How to Do Car Window Tinting with a Pattern

Tinted windows have been around for a long time, and many vehicles are tinted right from the factory. This means most car windows look exactly the same, with slight variations in the shade of the tint. To stand out and make plain windows more exciting, tint them with patterns. You can buy pre-cut patterns, or you can make your own using a roll of tint. Patterns are simply a design cut out of colored or dark tint. It is still transparent and in most cases, legal for street use.

Things You'll Need

• Tint
• Colored or darker tint
• Paper
• Pencil
• Utility knife
• Masking tape
• Paper towels
• Mild liquid soap
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Plastic squeegee

Instructions

1. Order pre-cut tint patterns from a dealer or cut your own. Draw your desired pattern on a piece of paper with a pencil. Cut the pattern out so that it makes a template you can trace onto the actual tint. Place it on top of a section of colored or dark tint and use a utility or hobby knife to carefully trace along the pattern template. Carefully remove the pieces you have cut out.

2. Open the doors and clean the inside of the windows with a spray bottle containing water and about a half teaspoon of mild liquid soap. Clean and dry the windows thoroughly. Do not tint the windshield or front windows -- in many states, this is illegal.

3. Hold the pattern piece up to the window for a test fit. Peel the paper backing off the back side of the tint on the pattern and spray it with the soapy water solution. Spray the window where the pattern will be installed.

4. Place the pattern against the window, being careful not to fold, crease or tear the tint. Use a piece or two of masking tape to hold the pattern to the window so you can work with both hands. Use a plastic squeegee to slowly smooth the air bubbles, wrinkles and water out from under the tint pattern. Remove any tape that you used.

5. Spray the entire window again with soapy water. Peel the back off of the regular window-sized piece of tint and spray it with soapy water also. Carefully place the tint onto the inside of the window, covering the piece of tint with the pattern.

6. Spray the tint with soapy water and use the squeegee to push air bubbles, wrinkles and excess water out from under the tint. Take extra care to not push hard on the pattern underneath the top layer of tint. Let the tint dry for three days before rolling down the windows.

Tips & Warnings

• Check local laws regarding tinted windows before tinting your windows with a pattern to make sure it is legal.

• Do not use tint that is too dark. Each state has regulations and restrictions on tint gradient. If the gradient is too dark, you may receive a ticket and have to strip the tint immediately.