Do-it-yourself car window tinting

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Today, the windows of almost all cars are covered with a dimming film. Tinting not only protects against ultraviolet radiation and prying eyes, but also serves as a factor that will not allow the glass to shatter and injure passengers if it is damaged, while maintaining the safety of people. But there are situations when the exact opposite action is required - window tinting. Let's talk about whether you can do it yourself and what is important to know.

Why should windows be tinted?

Most often, it is required to remove the film from the front side and windshields, since by law it is forbidden to apply any means to them that interfere with the view. However, many people disregard the rules and, wanting to enhance the aesthetics of the car or hide from prying eyes, darken their car. A traffic police officer who stopped such a vehicle has the right to issue an order demanding that the car windows be tinted within a certain period.

One morethe reason is the desire to install another film. For example, a person has found a more attractive option for himself, or the old tint, having served its time, burned out, becoming noticeably lighter. Of course, there is such an option to stick a new layer on top of the old one. But it is worth remembering that in this case, all scratches and other damage that are on the existing coating will become clearly visible from the outside, which will spoil the appearance of the car.

Is it possible to tint windows yourself?

In this case, there are only 2 options:

• Visit a specialized tinting center, where the masters will quickly and efficiently remove the film.
• Do the tinting yourself.

In fact, removing the tint film from car windows is not difficult at all, so if you don’t want to pay money for the service or just don’t have time to go anywhere, you can do it yourself. Now let's talk about how to do it.

What do you need for detonation?

Ideally, you need to tint glass using a building hair dryer. Not every car owner has this device, so we will also consider options for removing the film without it.

So, in addition to the building hair dryer (or with its exception), you need to prepare:

1. Glass cleaning blade.
2. Soap solution.
3. Atomizer.

It is also necessary to make preparatory measures. First, in the cold season, the temperature of the glass shouldmatch the room so that it does not burst when heated with a hairdryer. Secondly, you need to put everything you need in close proximity to make it convenient to work. Thirdly, remove the seals from the doors. Fourth, be patient, because there are films that are difficult to remove.

How to quickly remove tint?

There are two ways - fast and accurate. The choice depends solely on the circumstances. For example, if time permits, why not remove the tint in accordance with all the rules?!

If necessary, do it quickly with a fingernail or some sharp object, carefully pry off the top edge of the film on both sides so that you can grab it with your hands. Next, you have to make a sharp jerk, in one motion removing it completely, and not in pieces. If you peel off the tint slowly, most likely it will tear, especially in the center, where adhesion is strongest. After the tinting is removed, it remains only to remove the remaining glue. To do this, it is best to use a soapy solution and a cleaning blade. Liquid is sprayed onto the glass using a spray gun. The glue is removed from top to bottom, then the glass must be wiped with window cleaner.

Some people recommend using a solvent to remove the adhesive layer when tinting glass. Such a radical method is undesirable, since this liquid is harmful to both humans and cars - door trim, plastic and textile parts can be damaged. Moreover, the adhesive basetint films are made on the basis of silicone, which is easily removed with soapy water. So there is no need to use solvent.

It is best to tint car windows using a hair dryer, as the guarantee of a positive result in this case increases. Initially, it is necessary to warm up the upper part of the glass (by lowering it down) with warm air, at a temperature not higher than 45 ° C, because the film will melt. Evenly warming it up, pry off the corner of the tinting, then gently pull it down, at the same time pressing it with a ruler or other flat object against the glass. At the same time, you need to warm the film with a hairdryer. And if in the previous case it was necessary to make a sharp breakthrough, here, on the contrary, accurate and slow actions are required. When the tinting is removed, all that remains is to remove the layer of glue.

Small nuances

The main problem that you need to know about before removing the tint - in 99% of cases, the filaments of the heating system are removed along with it. This applies in particular to the rear windshield. They can also be located on the windows. Even when heated with a hair dryer when tinting car windows with your own hands, the probability of damage to the heating remains. Therefore, it is worth thinking carefully before removing the film.