Tinting Windows By Yourself

Mazer18 · April 20, 2009

I'd like to get my windows tinted a little on my 07 Silverado but I'm having a hard time finding someone to do it. The local shop in town now says that they don't do it anymore. When I asked for suggestions they mentioned two shops, one 30, and one 100 miles away. I called the one that's 30 miles away and they are a little backed up and can't get me in for a few weeks. On top of that I'm not sure a 60 mile round trip is worth it or not.

The only other place in the local area that does it is a guy who runs the buisness from his home but I'm having a hard time even getting an accurate address. I tried driving there to take a look but couldn't find it. Also, being that he's doing it from his home I'm questioning quality.

What I want to know is what do y'all think about tinting your own windows? Is it over the top difficult? I'd imagine the new GMT-900 truck have been out long enough now that someone would've made a pre-cutout set for them.

What do y'all say?

tobias · April 20, 2009

I say wait whatever time is necessary to have it done professionally at the shop closest to you. Sometimes a little time and money can save a whole lot of headache and frustration.

If you've never done it before, your new truck is not the place to try for the first time.

LawmanSS · April 20, 2009

x2. I'm with him on this one...leave it up to the pros.

bubba33 · April 20, 2009

I say wait whatever time is necessary to have it done professionally at the shop closest to you. Sometimes a little time and money can save a whole lot of headache and frustration.

If you've never done it before, your new truck is not the place to try for the first time.

I can't believe I am going to say this but, what he said.

matt3 · April 20, 2009

Wait for a opening, spend a few bucks, and have it done right.

mr_bots · April 20, 2009

Yeah, tint is something most shouldn't attempt. It seems when people try to do it themselves it always comes out looking like shit.

Bmart · April 20, 2009

When I had mine done, I couldn't believe the guy's seamless application of the tint to my window. This is definitely something that take a lot of practice before you get it right, and something i wouldn't go near my precious truck with until i had it mastered.

wait, and pay.

Wingnut · April 20, 2009

I'm the king of getting mad about paying for crap that shouldn't cost NEARLY as much as what it does...And figuring it out on my own. Like plumbing. You know how easy that crap is? Dude wanted $300 to change out the heating element in my hot water tank. It's a $30 part and MAYBE 30 minutes if you've never done it before and have no book. Same with other basic things. WAAAAY cheaper if you put forth 10 minutes of effort to learn how to do it.

HOWEVER!!!!

I've tried tinting windows a few times in my life. And I've never been able to come even remotely close to the quality (or speed for that matter) of a professional tint place. I have tint rabies or something. I just can't do it. I spent 2 hours trying to tint ONE window once, only to get an A for effort and big honkin' F for results. Dude did a perfect tint job on all 5 windows in my GTO in about 40 minutes.

In my world, paying somebody to tint my stuff is well worth the time.

farmallcub · April 20, 2009

I had my 04 tinted and it cost me 92 bucks (they also made me two IH logo's with the computer) for both side windows and the rear.

In the four years I owned it, never had a problem. It was seamless.

Bubbles and wrinkles in your tint say one thing..... I did it myself.

tobias · April 20, 2009

I'm the king of getting mad about paying for crap that shouldn't cost NEARLY as much as what it does...And figuring it out on my own. Like plumbing. You know how easy that crap is? Dude wanted $300 to change out the heating element in my hot water tank. It's a $30 part and MAYBE 30 minutes if you've never done it before and have no book. Same with other basic things. WAAAAY cheaper if you put forth 10 minutes of effort to learn how to do it.

HOWEVER!!!!

I've tried tinting windows a few times in my life. And I've never been able to come even remotely close to the quality (or speed for that matter) of a professional tint place. I have tint rabies or something. I just can't do it. I spent 2 hours trying to tint ONE window once, only to get an A for effort and big honkin' F for results. Dude did a perfect tint job on all 5 windows in my GTO in about 40 minutes.

In my world, paying somebody to tint my stuff is well worth the time.

I LOL'd.

03blackz71 · April 20, 2009

I have tinted my last 4 truck myself. It takes practice to get it done well. I buy precut tint from a local guy that sells them on ebay. I think I paid $20 for two front windows. And only took me 30 minutes to do my truck. There is a trick to tinting but once you figure that out you are set.

chuck16 · April 20, 2009

Tinting is quite easy actually if you have the time and the patience and of course the right Tint. There is lots of really crappy tint out there so you want to make sure you get the right stuff. I've tinted all of my last vehicles and even put a nice brow on the window to keep the glare down.

As long as you get quality stuff it should be fairly easy to do. Soap, water, patience, sometimes a helper is handy, clean the window with a razor blade first and you should be ok!

If you feel comfortable doing it, do it yourself, if not send it someone. Most places offer a lifetime guarantee on tint for the life of you owning the car, at least that's what a few places around here do.

Keep us posted!!!

-Evan