Doing tint yourself

hey everyone tinted windows before on a friends truck a few years ago. it was a mess. I found some quality precut tint for my 4runner. any tips to help make it easier on me to install it?

 

pay a pro to do it

 

I did all of my tint myself and I get compliments from friends saying that it looks professional. First I make sure that the window is clean from any dust or dirt. Then I spray the window with windex(some say that it is a bad idea but it has ALWAYS worked great for me. After that I apply the tint after removing that clear paper that is on it. Then I remove the air bubbles with a squeegee(spell check) starting from the middle. I then use a hair dryer and aim it at the tint to make it easier. And that is pretty much it. If you have any questions feel free to ask. *Make sure to do it on a day that is not chilly with no wind or in a garage*

 

X2 paying a pro!!!

 

ya'll hate DIY's dont ya. lol. Im not paying a pro to tint 7 windows. Me and a friend can do it ourselves. Just want a few pointers. I'll take it to a pro to tint the front windshield though... haha bet bet its not legal for anyone else to tint the windshield. :]

 

This. Bubbled up tint looks horrible.

I love DIYs, but I also recognize a bad idea when I see it.

 

if you can diy im all for it. i do everything to my truck myself except tint. i just dont have the pashance to do it and the guy i go to garentes it for 5 years and it looks factory.

 

I did it myself in my old truck and all I can say is I will never attempt it again. It's just one of those things where it's better to pay. But if you are going to try it yourself, mix a spray bottle with 1/2 baby shampoo and 1/2 water to spray on the windows then lay the tint on it and you can move it around freely. Then get one of those bondo applicator things or something with out sharp corners and just squeeze it all out and cut.

 

I'm a very patient person. I dont plan on doing it all in one day. Take time do it right or do it twice. I'll start with the rear sides and work my way forward. Probably wont start it today. But I will have pics when its done.

 

Good luck, I have failed miserably on my only attempt. I paid a pro to do it and still had him do it over (lifetime guarenteed) after a few weeks when issues arose.

 

LMAO....I love a DIY- I DIY'd my entire suspension, I DIY'd my supercharger on my last truck, I DIY'd an engine restoration on a buddies Thunderbird, I've DIY'd audio systems.

When I DIY'd tint- The results sucked...and I was doing it on an old square rear window...so the cutting wasn't the hard part. I can't think of any self done tints I've seen that have come out good.
Obviously the tint pros had to learn somewhere....but when I pay them I know they are going to not have bubbles and what not....or they are going to re do it...

 

I guess DIY is for people who are good with their hands. I tint people's cars/trucks at school for a fee Its all in your own skills I guess.

 

Never use Windex with tint... or any other ammonia based cleaner. The ammonia will eat through the adhesive. If it's totally dry before applying it... it should be ok but I personally wouldn't risk it.

 

I'm a sign guy and tint is very similar. I still don't bother tinting my own vehicles.

I'll second the windex eating the adhesive commetn.

 

DIY tint is known for one and only thing..trashy.

 

what would yall say is the best percentage tint? i dont want to get mine too dark but i want it dark enough to where it is noticeable

 

windex has never caused me any problems. and 35% isnt dark,but its enough to notice that you tinted them.

 

Another vote for using a pro!!

 

I'm all about DIY. I do everything myself. I have tried doing tint before, messed up a few times, got frustrated and quit.

I will just pay a pro to do it. It cost me $75 to get the front windows done on mine. Well worth it IMO.

 

I have 7 windows + 2 1/4 windows.. 75x7.5 = way to much for my tastings. Will be attempting the rear windows tomorrow. 2 a day on my off days. Will keep an update. thanks for the "helpful" tips lol. Like i said i've done it before, after a few attempts it came out great on a friends truck. I already have the tint it arrived friday. It cant be to hard. Once I get the hang of it it outta be a breeze.