window film 101

[jimp]

cobra;
about 10 miles east of you in the big town of M'ville

[GasGuage]

I hear a few of you saying to leave it to the pro's. I mean, how hard can it be?? Surely not rocket science. The pro's had to start somewhere. Had they not, they wouldn't be doing what they're doing. I have experience with auto & MC decals. I've used the soapy water technique for those also. I had a friend have his box van windows tinted for security reasons. When he got it back it was already purple to begin with. It cost him alot of money too. I believe I could pull it off on the pickup rear & quarter windows. I never had to trim the decals. I would imagine you use a razor blade. Do you just squeegee it out as far to the edge as possible, let it dry, then trim? Also, what kind of squeegee is involved. Is it a special tool, or just something like a filler spreader used in a body shop. That's what we used on the decals. And does it scratch very easily? I have nothing but time, so if it screws up, I'll just take it back off & start over.

[93Cobra#2771]

Jimp - it's a small world. LOL

Tint isn't as forgiving as decals. All it takes is a single piece if lint to ruin a window. Squeegies are soft rubber, bondo spreaders will scratch it badly.

To trim, to apply the tint backwards on the outside of the window, squeegie it down, and trim. Then, remove the protective film and apply to the inside.

Yes, it is relatively easy to damage. Not near as durable as a decal with the protective later on top. With tint, you are squeegie directly on the tint surface.

Todays curved glass usually requires a heat gun to heat shrink the tint and force it to conform to the curve. If you don't, it's like trying to wrap a bowling ball.

My point is that if you diy, and have never seen or helped someone do it, you will most likely be disappointed.

And it is a whole lot harder to remove than apply. The glue is a serious pita to get off.

[GasGuage]

Yeah, I guess nothing would be better then an experienced mentor. I was poking around online & found supply companies that offer a how to DVD. They also have all kinds of tools to work with. One company even offered a lifetime guarantee never to fade or turn "purple." Hmmmm, I wonder how good that is? Everything is pre-cut too. For less then 60 bux, I could do the rear side & back glass on the pickup.

[almightybmw]

Screw paste on tint. I want tinted GLASS. No film, no plastic. I want the glass itself colored. Expensive? oh yes. No bubbles? heck yes. No fading/purpling? Even more heck yes. Lifetime? Double heck yes. If you're going to do it right, might as well do it right.