DIY Tint and Clear Bra install?

mdrew · May 1, 2015

Its a logistical nightmare for me to get the truck to a professional window tint / clear bra installer. 320 mile trip, one way hotel, rental car, time off from work etc. The installer I have used for the past five vehicles does an amazing job. The windows look like they came from the factory with tint. Even the very leading edge is tinted, so there is no little clear line at the top. He said he uses a stone to work the edge.

With a new job, new schedule, and the headache involved, Im contemplating doing both myself. The film install doesnt look all that bad with the pre-cut kits. The 3M Pro film sure looks easy enough to work with. I figured Id get one of those kits and try it. The window tint though.. Ive tried that before, which is why I have been paying some to do it for me the past ten years. Ive been trying to find some on-line DIY videos for these trucks, but didnt get very far. If anyone might know where I can find some DIY guides specific to this truck, that would be appreciated. Im looking to remove as much window trim that I can so I dont have to fight with it, and get crap under the film, or those pesky bubbles.

Half_ton · May 1, 2015

If you think you're going to have a tough time with flat windows with window with tint, you're severely underestimating how difficult clear bra is to install.

A blind monkey could honestly do the front windows in a silverado with some patience. I've done clear bra and tint on a few of my vehicles, and honestly i'd rather try to tint a rear window of a mid 90's Camaro over another clear bra install.

POS VETT · May 1, 2015

The installer used a STONE to work the edge?

What??

mdrew · May 1, 2015

Either that or file.... I didn't ask for details. He did my C6 Z06 too. Used a combination of black vinyl and film, cut free hand. Looks amazing. No dot matrix spots. Told me mine was his last, ever.....

So the clear bra is pretty tough.... dang. They make it look easy in some of the videos.

stevencox93 · May 2, 2015

I use to tint my own windows and yes you can do it yourself and it come out great but that was on my flat window xterra. These trucks have curves and all which not only means you got to worry about that but also the fingers that happen from it and you need a heat gun to shrink the tint to the curve and not every tint is the same. Some curve more than others and all so one video may show little to no hard work but when you get the tint its all hell lol when I got my truck and saw the curve I paid the $150 to get it done by the tint guy that does the best work around which was a 45 min drive

mdrew · May 4, 2015

This is a logistical thing, not money related. The windows are not that big of a deal. He can tint them in about an hour. It's this damn clear bra that's causing me trouble. They want the truck for two days. I just can't swing that amount of time.

So what's so hard about the clear bra anyway? I do have a heat gun. Do you have to stretch it, or shrink it? Or both? And does the type/brand of film make a difference, like some of the 3M Pro film videos suggest?