Can You Tint Car Windows Yourself?

Tinted car windows have a different look from ordinary car windows. The tint reduces the impact of the sun and it also provides some privacy. So can you tint car windows yourself?

Yes, you can tint car windows yourself. This is a car improvement. You don’t need to hire a professional. You can buy what you need for the tinting and apply the tint yourself.

Car Tinting Regulation

The law requires that a tint must let in a minimum of 75% light. If the tint doesn’t comply with this standard, you can get a prohibition notice from a policeman and you will have to remove the tint.

Furthermore, you should consider the tinting laws of your state to know the type of tinting film that’s permissible.

Types Of Tinting Films

There are four types of tinting films you can use for your car windows.

Dyed Film

This is an affordable window tinting film that offers more appearance than functionality. Dyed film doesn’t have a high heat reduction and the dye can fade off the windows over time.

Ceramic Film

This is the most expensive type of tint that is effective and durable. It provides strong protection from UV rays which makes it a quality tint for persons with sun allergies. Ceramic film doesn’t fade and it doesn’t affect the window strength.

Metalized Film

This tinting film is infused with small metallic particles that give car windows a shiny dark appearance. It improves the glass’s strength and makes it less prone to cracks and damage. The downside of metalized film is that it can be a faraday cage for your car thereby restricting phone, radio, and GPS signals.

Carbon Film

Carbon film contains more matte that will give your car window a deep dark appearance. It contains no metal particles and it doesn’t fade over time like dyed film.

What To Consider Before Tinting Your Car

Before tinting your car windows, these are some of the factors you have to consider.

• Purpose: you have to consider the purpose for which you need the tint. This will help you determine the type of tinting film to buy. Therefore, If you prefer aesthetics over functionality or require a tint with strong UV protection, these factors will determine the type of tint you should use.
• Cost: You have to consider the cost of the tinting film to ensure it’s within your budget. You can compare the films to find the one that offers you as much functionality for the best price.
• Regulations: Before tinting your car windows, you have to consider the position of the law on such acts. You need to ensure the tinting film you’re using conforms with the regulatory standards.

How To Tint Your Car Windows

Tinting your car windows isn’t a complicated process that has to be left to a professional. If you want to tint your car windows yourself you can follow these steps in tinting your car windows.

Step 1: Purchase The Necessary Materials

The first thing you need to do is to purchase all you will require for the job. You may have some of the items you need at home while you can purchase others from a hardware store.

The items you need include the following.

• Spray bottle
• Car wash soap
• Water
• Utility Knife, with blades
• Squeegees
• Scraper, with blades
• Paper Towels
• Heat gun to shrink the film.
• Tinters card
• Masking tape

Once you gather all you need you can then proceed to step two.

Step 2: Prepare The Windows

To prepare the windows for tinting, you first have to wash them with soap and water. After washing the window, you should leave it to dry. If there is a tint on the window, you need to first remove it with a scraper before washing the window.

Step 3: Measure And Cut The Tinting Film

You should measure how much tinting film you need and cut the tint to be an inch wider and longer than you need. The excess tinting film will serve as a margin for error and you can easily cut it off when you finish.

Step 4: Apply The Tinting Film

After cutting the film, lay it on the outside of the window and spray a slip solution on the adhesive side of the film to stick it to the window. After the film is strongly in position, you can carefully cut off the excess film and trim it to perfectly fit the glass.

You can also use a heat gun to shrink the film into the perfect size. It can also shrink away bubbles that form when sticking the film to the glass.

After perfectly sticking the film to the window, you can remove the protective liner to expose the film. To do this, apply a masking tape on each side of the film so that when you pull off the tape simultaneously, the liner will separate from the film.

When you finish with the outside glass, you can then proceed to apply the film to the inside. Spray the inside glass with a slip solution then apply the film. You are required to repeat the application process for outside glass.

Step 5: Clean The Film And Let It Dry

When you finish applying the film to the windows, clean up the film and let it dry out. The drying period should take between 3-5 days, however, in the winter, it can take up to 3 weeks for the dry seal to form.

It’s advisable that you park your car in a warm and dry spot for about a week to give the film a chance to dry out. Additionally, you should avoid touching the film too much during the drying process to prevent ruining the smoothness.

Conclusion

Tinting your car window can provide protection from the UV rays, increase privacy, and also beautify your car. Should you choose to tint your car windows yourself, ensure that you take your time and do a good job. If you’re not sure of your ability to get the job done, you can hire a professional to do the job.