Do it yourself tint?

[godzillarb]

I'm looking at some of these do it yourself tint kits on ebay, anyone ever tried this stuff before? I'd just take my car to a shop but to be totally honest I don't trust random people with the keys to my car, the temptation to go take it for a test drive would be entirely too strong. Plus saving a bunch of money is always nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230087214450&rd=1&rd=1

[kdashy]

Why dont you drop off the car and make a note of the milage?

Also do it yourself kits usually suck, bubble and fade real quick.

[eastcoastS14]

dont get that crap...DIY tint will come out like total ass if you dont do it 100% right...its pretty easy to get bubbles and what not and make it look horrible, plus the ones that ive seen look super cheap compared to real tint. Just bring it to a shop, and unless your driving a rocket ship i dont think anyone at the shop will be tempted to take it out for a test drive...if youre really that worried about it right down the mileage when you drop it off. Seriously tho that would be a dumb move on a shops part to take their customers cars out for test drives, find a reputable place not some chop shop and its tint so they couldnt even justify driving it...and as always you get what you pay for

[eastcoastS14]

^^ lol kdashy is much more concise than i am ha

[godzillarb]

I think some of the stories i've heard from people that work at places like that have just scared me a little. Especially if you're really particular, seems like you'll get extra "special" treatment. I'll probably just put the stock ECU in that doesn't let you rev past 3k haha

[sliddinsil8o]

why dont you just do the tint yourself. i did on my 180...i think i got like 10% for all my windows. took me about 5 hours to do all the window, outside while it was windy...so i was kinda rushing it. had some small bubble here and there but nothing major. but my point is that tinting window is really easy...just need to take your time like everything else.

[zugoi]

Well i dont think it can be that bad. If they use the same tint other shops it will be the same. The only hard part about doing tint is the cutting and its all done. I think you should give it a try. I mean where im from it would cost about 100-120 bucks to get it done. It should be hard to put on tint. Just clean the glass and spray water on glass and apply. I dont think you need glue.

[sliddinsil8o]

Nope..No GLUE (haha I laughed a litte inside sorry) tinted should have a pre adhesive already on it

[harleys]

don't do it yourself, unless you don't care about bubbles, and trash all in your windows. also, you don't just put it on, you have to use a heat gun and shrink the tint to the shape of the window before ever attempting to put it on the inside of the glass. trust me, i work at a stereo/tint shop. just take it somewhere.

EDIT: and if it isn't 3M, it isn't the best.

[89dc240]

You can do it. dont they sell tint kits at your auto shops near ya? I've done my current and previous truck with no problems. Just make sure your razor is super sharp, the windows are really clean, try to do it in a garage with lots of light(no wind or dust bein blown around). Its not hard just go SLOW. on the other hand, $120 for a pro install with probably a guarantee isnt bad.

[Wahl 136]

Why don't you just call around and find out when the shop would beable to get it in to do it. Then just have a friend follow you and wait it out in the parking lot or something if your that concerned with them joyriding your car. I worked at a vinyl shop that did tint, it's a lot harder than you think. Let a pro do it.

[axiomatik]

the amount of money it costs to get it done is well worth it. it will take you hours and hours, and in the end, not be as good.

[5t341tH]

might as well pay 120 bucks for all windows tinted. no hassle and they rarely mess up.
thoh i did see them do my driver/passenger window....it took like 2 minutes for both....

[kandyflip445]

I got my neighbor to do mine in the winter. NEVER DO IT IN THE WINTER! When I got mine done it was cold out and it didn't cure right. So now the tint is purple and I need to have it redone.

3M tint is the best you can get. For any given percentage tint the 3M is usually a little darker. Also if you get 3M tint you can call up 3M and ask them for certified dealers/installers in your area. If you don't get someone certified, 3M will not back the warantee.

[94cc0rd]

why not just drop your car off and stand there while they do it...

Usually they won't let you in the "garage" or workspace so just stand outside where you can still see your car..

And like everyone else has said here, tint is something that should be done by pros.

[los_inc]

i say give it a whirl with some decent razors, heat gun and film like johnson or 3m.
if it looks like ass peel it and cough off the loot to get it installed
professionally.
-los

[sr20boostn20]

i never tinted windows a day in my life, i went to autozone bout some bs 5% tint and tinted my s13, it came out good, now im a suntek dealer and i do it as a side job. all you need is the film a spray bottle with some baby shampoo and a squeegee, (heat gun for curved windows) it only costs like 15 bucks for a 6 ft sheet, i say go for it

[kidswole]

hey man Im a tinter, (and full time student) but I got to tell you its not really that hard if you are somewhat artistic and you have used olfa knife before, I can tell you what you need to know and what tools to get it done decent in your driveway (just pm me). But honestly dude 120 to get your car done is pretty decent ( if the quality is good) to do a car like a 240 I charge 145 w/o visor. And most respectable shops won't test drive your car!

Also, be choosey on what tint you go with, some cheaper junk like Gilla from autozone and places like that are o.k. but dont have the technology to keep it from fading as fast (cheap dyes, fewer layers,etc) also the glue on some of the cheaper tints dont want to stick as well.

good luck,

[kidswole]

no offense but
purple tint = you use ammonia based window cleaner regularly on the tint (windex and other household window cleaners)

and-or

the tint is just a cheaper brand with weak dye,
unless it is a metallic film that doesn't use dyes but those never turn purple.

from now on try using cleaning with a lint free cloth or water or non-ammonia window cleaner

[ALTRNTV]

Be sure to take pictures of the bubbles after you put on the tint yourself.

[street240]

When I got my windows tinted, I told them I was not going to leave my car and I stood in there the whole time. I also told them that I would pull it in and out. It came out great and never bubbled.

[kandyflip445]

Oh yeah, if you do order it, if there are any creases in the tint when you get it send it back. You cannot remove them. I was going to do it myself before but the place I got it from sent it usps. When I got it the package looked like people had ran over it and used is for batting practice.

[ooowowizstev]

pretty good!

[projectRDM]

I tinted for a few years too, and the common automobile owner doesn't have a chance in hell of doing a good job. Even reading some of these replies I'm cringing. For one, you can't use a carbon blade on glass without leaving marks, razor blades and regular Olfa blades will cut into the glass. Secondly, rear windows or ones with curvature really need to be heatedshrinked to the glass before applying it.
I'm sure the people replying who say their's turned out good are comparing it to total ass, which in most cases should look better, but that doesn't mean it's right and it will last. Plus I don't see any reason why you shouldn't trust the tinter, if you're there with the car do you really expect them to do a banzai run up the highway? If anything, take off the door panels, rear deck, any parts to make thier job easier, they'll appreciate it.

[Phlip]

I tinted for a few years too, and the common automobile owner doesn't have a chance in hell of doing a good job. Even reading some of these replies I'm cringing. For one, you can't use a carbon blade on glass without leaving marks, razor blades and regular Olfa blades will cut into the glass. Secondly, rear windows or ones with curvature really need to be heatedshrinked to the glass before applying it.
I'm sure the people replying who say their's turned out good are comparing it to total ass, which in most cases should look better, but that doesn't mean it's right and it will last. Plus I don't see any reason why you shouldn't trust the tinter, if you're there with the car do you really expect them to do a banzai run up the highway? If anything, take off the door panels, rear deck, any parts to make thier job easier, they'll appreciate it.

Hey Russ, wanna tint my windows when I am in town weekend after next, since I cartwheeled the S14 5 days before you were supposed to do it?

[kidswole]

I tinted for a few years too, and the common automobile owner doesn't have a chance in hell of doing a good job. Even reading some of these replies I'm cringing. For one, you can't use a carbon blade on glass without leaving marks, razor blades and regular Olfa blades will cut into the glass. Secondly, rear windows or ones with curvature really need to be heatedshrinked to the glass before applying it.
I'm sure the people replying who say their's turned out good are comparing it to total ass, which in most cases should look better, but that doesn't mean it's right and it will last. Plus I don't see any reason why you shouldn't trust the tinter, if you're there with the car do you really expect them to do a banzai run up the highway? If anything, take off the door panels, rear deck, any parts to make thier job easier, they'll appreciate it.

1- true his tint job will have trash in it but, if you are very cautious in prepping the window it won't be too bad.
2- I definitely suggest having a pro do all back glasses, Remove the plastic at the bottom of the rear triangle windows because those aren't fun.
3- Some of the heat shrinking (not heated shrinking) on the 240 will be too complex for someone inexperienced so you may not want to try it, it is likely you will melt and crease it. if anything put the visor on!
4- If you have a pro do it make sure they do a back glass in one piece, not that old school two-piece or even strips that are still being done.

5-Yes, any razor blade will scratch glass, if its dull! I buy all my stuff from Johnson's and I NEVER SCRATCH glass. before I started tinting I used cheap blades from autozone to do my own cars and didnt scratch . so , you decide

peace

[godzillarb]

I definitely think I'm going to pass on the do it yourself tint...I was reading up on the process a lot of professional tint shops use and whatnot, definitely more to getting things perfect that I originally thought.

I've got enough things to frustrate me for now...no need to throw a shitty tint job in there as well.

[kidswole]

I definitely think I'm going to pass on the do it yourself tint...I was reading up on the process a lot of professional tint shops use and whatnot, definitely more to getting things perfect that I originally thought.

I've got enough things to frustrate me for now...no need to throw a shitty tint job in there as well.

aight man , just tryin to help

good luck

[5t341tH]

im thinkin about tinting the top portion of my windshield. how do u guuys think it would look? i was thinkin of doing it myself too.

[zugoi]

man i dont think you need "pros" unless you wanna pay alot for it. Tint cant be that hard. I will try mine when i get a chance. The shops prolly just hire someone off the streets and just teach them on the spot. Its not rocket science.Just do it urself first and if u mess it up SOOO bad then goto a shop.

[Phlip]

man i dont think there are "pros" unless you wanna pay alot for it. Tint cant be that hard. I will try mine when i get a chance. The shops prolly just hire someone off the streets and just teach them on the spot. Its not rocket science.Just do it urself first and if u mess it up SOOO bad then goto a shop.

So what you're saying is that it is more than acceptable to undertake something knowing that your inexperience is more than likely, given the described experiences of others who have been there point to it not being as easy as you seem to think it will be, will see you fail? On top of that, it is okay with you to have to do something twice when you do not have to? Sounds a lot like selling my car to ride a fuckin' donkey.
I'll pay someone to do it, I will pay them to do it one time, my time is too valuable to be wasted.

[zugoi]

Well go right ahead. what i said is my opinion. Its my car and id tell everyone else that why not try it yourself and learn so you can do it again to your friends car or what not. Im not going to pay someone everytime i need my car worked on. I think the hardest part on doing tint is the cutting, but the guy is buying a kit thats pre-cut. All he has to do is clean the glass and appy the tint and like others say use a heat gun or blow dryer. Doesnt sound hard to me at all.

[kdashy]

man i dont think you need "pros" unless you wanna pay alot for it. Tint cant be that hard. I will try mine when i get a chance. The shops prolly just hire someone off the streets and just teach them on the spot. Its not rocket science.Just do it urself first and if u mess it up SOOO bad then goto a shop.

Wow, that is just not an acceptable 30th post on this thread, after all thats been said.

Try reading this thread, you might learn something.

[kidswole]

Wow, that is just not an acceptable 30th post on this thread, after all thats been said.

Try reading this thread, you might learn something.

yeah thats pretty funny,

And another thing, hair dryers don't get not enough to shrink tint, maybe if you stand there for about 30minutes on one "finger" or "tunnel" it may get hot enough to squiggle up and shrink

Like I said before,if youre super patient and anal about detail you may be able to fart out a somewhat decent tint job, (that looks good from about 50 feet away)

If you do want to try something, do the Visor strip across the front windshield, its easy, some cars you don't have to shrink, and it's just easy practice and easy to remove if you get tons of trash in it.

GL

[leonphelpss11]

sit there and watch em do it, my friend works there and they do it in like 2 hrs or summin like that... i think you'd have 2 hours to spare

[rowdogg03]

too bad you guys dont live in San Diego, I took my car to TJ and had all 5 windows tinted for 50bucks out the door. Great quality too... no runs, or bubbles... Gotta love Mexico :]

[datsun510dude]

Tinting isnt THAT hard...one of the most important steps is PREP work! Just imagine getting the tint on...only to look from the outside and see small dots from pieces of dirt on the window. I was showed how to tint by a pro that told me a good glass cleaner and newspaper will clean the crap off the windows.All the things you need are a good tint (shrinkable is easier for us rear side hatch glass guys), spray bottle, 1 mother f***in sharp razor blade, "tint on" liquid, bondo style spreaders, and a heat gun would help too. (All this stuff except the good quality tint can be purchased at walmart) Heres a quick rundown of how i learned on my ae86

**best to do this in a low wind and in a heated or warm garage if possible

Clean windows better than you ever have, inside AND out

Cut film a little larger than the size you need for the window

Mix the "tint on" and water per instructions in the spray bottle

Spray mixture abundantly on outside of window

Place film adhesive side out (toward you) on the OUTSIDE of window

Cut the shape of the window out in the film as clean as possible

Move inside the car

Wet inside of glass with mixture, as well as tint and as you peel back the tint from the backing, spray the adhesive on the tint so particles dont get stuck on it

Place wet tint on soaking wet window and start from the center of the tint with the bondo scraper/squeege and squeeze the tint down onto the window by pushing the water mixture out.

Repeat the squeegeeing action until most of the water is gone and all the little bubbles are gone.

Remember that the tinted windows should not be rolled down or anything for a few days as the glue isnt completely set.:drama:

....Its simple on paper, but once you get in your car, its a whole different game....hope this helps someone out!

[nissan240syan]

do it yourself is pretty hard not to bubble and does not look dark at all. If your afraid the "tinter" will test drive it then just wait their, when I got my tint done it took 2 hours and looks a lot better than when I did it myself

[skylinekin]

did mine myself, cost me $20 and didnt take too long, where I live front window tint is illegal so If I get pulled over for it and have to take it off no big deal.

[datsun510dude]

Heres instrustions from TAP Plastics' site. I used TAPs 5% on my rear and it looks decent. Few small pin bubbles in the corner from DIRT, so be sure to scrape and clean windows as good as possible!! Microfiber towel (12 for $2 @ Walmart) and a can of invisiable glass (about $3?) and your set, also use a razor on the windows w/o defrosters.

http://www.tapplastics.com/uploads/pdf/Product%20Bulletin%208.pdf_

[thejapino]

For everyone saying
"if you mess up the first time, take the tint off and get it done/try again",
you might mess up the rear defroster when pulling off the old tint. If your defroster doesn't work anymore in the first place, try it then.

Professionals take 2 hours on a tint job b/c they are PROFESSIONALS. If you think you can do what they do in 2 hours it'll either come out shitty or you would have only done your two front windows. Just get it done at a shop. Money well spent IMHO. Everyone I know that thought it was easy and tried the 'do-it-yourself' tint method just ended up taking it off and getting it done.

Also, you could get it cheaper if you get more than one car tinted! Hook up your brother/sis/mom/dad/gf and your $120 240sx tint job might end up being $80. Save everyone some money.

[datsun510dude]

For everyone saying
"if you mess up the first time, take the tint off and get it done/try again",
you might mess up the rear defroster when pulling off the old tint. If your defroster doesn't work anymore in the first place, try it then.


If your pretty quick with taking it off you shouldnt damage the defrosters...if you ARE worried about it they sell "tint off" at walmart...spray, lay a bag over the window (side tint is on so the plastic clings to the wet inside of window) leave for 10 minutes and come back and the tint should come right off. Did it on a few friends cars (G20, 240, civic) without problems.

[driftenthusiast]

Any reputable shop will have a waiting room for customers staying and you can usually see the door if they took your car out you would know.

[kanagawa_kouki]

Get it done professionally... C'mon now it isn't that expensive! and trust me it will be worth it!

[ixfxi]

I tinted for a few years too, and the common automobile owner doesn't have a chance in hell of doing a good job. Even reading some of these replies I'm cringing. For one, you can't use a carbon blade on glass without leaving marks, razor blades and regular Olfa blades will cut into the glass. Secondly, rear windows or ones with curvature really need to be heatedshrinked to the glass before applying it.
I'm sure the people replying who say their's turned out good are comparing it to total ass, which in most cases should look better, but that doesn't mean it's right and it will last. Plus I don't see any reason why you shouldn't trust the tinter, if you're there with the car do you really expect them to do a banzai run up the highway? If anything, take off the door panels, rear deck, any parts to make thier job easier, they'll appreciate it.

well said... as always.

not to mention, back when i actually CARED about bullshit like tint.. the entire process only took about 1-2 hours, its rather quick.

bring some grub and just hang out with your tinter. its not surgery, its a fuckin tint job.

[datsun510dude]

Tint Plus in Fremont,CA (NORCAL) does a pretty clean job, they use suntek tint and provide a lifetime warentee. $160 for rear 3 in my ladies 07 subaru

[thejapino]

I paid $190 for 7 windows for the E34 with 3M. I got a good deal!