How to Tint Car Windows

Co-authored by Chad Zani

Last Updated: December 3, 2024 Approved

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Usually, tinted car windows block the ultraviolet sunlight rays that can harm your skin. They also offer privacy from people looking into your car. While tinting is a long, time-consuming process, most people can tint their own windows with only a few basic tools.

Quick Tinting Guide

Wash the inside and outside of the window with soapy water.
Unroll the tinting sheet so it covers the entire window.
Spray the tinting with a thin film of water.
Use a utility knife to cut the tinting to the shape of the window.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Windows

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You need a clean environment to prevent dust and dirt from mixing with the tinting. Doing everything indoor is not a bad idea. But if you want to work outside, you should choose a clean and dry place.^{[1]
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Remove any stickers or adhesives from the windows. Remove any stickers inside of your car screen and clean off all the adhesives or any sticky things that can create problems with the film sticking on the windows. Remove all the obstructions inside the car that can restrict your process and get in your way. Finally, vacuum the interior to get rid of dust.^{[2]
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Clean up the windows using soapy water and a 1" razor blade. Lower the window slightly so that you can get the top as well. Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water and spray or wipe it on the window, then use the blade to scrape away all the dirt and grime. Make sure you clean both sides of the window well, removing everything.
- Never use Windex, or cleaner with ammonia in it. It will tint your windows purple when you're done.
- Make sure you get all the edges and seals, and role the window up to get the bottom.
- You're going to need almost a gallon of soapy water throughout this process. Prepare the water ahead of time to make working easier. A spray bottle is highly recommended.
4
Take a clean rag and dry the window. Wipe away the soapy water on both sides and dry off the edges as well. If you're using a spray bottle, refill it with more soapy water. A squeegee will help you get the window completely dry.^{[3]
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- You will need a plenty of soapy water to ensure that the tint doesn't stick or rip.
- Make sure you get underneath the seals in the interior of the car. Use your finger to get under the seal and remove dirt and dust.
You'll need to move the window up and down as you work. For now, leave it up.
Like a sticker, the tint has a layer that can be peeled off right before adhering it to the window. Make sure, as you work with the tint, that this side is facing you.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cutting and Measuring Your Tint

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The water will help the tinting temporarily adhere, but still make it slippery enough to slide around and put into place.^{[4]
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2
Place the tinting over the outside of the window so that it covers the entire window. Unroll your tinting so that it covers the entire window, with at least 2-3" of extra tinting over the edges. The liner (the part that will later adhere to the window), should be facing you.
- Make sure you do not remove the liner -- you're just sizing and pressing the tinting right now, now adhering it.
EXPERT TIP

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert
Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services.

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert

Our Expert Agrees: The simplest method for sizing the tinting is to place it over the outside of the window. You'll cut the correct size, and then you move the tinting to the inside for adhesion. Make sure you're sizing the tinting in reverse. Tinting only has one usable side, so you need to size and cut the tinting in the opposite direction so that it fits properly on the inside.
You should have a few inches of extra tint in every direction, but you don't want to be maneuvering the entire roll of film while working. Use a precision knife or blade to cut a usable square of tinting film from the larger role.^{[5]
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Once the tint is cut into a square, it should stick to the water on the outside of the window. You should then spray the tint itself so that the entire thing is covered in a thin layer of soapy water.^{[6]
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5
Take your knife and cut along the bottom and left edges of the window. Simply use the edges of the window to trace your knife across the tinting film. You want a perfectly shaped line to ensure the tint fits. When done, two of the edges should fit perfectly, and the rest should still be square.
- As you cut, use the squeegee or your free hand to make sure the film is flush with the window.
- When done, cut the excess film away and discard.
You want to shift the film towards the edge you just cut. This ensures that you have enough tint to cover every edge of the window, including the part covered by the seal.
Once you slice the right edge off, pull the tint partially back to the center, so that there is roughly 1/2" of extra tinting film on either side of the window.^{[7]
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This is the tint that will eventually go into the door, allowing you a better light seal. Slide it down and then use the squeegee to flatten it again. You'll be doing the same thing you just did with the right and left side on the top and bottom edges.^{[8]
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Once the window is lowered, you can use this top edge of the window as your guide. Use the precision knife to cut right to the top of the window. When done, pull the tint back towards the center. You should have roughly 1/2" of extra film on every side of the window.
When cutting away, the corners may have bits and pieces of extra film in the corners. Use your knife to clean it all up.^{[9]
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You may need to reapply water to make it stick. If so, remove the cut tint, spray some more soapy water, and reapply the film to the window.^{[10]
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Working from the top down, use a heat gun and a hard card to push the bubbles to the bottom. Get out all the air and water by working from the top downward. Smooth the entire film out on the outside of the window. As you push to the bottom, you'll see zig-zagging from the "fingers" of air still stuck in the film. This is a good sign. Keep pushing downward, then run the heat gun along the bottom of the window to make sure it is all dried out.^{[11]
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- You can leave the tint stuck to the outside of the window now. You'll have to prep the inside window a bit more, so this is a good place to ensure that the tint stays dust free.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Adhering the Tint

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You're going to go through a lot of soapy water in this process. You can use a hard edge to get in between the seal and the window for a better clean. When done, spray the whole window with soapy water.^{[12]
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2
Peel off the top half of the release liner from the tinting film. Window tint works just like a sticker. There is a removable layer that adheres to the tint and keeps the adhesive solid. You should, however, only peel off only the top half for now-- it makes it easier to work with.^{[13]
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- Just gently work the tint between two fingers like you were snapping to get the adhesive layer off.
You are now ready to adhere the tint to the window.^{[14]
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The water makes the tint easy to slide around, so you can get the edge of the window perfectly lined up with the top edge of the tint. Your window should still be slightly down.
5
Slightly fold the tint to work it underneath the seal. Once the top edge is on the window, sneak the two sides into the seals to the right and left, using your fingers to get them roughly flush. With one hand, pull back the seal around the window, then use the other hand to push the film under the seal and onto the window.^{[15]
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- Remember to keep everything doused in soapy water to make it easier to move around.
6
Spray down the window again, then use your hard edge to push the water out the edges. Using your squeegee or hard-edge, slowly work the water out by pushing the water to the sides. Push the water out the top and sides, but don't push towards the bottom, where you have the rest of you liner waiting to be adhered.
- You should keep a hand on the tint at all times to keep it from moving as you squeegee the water out.
Don't skimp on the soapy water -- it is essential to prevent the tint from sticking.
Make sure both the window and the tint are wet.
Spray off the tint with soapy water again. This is tricky, but should be easy with a hard edge. Pull back the seal with your fingers, then use the hard edge to push the film down and onto the window.^{[16]
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Work downward and outward whenever possible, spraying the tint with more soapy water to make sure you don't rip the liner. Keep squeegeeing the water out of the tinting so that it is smooth, as if it was just a part of the window.^{[17]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Is it possible to get creases out of the tint?

Uglymug18

Community Answer

It depends on how bad they are. Some can be worked out with a credit card, for others nothing can be done and you will have to start over.

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Question

Do I need to affix the window film on both sides of the window, or only on one side? If so, inside or outside?

Community Answer

One side, inside. If you want it to look decent I suggest watching a YouTube video on the subject. If you want it done well, just pay someone who does it for a living; it's only about $100 - 200.

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What if I don't have the tools?

Community Answer

Hire someone who does. The ownership of the proper tools is part of the reason everybody doesn't do it themselves, and is what makes the installer a professional.

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Tips

If your fingerprints are getting on the film, wet the fingers to avoid the mess. Soapy water is your friend.

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Don’t crease the film while applying the tint

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If any of your friends are ready to help, an extra set of hands is always helpful.

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Warnings

Different countries have different rules and regulations regarding the tinted windows on the passenger vehicles. Be sure to check the legal amount of tinting available in your state or country.

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