Window tint

[rowsdower]

My car got booted out of the garage recently and is now street parked, and we are about to enter the 115 degree Texas summer. My windows have no tint other than whatever is in the factory glass. I have not applied tint before but am reasonably competent with a wrench and with paint correction. Is this something I am better off not attempting to DIY?

Any resources on tips/tricks for 1ers, and which brands of tint film seem to work best would be excellent. I want to go dark in the back windows, as dark as I can legally on the front side windows, and a clear tint that blocks UV on the front windshield as long as it doesn't affect forward vision under any circumstances. I've researched Texas tint law and will make sure I'm complying. My main goal is to cut heat and UV entering the cabin, I don't care what the car looks like.

[gjm120]

I wasn't going to diy it so shopped around a lot for a good tint at a good price. I went with Llumar and caught a special on installation. For the tint I wanted (not too dark) it had the about the best heat rejection.

Didn't do the windshield but kind of wish I did. You know the rules in TX so it's hard to get much heat rejection with the very light tint (80% I think) that is allowed.

[kr3678]

I just had the windows done on my wife's 135i convertible. The brand of film is Solar Gard and it carries a limited lifetime warranty.

Side windows and rear glass, all the same level (Georgia, legal - 35%). I don't like mis-matched tint and don't like windshield strips, so this works best for us. The cost was $165 which was money well-spent in my opinion.

[N54Yankee]

Get the pro. You can likely do it but it’s going to look a whole lot nicer done by someone who knows the ins and outs and does it to pay his bills.

[Rmtt]

Originally Posted by KevinR

I just had the windows done on my wife's 135i convertible. The brand of film is Solar Gard and it carries a limited lifetime warranty.

Side windows and rear glass, all the same level (Georgia, legal - 35%). I don't like mis-matched tint and don't like windshield strips, so this works best for us. The cost was $165 which was money well-spent in my opinion.

Same here. I also had the entire front windshield done. I can't remember the % they used....but it works even though it's hardly noticeable.

[rennwerkes]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Get the pro. You can likely do it but it’s going to look a whole lot nicer done by someone who knows the ins and outs and does it to pay his bills.

+1
It'll be worth having a pro do it.
And heat rejection isn't so much about the darkness but the type of tint you're using. That's why even clear ceramic tint that you use for the front windshield will reject heat. But in my experience you're front windshield gets incredibly hot. I just use a UVS custom fit shade.

[rowsdower]

Thanks guys... seems to be unanimous that paying someone is worth the money. I'll look into it further.

[MightyMouseTech]

Look at the XPEL Prime XR and XR Plus. Very impessive heat rejection.

https://www.xpel.com/shop/window-fil...ve-window-tint

[olds350]

I tried to tint some windows before and it's a PITA. In this case I'd go with a professional. I know you said you don't care how it looked, but a bad tint install is very noticeable. Also go with a good quality tint and reputable installer. Cheap tint can turn purple over time.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by rennwerkes

I just use a UVS custom fit shade.

Are you pretty happy with it? I've been meaning to find a front sunshade for a year now, maybe this will finally get me to do it (if you think it fits well and are happy).

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Are you pretty happy with it? I've been meaning to find a front sunshade for a year now, maybe this will finally get me to do it (if you think it fits well and are happy).

IDK who much those custom fit shades are, but BMW has one as well: https://www.bmwpartswholesale.com/oe...0aAoYoEALw_wcB

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by dtla1

IDK who much those custom fit shades are, but BMW has one as well: https://www.bmwpartswholesale.com/oe...0aAoYoEALw_wcB

Either a Covercraft UVS or the BMW version. Both work great.

[MINIz guy]

I've always paid before but I'm going to try it myself on the 128. Bought a cheap roll off Amazon and will be using my car as a test bed before getting nicer stuff. Lots of instructional videos on YouTube

[rennwerkes]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Either a Covercraft UVS or the BMW version. Both work great.

Pretty sure the BMW one is made by Covercraft. I'd go with whichever is cheapest.

[rennwerkes]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

Are you pretty happy with it? I've been meaning to find a front sunshade for a year now, maybe this will finally get me to do it (if you think it fits well and are happy).

My 2 cents.
Whenever I buy a car I always pick up a Covercraft sunshade for the car. Isn't terribly expensive and is custom fit so it'll fit your car perfectly. Not only does it perfectly block the sun off of your dash but it just looks so much nicer.
I think Porsche also uses this as a factory sunshade.
You can find them on Amazon or Ebay.

[sixburgh]

I had mine done in 3M Crystalline. It performs well. Top Spot in Marietta, GA did the install.

[MightyMouseTech]

Some things are worth paying a pro to do. Tint is one of those things.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by MINIz guy

I've always paid before but I'm going to try it myself on the 128. Bought a cheap roll off Amazon and will be using my car as a test bed before getting nicer stuff. Lots of instructional videos on YouTube

Just my 2 copper coins of advice, but if you are going to try this, why not buy some good quality tint to start with. If you do a piece right, you'll just wind up removing it and doing it over again and maybe with poor results. I'm all for trying this yourself, I'm a fan of DIY... but in this case...

[MINIz guy]

Originally Posted by olds350

Just my 2 copper coins of advice, but if you are going to try this, why not buy some good quality tint to start with. If you do a piece right, you'll just wind up removing it and doing it over again and maybe with poor results. I'm all for trying this yourself, I'm a fan of DIY... but in this case...

Since it will be my first time, I was hoping to practice with the cheap stuff instead of the expensive stuff. The reviews on this tint is that it's good to learn on, even if it will fade eventually. I don't expect to get it right the first time. Even if I do it right the first time, taking it off and retrying will only give me more practice. Won't be my last car I tint if I like doing it.

[Tommm]

lots of water! i tinted the windows on the south side of my house above the stairwell. Tough to get to even with a ladder perched precariously on the steps. because i had lots of water on the glass i was able to maneuver the tint. then when it was on I cut it.

The pros will cut the tint to the windshield usint the outside of the glass as their pattern, then install the pre cut piece. if it is your first time and you go that route leave a bit of excess to trim. the least of your worries will be the edges.