Front Windshield Tints

charleskieffner · 06-28-2006, 03:42 AM

this past sunday my roommate and i after a nascar drool over sonoma, we decided as monsoon storm rolling in to install a GT RACING red background and black porsche racing stickers to top of front windshield. they are made out of hi-quality 3-M sticker paper. after our initial discussion and angle/dangle measurements, we jumped in w/both feet and soon found our careful efforts shattered. ie. lots of bubbles and not how we wanted it. ie. looked like a POS! considering the expense of these, $60 bucks for both down the toilet ! i want the learning curve to cease upon next application day.

first off despite looking like crap close up and using credit cards to smooth stickers out while applying, if you stand back a few feet it looks awesome!!! if you get into car IT IS A WHOLE NEW WORLD IN COCKPIT! ie. i cant live without it! kinda like looking out a bat cave opening to the outside. love the focus on the road and hood areas and im 6'3" and does not hinder one bit my forward vision.

so our question is on our next feeble attempt at this do we use soapy water on windshield, remove sticker backing, and then squeege excess soapy water off while correctly locating sticker to upper locating points on windshield???

what kind of soapy water? dial/dawn/joy/cher/??? how much soapy water? 50/50% solution soapy water? is this the correct method to apply? have seen alot of these from various mfgs. of tires and other assorted parts, on numerous vehicles, so we are sure others have enjoyed this challenge.

any ideas? we need spiritual guidance on this or the beer ingestion formula will soar out of control due to hot confines of closed in garage! in other words we are trying to avoid a $200 dollar STICKER!

ipapilot · 06-28-2006, 03:51 AM

Few drops of your favorite soap in a spray bottle applied very liberally to windshield, and also on the outside of the vinyl once it's in place (to avoid scratching). Squeegee away!

charleskieffner · 06-28-2006, 04:04 AM

so spray the windshield liberally,and spray adhesive side and exterior of sticker ? in other words spray everything, move into place and then do the squeege action?

ipapilot · 06-28-2006, 04:09 AM

No need to do the adhesive side. Windshield first liberally, apply sticker, spray again, start the squegee action... A razor could be needed in a spot or two for stubborn bubbles. If so, pinhole only and then continue to squegee it. And remember to keep the sticker wet or you will see small scratches.

Wil Ferch · 06-28-2006, 04:40 AM

For vinyl decals and such..use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water....*maybe* add ONE DROP of favorite dish soap to the mix....

This allows a little "slip" for positioning...and squeegee out the major bubbles. You may need a needle ( later) to get the really small bubbles out. As the rubbung alcohol dissipates/ is squeegeed out..the adhesive properties return.

- Wil

charleskieffner · 06-28-2006, 04:45 AM

thanks guys new ones on order already. will try this drill again.

johncarlos2003 · 11:43 AM

i love it too- it's like being in the bat cave completely. good luck with the project! post pics when done please! here's a shot of my blacked out beast.

charleskieffner · 07-10-2006, 07:28 AM

hey just got back in from vacation. took p-car out yesterday and despite miss at about 48-5200rpm spanked the hell out of Z-4 BMW!! hahahahaha. buddy that was with me loved the tint across top of windshield. cant wait to put new one on correctly this time. cheap improvement that really makes you focus on road, not skyline. plus really helps going into direct 4-6pm western sun. nice black p-car!

johncarlos2003 · 07-10-2006, 09:09 AM

thanks charles. hope your tranny didn't suffer any injuries in the miss- shift. post a pic of your car when re-tinted up top. take care.

charleskieffner · 07-10-2006, 09:16 AM

wasnt mis shift on tranny, i have a engine miss. replaced CHT and O2 sensor already. flywheel ref and speed ref are next to look at. 112 yesterday and my a/c combined w/bat cave window tint all around really help.

johncarlos2003 · 07-10-2006, 09:41 AM

that's good. good luck with the trace-

masraum · 07-10-2006, 10:22 AM

$60? Is it tint or vinyl or something else?? Is it opaque or just tinted? Precut? I'm just curious. I've bought $6 or $10 rolls of tint from the local autoparts store and done the strip across the top of the windshield on several cars. It's plain, doesn't say anything, but looks and works great and for less than 10 you probably have enough tint to do 2-4 windshields if not more. It may take a bit more time if the GT Racing stuff comes precut, but I'm willing to do a little cutting to save $50.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

I got mine on ebay, and fitted it with LOTS of water. I used a bucket and sponge and just kept it all really wet...

anthony · 07-10-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by charleskieffner
snip ...we jumped in w/both feet and soon found our careful efforts shattered. ie. lots of bubbles and not how we wanted it. ie. looked like a POS! considering the expense of these, $60 bucks for both down the toilet ! i want the learning curve to cease upon next application day.

I would try to re-wet the one that is on the car now, and then squeegie out the bubbles. Do it in the shade and you may need to keep it constantly wet for a while to get it to rehydrate.

charleskieffner · 07-10-2006, 11:14 AM

wow i wish i could. after a few re trys it kinda got hammered. have new one ordered. but from 10 ft away you cant see damage. but like all of us .............it will be perfect or die trying. best and cheapest thing i have done for arizona heat and light. its a mere 112 degrees here today!