Regardless of the time of year, whether it's a blindingly bright, winter's morning or in the heat of summer, the interior of your car can seriously bake, and the bright sun can make it difficult to see while driving. Applying window tint to your vehicle is a simple way to block UV rays that can damage the interior of your car, as well as your skin. Window tinting can also keep your car cooler in the sun, so you don't get scorched on your leather seats, and it can reduce glare as well.
Prying eyes can also be a bother, especially if you keep valuables in your car. If you want more privacy, window tinting prevents others from seeing into your vehicle and also reduces the risk of someone trying to break in. Window tinting has the added bonus of increasing the shatter resistance of your windows while making your car look sleek and stylish. These benefits of tinting your car's windows can make your vehicle more comfortable, cooler and even more aesthetically appealing.
No matter your reason for installing window tint in your vehicle, these simple instructions will allow you to tint your own car windows like a pro!
Before diving into the window tinting process, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
If this is your first time installing tint and you do not have any tools for window tinting, buying an application kit is a great way to get started. The Gila Window Tint Application Kit includes a squeegee, razor blade, low-lint cloth and pre-mixed application fluid to get you on your way. The Conqueror squeegee is designed with a pointed tip to effectively remove water from corners and edges, while the application fluid is formulated for easy installation of window tint films.
If you decide not to buy an application kit, here is everything you will need to install window tint on your car, truck or SUV:
If you want to install your window tint, whetehre it's precut or in rolls, cleaning is an absolute must. Follow this quick and easy three-step process to clean your windows.
If you need a more detailed explanation of how to clean your vehicle before applying window tint, check out our 7-Steps to Deep Cleaning Your Ride.
If you purchased pre-cut window tint, you're in luck — you can skip the measuring and cutting entirely! However, you will still want to double check that your pre-cut window tint fits nicely before applying it. Simply spray the outside of your car window with soapy water and lay the pre-cut section on the window with the adhesive side up. Align the piece in the middle and check that there is just a little bit of bleed along each edge. If the pieces do not match, check that the tint kit you ordered is the correct one for your vehicle. If your pre-cut window film lines up, skip down to the next section for instructions on how to install your window tint. Please go directly to the link below:
If you've bought a precut window tint kit from Rvinyl you will notice that you receive a number of Window Tint Liner Removal Tabs with your purchase (usually two per window). As far as we know, we are the only manufacturer of pre-cut window tint kits to include these installation aides so you probably haven't seen them before. That's why we made this quick little video to show you how to use them so you can get great results every time you buy a window tint kit from Rvinyl. Whether you buy an Rtint or Avery Dennison window film kit from us, you will receive a kit with the window tint sections separately cut to ensure ease of fitting, installation and to prevent damage during shipment. Much like cellphone skins or protection screens we include these liner removal tabs so you can easily separate the tint film from the clear backing without causing damage or frustration.
How to Use Rvinyl Window Tint Liner Removal Tabs
Window tint should always be installed in a garage or other enclosed area that is shielded from wind as it can make installation significantly more difficult. In addition, dust and other contaminants can ruin the film when the adhesive side is exposed to the air so you always want to install in a controlled environment to obtain the best results. Remove any parts of your vehicle which are in contact with the glass surface area. You may need to remove inner plastic pillars, tape back the felt window draft guard or even remove the door panel trim or third brake light housing to ensure good access to your window.
Lay out the pre-cut tint on a flat clean surface or, more conveniently on your cleaned window, and mist the film with slip solution (your own or from Gila's professional tint kit). Mist your clean windows in the immediate area to control dust and static. Using this technique will allow you to remove the liner without causing tears or wrinkles in the film.Mist your table and prepare to place the film in a good position. Layout the pre-cut tint sections flat on the table-you are going to peel the film here so you want it clean, and in such a position that you can quickly pick it up and mount it with a minimum of movement through the air to avoid contamination. Once you have your glass prepared, mist down the air in the immediate area to control dust and static, Mist your fingers, carefully and slowly lift a corner and begin to peel the liner, do not completely remove it to aide in film handling and installation. Be careful not to crease or tear your precut tint. Mist the adhesive side of the film, being careful not to touch it. If you let the dry adhesive touch itself once the liner is off then you will need to reorder discounted replacements as the film will be ruined so be sure to spray the adhesive as you peel.
As always, mist your fingers, then carefully and slowly lift a corner and begin to peel the liner. Do not completely remove it to aide in film handling and installation. Be careful not to crease or tear your precut tint. Mist the adhesive side of the film that's been revealed being careful not to touch it.
In order to prepare to bring the tint from its resting position, wet the adhesive again. This will protect the adhesive from contaminants and reduce static electricity which could attract dust particles.
Quickly re-clean your interior glass and spray down the surrounding areas.
Wash the windows in preparation to receive the film one at a time. Without touching the adhesive side of the film, lift it up (just use the very tips of your fingers or fingernails on the very edge of the film where it's not going to show) and place it onto the glass. You should rehearse this movement beforehand if you aren't experienced. Roll down your glass about 1/2 inch from the window felt. With the window down and the application solution applied. Remove the liner from the precut window tint, apply the soapy slip solution to the film. Be sure there is enough solution on the film and the glass to insure the film will not adhere prematurely before it is positioned. Lay the film near the bottom of the wet glass and slide it down into position as you lay the top of the precut film kit into position. Squeegee from the anchor point, this will keep the film from sliding while you work from the middle out. You may now roll up the window and squeegee the bottom out. Blot away and excess water with a paper towel (we recommend wrapping the hard card with a paper towel for this procedure). As you are squeegeeing, (on roll up windows) do the top first, work down avoiding the edges until last, stroke downward. Spray the film and squeegee it again, more firmly this time, to remove more water from under the film.
Carefully position the film around any obstacles. The more it gets bumped or the edges lift from touching something, them more contamination will be drawn under the film. To lay in the precut tint, roll it up and reverse the liner and roll it out onto the prepared inner surface. Squeegee it out, etc. Fingers or creases at the top and bottom will appear. Use the trouble-shooting tips to remove fingers.
Mist your fingers. Gingerly pick up your tint and transfer it from the outside glass to the inside.Be careful not to allow the tint to fold over onto itself or touch your clothing or the surface of the vehicle.
With fingers moistened, align the precut window tint piece to the window. Do not press any harder than necessary to keep the tint adhering to the window.
Delicately remove remaining liner. Accomplish this by holding the tint against the window firmly and pulling the liner down and away with your other hand.
Use your Conqueror squeegee with downward strokes, avoiding the edges until last, stroke downward. Spray the film and squeegee it again, more firmly this time, to remove more water from under the film.
Removing Fingers from Tint
You must use a heat gun on high setting, a hair dryer will not work. You are only shrinking the finger itself, just pass the heat gun over the finger quickly until you see it distort slightly, then smooth it out. If you spend just a moment too long over the finger it will burn, or shrink unevenly. The trick is not to crease the film when you smooth it, so the first time use a rolled up paper towel to smooth the finger down to keep the film wet against the glass, otherwise larger fingers will bind and crease if you use the application card first, repeat the process with a grey application card.
Note: The film will only shrink properly if the fingers are aligned with the grain of the film. As you unroll film from side to side the proper grain direction is up and down, i.e. If you have a window 45" wide horizontally and 18" vertically, using a 20" roll, the fingers need to point up and down toward the straight factory cut edge. Fingers always need to be moved toward the factory edge. Squeegee a horizontal anchor onto the glass to anchor the middle and sides moving all the excess to vertical fingers.
Start from a small anchor point and squeegee horizontally, following the defroster lines. Those lines grab the film pretty quick, so make sure you have the film in all the left places. After the squeegeeing is done, mist the film and squeegee again much more firmly to remove as much water as possible.
Most newer cars have a black ceramic trimming the edge of the rear window. Sometimes this ceramic has a straight edge and sometimes it has a dotted edge. Usually this dotted edge is only 1/4 inch wide or so. The window film usually won’t stick to these dots flush, so there will be a pocket of air trimming the glass. On most cars this isn't very noticeable. The problem is that some cars have a six inch wide band of dots on the upper edge of the back window. If that is the case, the pocket of air created is so large and uneven, that it is very unattractive.
Some ways to deal with this are to apply vinyl to the dotted area or leave the wide band of dots untinted, then after the film has dried for 3 days, mask off the dotted area with masking tape and paper, then paint the area with flat black enamel spray paint. Let the paint dry for a while and then remove the masking.
If you purchased a bulk roll of window tint film, follow these instructions for cutting your tint to just the right shape and size:
Once you have cut your window tint film to the right size, you can leave the film stuck to the outside of the window while you prep the inside for application. You may need to spray more soapy water under the tint so it stays.
To align and apply your window tint, follow the steps below:
You should allow your window tint to cure for seven to 10 days before rolling down your windows. If the film has not had time to adhere and dry properly, it may wrinkle.
While heat guns are not a necessary tool for installing window tint, they can be very helpful to have handy if something goes wrong. If you notice any lingering air bubbles under the film or creases you were not able to work out with the squeegee, they may be able to be released with a heat gun. Carefully heat the liner and use a hard card or squeegee to work out the bubbles. Avoid heating the film for too long as it may cause it to burn or shrivel. Typically a quick pass with the heat gun will be enough to loosen the film without burning it.
A heat gun can also be used when installing window tint on cars with curved windows to help the film conform properly. To do this, stop after you have cut your piece of window tint film and adhered it to the outside of the window with water. Align the film directly in the middle of the window with an equal amount of bleed on each side. Grab your heat gun and squeegee. Starting from the top of the window, heat the film and use the hard card to work out all the air bubbles and water. This will stretch the film so it fits the curve of the window and will help reduce bubbles. Follow the rest of the steps to complete installation of your window tint.
When the installation is complete, take a step back and have a good look at your cool new window tint. Enjoy the benefits of tinted windows as you stay cool in the summer and feel comfortable in the privacy of your car. With Rvinyl's large selection of window tint film, you can choose from many different types of window tint to get the look and features you want. Rvinyl.com is your one-stop-shop for DIY window tint supplies, so you can save money by doing the job yourself. Browse our pre-cut window tint kits or buy a bulk roll to complete any window-tinting project.
If you really love the new tint on your car windows, send us a few pictures of your work. We want to see how your projects turn out and will even give you money back for sharing your results with us. Just six photos can earn you a $20 rebate you can use toward your next vehicle upgrade project.
Window tinting is not a job for the faint of heart but is definitely doable by anyone with a little bit of patience. Best of all, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars if you tint your windows yourself so read on and find out how.