Went to get a price on getting the windows tinted on El Gato...250 bucks..a little more than I want to pay...Is this someting I can figure out how to do fairly quick and do decent job without creating a mess of my windows??

I've generally found that with a little care, good prep, and quality film, I can get a result I'm quite satisfied with. Of course, I'm also the guy who actually disassembled all 4 doors on his rodeo and tinted the glass while it was laying flat on the tailgate... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I am a fan of warranty on stuff like tint.

I agree. Bubbles get in that stuff all too easily. The best tint job I ever had done was one where the guy took the doors apart to get at the glass. I've never had one that good again.

NO, JUSTICE! DON'T TRY IT!!

I have a friend (well, former friend, anyway) who has been doing this type of work for 18 years. I've watched him do a couple of my cars and several of his customer's as well.

1. Only the best film lasts more than a few years. The stuff most people can get their hands on will turn purple, delaminate or get huge bubbles in it.

2. ANY little speck of dirt that the film touches will end up between the glass and the film.

3. ANY dirt that is in the window channel or at the base of the tint gets sucked under the tint by capillary action as the tint dries.

4. If you miss any air bubbles before the tint dries, they're yours to keep, like a gift certificate on Wheel of Fortune. And they become the weak part, get knocked off later and create a hole.

It's just like applying stickers, except you cut the tint to the proper size (approx), then peel off the protective layer and apply it to the window while both the tint and the window are wet. Before it starts to dry, you have to both smooth out all bubbles and trim it to the exact place you want it to end up without moving the piece as a whole.

If the window has a curve to it (luckily Montero glass is pretty flat), you have to use a heat gun to gently stretch and curve it.

The tint should be trimmed so that it doesn't extend to the edge of the glass where it meets weather stripping. You still want the whole window tinted when it's rolled up, but running the film right up to the edge of the glass will create an edge where damage can start to occur.

If you put a visor strip on, it cannot legally (in most states) extend below the line on the factory glass marked AS-1. I'm tall, so I can't even stand to have it go that far.

Be mindful of state laws concerning what level of tinting shade is permitted on certain parts of the vehicle. You can Google that.

Also be aware, if you haven't wheeled a tinted vehicle at night that you really don't know how dark those windows are until it's pitch black out and you're trying to back up.

You can't roll the windows down for a day or two after it gets done and you shouldn't use ammonia-based cleaners on it at any time. That's what they use to get old tint off.

Other than that, no problem. But I wouldn't try to do it.

John B.

Well I watched a video on you tube so I'm an expert on how to do it now...I figure I'll try one of the smaller windows on the divided part of the rear door and see how it comes out. Wish me luck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Good luck.

Clean, clean and clean all areas anywhere near that window first. Use a razor blade with window cleaner on the glass . It may be helpful to cut away a tiny, tiny bit of the rubber all the way around the glass to get rid of dirt hiding there.

Sharp blades are your friend.

A solution of baby shampoo and water is what my former friend uses to wet the window and film during application.

Let us know how it looks after it dries a couple of days. You're pretty careful, so I'm sure it would turn out better than if I did it.

John B.

Can be done for free

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I've done my own for years with excellent success. Two tricks.
1- leave the nasty compound curved windows to the pros. (that's why we own montys!)
2- buy a package of coffee filters. wrap them around a credit card to squeeqee the solution. it works great!

oh... and buy good film! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Llumar is the best window film out there. I wouldn't use the stuff they sell at the local parts store.

I'm not too familiar with the Gen 2's, but the sliding side windows on the Gen 1's are a bit tricky if you don't know what you are doing.