DIY front window tint, the case for doing it yourself!

Disclaimer, I don't know anything about window tinting!

I've been wanting to tint my windows, but didn't really want to spend any money on it. Saw a precut 3M kit for $20 and spent another $10 on a cheapo squeegee kit. I figured worst case, I'd rip it off and sulk in the corner.

The sun was out today so I gave it a spin, and it's pretty straight forward. I wasn't really taking my time since it was $20 and I just wanted to go through the motions to see if it was even worth DIYing.

Everything is pretty straight forward. The most important thing is to take your time, make sure everything is clean, use lots of water/soap, and have an area that isn't windy...halfway in my shop bay door was not optimal.

The install itself is pretty straight forward:
- use a screwdriver to trick the car into thinking the door is closed so the window rolls up
- remove exterior door trim
- apply film
- squeegee
- trim excess
- apply heat gun to edges
- repeat until there are no big bubbles

I overcut a few edges at the top of one window and got some cat hair stuck in the passenger window but overall it looks good and reduces the heat from the sun. For $30 and an afternoon I can't complain. If the current tint job bothers me in the future I'll just rip it off and redo it multiple times and still come out ahead. Anybody can do this, so if you're on the fence give it a try! I'll have a video at some point once I finish editing the front/rear suspension R&R.

 

[Bart404]

Does the tint go on the inside or outside of the glass?

 

[android04]

Does the tint go on the inside or outside of the glass?

It should go on the inside

 

[Bart404]

It should go on the inside

That's what I thought but I wondered why ngng removed exterior door trim.

 

[etigro]

It looks like it was applied outside no ?

 

[canasion35]

I did the fronts and backs myself for $150 shipped all in w tools and precut 18% Avery Denison ceramic film…came out to be a quarter cheaper than local and looks good enough!!!

 

[ngng]

Does the tint go on the inside or outside of the glass?

Outside!

 

[ngng]

That's what I thought but I wondered why ngng removed exterior door trim.

So you can push the window outward and gain more clearance between the interior door panel. This gives you some space to slide the tint around and squeegee the bottom.

 

[ngng]

It looks like it was applied outside no ?

The tint comes on a piece of backing plastic. You can place the backing material on a wet exterior window to verify alignment before peeling it off the backing.

 

[ngng]

I did the fronts and backs myself for $150 shipped all in w tools and precut 18% Avery Denison ceramic film…came out to be a quarter cheaper than local and looks good enough!!!View attachment 1007328

I'm not sure I'm good enough to do the rear window! Looks great!

 

[ngng]

Outside!

Oh I misread your post. It's on the outside in my photo for fit up, but it's installed inside.

 

[TypeX]

That's what I thought but I wondered why ngng removed exterior door trim.

most shops will install on outside to cut and trim it then peel the outer protection layer so they can easily do on the inside. you trigger to door to not do the auto up and down so you can fit the film in the lower trim.

Problem with the tesla is you get fingers usually on the bottom from it adjusting everytime you get in/out

 

[ngng]

most shops will install on outside to cut and trim it then peel the outer protection layer so they can easily do on the inside. you trigger to door to not do the auto up and down so you can fit the film in the lower trim.

Problem with the tesla is you get fingers usually on the bottom from it adjusting everytime you get in/out

Exactly! so when I did the fronts, the first window I did end up touching the edges a little. With my wet fingers, it didn't leave any marks. Obviously avoiding any contact is ideal. The second window, I was able to get the tint on and slide it around without touching anything. If I were to do this again I'd buy two kits, and keep one as a backup. Would have no problems.

Re: the door window, you just slide a small screwdriver into the door latch to trigger the door sensor!

 

[heymull]

The red-painted Tesla in the installation photos looks to me like it has a blue-colored interior and custom dash trim?

 

[Skavatar]

looks easier to do than an ice vehicle since Tesla doesn't have a window frame.

 

[ngng]

looks easier to do than an ice vehicle since Tesla doesn't have a window frame.

that literally has nothing to do with ev or ice.

 

[ngng]

The red-painted Tesla in the installation photos looks to me like it has a blue-colored interior and custom dash trim?

no my car is stock except for the suspension

 

[EVer Hopeful]

I got some cat hair stuck in the passenger window

That bit was

I overcut a few edges at the top of one window

I thought this was "precut" at the factory?



What happens with all the water and soap that goes down inside the door?

 

[ngng]

That bit was

It's something I can point at and say..I did this!

I thought this was "precut" at the factory?

It is, but it's slightly oversized so you can trim it.

What happens with all the water and soap that goes down inside the door?

Nothing. If you pull the panel off the window sits in an open door cavity with no protection.

 

[Blue Eye]

I did the fronts and backs myself for $150 shipped all in w tools and precut 18% Avery Denison ceramic film…came out to be a quarter cheaper than local and looks good enough!!!View attachment 1007328