Thread: Window tint

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I would like to tint the window in Rita and was wondering if you guys know of a decent brand to go with.The last time I tinted a window I was 16 yrs old and I'm willing to try again. My T/A could use some new tint and the Z28 rear glass as well. I've been watching you tube video's like crazy on tinting curved glass so I think I'm an expert now.

The film technology has undoubtedly advanced since then, I'll bet it's easier.

I put a dazzling, multi color sparlkey tint into my late wife's diplomat, but it faded out quick. So I'd say be wary of any nonstandard tint film.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I've been watching you tube video's like crazy on tinting curved glass so I think I'm an expert now.

IMO you're much, much better off taking your vehicle to a good shop that does tints as their bread & butter business. They have quality material, but more important they know how to do it so that it looks easy, but it's NOT. All it takes is letting the material get too dry, one crease, a bubble that you can't get clear, or worse a tiny piece of crap on the window when you lay the film and it's ruined. It's not that expensive to have it done right.

Originally Posted by rspears

IMO you're much, much better off taking your vehicle to a good shop that does tints as their bread & butter business. They have quality material, but more important they know how to do it so that it looks easy, but it's NOT. All it takes is letting the material get too dry, one crease, a bubble that you can't get clear, or worse a tiny piece of crap on the window when you lay the film and it's ruined. It's not that expensive to have it done right.

I was thinking the same thing as I was reading this thread.
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I had my Vega tinted in Colorado, I used a coupon but I can't remember the name of the organization that puts out the coupons. Crazy good local deals. Anyway, the kid did a great job and it was almost as cheap as if I had done it myself.

Just remember this: do NOT try to apply the film in direct sun. Either work indoors or in the shade.

As I recall, I did nice work of the tints I applied, and with no instruction or help whatsoever. But I did waste a few pieces.

I did call my local tint guy but he's come to the age where if he doesnt feel like doing something he won't do it. He will only do flat glass, I was thinking really? How much glass is actually flat. He said he wasn't going to touch the corner class. Another option would be to buy new rear glass that is tinted and put that in, that would be about 250 bucks. There's a place in Sioux City about an hour away that I could check out, or maybe I'll just experiment with some cheap crap at Walmart to see how awful it turns out. I won't be out much.

After checking your location on a map I can see the dilemma that you're in. Looks to me that you're closer to Sioux Falls than you are to Sioux City.

Sioux City is a little further and prefer going to Sioux Falls by a long shot. However, I googled sioux falls and wasn't impressed with what they had to offer.
I did talk to a guy in sioux city and he recommended buying new tinted glass for the rear and he would do the side windows for 125 which seamed reasonable. He said about 2 hours to do it. The local guy is too full of himself for me to want to talk to him again.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

Sioux City is a little further and prefer going to Sioux Falls by a long shot. However, I googled sioux falls and wasn't impressed with what they had to offer.
I did talk to a guy in sioux city and he recommended buying new tinted glass for the rear and he would do the side windows for 125 which seamed reasonable. He said about 2 hours to do it. The local guy is too full of himself for me to want to talk to him again.

That sounds reasonable to me. I had the side windows and top of the windshield on the Vette done a couple of years ago and I think that's what I paid.

Seth, I'd find a different tint place rather than replace your windows IMO. Take a road trip if you have to. There are a few reputable guys in Des Moines and they don't cry about curved glass. Tint is a double edge sword in Iowa. The legal limit on side windows is nearly clear and tint tickets start at $127. I never had any issues with the 5% I had on my 40. But anything newer and you're going to be seeing the Troopers behind you for sure. If you do it yourself 3M brand tint is what the good places around here use. I'd check in Ft. Dodge, Clear Lake, or even Omaha before I'd replace the glass IMO.

For what’s worth, I installed some tint that I bought from Wal Mart about a year ago. I also watched several YouTube videos beforehand. It was on a curved side window. I spent a full half hour trying to work out the wrinkles. I could easily move the wrinkles around to different parts of the window, but I could never get rid of them all at the same time. It seemed like the film had zero streachability. I left it on because the car was an old junker, but it looked very amateurish. I felt like I could have done a flat window just fine, but the curves didn’t work out for me. Maybe some higher quality film would have made the difference.

Thanks for the input, I think if I get some spare time I'll buy some quality tint from the local guy and see what I can do. Otherwise Ryan has a good Idea, I'll be going some town someday that wouldn't be afraid to tackle it, I really don't feel like replacing windows.

This is kind of funny, remember my local tinting guy who wouldn't tint the corner windows? I called him today to see if he could sell some tint out the door, but no, he won't sell tint out the door either. So I got a local tint guy who won't put tint on or sell you tint LOL.

I wonder how he stays in business?

Truck him and feed him beans.

Get on feeBay, you'll have a couple rolls dropped off on your doorstep in a day or two.

I've not heard of anyone trying this but if you don't mind sacrificing some film in the attempt:

And it's just an idea,

Cut your piece to fit. Without peeling the film apart, lay it against the outside of the window and gently warm it with a heat gun until it stretches to shape. An extra set of hands would help.

Then, with the film stretched to shape, peel off the backing, spray your soapy water and apply.

Anyway, it might be worth a rty. If you do, let us know how it works.