Car Window Replacement: How to Tint a Car Window

Owners of cars and small trucks, particularly in warmer climates, find that tinting their own vehicle windows is much less expensive than getting this tinting from car window replacement. Not only will tinting your windows reduce fading of seat covers and overheating of your car's interior from UV rays—all at costs far less than replacing the windows—but with a tinting kit, the right materials, and some usable instructions you will be able to tint your windows with very little trouble. Just use the information below.

Step 1 – Preparation

You'll need film cut in the shape of your side window. Either purchase commercial film that is pre-cut to fit your particular car model window, or cut the film from your film kit to fit your window. Place this film on a nearby smooth, flat surface, ready to apply. Remove window residue by applying the edge of a razor blade to the window surface. Your window surface will need to be wet for the tint to adhere properly. Spray the inside of the car window with a mixture of detergent and water. Remove any residue of the water-detergent mixture from the bottom of the window, along with any residue from the window surface you removed with the razor blade.

Step 2 – Apply the Tint

Apply the tint to the car window, leaving a narrow ¼-inch space at the top edge of the window. At the bottom of the window where the glass meets the rubber seal, use the bone tool to nudge the tint between the seal and the window glass. Be sure the tint is pushed flat into all window corners and that the tint is perfectly flat against the entire window surface.

Step 3 – Remove Moisture from Under the Tint

Use your blow dryer to heat the tint in the upper left corner of your window while using your squeegee to force any moisture under the tint to the far right edge where it is forced out by the squeegee. Continue this process until all water bubbles and moisture are removed from between the window and the tint.

Step 4 – Apply the Tint to the Windshield and Rear Window

If your state regulations allow you to tint your windshield, use the above procedure to apply tint to your windshield. Follow this same procedure to apply tint to the rear window. Be careful in using the squeegee on the front and rear windows. Keep in mind that these windows are curved and that your squeegee will fit this curved glass differently that it fits against flat glass. Be aware, also, that your rear window may have defroster strips adhered to the inner surface. If it does, do not use your razor blade on this window surface. It can damage the strips. Instead, cut your tint into strips that will fit between the defroster strips, then apply them between the defroster strips.