Tinting my windows - BMW Forum

Blackstar · 04-30-2004, 12:42 PM

Has anyone tinted there windows and how hard was it?

camnipotent · 04-30-2004, 01:09 PM

Don't do-it-yourself. I have heard to many awful stories about the difficulty and unsatisfactory results. If I were you, I'd just go to a tint specialist and pay the 150-200 for them to do it. It's so much easier and the results are going to be just what you wanted.

Silver4evr · 04-30-2004, 01:25 PM

For those that have done it:

1) what products did you use
2) how do you maintain it
3) does it scratch easily
4) how long have you had it on your car
5) how long do you think it will last
6) how much did you pay
7) what % did you get
8) how do you like it

Since tint is applied to the inside of the rear passenger doors for 4 door cars, does opening the window wear on the tint (scratches, indentations, etc) by the rubber seals of the window?

BMWL2 · 04-30-2004, 03:23 PM

One main thing to watch out for on our Bimmers is the auto windows(you know how they drop when ya open the door) You will need to take the door panels off to make sure you get the tint down far enough.

If you tint yourself use high quality tint(solar guard), cheap stuff will fade to that ugly purple color and will peal easier.

To clean it just use warm water and a clean lint free rag. Window cleaners will also cause it to fade.

I have always had my tint done by a professional, trust me this is the best way to go.

Good tint will last roughly 5-7 years, but eventually all tint will fade due to the sun.

The local tint shop quoted me 200 bucks for doing my rear and quaters in 16% and my door windows in 35%.

Like wheels, IMO tint can make or break the look of your car.

DesmoBob · 05-02-2004, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silver4evr@Apr 30 2004, 10:05 AM
For those that have done it:

1) what products did you use
2) how do you maintain it
3) does it scratch easily
4) how long have you had it on your car
5) how long do you think it will last
6) how much did you pay
7) what % did you get
8) how do you like it

Since tint is applied to the inside of the rear passenger doors for 4 door cars, does opening the window wear on the tint (scratches, indentations, etc) by the rubber seals of the window?

1) Gila window film. i had to re-tint a small section of the previous owner's tint job.
2) i don't
3) no
4) about 3 days
5) claimed 8-10 years
6) about $24 DIY
7) don't know. it's for house windows.
8) it does its job. but if i had a choice, i would have used smoke instead of mirror. all i could find at the time was mirror. so i had to incorporate a uniqe design to make the mirror/smoke contrast appear deliberate.

all that said, here are my additional comments.
while the end result came out quite well, i will never do this again. of all the tearing apart and DIY i've ever done on my car, i'd rather compress a strut spring with my teeth than try to DIY tint again.

it is a royal pain in the ass. i'd GLADLY pay $150 for a pro to do it next time. after actually trying it myself, $150-$200 is a bargain. i now understand why they charge so much.

BMWL2 pretty much nailed it on the head.

Silver4evr · 05-02-2004, 11:19 AM

Thanks for the info.

buuhh99 · 05-02-2004, 05:13 PM

Get it done by the pros it is a little bit more but worth it here is a pic of my car with it

it is big so u can see

brien4787 · 05-02-2004, 05:32 PM

how dark are your windows. I might get that on my back windows.

CiscoKid · 05-02-2004, 05:47 PM

i was quoted at $150 for all the rear windows... car toyz is the best in jersey

camnipotent · 05-02-2004, 06:27 PM

Take everyone's advice and let the pros do it. So much easier and the price isn't that rediculous.

Silver4evr · 05-02-2004, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by buuhh99@May 2 2004, 05:53 PM
Get it done by the pros it is a little bit more but worth it here is a pic of my car with it

Thanks for the pic. Looks good.

What % is that?
How long have you had it?
How much did it cost?
How is it holding up (scratches, peeling, etc)
How long is the warranty?

buuhh99 · 05-02-2004, 06:29 PM

i just got my car but the owner had it for like 5 years and it is perfect

TMac325is · 05-02-2004, 06:40 PM

if youre going to do it yourself, use the Static Cling tint, its a hell of a lot easier, and looks pretty decent.

i put 35% on the back windows of my other car and it looked pretty spiffy, and it was plenty dark, so dont go all out and get 5% and 2.5% cuz believe me you will regret it when you try to drive

i tried to put static cling on my car this morning just as a temporary solution to look cool, but i cut it the wrong size and dont feel like fixing it

get it done by a pro, but if you just want a short term solution, get the static cling