Has anyone done their own window tinting? does it suck or should i pay to have it
done.

 

I've done it before. I'm sure with some practice, you could do an almost-professional job. But since you wont be getting a lot of practice before hand, just go get it professionally done

 

I tried it - Im very handy and a certified mechanic - also good with bodywork
If you love taking on a very frustrating job and have a boatload of patience
do it but I have to tell you time is money - dont waste either and have it
done by the pro's

 

I have done my own years ago...mediocre results.

Recently paid the normal going rate of 150 to have all windows on my 7 done. He counted it as 5 windows (not doing windshield). He did a great job and I think it was WELL worth it rather than doing it myself.
It has only been about 8 months and they look good.

Bottom line : Let a pro do it.

 

If you are going to do several cars then it may be worth trying your self. But for one it is not really worth the cost of tools and blades. You also want to buy good tint not the wallmart stuff.

I have a buddy that does tint. I just bought 50ft to do my wifes new wagon, cost was just at $150 for just the roll of tint.

 

have a friend who did his own and belive it or not he said the hardest part was the rear window, tried it with the window on and off and still couldnt get it to work, has the door and rear sides done though and looks great. hes gonna pay someone to do the rear cuz it is so much a pain in the ***

 

I have seen very few DIY tint jobs that looked good after a year or 2. Pro jobs normally look good for years.
This comes from two things.
1. Better materials and install tools
2. Lots of practice

The cost of paying a pro to do the job, is far outweighed by the results.

 

I did the door glass on the widebody, with 2 other guys that knew a little more about it than I do, which is nada. They look like ***.

Tried doing the hatch, tossed that piece out, had the the hatch and 1/4 glass done by a shop. The process is very simple, with the right tools tint and practice.

 

Hey man I would say try it and find out. I did it and the window tinting plus little kit only cost like $20 for the rear window, only like $12 for little side ones. Try it out and see, if it dont work pay a shop. But for a job that charges $250 (around here) i would say give it a go just so you know for sure you need a shop to do it.

I used lots of soapy water and it worked fine, well up to my standardsne-way.

 

I had to recut several sheets of tint on the my first job to get it just right but after doing a couple more cars I can look at a pro job and feel comfortable with my work. My last car had some flaws that I decided to leave since my time could be better spent working on the body to eventually have painted. Having only my two Sevens to drive, room easily gets tight transporting bulky items and usually results in some scatches in the tint making the quality of work lesser of an issue. I had to carry a couple turkey fryers and their kettles, resulting in scratches on the passanger window. Carried a chest freezer in the back, that resulted in a couple scratches to the hatch.

 

I have done many the first was an 85 I had years ago. I found it easy, just get good tint. I did the side windows and had the back done proffessionaly. Flat windows are easy, curves take practice. I actually took the windows (from doors) out to tint.

The trick is, good film, good tools, clean place to work, and a fine touch. Window tinting is no job for someone with all thumbs.

 

i dunno about the back hatch but when i done it i got cardboard and made a template by rolling the window down and tracing the outer edge and then leaving room at the bottum for the glass that was down and then cut the cardboard and used it 2 cut out the tint

 

If you want it to look good have a pro do it. Also many good shops will garantee the work and the tint it self for life. It's worth paying the coin IMO