Is it really hard to tint the windows myself?

FVM3 · 01-08-2012, 11:55 AM

I always wanted to learn myself and wonder if this is a rocket science job or not? youtube about it and look easy but i know in real world its not that easy.

ROB_S2K · 01-16-2012, 05:11 PM

There are a lot of tricks to getting the job done right. I wouldn't do it myself and I am DIY inclined. I'm sure its not that hard but its something worth getting done by a professional since its not that expensive.

THE TECH · 01-16-2012, 05:13 PM

You can always give it a shot and if it doesn't work out, just have it redone professionally. You'll definitely want to consider wet sanding some of the "dot matrix" off the windows so the tint adheres better.

M3PO · 01-16-2012, 07:52 PM

I'm a serious DIY'er and this is something that's better left to the pros IMO.

elp_jc · 01-17-2012, 01:41 AM

Not rocket science, but impossible to do right the first time, especially if you're anal, like myself

. By the time you'd do it right, it's a lot cheaper to pay a professional man. I put towels everywhere to avoid water inside panels, scuffed seats, etc. And I always pay extra to have it done in my garage, where I watch like a hawk, and help the guy wipe all the water quickly from doors, floor, paint, etc. Good luck.

ddep · 02-02-2012, 07:20 PM

tinting windows requires a whole new set of skills that are different from using tools and following directions. a lot has to do with experience and knowing the material and have delicate hands.

I have tried to do all of my windows. I'm happy with how my side windows turned out. there a few small bubbles (1mm to 2mm) here and there and they are not noticeable unless you stare at them. they weren't something that were visible until the tint was cured after about a couple of days so i couldn't fix them and it was clear it had to do with my skill

the the back window is a different story. i have ruined 3 sheets of tint and still can't get it perfect. the curvature is greater so you have to dry shrink it more than the side windows. proper anchoring is the key so you don't get excessive corners. i recommendation ordering a few extra pre-cut sheets so that you can keep on doing it until you get it right. because in my case every time i ruin a sheet and i feel like i have learned my mistake, but by the time i order an sheet and it arrives i have forgotten what i thought would've shrank it better.

anyways, in my experience, you won't be saving much for a subpar tint job. so unless you are interested in the experience i would pay an expert.

skins333 · 02-08-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddep

tinting windows requires a whole new set of skills that are different from using tools and following directions. a lot has to do with experience and knowing the material and have delicate hands.

I have tried to do all of my windows. I'm happy with how my side windows turned out. there a few small bubbles (1mm to 2mm) here and there and they are not noticeable unless you stare at them. they weren't something that were visible until the tint was cured after about a couple of days so i couldn't fix them and it was clear it had to do with my skill

the the back window is a different story. i have ruined 3 sheets of tint and still can't get it perfect. the curvature is greater so you have to dry shrink it more than the side windows. proper anchoring is the key so you don't get excessive corners. i recommendation ordering a few extra pre-cut sheets so that you can keep on doing it until you get it right. because in my case every time i ruin a sheet and i feel like i have learned my mistake, but by the time i order an sheet and it arrives i have forgotten what i thought would've shrank it better.

anyways, in my experience, you won't be saving much for a subpar tint job. so unless you are interested in the experience i would pay an expert.

I completely agree...back window is def not diy, side windows pretty easy. Back in the day I tinted side windows without any trouble after a little practice. You basically put tint on outside of window and trim it to size, then use ton of spray water on when positioning tint on inside of window so can move around. The squeegee out all the bubbles and you are done. Back windows I have no idea how to do. Difficult access and curves make it really hard esp in one big piece. Cutting strips and fixing together looks terrible, dot matrix is another challenge as well.

01-08-2012, 11:55 AM	#1
FVM3 Brigadier General Drives: 2011 E93 M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 4,829 iTrader: (2)	Is it really hard to tint the windows myself? I always wanted to learn myself and wonder if this is a rocket science job or not? youtube about it and look easy but i know in real world its not that easy. __________________ 2011 E93 DCT
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01-16-2012, 05:13 PM	#3
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas Posts: 11,919 iTrader: (39)	You can always give it a shot and if it doesn't work out, just have it redone professionally. You'll definitely want to consider wet sanding some of the "dot matrix" off the windows so the tint adheres better. __________________ Check us out on Facebook at BPMsportLabs

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01-16-2012, 05:11 PM	#2
ROB_S2K Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2012 LSB E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,524 iTrader: (2)	There are a lot of tricks to getting the job done right. I wouldn't do it myself and I am DIY inclined. I'm sure its not that hard but its something worth getting done by a professional since its not that expensive.

01-16-2012, 07:52 PM	#4
M3PO Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC Posts: 2,179 iTrader: (6)	I'm a serious DIY'er and this is something that's better left to the pros IMO.

01-17-2012, 01:41 AM	#5
elp_jc Brigadier General Drives: . Join Date: May 2008 Location: . Posts: 4,912 iTrader: (0)	Not rocket science, but impossible to do right the first time, especially if you're anal, like myself . By the time you'd do it right, it's a lot cheaper to pay a professional man. I put towels everywhere to avoid water inside panels, scuffed seats, etc. And I always pay extra to have it done in my garage, where I watch like a hawk, and help the guy wipe all the water quickly from doors, floor, paint, etc. Good luck.

02-02-2012, 07:20 PM	#6
ddep Enlisted Member Drives: e90 lci m3 sedan Join Date: May 2011 Location: California Posts: 39 iTrader: (0)	tinting windows requires a whole new set of skills that are different from using tools and following directions. a lot has to do with experience and knowing the material and have delicate hands. I have tried to do all of my windows. I'm happy with how my side windows turned out. there a few small bubbles (1mm to 2mm) here and there and they are not noticeable unless you stare at them. they weren't something that were visible until the tint was cured after about a couple of days so i couldn't fix them and it was clear it had to do with my skill the the back window is a different story. i have ruined 3 sheets of tint and still can't get it perfect. the curvature is greater so you have to dry shrink it more than the side windows. proper anchoring is the key so you don't get excessive corners. i recommendation ordering a few extra pre-cut sheets so that you can keep on doing it until you get it right. because in my case every time i ruin a sheet and i feel like i have learned my mistake, but by the time i order an sheet and it arrives i have forgotten what i thought would've shrank it better. anyways, in my experience, you won't be saving much for a subpar tint job. so unless you are interested in the experience i would pay an expert.