DIY window tint ?

[t'sunamibus]

I want to re tint my westys windows while I have them out for panel replacment. Has anyone taken this on with good results?

[goffoz]

Yep...buy high quality film...the cheap stuff "purples with age" I used 3M 5% rear 3...!0% on the middle sides and a strip of 10% over the windshield
..(Not allowed to do the fronts in Kali)
Had to buy it from a installer. went on easy, saved about $100 on the labor.
The installer guy was very helpful. I tipped him a $20 Starbucks card.
Took me 3hrs...He said he could have done it in 2hr.
So about $30/hr to me..better than I do at my paying job/before taxes

[morymob]

What makes 'em purple is ANY amonia mixed in the cleaner,read the contents before using.

[Ahwahnee]

I suppose anything this side of brain surgery can be attempted DIY -- but this was one area where I had seen so many cars with crappy results that I went with an installer.

In my case there was a Groupon which was the starting point for negotiation -- but (at least in the case of the firm I went to) the price on the wall is extemely flexible esp if you are looking at a high-end product like the 3M Crystalline.

That stuff BTW works very well blocking light but also blocking heat which is the main reason I wanted tint. Also has a life-time guarantee including that it won't turn purple.

The installer also suggested Sprayway Glass Cleaner for use on the tint side. Available at Costco.

[BillWYellowstone]

I was thinking of having mine done, but the area behind the rear closet is impossible unless the whole thing is removed, and that looks formidable.

Is it possible to remove just the closet without all the overhead stuff?
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

[chojinchef]

When I had the Thingamajigger painted, I had all the windows tinted. Was a very low tint; more UV ray protection than privacy motivation.

Cost me $300 plus the states portion - guaranteed not to bubble or change color for as long as I own the vehicle, and no hassles.
_________________
Its a mistress; an expensive, whiney, needy bitch of a mistress. She is a chunky, dirty girl with bad skin, little motivation and yet she always makes me smile. She sure has been around before shacking up with me. She has a direct line to my wallet, plays with my emotions, is consistantly jovial yet with a sarcastic and sardonic side, is consistant in her inconsistancy, and every once in a while gives me a great ride and a fantastic memory.

[t'sunamibus]

Ill have to check into the 3m product. Mine has taken on a purple tint and has some pretty scratched up areas. Im a glazier and we have a company come into our shop regularly to apply various films like uv, tint, graffiti etc.
Ive always been one to do for myself vs pay someone else.

[t'sunamibus]

[chojinchef]

[Ahwahnee]

[PDXWesty]

[spitsnrovers]

You say you already have the windows out - that's more than half the battle.

I did mine 6 years ago while having out for repaint. Still in perfect shape.

Just bought the right tint from a local big box store and did it myself. As everyone says - clean, clean, clean. No additives in the water, and squeegee well before re-assembling.

The back hatch window is another story due to the curve and demister lines. I didn't tackle that one.
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500

[Home Team Van]

[presslab]

I had LLumar tint installed on all windows except the front three, and it was $250. He did the one behind the cabinet too (on the inside) and did a pretty good job, considering. There are a few pieces of dirt under the tint on that window but not really noticeable.

Since then I've installed a custom rear slider and did the tint on that myself. Clean, clean, clean, to get all the dirt off the inside. It turned out just fine.

It's gonna be a pain getting the old tint off the hatch window without ruining the defroster lines.
_________________
1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

[Ahwahnee]

One nice thing about having them to the tint on the closet window by removing it -- I had them take the window out the day before the tint job was scheduled so I could give that curtain back there a thorough cleaning. I don't think it had ever been cleaned -- much easier to do with the window out.

[noganav]

[srmpf]

[climberjohn]

[Ahwahnee]