your "pro" was not a pro.
Even when you get it done by a pro, it will begin to bubble and peel off in a few years. If you are going to spend the money, get factory tint. If you are going to sell the car in a few years (3 or less) go for it. Any longer than that, expect to have problems with it. |
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My 17 year old truck has tint done by a pro with no bubbles. Imagine that, maybe your "pro" was not a pro.
Even when you get it done by a pro, it will begin to bubble and peel off in a few years. If you are going to spend the money, get factory tint. If you are going to sell the car in a few years (3 or less) go for it. Any longer than that, expect to have problems with it. It isn't just my experience, it is what I have witnessed over the past 20 years. There are always exceptions, and your case is one of them. My observation leads me to believe that it just doesn't last, no matter who does it. |
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If you want to do it yourself, do yourself a BIG favor and go to a pro shop and buy the tint from them.
Some even have a CNC cutter and a program that has the window pattern. They really reduce the amount of cutting you have to do and you'll get a better result at home. That being said, I got all the windows done on my wife's Yukon for $130... Summer is coming up and the tint places will start having specials that will save you an ass load. |
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I've done tint on the windows in my home and it's a real bitch even on flat windows small ones are easier but I had some big bastards. But if you would like to try yourself make sure you get a knife that is sharp as fuck, maybe see if you can get your hands on some scalpals. Don't be afraid to use lots and lots of adhesive, it's better to have to whipe it off (it's only soapy water) the surrounding surfaces than it is to have your tint stick where you didn't want it too.
A tip from seeing the pros work, lay the tint on the outside of your windows to cut it to shape. It's much easier to cut outside than while you are all cramped up in your car. |
| Car tinting sucks. I am a window tinter and don't tint cars for a reason. It takes lots of practice and is well worth paying a pro. Tint only turns purple if its very cheap or you clean with ammonia. Ammonia ruins the adhesive and some of the color is in the adhesive which is where the bubbles and purple comes from. Most companies warranty their film now and it will last. I know people with 10+yr old film that still looks new. Its all in the installation. I do residential and commercial because flat glass is easier and less back breaking lol. Crawling basically upside down and all over the small cars tears you up lol. |
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My 17 year old truck has tint done by a pro with no bubbles. Imagine that, maybe your "pro" was not a pro.
Even when you get it done by a pro, it will begin to bubble and peel off in a few years. If you are going to spend the money, get factory tint. If you are going to sell the car in a few years (3 or less) go for it. Any longer than that, expect to have problems with it. It isn't just my experience, it is what I have witnessed over the past 20 years. There are always exceptions, and your case is one of them. My observation leads me to believe that it just doesn't last, no matter who does it. I think possibly some people come off as "professionals," who are not as skilled or knowledgeable as you wish them to be. Because you pay me to do something, does make it my profession. However, that doesn't necessarily mean I am good at it. OP, Take your vehicle to a trusted place that has done quality work for a period of time. I've had tint on my windows for 8 years now. No bubbles, peeling, or purple-ing. Because you can damn best bet your last dollar, that if it was purple, it would be gone. |
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some cars ad truck are easier then others. What are you pimping in? Honda CR-V, mostly for security reasons. It has clear glass from the factory and I want to keep prying eyes out of the cargo area. I generally try to leave it empty, but that's not always practical. I might also get the driver and passenger front seat windows done on our Buick Rainier. That has factory tint in the cargo area and back seat, looks like maybe 20-35%. |
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some cars ad truck are easier then others. What are you pimping in? Honda CR-V, mostly for security reasons. It has clear glass from the factory and I want to keep prying eyes out of the cargo area. I generally try to leave it empty, but that's not always practical. I might also get the driver and passenger front seat windows done on our Buick Rainier. That has factory tint in the cargo area and back seat, looks like maybe 20-35%. Factory tinted "Privacy glass" is roughly around 20% +/- 2% from my memory. |
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My 17 year old truck has tint done by a pro with no bubbles. Imagine that, maybe your "pro" was not a pro.
Even when you get it done by a pro, it will begin to bubble and peel off in a few years. If you are going to spend the money, get factory tint. If you are going to sell the car in a few years (3 or less) go for it. Any longer than that, expect to have problems with it. It isn't just my experience, it is what I have witnessed over the past 20 years. There are always exceptions, and your case is one of them. My observation leads me to believe that it just doesn't last, no matter who does it. 3M film + pro install has resulted in 10+ year goodness on two cars in Austin, TX. Maybe some pros are using the wrong film. |
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i did a sliding glass door myself and it turned out like crap 
fortunately I can't see it because of the curtains and neighbors can't see it because of location ETA: your post didn't specify car vs home 
Same basic principle and I'd imagine a house would be easier. Seems like I'll save my pennies and pay a pro to do it. |
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Even when you get it done by a pro, it will begin to bubble and peel off in a few years. If you are going to spend the money, get factory tint. If you are going to sell the car in a few years (3 or less) go for it. Any longer than that, expect to have problems with it. Damn, you got took my friend. 
Good tint will last 10 years minimum. |
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some cars ad truck are easier then others. What are you pimping in? Honda CR-V, mostly for security reasons. It has clear glass from the factory and I want to keep prying eyes out of the cargo area. I generally try to leave it empty, but that's not always practical. I might also get the driver and passenger front seat windows done on our Buick Rainier. That has factory tint in the cargo area and back seat, looks like maybe 20-35%. Oh, the side windows would be easy. But the rear concaved glass would be harder. We have a 98. The 3rd brake light, the rear glass struts, and the rear window defrost. I would if it was not for the damn defrost. Take it to a pro. |