DIY Window Tinting

[SZR48207]

I've done this on all my past cars with decent success. Not a perfect job, maybe 95% overall result because there'll be a quarter sized area with bubbles/creases/etc.

Trying to do my current vehicle but it has weird areas and I need more time to position the film.

Will doubling up the soap in the solution be OK? I normally fill a 32oz spray bottle with distilled water and then add a "drop" of J&J Baby Shampoo.

The extra lubricity may help, but I want to check if this creates risk of streaks or dried soap.

 

[Skippy722]

I went a little heavy on the soap the one time I tried it... significantly more than one or 2 drops of soap in a 32oz bottle. I didn't notice any streaking.

 

[SZR48207]

Thanks Skippy. I watched some tinting videos online and I'm seeing some pros using soapier solutions with decent results.. so I'll give it a shot.

 

[meep]

the soap thing doesn't have to be exact. I'd use more than that - I usually put in a squirt from a bottle of dawn of somesuch. I've also seen guys "pre-form" the tint while hanging over the exterior of the window a little with a heat gun. Lotsa liquid and lotsa patience always served me well doing this. good luck!

 

[Schmoe]

Art of tinting is in the trim work.

 

[nobb]

I tried it and it's not worth it IMO for the ~$200 savings. I'm pretty picky and can't stand getting dust underneath. I do my own paint protection because some minor imperfections there are ok, but definitely never for window tint.

 

[Skippy722]

Originally Posted by nobb
I tried it and it's not worth it IMO for the ~$200 savings. I'm pretty picky and can't stand getting dust underneath. I do my own paint protection because some minor imperfections there are ok, but definitely never for window tint.


I burned a hole in mine.... got a bit happy with the heat gun lol. Ripped it all out and paid the ~$200 for a ceramic tint on my Caliber.

I like metallized film I got on the 300 better though, more shiny.

 

[meep]

i liked buying the roll and trimming myself, and then practicing a little first. Or having enough left over to redo a section if needed. I found it fun once I got a feel for it. Yeah you can burn it, over do it, scratch the surface, all sort of boo boos. There's a "feel" to it. Same with tinting fog lamps, etc.

-m

 

[Eddie]

I really like the idea of practicing and more practicing because, I see lots of obvious did-it-myself jobs that look like poop and full of air bubbles. Ed

 

[meep]

My first attempt in HS was just that. Bubbles and Bubbles. Didn't read the directions at all. The real teacher was the effort it then took to remove it, and remove all the glue left behind. That taught me to read the directions, long before the internet was a thing. Next time was much better, but still not great. The third time was spot-on, including a rear window with so many complex curves I had to do it in two pieces which slightly overlapped along a middle defroster wire ('97 legacy wagon). I used a mild tint with the pricier thermal barrier, so you could still see well but the interior was notably cooler. I think I helped with 2 more cars after that.

I miss the bronze tint. All this blue-ish tint ("grey" - lets in a lot of blue) can be harsh-looking from the inside. Back then there were a lot of offerings, but the brown/bronze tint was my favorite from inside the car without looking cold/blue-ish. The Bronz-ish tint only worked well on certain colored cars/vans, but looked just fine on my light dirt-colored ford escort.

PS - please never tint a windshield, even clear (heat block only). The PO of my wife's car had the windshield tinted clear, and it looks professionally done, however it wreaks havok with polarized sun glasses - everything is a headache-inducing rainbow when using the good glasses.