Design Your Own Window Tinting

By: Richard Dinae

Window tinting requires a bunch of tools, steady hands, and a lot of patience. Unless you are planning on tinting several windows, it is not worth trying. It is much better to have a professional do the job for you for better results. But if you insist on personally tinting your own windows at home, then by all means do it. Tinting your windows limit the amount of sunlight and glare entering into your home. Window tints can reflect some of the sun’s heat that results to a cooler home. They can almost totally block the harmful UV rays from penetrating through the windows and when in dark shades can offer additional privacy on your part.

If you are wondering where to purchase tints, you can find then in specialty stores and home improvement stores. You can also buy them online if you prefer. They can be bought in rolls or can be custom cut to your windows’ sizes and specifications. They are also available in different shades. Specialty stores can offer you a tinting kit but if you want a cheaper alternative, improvise on some household tools instead. Tint needs an application solution in order for it to attach on the surface of the window. Improvise by making your own solution: a quarter teaspoon of mild detergent is to four cups of water. Place the solution in a spray pump bottle. You will also need a rubber squeegee, an edging tool, a razor knife, and low-lint rags.

After obtaining the materials needed for tinting, start measuring the windows. You can use a steel tape for ease in taking larger measurements compared to a ruler, which is shorter. Take note of the length (vertical) and width (horizontal) dimensions of the windows. For round windows, consider the diameter as its linear length and lay out a square piece of tint for it (each side equal to the diameter). Allot a one-inch allowance on all sides for overlapping purposes. With the razor knife, cut these lay outs and set them aside for application. Clean your windows and be sure the surfaces are free of bumps and other impurities. Wash them with detergent and use the rubber squeegee to sweep away water. Wipe the windows with lint free rags to absorb the last traces of moisture. Check the corners and edges for hints of dirt and water.

Now that you have your windows cleaned and the tint sheets cut out, you are ready to design your own window tinting. Tint is always applied on the interior side of any kind of window. Spray your application solution onto the interior window surface. The surface should be completely saturated by the solution. Proceed to spraying your mild detergent solution to both sides of the tint sheet to keep it from curling and to minimize static. Position your tint over the saturated surface of the window letting it overlap on the window’s edges. Let the tint adhere on the window and smooth out the sheet with your hands in outwards strokes. Spray solution again on the tint but this time use your rubber squeegee to remove air bubbles trapped between the tint and the window. Do so by making constant outward strokes pushing the trapped air out to the side. Trim the excess tint off with your razor knife and use the edging tool to make a straight and clean cut.

You have come to the last part of the window tinting process. There is nothing left to do but wait for the tint to cure. Curing can take about a week under the sun’s heat. You can also cure it with the use of blow dryers and heating guns (used for car tint applications).