DIY Window Tint

After getting multiple quotes for around $80 for just my back windshield and the two little windows in my access cab i have decided to try and do the tint on my own. From looking around i can get it done on my own for about $20-$30. I was wondering if anyone has done their own and if so have any info on it? Thanks everyone!

 

My only advise would be pay the extra $50 and have it done correctly.

 

I would but I'm more of a do it "myselfer". Plus that extra $50 will be going to a lot more stuff.

 

Good luck. It's not impossible to DIY, but it's not easy either.

The odds are instead of saving $50 you'll wind up wasting $30.

However, I appreciate a Scottsman's approach! Good luck!

 

I've done it on trucks in the past...it's very difficult to make sure there are no bubbles. What I did was take the entire back glass out of the truck, bring it inside the house, and lay it flat so it was a little easier. Did the same thing with the side windows too (this was on a Ford Ranger). No bubbles, but there were some dust particles in there, but it turned out well. Best advice, take your time and make sure you don't try to cut it until after you have smoothed out everything, so you don't undercut.

 

Awesome I appreciate the advice!

 

I did mine myself once and I would never again. I even bought the precut pieces and it was still hard as hell to get right and it started peeling after a year.

I paid $160 for only my front side windows on my current truck so $80 is cheap.

 

Place the tint on the outside of the side windows and use a heat gun to stretch it to the curve of the window. There is a slight curve and you'll have a damned time getting the bubbles/wrinkles out if you skip this step. Move the heat gun around a lot because if you stay in one place too long, the tint will shrink instead of stretch. The back window is flat so you should probably start there since it will be easier. Make sure to use lots of water or some water with a drop of soap added when actually applying the tint so you can slide it into place before it sticks to the glass. It also helps keep the static cling down once you peel the backing off. Wrap your squeegee in a microfiber cloth or Scott shop towel to prevent scratching the tint as you're getting the bubbles out. It will also help absorb the water you'll be squeezing out. Other than that, you tube is your friend. Like others have said- it's not hard, but you may mess up a panel or two before you get it right.

 

I do tint and vinyl wrap for a living and you would be better off paying a professional to do it. You'll waste 30$ on materials and will not have the correct squeegees or cleaning solution. If your looking at pre cut films off the internet stay away they are not the quality film and neither is the autozone stuff. A reputable tint shop will have quality tint that only authorized dealers can get there hands on... also the back glass on trucks is probably the hardest window to do because there is no real deal to tuck the window behind so it has to be perfect.

 

Yea i have read that a heat gun is a must!

 

I

I probably will wait and have a professional do it I'm just annoyed that the guy i have used for years has went from $80 to do my whole truck on all my past trucks to $80 for just the back.

 

Yeah that would piss me off to... maybe he switched films because I spend about 225+ on a roll of film. Make sure he uses quality film for that price as well

 

Yeah man, let a professional do it and make sure they have a warranty on the work done. Not worth the headache to save a few bucks that may cost you more in the long run

 

Well thats the thing he has always used 3M but a shop down the street has started using something with a ceramic? not sure much about that stuff. ive heard its good though.

 

Good call going to a professional. I am about as big of a DIYer as there has ever been, however, window tint is something I will pay a professional to do. It is just one of those things that unless you know exactly what you are doing it is a nightmare and it likely will not turn out well.

Funny you bring this up actually, I have been putting off getting tint myself. It is about time I have it done.

 

Ceramic stuff is pretty good it blocks UV rays very well without having to go with super dark tint. And it also resist turning that purple you see in real old tint jobs (or shitty film).

 

If only you guys were local to me I would hook you guys up!

 

I did my side windows on my old truck once, i took the windows out and laid them flat. I went way too dark and after i got em done i allmost got pulled over. I went right home and peeled them off i didnt need the tickets. I had them on my truck probably 6 hours at most and it was a giant pain in the ass. If i ever did it again id gladly pay a pro.

 

Where are you located?

 

Albuquerque New Mexico (its one of the 50 states I swear)