2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Window tinting advice?

[yyzski]

Hi everyone!



I'm considering tinting the windows on my '96 club cab. Nothing excessive (no 'rap star wannabe' here) and I'd like to do it myself.



I figure that the pop-out windows are pretty straightforward, but could use some advice for the door windows.



How far below the windowframe should the tint go?



How do you keep the tint from peeling as the glass goes up & down?



Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated!



Thanks in advance

 

[JGK]

My only tip would be to have it done by a pro, unless you know of someone who currently or used to work in a shop that does it and can give you a hand. I've only done it myself once and was disappointed. The trouble is getting and keeping the glass clean from ALL dust. That includes keeping it from swirling around in the air around you.



And use high-quality tint. The cheap stuff will bubble and come loose, and may fade.



For the hassle, I found its just easier to have a shop do it.



JMO,

-Jay

 

[KL]

I agree with Jay. Considerer having a pro do it. If its not done correctly, it will peel or fade, or you will see any dirt, dust, etc.



When I originally got my previous truck I also considered doing it myself. But after looking at the price of good window tinting film and seeing a lot of vehicles on the road with poor tinting. I decided to go with a pro. I had the rear window and the pop out windows done on my Club cab. I think it was around a $100 in 1996 with a lifetime warrenty. I remember that the prices varied greatly depending on who did it.



Another thing to check before tinting any windows yourself, is the amount of window tinting which is legal to have. This can vary from State to State and even between the front and back windows. In some states you can't legally add any tint the driver or passenger windows. Good Luck. Klaus

 

[Seed Guy]

Pay someone to do it. You will never get it to look the way you want plus unless you just buy cheap film that will turn purple you will be balling up alot of very expensive fillm. Go 20% all the way around it matches factory tint and is nice and dark. Although illegal in many states.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Rip is always willing to give advice sometimes without even asking



shoot Rip an email http://www.protintnw.com

 

[yyzski]

Thanks everyone! Some great advice!

 

[Tom G]

Don't Buy Dark Tint :-(

O. K. I know I am going to open a hornets nest here but I think tinting your windows with a dark tint is bull. Here's why.



If you have the time some day park your truck in the sun for about 30 minutes and then go feel the temperature difference between the drivers window and the quad cab door windows. This of course ASSumes these are the windows in the sun. The darker window will be SIGNIFICANTLY hotter. Now go inside the truck and feel of the windows, the darker window will be much hotter. So as the story goes, unless you are doing it for LOOKS, darker windows are NOT going to keep you cooler. The radiated heat will actually increase; solar colectors work on the same principle; darker is hotter. However if you want to do it to reduce the glass heat load then get the right window film.



Almost everyone knows about low-e glass. For controlling heat gain the film is installed on surface 2 [inside the first pane of glass on a dual pane window] which really helps. If your doing the tinting to reduce the heat load in your truck, go to your local installer and ask for this type of film. If he doesn't have it check with your local home improvement center [i. e. Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace, etc] and take the film to your installer. You can tell when you have the right stuff because it will be slightly reflective and it will probably say heat reflecting/reducing on the package.



Have fun and yes by all means - have a pro install.



Happy truckin

 

[Clinton]

yyzski

Advice: go to a tint shop and let them do it, you will be much happier.



Tom G

Hornets nest: yes. I beg to differ on the dark tint and inside temperature. What heats up the inside of a vehicle on a sunny day is the visible spectrum of light. UV radiation does not pass through glass. If you tint a glass pane, less of the visible spectrum can pass through. Yes, you can expect the pane itself to be warmer, it is absorbing certain wavelengths of the visible spectrum. These wavelengths are not passing into the cabin, and in turn, heating that space therein. This light is stopping and it's energy is transferred to the pane. How much heat does the pane transfer to the cabin? Some, I suppose, but heat-wise less than if it were stopping none of the visible spectrum at all. Typically, solar panels are protected by a clear pane of glass and the panel itself is indeed dark. This is to absorb as much of the spectrum as possible. Exactly the same tactic is being used with a tinted window, absorb the spectrum at the pane so less passes into the cabin. My truck stays cooler with a dark tint, I'm sure of that. My girlfriend's Subaru wagon is a better example, it has a ton of glass. After she got a dark tint it was night and day difference and the mutts were much happier in the back. Tinted windows work to diminish heat inside the cabin. When used with a sunshade in the windshield, the difference is great.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I'll say the opposite - do it yourself!



I've done about 10 cars now - all with good results, but here is the trick.



1. get GOOD EXPENSIVE TINT. - the cheap tint is just dyed, the better stuff isn't. I've had good success with a titanium tint. I got three shades - the lightest is legal in most states - update your profile so we know at least what state you are from! This tint is VERY UV reflective - keeps the inside cool and prevents fading of the interior - all three shades.



2. Get the right tools! These are available from professional window tinting supply places.



3. Practice on some scrap glass first!



4. Now the downside - you will be plunking out at least what you would if you had a professional do it. If you are planning on doing more than your truck - it might be worth it. If you will not be doing any more - well - it's up to you.



If you want some detailed steps on how to tint - ask - I'll mention them.



Here are some links on tinting:

International window film assoc:

http://www.iwfa.com/iwfa/consumer_info/auto.html



Virgina tinting laws: http://www.pcisys.net/~bpc/auto_law/tint/tint_va.html





Good luck!

Dan