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So you’re looking to take on a fun do-it-yourself project like installing your own window tint. Though the idea sounds easy, there are some tedious steps you’ll need to take to ensure your tint looks like it was done by a professional. We’ve broken down these steps, including recommended tools and products, to support you in achieving that sleek window tint look you’re striving for.

First Things First: Location

It’s important to find a location removed from dust and debris. A garage is recommended for a good place to install window tint.

Tools You’ll Need

Tint Window Film – Make sure to purchase tint window film AFTER reviewing your state’s window tint laws. Installing a darker tint than the limit can result in fines. We recommend the MCBROTHER line that’s durable and affordable.

Application Solution – You can easily make this solution by filling a spray bottle with 95% water and adding a few drops of soap. Note: You’ll find yourself having to make more solution throughout the process. Make sure to shake it up!

Squeegee – This will be used to remove cleaner, dirt, and debris from windows prior to installation. You’ll be using the squeegee often so this is an important one not to miss.

Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth – Make sure to get a lint-free cloth as these will be used in conjunction with the squeegee to remove all buildup on the windows. If any piece of dirt or lint is left on the windows when the tint is applied, it can turn into tint bubbles. Read all about how to prevent tint from bubbling here.

A Razor Blade – This will be the blade you use to cut the window film to fit the size and dimensions of your windows. Make sure it’s sharp for smooth cutting.

Scraper Blade or a Hard Card – A scraper blade will be used to tighten the tint over the car windows and to push out air bubbles from underneath the film when the squeegee isn’t sufficient. Usually for corners and crevices.

Note: For convenience, you can buy a window tint kit that includes all of the essential tools you’ll need to install window tint. Check out our favorites kits below:

Luxiv Car Window Tint Application Tools Kit, 9 Pcs Vehicle Glass Protective Film Installing Tool Car Window Film Squeegee Automotive Film Scrapers Window Tint Tools

YXGOOD Car Window Tint Application Tools Kit, 9 Pcs Vehicle Glass Protective Film Installing Tool Car Window Film Squeegee Automotive Film Scrapers Window Tint Tools

Heat Gun – A heat gun is usually needed for windows that are curved, like rear windows. The heat will shrink the tint to better fit these windows. Two affordable, and our recommended heat gun options are:

SEEKONE Heat Gun 1800W Heavy Duty Hot Air Gun Kit Variable Temperature Control with 2-Temp Settings

Heat Gun, PRULDE HG0080 Hot Air Gun Kit Dual Temperature Settings

Patience – Yes, patience. We’re just trying to give it to you straight! If this is your first time tinting car windows, it will take practice in perfecting the film application. Don’t expect to spend less than 15 minutes a window because then you’ll end up throwing window tint rolls at your garage walls. If you know that your patience is low, you might want to consider a different DIY project.

Still with us? Great! Let’s get to prep.

Preparation

Step 1: Clean the Windows

Thoroughly cleaned windows are the foundation to a good tint job.

1.1 Clean the car windows extremely well by using the soap and water solution.

1.2 Roll down the window 2-3 inches so that you can also clean the top of the window as well. Spray a good amount of the solution, then remove all dirt and grime using the squeegee. Though tint is applied to the interior of the window, it’s important to clean both the exterior and interior very well.

• Make sure to take your time to really clean the windows, as well as the crevices.
• DO NOT use Windex or any cleaner with ammonia unless you want to alter the color of your tint.

Step 2: Dry the Windows

Wipe the soap and water solution off using the squeegee, then use the lint-free cloth to thoroughly dry the glass. Similar to the cleaning step, you’ll want to make sure to dry all crevices and corners. You can do this by using your finger with the rag and wiping underneath the window seals.

Complete this same process on all windows and make sure every window is wiped until completely dry.

Step 3: Prepare the Window Film

You’ll roll your car windows up and down throughout the process, but roll them up for this next part.

Prepare your window tint film by slowly opening the film roll. It’s important to know which side of the film is the adhesive. Similar to a sticker, one side of the film has a layer that can be peeled off before application. Keep the side that can be peeled, the adhesive side, facing you until we move on to the application of the interior window.

Refill your soap and water solution for installation.

Installation

Step 4: Measure and Cut the Film to Size

4.1 Generously spray the water and soap solution onto the outside of the window. This solution will allow the tint to temporarily adhere for sizing.

4.2 Next, with the liner side facing you, unroll and place the window tint film over the entire outside of the window so that no part of the window is left visible. You’ll want to include 2-3 inches of extra tint on all sides.

DO NOT remove the liner in this step. We are not yet applying the tint, but instead making correct measurements of the film for easy application.

4.3 Next, cut along the perimeter of the film so that you have a film piece disconnected from the film roll. Keep the 2-3 inches on each side. Use the razor blade to cut the tint into a usable square.

4.4 The square should adhere to the solution easily now that it’s cut down. Go ahead and spray the tint film as well so that the entire thing is covered in the soap and water solution.

4.5 Keeping the film adhered via solution, use the razor blade to cut only the straight lines (the bottom and either the left or right side – whichever one is straight in your position). Do not cut the rounded part of the window yet (the top and opposite side of what you just cut).

• While cutting, you’ll want to use your free hand or a squeegee to make sure the film stays in place.
• You’ll want to cut the film using the edge of the window as support since you want the film to fit the window.

4.6 Next, pull the film over the straight edge you just cut, whether it’s the left or right, about 1 in. This will ensure that you’ll have extra film to cover all edges.

4.7 You’ll then want to cut the opposite side that you just cut, the side that transitions into the top of the window. Pull the tint towards the newly cut side about half of the 1-2 in excess that we left. You should now have 3 sides cut, all but the top, with about 1/2-1 in. of excess window tint over the sides.

4.8 Pull down the tint about 1 inch so that the bottom part of the film is lower than the window. This is important because this piece will go into the door. Use the squeegee to flatten again.

4.9 Next, lower the window about half an inch and then cut along the top of the window using the window as a guide. Remove the excess film. Once this is done, pull the tint back towards the center. You should have half an inch of excess film on all sides.

4.10 Clean up all corners that have excess film.

Leave the film applied to the exterior window while you prep the interior. You might need more solution to keep it adhered.

Step 5: Apply the Window Tint

5.1 First, you’ll want to clean the interior window, again, to confirm that it is squeaky clean. You can use a card or the corner of a squeegee to get under the window edges. Use the squeegee to remove excess water, then spray the window with the solution again.

5.2 With the film still adhered to the outside of the window, remove the top half of the tint liner – this will make it easier to work with.

5.3 The window should still be open about half an inch. Spray the exposed film that you just peeled with more solution to prepare it for adhering. Line up the film to the interior of the window. The solution will make the film slippery and easy to move around so that you can perfectly align all edges.

5.4 Once the top of the film is aligned with the window, you’ll want to use your fingers to push the film into the left and right sides underneath the seal.

5.5 Next, spray the film with the soap and water then squeegee all excess water toward the sides or upward, not downward since this part of the window still needs to adhere.

5.6 Lift the bottom part of the film away from the window then spray the window with soap and water again. You can now remove the remaining part of the liner and spray this newly exposed film with the solution.

5.7 Use a card of edge of the squeegee again to tuck in the film under the bottom seal. Smooth out the liner completely still using the card and/or squeegee working the water outward or downward. You’ll want to continue using the solution to prevent ripping as you work to remove air bubbles. Take your time in this step to make the film flush with the window and without flaws.

5.8 Lastly, wrap the lint-free cloth around the squeegee and dry the film carefully.

When You’ll Need a Heat Gun

A heat gun is not always necessary but is extremely helpful when tinting curved windows. It’s also helpful in removing air bubbles. If you need to use a heat gun, during step 4 when the tint is being sized to the outside of the window and has excess film on each side, you’ll want to heat the film (not too close and not too long in one place as this can ruin the film) and use a card to work out air bubbles and excess water. Begin at the top and work your way down to the bottom of the window. The heat will begin to stretch and smooth the tint so that it fits a curved window properly.

Make Sure it Cures

You’ll need to repeat the above steps for each window of your car. Once complete, you will not want to roll your windows down for 7-10 days and mess up all the hard work you put into tinting your car windows.

How Much Does it Cost?

Interested in having a professional tint your vehicle. Find out how much it cost to tint your car here.

Summary

There you have it. A step-by-step DIY guide on window tinting. We know it’s a tedious process but after you do it a couple of times, you’ll feel much more confident and will be able to get the job done much quicker.

So you’re looking to tint your car windows but aren’t sure how much you’ll need to spend. Here is everything you should consider before tinting your car.

There are several variables that can alter the price of car tinting such as, who will conduct the tint job (a professional or you’re an avid DIY-er), the type of vehicle (a coupe vs. a minivan), how large the windows are, the type of window tint film that you’re looking to install, and what percentage tint you choose, which should be based on your state’s window tint laws. It’s important to note that the cost of window tint weighs heavily on the material and technology than the installation itself.

When shopping for window tint, you’ll want to keep in mind “you get what you pay for” because a cheap window tint job is exactly that, a cheap job. Below we’ve broken down for you the different variables that impact window tint costs, and what you should look to spend for good window tinting.

Types of Vehicles

Coupe

You might think that window tinting a coupe would be the cheapest tint job, and it can be. However, some coupes have steep rear or curved windows resulting in a more custom tint job than the average vehicle, which can result in an increase in labor costs.

Sedan

There are not many surprises to look out for when looking to tint a sedan. Most sedan vehicles are close in size with the same number of windows.

SUVs

SUVs typically have larger windows than coupes and sedans, both larger and taller. For this reason, pricing will be a little higher than a standard vehicle.

Trucks

Because there is an array of truck sizes, tint cost will depend on the size of the truck you are looking to tint.

Types of Car Window Tint

Now that we covered the different vehicle types and what about them can affect price, next we’ll review the most important factor: types of window tint film. Below are just a handful of popular tint films with information you’ll want to consider before you begin a tint job. To see a full list of popular films and how they compare to one another, click here.

Ceramic Window Tint

A high-performance window tint, thus the most expensive. Ceramic window tint offers an array of benefits including the best possible levels of protection, while also keeping your car’s interior colder. This tint doesn’t include any dyes, metal, or carbon, making it the most transparent film available.

Dyed Window Tint

Opposite of Ceramic tint film, dyed window tint is the least expensive option available. This is because it has less technology, resulting in less-favored functionality. Dyed window tint is exactly how it’s described, dyed, meaning that as time progresses and the sun hits your windows, the more the dye fades, impacting the color of the tint. Dyed window tint is often used for those cheaply promoted window tint jobs that you might think is a “great deal”, but may regret your decision throughout its natural wear and tear. If you’re looking to go a more affordable route, and are simply tinting your car for cosmetic purposes, dyed window tint might be a good option for you.

Metallized Window Tint

A benefit of Metallized window tint is that it carries metal particles that not only strengthens the windows but gives off a mirror-like glare from the exterior. The issue with this technology is that the metal can interfere with electronics being used in the car, ie. GPS, phones, radar detectors, and the radio.

Metal/Dyed Hybrid Window Tint

Hybrid window tint is a high-performing option, somewhat similar to ceramic. The technology of hybrid tint is exactly how described, a film that incorporates both dyed and metal components. This film makes an excellent option for those looking for protection again UV rays and glare, as well as restricting heat from passing through the film.

Carbon Window Tint

Carbon window film is a great option for heat and glare reduction, making it a good option for those living in warm temperatures. Carbon film uses a patented nano-carbon technology that provides a dark black tint and a resistance to fading. Because of its technology, carbon film has a matte finish as opposed to a glare finish similar to other films. Carbon window tint is more expensive than standard films but more affordable than Ceramic tint film.

Professional Tinting vs. D-I-Y Tinting

As mentioned before, the cost of tinting car windows relies more on the technology of the tint film and the amount of tint needed for the windows, and less on the labor itself. If you think you’ll be saving costs by doing the installation yourself, you might save less than you’d expect since you’ll need to still cover the materials.

Professional window tint shops can make it an easy, guided process. Tint shops can help pair you with the right tint film for your vehicle, they will make sure the tint percentage is within state limitations, and they’ll execute a nice tint job with hopefully a guarantee.

If you’re still looking to do it yourself, (click here for D-I-Y step by step instructions) before purchasing a window tint kit, the most important thing you should do is review your state’s window tint laws. This will ensure that you purchase tint within your state’s restrictions, as violating these laws can result in fines. You’ll also want to make sure that you have the tools to get the job done right. We recommend these tint kits that are affordable, yet highly recommended by our Window Tint Laws community:

Ehdis Vinyl Wrap Tool 7 Pieces Vehicle Window Tint Tool Kit Car Glass Protective Film Wrapping Installation Set Included Vinyl Squeegees, Mini Scraper, Film Cutting Knife with Blades Luxiv Car Window Tint Application Tools Kit, 9 Pcs Vehicle Glass Protective Film Installing Tool Car Window Film Squeegee Automotive Film Scrapers Window Tint Tools

Using the right products will help you achieve a professional-looking paint job with no bubbling. We recommend taking a look at our recent post on how to avoid bubbling before starting your tint job.

Want to D-I-Y?

How to tint car windows. To Do-It-Yourself, check out how to tint car windows here.

Warranty

Lastly, something you may not have considered until now is a car tint warranty. If you anticipate getting your car windows tinted by a professional, you may be offered the choice to opt for a warranty. This is something to think through, especially if you’d like the security of knowing that whenever there is an issue with your tint, whether it’s a small tint bubble or fading, you can always bring it right back to the shop for repair. If you’re looking to install window tint yourself, a warranty is no longer an option and you’ll be having to repair any issues that can come along, even from simple wear and tear.

Summary: The Average Cost for Car Window Tinting

If you’re looking to professionally tint a standard vehicle, such as a sedan with 4 windows, using standard film such as dyed window tint, you should anticipate spending around $100 for the entire vehicle. However, if you’re looking to reap the benefits of a higher quality tint, especially living in warm climates, you should look to spend between $200 to $400 for the entire vehicle, depending on the size of the vehicle and its windows, the number of windows, etc.) Remember that laws vary by state, so these prices may fluctuate depending on the tint film percentage you can get.

Our two cents…”You get what you pay for” is a good statement to consider when window tint shopping. If you’re looking to budget on window tint, there are surely lower-cost tint options, however, they often look cheap too. If you’ll looking to not only have a beautiful looking tint on your vehicle, but to also reduce glare, UV rays, and restrict heat from entering your car, you’ll want to increase your budget for a higher-performing tint film.

What Is The Darkest Window Tint You Can Get For Your Car?

If you are thinking of tinting your car windows, you’ll first need to decide what tint darkness to select. The darker you go, the less visible light transmission (VLT) will pass through.

Five percent tint film shade is also called “Limo Tint”. This shade only allows in 5% of the available light.

While this may make the car look much better, chances are, if you are driving on public roads with 5 percent window tint, you may get some attention from the local police. Always check the tint laws in your state. If your vehicle is already tinted, a digital tint meter gauge can tell you exactly what percent tint your car is.

Putting 5% tint on car windows

Legally, the darkest installation of window film you can apply to your vehicle varies by state. The cars front windows generally need to be a higher window tint percent. The cars rear glass can have darkest tint. Of all U.S. states not a single one allows for limo tint to be applied to regular street vehicles driver and front passenger glass. At the end of the day, the window tinting is simply the visible light transmission that is passed through into the vehicle. Putting 5% tint film on the car means that only 5% of the available outside light will enter the car.

Limo tint for your car

Adding limo tint with a VLT of 5% will increase the privacy level of your automotive. By using darker tint for your car then the factory standard, you reduce the visibility level of people outside the car. Limo tint percentage is the lowest degree percentage and is about as dark as it gets. Protection from the sun and UV rays is also a great perk, especially if you live in a state with a high amount of sunshine on the regular, helping to reduce the glare. Overall, installing limo tint on your car is an easy way to provide a more professional and aesthetically pleasing look.

Benefits of 5% Window Tint

Customers interested in applying 5% window tint to their cars for special circumstances can benefit from many advantages:

• The darker window tint limits people from easily seeing what is inside the car, reducing any ‘interest’ in gaining access to the car.
• Less light means a cooler interior of the vehicle, making it more comfortable. Especially if you live in some of the hotter states in the U.S.
• Let’s face it, a dark window tinting can often add both aesthetic and monetary value to the car.
• If you add 5% window tint to a more commonly sold car, the dark windows can help differentiate your vehicle.
• If you are a car enthusiast and enjoy applying upgrades, tinting your windows is a great addition.

Can you see with 5 precent tint?

Applying a limo tint window film to your vehicle will allow 5 percent of visible light to enter the car. In the day time when it is a sunny day, while the window glass is still dark, the visible light coming through allows you to still see. At night, it is more difficult as there is even less light coming through the tint film. Common driving maneuvers that can be considered more difficult during normal operations such as reversing, parallel parking or navigating tight spaces are even tougher with 5% window tint. The low level of visibility of limo tint film will still allow you to see through the film, but it is undoubtedly tougher. If the limo tint is applied to a vehicle such as a pickup truck, where reversing is already challenging, this addition of dark tinting could potentially cause accidents.

What is the darkest window tint that is legal?

Automobile window tint laws are measured as a percentage of the light that will pass through the cars windows, the windshield for example. Every state or county is able to set their own law on an allowable tint limit. Each U.S. state determines its own window tint laws on an allowable tinting limit. The common allowable limits are 50 percent for the driver’s, passenger’s front windows, while 35 percent tint can be applied to each of the back seats, or rear passenger, side windows and the back window. For exact specifics on your state, refer to the exact tint laws here. No state in the U.S. allows it’s drivers to install 5% (limo tint) on their windows…unless of course, it is actually a limousine.

What is the darkest window tint you can add to your car?

While the 5% film is most known, believe it or not, it is actually not the lowest visible light entering film that one can apply to their automotive. More rarely, a 3% window tint can be found and amongst other things, has a very high heat rejection rate, keeping the vehicle pretty cool due to the amount of sunlight allowed to enter. Of course, 3% tint is also not legal in any state, as it is even darker than 5% tint.

Why is dark window tint illegal?

Dark window tint is illegal because at a certain level, the low degree of visibility can impact your ability to drive carefully and cautiously. As a result your chances of causing damage, accidents or bodily harm to you or others on the road increases. Further, road patrol want to be able to clearly observe the occupants of the vehicle to protect themselves and everyone on the road. If they cannot easily see into the vehicle they could be putting people in danger. Law enforcement often use a device called a Window Tint Meter to gauge the exact tint percent of your vehicle. If the tinting is below the legal limit in your state, they may choose to act on this offense. If they do, you may be instructed to peel or remove the tint from your windows. Tint film products that are publicly sold offering below the legal limit generally have disclaimers about the intended usage of these films. What windows they can be applied to, what types of roads/terrain the vehicle can be driven on, etc. Some customers purchase these extremely low visibility tints for cars that are never driven on public roads. They may be used in car shows, or only operated on private property.

What state allows the darkest window tint?

The U.S. state thats laws currently allow your front and passenger glass windows to have the lowest (darkest) VLT is…drum roll please….New Mexico. New Mexico vehicles can legally lower the tint percentage of their cars to 20%. This means that only 20% of exterior light enters through the glass. Keep in mind this the legally allowed tinted percentage on the front and passenger windows can often differ from the rear seat windows of the car. The rear seat windows generally can have a lower legal limit.

No state legally allows limo tint (5%).

After New Mexico, it is a two-way tie between Montana and Washington for the next darkest window tint. They both allow drivers to place 24% tint film on their window glass. This means 24% of the visible light transmission passes through to the interior.

Is window tinting illegal?

While not common, window tinting of the front and passenger windows is illegal in certain states. Always remember that every state has different laws on tinting limits. Window tinting of any degree is not allowed on the front or passenger windows in the following states: New Hampshire, New Jersey & Vermont. The back windows are a different story and you can check each states specifics for their side windows using the links above.

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