DIY Window Tint

LOL yea right!! Im sure tint is popular down there

 

You must be new to the biz, the darkness of the tint has nothing to do with UV light filtering.

For example our windshields provide 99.99% UV filtering right from the factory.

The reason for this is the clear plastic sandwiched between the safety glass.

 

$80 is cheap.

That's $150 in my neck of the woods.

 

Yup.

Also you can get 90% film locally applied here with 99% UV blocking. It's a character of the film itself, nothing to do with the level of tint. 5% or 90% makes no difference.

 

Most definitely! But I feel tint is a must in just about any vehicle!

 

My buddy actually had the ceramic tint done and he got 15% and it looked just as dark as the 5% on my last truck from the outside however the inside was way easier to see out of. I think this was what @Jmad1997 was meaning.

 

Absolutely, i hate driving at night now because my back window is still stock and headlights give me a headache!

 

I like mine tinted because ABQ is in the top ten for vehicle theft! And I do not like people being able to see inside.

 

Question. Would I be better off if I waited till summer to get the tint for longevity purposes? I am concerned that it will not adhere as well at freezing temperatures. Or is that a non-concern?

 

If it's done inside and the shops has a heater shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't recommend rolling the windows down for at least a week to be 100% sure. And if there are any hydration spots keep an eye on then to ensure no bubbling occurs.

 

Correct!. poor wording on my part. For example residential window tinting the windows do not Change any but the film applied blocks the UV rays.

 

In summer it'll dry in 2 days.

In winter it's slower, but still dries. If you aren't in a hurry then I'd wait. The worst part for me when I got my cars tinted was not being able to roll the windows down for 3 days. #firstworld

 

flip the little flap and go to night time mode

 

Yeah, screw that. Just pay someone. If they screw up, they fix it. If you screw up, it's another $30.

 

I agree. I'm pretty handy with a wrench and will tackle just about anything on a vehicle, but window tint and automatic transmissions go to a pro.

For reference, I paid $225 to have my DC tinted with a 6" stripe across the front windshield.

I understand your want to DIY and/or save some money, but for that guy to charge you $80 isn't exactly a ripoff as you're making it sound. After materials what do you think he's making off you? It costs money to operate a business and his experience is worth something, plus I'm sure there is some type of warranty/guarantee with his work and product?

 

That's not bad. I paid around 200 for the front doors brow and double layered tint on the back doors and window. I've tinted vehicles myself and it's a pain. Tint is 20 a roll and you need the squeege and spray that come in that kit. Small curve makes it a real bitch. Personally I'd pay the extra 50 because the headache is not worth it. If you choose to do it yourself put the truck in the garage, close the door and spray down the floor with water. I swear little bits of dirt and hair and what not find its way in the tint.

 

ive done my own tint before its easy, most people that DIY don't sqeegy the water out enough and have bubbles! Plus I like how they have tint now pre cut to a specific vehical. Don't listen to people that say pay the extra money which have no skill or just plain lazy. Make sure its over 70 degrees and just YOUTUBE a how to tint video!

 

+1, I have done 2 trucks. While it turned out good back when I did it you could not buy quality tint. Not sure if things have changed but at one time the good tint was only available to installers.

 

I spent weeks researching the various films out there, lurked on a window tinters forum and visited 4 or 5 local tint companies. I learned that all the top rated film companies only sell to authorized dealers. You won't find their products at the local auto parts store or on ebay. After watching a pro do an install with the proper tools in a dust free shop, I realized it was a job worth paying for. Top quality film that I couldn't get my hands on, excellent install with transferable lifetime warranty on material and labor.

 

I've had tint on my last 4 vehicles, something unique to trucks that have a rear sliding window: Make sure to inspect where the tint butts up to the window frame panels/dividers. I've learned that when they finish the job I ask them to leave the truck parked in their shop, with the back window facing their roll-up door. With the vehicle in the dark facing the bright door it's super easy to spot gaps where the tint doesn't extend to the edge of the window panel. Also look along the bottom of the back glass to make sure they trimmed it neatly. I had a shop that "finished" the back window but when I inspected it I saw the bottom looked like a wood saw blade, but it was tucked into the slider channel so you couldn't see it unless you got up close and personal! Also make sure they clean up the trimmings from inside the cab & bed, that irritated the shit out of me when I got home and looked down. I've never had quality issues with the side windows, those are pretty easy since all 4 edges are tucked into the weather stripping.