Tinting windows by yourself... bad idea?

[Hazman]

I've been looking at some DIY window tinting kits, and I don't really have any clue as to their quality. I've heard some good stuff, and I've heard some bad stuff. Are these crap? Is it worth paying around $200 more to get it professionally done? Thanks guys.

 

[Micah]

Most tint shops will sell you their tint if you ask nicely. Tell them that you would like to do it yourself, and ask for pointers. That's how I learned. Then I ended up making friends with the tint guy, only to find out my friends father owned the place.

 

[t3ase]

Get it done. If you shop around, you may even be able to get it around $150 and that's with a warranty... It's one of those things that many people would just rather let someone else do, and I'm definately one of them.

 

[laserbluemp5]

Here in California I set up a Group buy at a local tint shop in the area and offered to anyone on this forum who was willing to drive to San Jose . The price I got was $150 for sedans and $180 for wagons .Life time warrany and they pulled the windows out and baked the tint on ! They also used Hi quality Maddico tint . We had 7 Protege folks get in on this deal and when it was my time to get my tint done he hooked me really nice you could try and do the same thing in you area -Dan-

 

[Hazman]

Hey guys, thanks for your replies. I think I'll get it done professionally. By the way... here in IL, it's only legal to tint the rear 3 windows, and I was wondering if the prices you guys are stating are referring to the entire car...? I only want to tint the rear and 2 backseat windows. Thanks.

 

[laserbluemp5]

it's illegal here in cali to tint the front to windows as well but we all had it done anyways just not to dark ( so the cops leave us alone ) and those prices were for all 7 windows on sedans and 9 windows on the p5

 

[Emode]

yeah if you did the rear in like 35 or 20 or something, and then the fronts in 50, i think it might look like enough of a difference to not get hassled
i had 35 all around and the year i was in illinois i never got hassled.

 

[P-Funk!]

Uh, not to thread-jack here [duck and cover!] but, can i still use my rear window heater if the window is tinted?

(I am guessing not - but i hope for the best!)

 

[gboromsp]

I run my rear defroster all the time. It still looks fine. I got 20% all around for $180, that was cheaper than my last car and they did a much better job. Just ask around to find a reputable place to have it done.

 

[elplayero84]

I paid 100 here in ny

 

[jsahyoun]

This is a job I would leave to the pros. The worst thing in the world is rolling down your window after the tint dries only to see a two or three inch gap between the end of the titn and the end of the window. You all know what I am talking about. It looks like s***. Also some of that tint they sell at like autozone is pretty bad. A friend of mine tinted his truck this way, and the black tint turned purple from the sun.

Leave this job to a reputable professional for less than $200.

 

[P-Funk!]

Thanks gboromsp!! (thumb)

I will stil make sure it isn't just left on for long periods, tho'...

 

[mazdaspeedpower]

I'm gonna say it's definatly better to go profesional, they know what thur doing, plus, if they **** up, you don't pay extra. And usually they warrenty the tint, mine is for aslong as the vehicle lives, I get tint replaced free. Overall, the quality of teh tint itself is the same, but it's the tinting that's different. Go pro, they know all the ins and outs. Def. worth 200 more

 

[Phoenix5]

Yeah you don't want to get any bubbles showing.

 

[KYMP5]

Its always better to go professional but its really not that hard to do yourself, just time consuming. If you do decide to do it yourself make sure you use a high quality film.