Precut window tinting film - how difficult is it to install?

[magnus911]

Thinking of tinting the windows in my car. Normally this is about £200 by the local installers, but the precut film can be had for around £30.

for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-CAYENNE-03-...

Has anyone tried this? Is there a reliable way of doing it without bubbling? Should I attempt this or just leave it to the pros?

Thanks in advance.

Magnus

[djt100]

Had a window on a car with tint on broken aso thought i'd re-tint it myself, not to hard on the side window, but I would not even think about doing the back glass myself

[Efbe]

magnus911 said:

Thinking of tinting the windows in my car. Normally this is about £200 by the local installers, but the precut film can be had for around £30.

for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-CAYENNE-03-...

Has anyone tried this? Is there a reliable way of doing it without bubbling? Should I attempt this or just leave it to the pros?

Thanks in advance.

Magnus

soapy water, lots of patience and a wiper blade to smooth it out.

anything else and it will will look like a Shar-pei left in the wash too long

[woof]

I'm sure you're aware of tinting windows and the legal depth of the tint but I got stopped at Stansted airport on Monday by Trafpol. They said my standard window glass was illegal.

Big ho ha - eventually they tested it and it was well under. Then they re tested it again just to make sure !

[magnus911]

Yes, I used to drive a car with tints that were certainly illegal. I just used to wind down my windows whenever I saw the police. Not ideal, but I never got pulled.

[Efbe]

magnus911 said:

Yes, I used to drive a car with tints that were certainly illegal. I just used to wind down my windows whenever I saw the police. Not ideal, but I never got pulled.

that would so look like you were trying to get the smell of drugs out of your car!!!

[magnus911]

Efbe said:

magnus911 said:

Yes, I used to drive a car with tints that were certainly illegal. I just used to wind down my windows whenever I saw the police. Not ideal, but I never got pulled.

that would so look like you were trying to get the smell of drugs out of your car!!!

well...

[magnus911]

Efbe said:

magnus911 said:

Thinking of tinting the windows in my car. Normally this is about £200 by the local installers, but the precut film can be had for around £30.

for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-CAYENNE-03-...

Has anyone tried this? Is there a reliable way of doing it without bubbling? Should I attempt this or just leave it to the pros?

Thanks in advance.

Magnus

soapy water, lots of patience and a wiper blade to smooth it out.

anything else and it will will look like a Shar-pei left in the wash too long

Cool, thanks. Now I know what it costs for the film and that it only takes them an hour or so to fit it, I'm going to ring around and see who fancies the business for around £150. I don't mind paying that but I don't see why I should pay £250 over the cost of the film for some monkey to fit it for me.

[Efbe]

magnus911 said:

Efbe said:

magnus911 said:

Thinking of tinting the windows in my car. Normally this is about £200 by the local installers, but the precut film can be had for around £30.

for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PORSCHE-CAYENNE-03-...

Has anyone tried this? Is there a reliable way of doing it without bubbling? Should I attempt this or just leave it to the pros?

Thanks in advance.

Magnus

soapy water, lots of patience and a wiper blade to smooth it out.

anything else and it will will look like a Shar-pei left in the wash too long

Cool, thanks. Now I know what it costs for the film and that it only takes them an hour or so to fit it, I'm going to ring around and see who fancies the business for around £150. I don't mind paying that but I don't see why I should pay £250 over the cost of the film for some monkey to fit it for me.

just an idea, but you could try this site: http://www.myhammer.co.uk/
think there may be car related stuff on there as well as house. worth a try anyhow as its free.

[magnus911]

Oh cool thanks! Going to check that now.

m

[cris654321]

i tinted my back window and 2 rear side ones for the grand price of £5,
was it succesful? not really.
i got role of 15% to cut my self
it wasnt too bad, the side windows went ok
there was a little plastic thing which came with it basicly you just apply loads of soapy water to the window before puting the tint on, then use the plastic thing to spread it about and get rid of all creases and bubbles.
the side windows went suprisingly well given my slapdash nature and "that'ul do" attitude to just about everything
the back window looks terrible though found the rear window very hard. but basicaly what im saying is if your very carefull and gentle and take your time and follow the instructions to the letter etc.
it is physically possible to do for like £5 just very hard to do to a high standard.
but "it ul do for me"

[off_again]

As someone who is inept at fitting that mobile phone screen film, I would NEVER attempt something as large as a car window. I have seen professionals do this and it looks easy - as does a lot of things - but I suspect that its a lot to do with experience, skill and knowing the right technique. Get that right and its a breeze, otherwise you end up with it looking a bit crap.

[jsg612]

It's a waste of money, get the professionals to do it or don't bother at all. Easy in concept, impossible in reality.

That is unless you have a dust free heated unit with good cutting tools, lots of patience and years of experience.

As far as the legalities are concerned, I believe you can tint what you like behind the 'B' pillar including the rear screen, but nothing in front. Most driver/passenger front windows are already tinted to the legal level from the manufacturer.

[Bedford Rascal]

cris654321 said:

i tinted my back window and 2 rear side ones for the grand price of £5,
was it succesful? not really.
i got role of 15% to cut my self
it wasnt too bad, the side windows went ok
there was a little plastic thing which came with it basicly you just apply loads of soapy water to the window before puting the tint on, then use the plastic thing to spread it about and get rid of all creases and bubbles.
the side windows went suprisingly well given my slapdash nature and "that'ul do" attitude to just about everything
the back window looks terrible though found the rear window very hard. but basicaly what im saying is if your very carefull and gentle and take your time and follow the instructions to the letter etc.
it is physically possible to do for like £5 just very hard to do to a high standard.
but "it ul do for me"

[magnus911]

jsg612 said:

It's a waste of money, get the professionals to do it or don't bother at all. Easy in concept, impossible in reality.

That is unless you have a dust free heated unit with good cutting tools, lots of patience and years of experience.

As far as the legalities are concerned, I believe you can tint what you like behind the 'B' pillar including the rear screen, but nothing in front. Most driver/passenger front windows are already tinted to the legal level from the manufacturer.

I agree with you, but the whole point is I can buy the pre-cut film for my car on ebay for £30. And I reckon one of the reasons the pros are good is because they have got precut film and they're not holding up a big roll to the glass and tracing it with a stanley knife.

Anyway, sod it. I'm getting it done professionally!

[*Al*]

Don't DIY it, it takes experience to fit correctly, if you really want it leave to the professionals.

[jonnynine11]

glad your getting it done by the pro's if its a cayenne their one of the hardest to do imo, if it was a fiesta i'd say have a go. Btw i do it for my job some are easy some are a nightmare

[magnus911]

jonnynine11 said:

glad your getting it done by the pro's if its a cayenne their one of the hardest to do imo, if it was a fiesta i'd say have a go. Btw i do it for my job some are easy some are a nightmare

Immediately checked your location...South yorkshire..damn too far from London!

Thanks though, that's the way i'm headed/

[Efbe]

jonnynine11 said:

glad your getting it done by the pro's if its a cayenne their one of the hardest to do imo, if it was a fiesta i'd say have a go. Btw i do it for my job some are easy some are a nightmare

how much should it cost reasonably? hard to find out on the net.

spose you could do the side ones, first, and a pro to do the rear, unless you cock it up, then get them to do the sides again too :P