Home tinting my windows

LynnBob Mustang · 12-26-2008, 12:49 PM

I'm going to giving my own window tint a try for at least my front and side windows.
This is a question for you guys that have your windows tinted already...

When I cut the window tint out for the side door windows should I make the tint go under the rubber door weather strip or should it be cut even with the top weather strip, but not go under it?
The rear sides look self explanitory, just cut enough tint to cover the exposed window but not go under the interior trim, correct?

The back window I may leave to the professionals.

Lynn

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carlastang · 12-26-2008, 12:55 PM

never done it myself, but have had every single vehicle I've owned tinted. and in my opinion it should definitely go beyond the weather strip as far as you can get with the razor. Remember, it will tuck under the strip inside the vehicle and disappear. Otherwise you will see the edge of the tint.

LynnBob Mustang · 12-26-2008, 01:01 PM

Thats kind of what I figured, but wanted to make sure.
I thought if it was on top of the weather strip you would see and it would also create an edge for which to catch and pull up the window tint.
Thanks,
Lynn

HateWhatOwnsYou · 12-26-2008, 01:07 PM

theoretically it should go under the weather strip. i just tinted my windows 2 weeks ago and i couldnt get it to slide under the weather strip. so i said f it, it will still be fine and you cant see the bottom of the tint.

LynnBob Mustang · 12-26-2008, 01:20 PM

Did you cut the tint so it was bigger then the over all window then cut it down after you squeeged it down?
How did you do the back window? Was that a pain in the butt?

I have seen precut window tint for our cars at Avanced auto and thought about getting that and trying the back on my own.

Over all how was it to do?
Lynn

HateWhatOwnsYou · 12-26-2008, 01:54 PM

yea i cut the tint about an inch bigger, and i tried to slide the tint down, but the window strip was just to tight against the window and wouldnt let it go past.

the front windows and 2 small rears were a snap. i also did a stip across the front window. the only problem im having is that the dot matrix's hold the tint up. when i put it on there was not a single bubble, after a couple days the tint started pulling up and it wont go back down. it doesnt look bad like bubbles do tho

the rear window im not touching, im not even going to pull the old tint off.

Trob · 12-26-2008, 05:26 PM

Coming from someone who tinted windows for 2 years. If you are going to have the back tinted profesionally, just get all of them done the right way. Its only about 120 bucks for our cars, and from a good shop that will be a lifetime warranty. If youve never tinted windows before, you might not want to start with your car. Because if you mess up, its going to run you about 70 bucks to get it profesionally removed. Last time i tinted someones windows it cost them about 60 bucks for the tint, IMO just get it done the right way the first time. But if you know how to tint and your good at it go for it. The tint should go under the weather strip.

0440thgt · 12-26-2008, 06:49 PM

When I was in high school I tinted the windows in my old Chevy truck.

I had NO IDEA what I was doing. I took pieces of cardboard and made templates and transferred them to the tint before cutting it out. Overall, it turned out extremely well. I took my time and enjoyed the process.

I'll take my Stang to the pros though. Like mentioned above, it's only about 100 bucks and if my memory is correct, I spent about 60 on tint for the truck and that was 6 years ago.

GregElliott · 12-26-2008, 07:56 PM

when the shop tinted my windows, they pushed the inside weather strip down into the door as far as possible, put the tint on, and then left the weatherstip like that... then several days later when it was dry enough to roll down the windows, when I rolled em back up the weather strip came back up to its normal position.

01snake · 12-26-2008, 08:12 PM

for the top:
if your good enough..i have only done it a couple times. when you get the tint on the window the extra you take a razor and trim it off. this is extremely hard, takes alot of practice. but if doen right your whole window will be covered with tint.

NOW, the much easier way..
-clean window
-roll down window ~4"
-cover window (leave ~3" tint overhang)
-trim the excess tint off with a razor blade following the window edge
-TRICKY PART whole tint piece down just under the edge of the window
-continue to squeege the window and roll up and finish bottom

for the bottom:
-after you finish the top part of the window roll it up
-cut ~1/2" extra at the bottom
-peel back the weather strip and tuck the tint GENTLY down
-take a squeege and stick it in there and get out all the excess water
-let go of weather strip

NOW..some will cut it just above the weather strip. but im not a fan of that.
#1 it looks better tucked itno the weather strip
#2 if done properlly you wont have to worry about it getting snagged up on it and peeling off

if it was me i would just take it to get professionally down. ive tinted 5 cars.(some my own, and other for friends). i can gurantee you will burn threw more rolls of tint then you can imagine if its your first time. you will mess up and get fingers, or have missed hairs or particles you did no clean off good enough.

back windows i have yet to do but know what needs to be down as far as shrinking, these are the hardest. if you cant do the 2 front windows dont even bother.

IF you go to put a tint strip on, most of the time you will need to heat shrink the tint to follow the curve of the glass. i would not recommend doing this. because the windshield is 2 pieces of glass and if one gets hotter then the other.......crack

just my .2

have fun, but it will take time