Install Window Tint
Safety and Legal Precautions
Your tinted windows must comply with state and local laws, which you should research before installing any film. You can check your State Tinting Laws on our website. Please use proper judgement when applying dark tint to your vehicle. Very dark tint could render visibility, which could lead to serious injury or death. Tint Kits assumes no responsibility for the improper or illegal application of window film. If you have any questions about your product, you can contact us at info@tintkits.com.
Tools Required
- Spray Bottle
- Rubber Squeegee
- Single-edge Razor Blade or Utility Knife
- Distilled Water
- Lint-free Cloth
- Baby Shampoo or Film Aid Application Concentrate
Things You Should Know Before You Begin
- Tint vehicle in a shaded, well-lighted, dust-free environment.
- Apply film when air temperature is between 40º F and 98º F for at least three days.
- Handle film carefully because creases are not removable.
- Two people should work together to handle large pieces of film.
- DO NOT clean glass or film with ammonia, vinegar, or household glass cleaners these will cause adhesive failure.
- If tinting residential windows, please call the factory to receive a residential instruction sheet.
- DO NOT apply any auto film to thermal or dual-pane windows. Any film may be applied to single-pane or storm windows.
- DO NOT apply film to plexiglass, plastic or acrylic windows the adhesive will cause the materials to become opaque.
- Start with the smallest flat window. Become comfortable handling and applying the film on small fixed windows before tinting larger or compound-curved windows
Preparation Steps
Gather all tools. Mix 1-2 caps of baby shampoo into 1 quart of distilled water to make a soapy solution, or mix FILM AID according to package directions. The more soap you use the longer it will take for the film to lock. Fill a spray bottle. Use this solution throughout the entire application process. Identify the release liner which protects the adhesive side of the film. Usually the liner is on the outside of the curl of the roll.
Film Installation Steps
1. Thoroughly spray the soapy solution on the inside and outside surfaces of the window(s) you plan to tint. Use a razor blade to lightly scrape away any dirt or residue from the glass. Respray and hand wash both surfaces of the glass. Use a squeegee or lint-free cloth to dry the surface. The cleaner the glass, the better the film application will look.
2. Wet the outside of the glass with the soapy solution and place the film onto the wet glass with the liner side facing outward. Spray the film then squeegee to hold it temporarily in place.
3. Spray the soapy solution on the INSIDE surface of the window until thoroughly wet. Gently lift the pre-cut film from the outside of the window.
4. To separate the film from the release liner, dry both sides of a film corner, and place two pieces of transparent tape on each side of the film corner: half of the tape on the film, half extending over the corner edge. Press the two pieces of tape firmly together, then quickly pull them apart to expose the adhesive. Peel liner apart diagonally, from corner to corner. While handling the film, do not allow the adhesive to touch itself.
5. While removing the liner, spray the adhesive side of the film. Place the wet adhesive onto the wet INSIDE of the window. Handle film carefully. DO NOT CREASE. Allow the film to slide easily. Wet your fingertips with the solution and smooth the film into place. If the film does not slide easily on the glass, remove film and respray the glass. Reapply.
6. Spray the outside film surface thoroughly. On flat glass, squeegee from top downward only, not side to side. On curved glass, squeegee from the center to the bottom, then squeegee film toward the sides. Press firmly on squeegee to remove ALL water and bubbles from under film. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe up excess water. Trim as necessary with a sharp blade.
7. Lubricate the gasket at the bottom of roll-up windows with a few drops of solution, then press the 1/4'' flap of film down between the window and the gasket. If puckers appear under the film, use a credit card or ruler as a guide and trim the bottom film edge. Respray the film and resqueegee toward the newly cut edge to remove air and solution.
8. If any trimming is needed, use a new razor blade to carefully cut the film. On fixed windows, leave a 1/16 inch gap trimmed around the film so you will be able to remove the water from under the film.
9. Respray the top surface of the film then firmly squeegee to remove ALL bubbles. Repeat as needed. For areas too small to squeegee, wrap a clean, soft cloth around a credit card or hard card and firmly press the remaining water toward the nearest edge. If a V shaped pucker appears, the window has a compound curve. If the puckers are less than 2 inches long, respray the film and squeegee firmly and slowly. If puckers are larger, refer to: Tinting Compound Curved Windows instructions.
10. Leave windows rolled up for at least 3 days. Film may appear cloudy or foggy at first this is normal. Film should clear up in a few days.
Drying Time
Your new window Tint Kit will take about 3 to 5 days to fully dry, sometimes a lot longer depending on film type, and weather conditions. Until this time your tinted windows may appear hazy or lumpy, and it may seem to have water bubbles. Do not roll your tinted windows down until dry!
How to Tint Curved Rear Windows
The back side and rear windows of some vehicles may have curved surfaces that prevent film from lying flat without v-shaped or finger bubbles. Film cannot conform to these surfaces without being heat-shrunk. Tint Kits Rear Window Kits contain one-piece of film that is 1/4 inch larger than the actual window. This gives plenty of room for shrinking and forming.
1. Review basic film installation instructions before applying the film. DO NOT scrape defroster lines while cleaning the rear window.
2. Spray the OUTSIDE of the glass and place the film on the window with the liner side facing you. Spray the film and temporarily squeegee it into place before heating.
3. Use a heat gun to heat the film and form it to the back window. DO NOT place the heat gun in one location for more than a few seconds. Carefully use the heat gun to apply heat and squeegee the film away from the center of the rear window. If fingers become to large, split them into two with your finger and continue heating and squeeging the film. Take your time. This process may take 10-15 mins or so depending on vehicle. All creases should be out of the film before proceeding to the next step.
4. Respray the INSIDE surface of the window and spray the adhesive side of the film. Position the film along the bottom of the window and squeegee it firmly from the center to the sides. If any trimming is needed, use a new razor blade to carefully cut the film. On fixed windows, leave a 1/16 inch gap trimmed around the film so you will be able to remove the water from under the film.
5. Re-squeegee problem areas in the film as you proceed, trimming as needed. CAUTION: do not cut defroster lines. Use a hard card to firmly press out all fingers.
6. Always clean film with a soapy water solution and a clean, soft squeegee. NEVER use ammonia, vinegar, household cleaners, paper towels, or brushes to clean.
For more instructions on How To Install Window Film, Visit www.youtube.com and search Install Tint Kit
Gather all tools. Mix 1-2 caps of baby shampoo into 1 quart of distilled water to make a soapy solution, or mix FILM AID according to package directions. The more soap you use the longer it will take for the film to lock. Fill a spray bottle. Use this solution throughout the entire application process. Identify the release liner which protects the adhesive side of the film. Usually the liner is on the outside of the curl of the roll.
Film Installation Steps
1. Thoroughly spray the soapy solution on the inside and outside surfaces of the window(s) you plan to tint. Use a razor blade to lightly scrape away any dirt or residue from the glass. Respray and hand wash both surfaces of the glass. Use a squeegee or lint-free cloth to dry the surface. The cleaner the glass, the better the film application will look.
2. Wet the outside of the glass with the soapy solution and place the film onto the wet glass with the liner side facing outward. Spray the film then squeegee to hold it temporarily in place.
3. Spray the soapy solution on the INSIDE surface of the window until thoroughly wet. Gently lift the pre-cut film from the outside of the window.
4. To separate the film from the release liner, dry both sides of a film corner, and place two pieces of transparent tape on each side of the film corner: half of the tape on the film, half extending over the corner edge. Press the two pieces of tape firmly together, then quickly pull them apart to expose the adhesive. Peel liner apart diagonally, from corner to corner. While handling the film, do not allow the adhesive to touch itself.
5. While removing the liner, spray the adhesive side of the film. Place the wet adhesive onto the wet INSIDE of the window. Handle film carefully. DO NOT CREASE. Allow the film to slide easily. Wet your fingertips with the solution and smooth the film into place. If the film does not slide easily on the glass, remove film and respray the glass. Reapply.
6. Spray the outside film surface thoroughly. On flat glass, squeegee from top downward only, not side to side. On curved glass, squeegee from the center to the bottom, then squeegee film toward the sides. Press firmly on squeegee to remove ALL water and bubbles from under film. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe up excess water. Trim as necessary with a sharp blade.
7. Lubricate the gasket at the bottom of roll-up windows with a few drops of solution, then press the 1/4'' flap of film down between the window and the gasket. If puckers appear under the film, use a credit card or ruler as a guide and trim the bottom film edge. Respray the film and resqueegee toward the newly cut edge to remove air and solution.
8. If any trimming is needed, use a new razor blade to carefully cut the film. On fixed windows, leave a 1/16 inch gap trimmed around the film so you will be able to remove the water from under the film.
9. Respray the top surface of the film then firmly squeegee to remove ALL bubbles. Repeat as needed. For areas too small to squeegee, wrap a clean, soft cloth around a credit card or hard card and firmly press the remaining water toward the nearest edge. If a V shaped pucker appears, the window has a compound curve. If the puckers are less than 2 inches long, respray the film and squeegee firmly and slowly. If puckers are larger, refer to: Tinting Compound Curved Windows instructions.
10. Leave windows rolled up for at least 3 days. Film may appear cloudy or foggy at first this is normal. Film should clear up in a few days.
Drying Time
Your new window Tint Kit will take about 3 to 5 days to fully dry, sometimes a lot longer depending on film type, and weather conditions. Until this time your tinted windows may appear hazy or lumpy, and it may seem to have water bubbles. Do not roll your tinted windows down until dry!
How to Tint Curved Rear Windows
The back side and rear windows of some vehicles may have curved surfaces that prevent film from lying flat without v-shaped or finger bubbles. Film cannot conform to these surfaces without being heat-shrunk. Tint Kits Rear Window Kits contain one-piece of film that is 1/4 inch larger than the actual window. This gives plenty of room for shrinking and forming.
1. Review basic film installation instructions before applying the film. DO NOT scrape defroster lines while cleaning the rear window.
2. Spray the OUTSIDE of the glass and place the film on the window with the liner side facing you. Spray the film and temporarily squeegee it into place before heating.
3. Use a heat gun to heat the film and form it to the back window. DO NOT place the heat gun in one location for more than a few seconds. Carefully use the heat gun to apply heat and squeegee the film away from the center of the rear window. If fingers become to large, split them into two with your finger and continue heating and squeeging the film. Take your time. This process may take 10-15 mins or so depending on vehicle. All creases should be out of the film before proceeding to the next step.
4. Respray the INSIDE surface of the window and spray the adhesive side of the film. Position the film along the bottom of the window and squeegee it firmly from the center to the sides. If any trimming is needed, use a new razor blade to carefully cut the film. On fixed windows, leave a 1/16 inch gap trimmed around the film so you will be able to remove the water from under the film.
5. Re-squeegee problem areas in the film as you proceed, trimming as needed. CAUTION: do not cut defroster lines. Use a hard card to firmly press out all fingers.
6. Always clean film with a soapy water solution and a clean, soft squeegee. NEVER use ammonia, vinegar, household cleaners, paper towels, or brushes to clean.
For more instructions on How To Install Window Film, Visit www.youtube.com and search Install Tint Kit
