How to Retrofit Car Windows

Do have a car that's a little blah, and you want to give it a little zip? No problem. One simple solution is to retrofit your car windows with window tint. You can do the work yourself, or have a professional do it for you. In any case, you'll have a "new" car without having to visit the car dealership. Read this eHow to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Squeegee (get one specifically for tinting and cut it into shape you need)
• Spray bottle(s)
• Hard cards (they resemble thin ice scrapers)
• Cutting surface (either glass or linoleum glued to plywood)
• Freezer paper
• Razor blade knife (the kind used in utility knives)
• Baby shampoo (use 15 drops per pint)
• Blue shop towels

1. Remove the inner flaps or seals from the door panel where they touch the glass. Tape them back, or carefully remove the door panels.

2. Make a pattern to cut the window tint by using freezer paper. Cut the paper so that it is about one inch larger than the car windows you are tinting.

3. Cut perpendicular slits in the paper so that it will lay flat against the window when it is pressed into the frame.

4. Spray the window you will retrofit with water.

5. Place the freezer paper on the glass, coated side down, and smooth it with a stiff card. Trace the edges of the paper with the card, making the outline for the tint. Make certain that the pre-existing straight edge is the one that is against the bottom flap of the car window. Draw the sides with a pencil first, then lift the bottom of the paper and roll the window down enough so you can see the top edge of the window. Mark the top of the window on the paper by using the side of your pencil lead.

6. Get more water on the pattern and two sheets of tinting film.

7. Lay two pieces of film over the pattern and cut the film. Use a piece of glass or a cutting table as your cutting surface.

8. Prepare the window for cleaning. Roll the window down, and cover the felt on the sides of the window frame with masking tape. Roll the window up until it is halfway from the top. Spray the window with soapy water, and scrape the windows gently with a new razor blade. If the window is wet and the razor blades are brand-new, they won't score the glass or leave marks. Spray the glass again, and wipe the edges of the glass and the frame with a blue shop towel. Wipe the window with the squeegee next, carefully cleaning it with the shop towel after each pass. Spray the window with soapy water, making certain to keep the top edge dry.

9. Set and lay the film near the bottom of the wet glass, and slide the top and the bottom of the film into position. Hold the film with one hand as you squeegee with the other. Work from the middle of the film out. Squeegee the bottom last, and dab away any excess water.

10. Repeat the process to retrofit the other window.

Resources

• Tint Dude has the stuff on retrofitting your car windows by tinting them.