DIY window tinting

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23 Oct 2010
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Location
Telford, Shropshire
Hi all,

I'm looking to tint the rear windows on my 2007 volvo c70. I'm thinking a 20% tint and buying them precut. This is purely for astheatics.

I have watched a few videos and it really doesn't look to difficult, I'm quite good at turning my hand to things. A couple of questions.

1 - What fluid do I need to use? Obviously cleaning fluid to clean everything down. Is it just water to slide the tint into place? Do I need some sort of adhesive, as I realise the tint comes pre applied with adhesive.

2 - Has anyone done this before?

It's obviously a cost saving solution, but I'd rather not ruin the motor. Heres a pic of the car (on a particuarly damp day)....

20160202_161113_zpsq5lb59cd.jpg


Any advise greatly appreciated.
 
I wouldn't. I thought the same, Bought pre cut tints and it was the worst thing I've ever done! Better off getting it done professionally.
If you still want to do it, you need a squeegee, spray bottle with water and a dash of fairy liquid and a whole load of patience!
Oh and some sort of a blade to cut to size if you need to
 
I wouldn't bother it's a lot harder than it looks. A car I had done a few years ago it took the guy 2 hrs and he had been doing it for years. Most professional placed remove the door cards and glass etc and do it in a proper garage under strobe lights so there is no outside dust or bits getting on the glass.
It only costs about £100-£150 for the rear done properly
 
skaif said:
I wouldn't. I thought the same, Bought pre cut tints and it was the worst thing I've ever done! Better off getting it done professionally.
If you still want to do it, you need a squeegee, spray bottle with water and a dash of fairy liquid and a whole load of patience!
Oh and some sort of a blade to cut to size if you need to
Click to expand...

Could you elaborate please? Were the tints crap/wrong size, or just a ball ache to get right?
 
Won't the folding mechanism just peel the tints off? If you have a heated rear screen or windows with the little black dots it will look rubbish.
 
Are all rear screens not heated?

The folding mechanism shouldnt affect anything, the tint won't touch the edges and its a hard fold.
 
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I'll just leave this here (not mine, saw it at a service station)...

uFGMuY8.png


Good luck! :D

Haha seriously, I think the pre-cut ones come at a reasonable cost... And you'd probably be better off just putting a bit more in and getting it done professionally..
 
I laughed quite hard at that picture!

I've decided for £25 to give it a go. I'll update Friday and let you know how it goes
 
I seriously wouldn't, you will have to go through the ball ache of removing them when you fluff it up... :p
 
Look up George Berry Tints on Facebook. He's not far from Telford, does a good price and a night quality job.

DIY is a very difficult way to get right.
 
If it helps i watched the guys who did mine.

-they used a flat blade to clean windows
-used lots of soapy water
-pulled the door cards back but didn't take the windows out
-fitted the tint to the outside first with loads of water and then used a heat gun to shrink it to fit the curve of the window
-they then fit to inside again with lots of soapy water
-finally using some sort of craft knife trimmed the edges

They told me not to open the windows for a couple of days and that was it. Twice i used these guys and both times were perfect.

Oh and don't get the cheap stuff that looks purple.
 
I used Eclipse in Stafford as do the VW, BMW and other dealers in the area for aftermarket window tinting. I did do them myself in the 80's and they came out great as was done on a damp still day so reduce dust. As any dust on the window will show up like a sore thumb, I would never do it again when there are specialist places now that do it.
 
Think of it like fitting a giant screen protector and that should tell you enough to know whether you want to give it a go or not.

I'd never try this myself.
 
Fixed side windows are quite easy to do, but the rear window is a different story. It will look a mess if you don't get it perfect. You have to use a heat gun to shape it first (otherwise you will get air bubbles) and stick it on without creasing it.

I had a go but just ended up paying someone to do it. It's harder than you think it will be.
 
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IAmATeaf said:
So how would the professionals get rid of any dust that might get trapped?
Click to expand...

They do it indoors in a proper garage under strobe lighting so they can see anything on the glass! If OP attempts to fit the tints outside while the wind etc is blowing it's just going to look a mess
 
Out of curioisity i went with a friend to get the tints done on his car, and its a fairly involved process, not rocket science, but i think you need lots and lots of p[ractise, for what it would cost on your car, i wouldnt waste my time and energy.

I think they key is to get the glass cleaner than clean and the tints have to be heated to cater for any curvature in the glass.
 
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