Has anyone tried to tint their own windows? Any tips? Should I bother trying?

 

when i tried with my friend it was a big disaster

 

Unless you're a professional tinter or have one on hand, then definitely not. First, the quality tint that you get in stores isn't any good, and second, every beginner screws up on a tint job at least the first ten times they try it. And don't forget, you only get one chance with the rear glass. In the end, it'll probably be cheaper to get it done professionally.

 

Thanks for your input...

 

I agree. From what I have read and seen in person it isn't worth it unless you're really broke or you already have a reasonable amount of experience in tinting (and can get a good tint).

This is especially true if you plan on keeping your car for a long time. Personally I'm going to shell out the bucks for a high quality job (based on customer feedback) using a good metallized/semi-metallized tint in the spring. Dyed tint doesn't last. My car is 12 years old, but I plan on keeping it until it falls apart.

 

Dyed tint does suck, as Bman said, it will turn to purple. That is why most places will not warranty it for fade or color change. I paid $230 for a Solarguard Quantum "Black Chrome" 19% tint job with a lifetime anything warranty. The tint is amazing, when I say "Black Chrome", I am talking about how it is a black tint, but it is reflective, similar to silver tint. It looks great. Here are a couple of show off pictures.

 

that tint is incredible!!!

 

I helped shavedmax do his on his other maxima and it came out pretty good, had we taken more time Im sure we could have gotten it 100%, but he even said on his max he would pay to have it done, its not impossible but if youve got the money you might as well get it done professionally.

 

how much does it run to get your windows tinted? I know theres a variety of prices, but something avg. not no show car.

 

for black tint, good quality (llumar) around $125- $175 for all six windows and the back done in 1 piece

 

When I had my tint done about 2 months ago, I was quoted for 140 for 35% Llumars on all windows, excluding the rear glass. I asked them how much they will charge if I removed the tint myself....and he quoted me 109. In the end, I only paid 109.

 

Just got my tint yesterday. A tinted Max looks
awesome. I went 20%. Dont go any lower or you look like a drug dealer. Dont even think about doing it yourself. It will be a disaster. Its not worth the time and agravation. It cost me $250 which is the avg price around my neck of the woods. Worth every penny. My Max is silver, and the contrasting colors brings out the paint job.

 

What is the most average/appealing tint job? When I get the money I was thinking about nothing on the windshield (illegal in Iowa), 35% on the front 2 windows, and 20% on all 3 rear windows, anyone else have a setup like this?

 

Its best to go even all around. In PA 70% is the legal limit. Im sure you have a limit in IA, and I bet it isnt close to 35%. Mind as well go 20% all around. It dosnt look near as good if you have the front 2 lighter than the rear. Im pretty sure that 20% is what most people have their cars tinted with. Make sure whoever does it installs the tint below the window strip (wont peal when rolling down the window). A good installer will pull your door panel. The best tint on the market is either Johnson, 3M, or Llumar. Make sure you get a lifetime warranty, and go to a place that you know will still be in business 5 years from now. Otherwise your warranty is worthless.

 

First check your local tint law

Get it done by a professional. Most likely you will get bubbles if you do it yourself.

 

I've never heard of that. Why would they pull the door panel? I'd rather not have them mess with it and cause rattles when they put it back together.

CM.

 

A good installer will not pull any panels out.

 

A good installer is qualified at pulling a panel and reinstalling it without any complications. My panels dont rattle at all. The place I went to also does audio work and has won several titles for providing quality work. Tint must be applied below the weather strip. If it is not, it has the possibility of being caught on the weather strip and being peeled off. Some tint places take the short and easy way out. They will tuck the weatherstrip down into the panel, apply the tint, and when the window is rolled back up, the weather strip goes back into place. Quality comes from putting time, and hard work into a job, not quick and easy. CanadianMoFo, make sure you qualify your installer by asking the important questions. Its not cheap so it is worth it to do your homework.

 

Hey Greenguy where did you have your tint done at in Philly

 

a good AUDIO installer is good at pulling door panels.

what a good TINTER will do is tuck the weather stripping down (if it's tight) or use the conqurer tool and the tint will just fall behind the weatherstripping.

if you're a tinter and need to pull the door panel then they aren't really a good tinter. tinting is all about turn over. they don't want to spend the extra time to pull your door panel and risk damaging it. they get paid per job...are you willing to pay like 100 more (example price) for the panels to come off?

let the tinter do the work...don't tell him how to do it. if you don't trust the guy's work then you should find another tinter.