Best window tinting kit source?
 

I need to tint my wife's Mini's windows. It looks very DIY'able. What's the best kit to get and where to get it?

I've used the Gila tint that you can get at retail parts stores. I've used that tint on about 4 or 5 cars. The knife and squeegee that they usually sell in the same section are useful. I use a spray bottle full of soapy water to get the window wet before I apply the tint.

I'd just go buy a few feet at a tint store. There should be one on every corner where you're at.

Here are some pre-cut diy kits for Mini's on Fleabay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380039592113
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350072572883
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220236126591

Although, I have seen a few diy tint jobs and none of them looked great. You might just pony up the $150-$200 for a pro job. Or if you want the best stuff in the Valley, Call Danny's In N. Scottsdale. They install the Huper-Optik ceramic stuff that is much better at keeping the heat out. It will run you $350+ though.

No matter how expensive the materials, if you do it great, it will look great. If you mess up, it will look like you bought a kit at Wal*Mart. I'd pony up for the pro as the details are all in repetitive experience. In other words, I bet one side of the car will look better than the other...

I've DIY'ed a few clear bra installs and they didn't seem too tough. Is window tinting vastly more difficult or tricky?

It's not that hard, but Phoenix is a rediculously competitive market for tint. Prices are usually very reasonable.

A clear bra does not have to deal with moving parts like a roll down window, or near inside corners.

I've done it as well, it was never "perfect" like the tint guys could do. The way the trim to the edge of the windows so it does not peel away, or tuck under the lower felt, etc. and have ZERO bubbles is a skill. The mini is probably okay as the windows are small, but with big pieces, especially the rear window with any amount of curve takes both a pro and a few pair of hands.

You could always buy a cheap tint kit at Pep Boys and give it a go. After you spend Saturday doing it, you'll realize that for a few hundred you can have a professional job and instead spent that Saturday riding your motorcycle or firing a few shots at the range.

I'm a huge DIY guy. This one I'd leave to a pro.

Danny's is Scottsdale wants $229 for their cheapest package and that goes up to $650. I don't think so. Anything more than $150 for a pro and I'll DIY this. My wife isn't even complaining about the heat, so it's not urgent.

Rick, I'm about to shell out $289 to have it done here in Manassas for the Bimmer. There's certain things I won't touch for DIY. That's one of them.

My Bimmer came with tinted windows. They're not real dark, but dark enough to hide the pistol in my driver's side door pocket from peering eyes. I'd like it darker, but I'll live with it. $289 would definitely make me DIY it. Wifey won't be real picky about the job either.

yeah, but you gotta walk past it every day if you **** it up. :) One thing I hate is a shabby job...most cosmetic stuff I farm out or don't do. Which is explains why it took me two years to repaint my fuchs.

Yeah, I would only go there if you wanted to go the Huper-Optik route (they are the only guys in the valley who carry/install it). It is more expensive, but is supossed to cut down the heat by like 20-30%+ over "normal" tint of the same darkness.

Oh, and check your email. I just sent you a list of local mobile detail/tint guys from our office referal pool that might be worth calling.
SmileWavy

I recently did a window in my house and did my sunroof with the left over film. What I really liked about the product I used was that it was "insta-cling" and just uses static cling to stick to the windows. The film can be peeled away at any time so it isnt permanent and it give you lots of chances to get it right. Nice and easy but it took a lot of time to do the sunroof to my satisfaction and I realize that its a flat piece of glass.

I plan on getting my 944 tinted, I wont be doing it myself ;)

Rick, I've tried tinting myself before and I'm just not patient enough. Besides I'm too anal to live with a crease or bubble hear or there. A cheap or homey tint job is an eye sore :)


Shop around and I bet you'll find a place that'll do the Mini for less than $200. It's a small car and the windows aren't complicated. A good shop will lay the film on the outside first to shape with a heat gun and trim.


I just had my BMW done, seven windows, for $210 with a life time warranty on the work and the film.

It'd taken me a whole day to do it myself and it would look ghetto as hell...so it was worth the $210.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1214275778.jpg

tinting takes time and patience. I've done a few perfect windows, but they aren't all perfect. The hardest part is getting the edge/cut right on a roll down window.

I take the door panels off to do roll-down windows so I can get the edge below the felt.

Be prepared to take it off if it's not perfect. It's cheap enough to be able to do each window a couple of times to get right. Definitely work every last, tiny little bubble out as much as possible. If you crease the tint, it may be easier to start over.

Based on what you've said, I'd definitely give it a shot. If you can do a clear bra, then you can do tint.

I'd start on the squarest, flatest window.

I generally make a rough template from paper first. I make it just a tad big. Then without peeling the backing of the tint off, I use water to stick the tint to the window and work out where I need to trim. I trim things that need it and use a straight edge when possible. Once I have it trimmed and test fit with the backing still on just using the water to stick it to the window. I clean the window thoroughly, dry it, make sure there's no dust or lint on the window. Then I wet the window thoroughly, then peel the backing, then put the tint on. If you use enough water, you have lots of time to adjust the position of the tint before you squeegee the water out.

One note, make sure that when you cut a piece, you are cognizant of which side is the tint and which side is the backing. It sucks to get a perfectly cut piece of tint only to realize that it'd only work on the outside of the window, not the inside.

Here you go Rick, here's how it turned out. I'd never attempt this job myself....I'm not that patient and I know I'd hate the results.

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/2260/dsc2438asa8.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9712/dsc2440apx5.jpg

Be careful of the tint. I had my 08 Camry done with a 10 year guarantee stuff and the radio reception went to crap, (too much metal in the tint) all the antennas are in the rear glass. I ended up having cheaper tint put on the rear glass than the rest of the car. Looks the same but only 3 year warranty on the rear now.

The darkness has nothing to do with how much UV/heat is blocked it's more for privacy.

I'd pay a pro. I had zBart do a car (that I no longer have) years ago and I was happy with it. It's harder than it looks, but very easy for a pro.

Do the pros still use laundry detergent?