Tinting windows at home?

hangubus

NAXJA Forum User
Location
California
Hey I want to tint my windows to cut down on the heat and actually have my AC do its job. Ofcourse i want to do it as inexpensively as possible....soo im thinking about buying some at kragens and doing it myself. Anyone done this before and how did it turn out? I think i can do a fine job....just want any comments or help before i buy some. thanks

im gonnae buy one and do a window to check it out.
 
I recently got my rear tailgate window tinted because I had to replace the glass. I was there waiting for it to get tinted for about 2 and a half hours, and this was the best guy in town. With the rear defroster wires, he had to cut around them and couldn't get the very bottom to stick very well. He was spreading and smoothing it out for EVER. It looked like a major PITA, IMO... My friend who had an '89 XJ tried tinting his himself and it turned out terrible and he could never resell is because of that. Good luck.
 
i did mine last summer , and the rear window really is a pita ....
took more time to do than every other window combined .
one lower corner has a bubble / line in it , but i can live with that .

unless you have a ton of patience and time , have it done professionally .
 
Check out ebay. I bought some tint for my wife's van and did it myself. There are a couple of people that sell pre-cut tint and it's the good quality stuff the pro's use and not the crap you buy in the stores. My windows came out great. They sent detailed instructions with the tint. The hardest part is cutting the tint to fit the windows so that's why I recommend the pre-cut stuff. XJ's have flat windows so their pretty easy to do. Just take your time and do it in a garage so that there isn't any wind blowing your tint around while you're trying to apply it. Also make sure to clean your windows thoroughly before you start. I recently found a listing on ebay for about $46 for a Cherokee. This was for all windows. Not bad because most shops charge $150-200. Good Luck!
 
Just had my 98 XJ done a few weeks back. It ran $150.00 for the back glass, side glass and rear doors. Looks great and most tint shops have 100% lifetime on the tint. So if it ever goes bad just take it back and they fix it. That includes bubbles and it coming up.
 
Like everyone has said, have a shop do it. I had mine done and it cost me about $180 including a lifetime warranty, parts and labor. My tint is 15% (almost limo tint) on the back five windows and 35% (to keep it legal) on the front two. Having it done in a shop actually isn't a bad deal at all. $180 isn't bad, and it'll look great. I've had mine for two years without any problems.
 
I did mine about a year ago. Paying a pro was way out of my budget, so I decided to go it myself.

I found some tint that adheres by static cling - no glue involved. If you screw it up, peel it off and try again, no problem. if you finish and decide it's crap, take it off and return it to the store. cost about $30

Went over my defog wires with little difficulty, and it still looks pretty good after a year on there.
 
thanks everyone....I totally don't have that much money for tint though....my xj is still stock. Im going to try to do it myself :) Shall i post pics when im done?



thanks
 
I've tried to do it twice myself...Both times looked like crap. After I get the windshield replaced Im paying the ship 175 to do it. More than worth it.
 
Hey Jed i see your wanting to tint your windows. I install Automotive window film as a side bussiness. I would be more than happy to give you any tips. Plus if your interested i can tell you how to get a FREE 20'X40" roll of Proffesional HP film, any shade you like. That should be enough to do your cherokee and allow for a few screw ups. After all ,I owe ya for hookin me up on those drop brackets.
 
I did my jeep about 3 years ago myself...buy the highest quality tint you can get your hands on, plan for a day of it, make sure its warm and not hot, get a heat gun and an old credit card, prep your windows following instructions, measure 3 times cut once and it should turn out great. Went right over my rear defrost, has never melted and doesnt effect it at all, 200 bucks is well worth it if patience and precision arent in your vocabulary.
 
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