Anyone used one of those DIY pre-cut window tint kits? How did it turn out? Does it com out as nice as a pro done job? Any tricks or recommendations? Who makes the nicest kits?
Thanks

 

This is one job that I would leave to the Pro's. Most DIY jobs IME end up looking like carp and do not last, even if the initial job doesn't look too bad. YMMV

 

I use to sell the kits, but they do take a skill to do right so many people don't do it themselves.
I can't even install a sticker straight so no way would I attempt a large piece of tint.

 

Having a pro do it is money well spent-spoken from experience.

 

I purchased a pre-cut kit, all I can say is, Let the Pro's do it. It was easier for me to change my SC pulley than to deal with just one door glass....

 

If you have experience applying vinyl you'll be ok. If you can't lay your bonnet stripes you won't be able to apply the tint most likely.. I work for a sign company and apply vinyl daily so buying the kit saved me a bunch of money and wasn't hard to apply for me...

 

This ^^^ = Pro

 

PRO



Only !

 

Thanks. I'm just one of those people that like to try new things.

 

In my younger years, I used to tint the windows in all my vehicles on my own because I couldn't afford to pay the professionals. I started out using the cheap stuff from the local auto parts store, then moved up to using professional grade films. I was good enough that I had relatives and friends paying me to do their vehicles also. In recent years, however, due to the lack of available time, and that fact that I no longer care to do it myself, I just pay a professional to do it. If it's something that you want to try, I would definitely suggest that you go for it. Be aware that if it's your first time, you'll be applying and ripping off tint often enough that it'll be a frustrating experience, but once you get the hang of it, it is very gratifying, to the point where you'll be questioning why you end up paying so much for someone else to do it. First and foremost - do not puchase a precut kit. You WILL tint that first window more than once, and with a precut kit, there's no room for error. Second - do NOT use cheap inexpensive film. Use a quality film made by Llumar, 3M, Suntek, etc. Best place to purchase if you're just starting out? Find a glass place / professional tinter to sell you some. They'll be more than happy to sell you tint film by the foot. If you really want to stock up, you can buy them in 100ft rolls. Third - spend some time on the forums at tintdude.com to absorb information (I haven't been there in over a decade, so I have no idea what it's like anymore). Fourth - get the proper equipment to do the right job. Squeegees, blades, sprayers - it's a lot more specialized than you think, and the right tools help you do a better job easier. Fifth - expect to make mistakes and learn from them. Sixth - have fun doing it.