window tint problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
window tint problem
Anyone have experience installing window tint?
I picked up a piece for my 77's back window from a graphics shop. When I first installed it , it looked great but an hour later it bubbled up. I thought that as it dried it would pull back down to the window but it didn't. I now have what looks like air bubbles across the window.
I now have to start over but I would like to know what caused this. It was raining and humid that day but I am not sure that would cause the problem.
any ideas?
I picked up a piece for my 77's back window from a graphics shop. When I first installed it , it looked great but an hour later it bubbled up. I thought that as it dried it would pull back down to the window but it didn't. I now have what looks like air bubbles across the window.
I now have to start over but I would like to know what caused this. It was raining and humid that day but I am not sure that would cause the problem.
any ideas?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
Re: window tint problem (jetech)
I think with most tinting you are supposed to wet the glass with water, then apply the tinting. Then there is a hard plastic scraper, like the type you use for bondo. Wet the outside of the tinting with soapy water and use the scraper to get all the water and bubbles out. The soapy water helps the scraper glide more easily. Use the scraper as a squeegy. Start from the center, and work your way out. Make sure the glass and tinting is completely clean before you do any of this. If a piece of dirt gets caught under the tinting, the scraper will tear it.
[Modified by lostpatrolman, 11:31 PM 3/28/2004]
[Modified by lostpatrolman, 11:31 PM 3/28/2004]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Re: window tint problem (lostpatrolman)
Thats what I did. I cleaned the glass with a lint free cloth twice then spayed soapy water on the glass and the tint. I used the little scraper to smooth it out. All of the bubbles were gone and it looked pretty good.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 301
Likes: 2
From: Memphis TN
Re: window tint problem (lostpatrolman)
lostpatrolman has it right.
I used to work at a Sign shop and used the same technique when laying down vinyl on signs.
We used window/tint cleaner in a spray bottle deluted with water, and the plastic thing lostpatrolman is talking about is also called a "burnisher" Also something else good to use instead of the soapy water is "denatured alcohol" dries much quicker than the water and is a little easier to work with. (Well thats what we used with Vinyl, not sure if it would discolor the tint or not ;))
I used to work at a Sign shop and used the same technique when laying down vinyl on signs.
We used window/tint cleaner in a spray bottle deluted with water, and the plastic thing lostpatrolman is talking about is also called a "burnisher" Also something else good to use instead of the soapy water is "denatured alcohol" dries much quicker than the water and is a little easier to work with. (Well thats what we used with Vinyl, not sure if it would discolor the tint or not ;))
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Atascocita TX
Re: window tint problem (jetech)
after you apply the tint, wait about 20 min or so and re-squeegie it. after that it takes about 2 days for it to cure fully. which means no sunlight or driving with windows down. if it still bubbles on you then you are going to have to buy/rent and heat gun, so that it will cure fully in about 10 min or so. just be careful with the heat gun due to high heat and plastic. tends to shrink a lil. :thumbs:
