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Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
#996084
05/07/10 02:35 AM
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,269
OP
Roll Me Over
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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??
99 Gen 2.5, fixing blown head gasket 89 SWB- 33's, ARB Front locker, SR rear locker/axle, SR F brakes, winch, WST Offroad Armor all Around, 2.85 Aussie T-case Gears (SOLD) Sold: (2) 95 SR's, 86 SWB, 90LWB, 91 LWB -Can Change a timing belt in my sleep..
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: justice]
#996085
05/07/10 02:42 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,541
Isuzu Moderator
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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="" />
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: jezeric]
#996086
05/07/10 04:04 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,457
Trail Leader
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I am a fan of warranty on stuff like tint.
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: rxinhed]
#996087
05/07/10 04:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,272
Roll Me Over
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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.
73 -Jon KJ6GVM As seen on Expedition with TX plates: VEGETARIAN - An old Indian word for poor hunter Grampa's Trooper 1974 FJ40 1987 FJ60
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: justice]
#996088
05/07/10 04:53 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,211
Trail Leader
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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.
'87 Raider 2.6 Turbo Auto, Under Construction '95 Montero SR, 35x12.5/15 BFG M/T KM-2's, Rock sliders, Qtr panel chop, gas tank lift, 2" BL, Aisins, 5.29s '95 Pajero Mini '98 Montero Winter Ed. '04 Cadillac XLR '03 Kawasaki ZRX1200R '60 Ford Falcon 4Dr
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: JohnnyBfromPeoria]
#996089
05/07/10 05:06 AM
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,269
OP
Roll Me Over
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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="" />
99 Gen 2.5, fixing blown head gasket 89 SWB- 33's, ARB Front locker, SR rear locker/axle, SR F brakes, winch, WST Offroad Armor all Around, 2.85 Aussie T-case Gears (SOLD) Sold: (2) 95 SR's, 86 SWB, 90LWB, 91 LWB -Can Change a timing belt in my sleep..
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: justice]
#996090
05/07/10 05:27 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,211
Trail Leader
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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.
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: justice]
#996091
05/08/10 12:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,243
Kia Moderator
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Can be done for free Classic Australian advertisement <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />
2002 Sporty , Ironman 2.5" spring, 2" body, 15 x 7 ROH wheels, K&N, 15 x 10.5 Simex Centipedes, Powerchip 91.
"Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level then beat you with experience!"
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: justice]
#996092
05/08/10 02:25 AM
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,393
Body Damage is Cool
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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="" />
-Dave D Reservoir of Useless Knowledge
"But... If I kill all the golfers, they'll lock me up, and throw away the key..." -Bill Murray
'84&change Monty MPI Turbo, choptop, f&r lsd, swapped in AT- All the goodies!
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Re: Tinting Windows..Best Left to the "Professionals"??
[Re: ForcedAir_Montero]
#996093
05/09/10 11:14 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 233
Wheeler
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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.
'87 Raider SWB 2.6T/5 spd - Boxy and boosted. '88 Conquest TSI - MPI and lots of other mods
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