I cannot afford to get my windows tinted professionally. I do have some time though. How hard would it be to tint my windows myself? What is the best brand of tinting film to use? I don't wan it to turn blue or bubble if I'm doing it tight. Anyone have experience doing this?

 

i dont have much expirence so i cant reccomend brands but its way to easy just follow the idiot proof directions and i reccomend you have someone to help you with it. it can be tough by yourself

 

Ahh hell ya man. Done this on my car so i can tell ya everything you need to know. Its cheap as hell thats why i did it. It works well if you do it in a garage thats lit well, mine wasnt it turned out pretty good anyways. I would say go for it. I got the autozone tint, needed two rolls for each side window. Havent done the back yet but its gunna be a bitch. The only reason i would take it in is for the back, and in that cause maybe the sides to have all matching uniform tint, but ill prob attempt the back myself.

 

Thats what I needed to hear I'm pulling the trigger when I get off work tomorrow. Will post up pics before/after when I'm done.

 

good deal and good luck! nows the best time to do it too because its hot outside and i dont think mine cured long enough like they probably should have. Cant wait to see the pics

Edit: now that i see your from texas too that will come in handy for ya! I wished i did it while i was there now im in WA and it's not needed as much

 

i plan to try it on my s10 beater first b4 i try it on my ta. the only thing im scared of is getting the wrong tint. OP- take b4 and after pics for us

 

I used this guys stuff:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...Q5fAccessories

My friend and I have done 3 F-body's with this tint, 1 Trailblazer, and have 2-3 more in line waiting to be done. It's pre-cut so you can't go wrong. The quality is amazing. It's actually black tint, not some cheap-o blue. And you CAN do the rear window out of 1 piece. It takes a long time, but it can be done. Again, we've done it 3 time's w/ perfect results each time.

Side windows in 20%






Rear hatch in 20%. It's much easier to tint w/ the hatch off.

Painting the dot matrix:

 

Same here, I used the same tint and did it myself. It's not hard, just takes patience. Look up proper installation techniques on youtube and just take your time!

 

oh man!! I may have to go through this ebay guy too.
Lotus289 have you gotten any crap from cops for having 20 on the front windows? I know Texas law is 25% is minimum.

 

I've got 20% on my side windows and 5% on my rear hatch. I did it back in February and no one has said anything about it yet.

 

How hard is it to take off the hatch? I want to do the same thing but didn't know the troubles

 

It's got four bolts near the roof and the two struts. Get a friend though because that sucker is HEAVY!

 

Lotus289 did you put it on the outside of the window? How common is it to do it that way? I've see people put it on the outside for for trimming. BTW there are a bunch of good videos on youtube about this subject. A DIYer should be able to do this with the a instruction.

 

You put it on the outside for trimming and fitting, then you remove the backing and put it on the inside. With the pre-cut tint, there is no need though since it's already done for you.

 

to answer the few questions.

- I've yet to have any trouble with running 20% all the way around :knocks on wood:
- We put the tint on the outside with the protective film still on it to shape it to the window. It takes about 2 hrs to shape it with a heat gun. Then you peel the backing off and stick it to the inside. I'd NEVER tint the outside.
- The hatch is easy to get off. 4 bolts for the hinges, the 2 struts, and the wire disconnect from under the headliner. You have to drop the rear of the headliner, disconnect the wiring, push it back through the hole in the roof, and it comes right out. And yes, bring a friend, it's VERY heavy.

 

More hassle than id wanna deal with, but you guys definitely have it right. Never seen the hatch off for it, but if you say its easier ill believe you. Ive also heard of vinyl on the dot matrix, instead of paint.

i have 25% on the sides, 5% on the back. Whats the longest youve used that tint on a vehicle? wonder if it stays black and all that good stuff.

 

I have done tinT and it is easy if you take your time and precut the pieces just a little bigger then the actual window..
get plenty of light so you can spot bubbles.. AND MAKE SURE TO WORK FROM THE MIDDLE OUT!!!!!!!

 

I've heard of using vinyl, but I painted the inside, not the outside (if that's what you were thinking) and I imagine the vinyl would be very similar to putting tint down as far as air bubbles. This way the tint lays over the paint and you have no chance of air bubbles.

And I've been running my tint for a little over a year and it's still nice and black. I really don't see this stuff 'blueing' over time. I guess the eBay seller runs a tint shop and sells just the tint online to us DIY'ers. When people pay $150+ for tinting they mostly likely paying for the labor.

 

yeah i think my whole car was 150-170 with the strip on the top of the windshield.

I guess the vinyls a lot more grabby than tint, but youre right youd still have to chase down bubbles to some extent.

 

+1 for the ebay tints