tinted windows
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 1
From: Denton, TX
There was a thread in the Write-up section for about a day. It seems to have been deleted. Not sure why. Anyway, I finished applying the Static Cling tint to side windows on the soft top a few days ago. They turned out pretty good. I have one pane that I will likely re-do. It probably took three hours to do them and it only cost $12 for a roll of it. Had I planned my material usage better, I could have done it all with one roll. The key seems to be to take your time when cutting and use a LOT of water when applying. Also buy a squeegee.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Columbia City, IN
I can't really speak for how well it holds up. I applied the film about 4 days ago and just put the soft top back together 2 days ago. I have driven it for sustained periods at 70+ MPH in high wind. The windows are a little hazier than they were before and obviously darker. It seems to help cut don on the heat. It should be good when I get the fronts tinted (professionally). I am also going to install the wind deflectors in the window channels. Then I can leave the windows cracked.
Here is how I did the install (based off of previously deleted post).
Preferred Materials:
Medium Tack Tracing Paper
Instant Cling Window Tint
Xacto Knife
Pencil
Squeegee
Soft Top Window Cleaner
Water
Spray Bottle
Cheap Alternative Materials:
Tissue Paper
Instant Cling Window Tint
Scissors
Pencil
Squeegee
Water
Spray Bottle
Take the windows out and clean them thoroughly. After they dry lay them on a flat surface with the outside facing up. If you feel around the edge of the windows you will notice a small lip all the way around. Lay your tracing paper over the window and trace the outer edge [Lip] of each window. I am referring to the black vinyl portion.
Once you have it traced, cut it out to use it as a template. Lay out the film on a flat surface with the template on top. I used the masking tape to hold the template in place. Rough cut the film larger than the template to make it easier to work with. Carefully cut out the film matching your template. Separate the template from the film.
Now since I have cat hair all over everywhere in my house I washed the film at this point. I just took it to the bath tub and ran water over it until I felt it should be free of cat hair and dust. Back to the windows, use a spray bottle with water and apply a liberal amount of water to the windows. Lay the film over the window. If you put enough water on it the film should basically float on the water. Apply more water to the top of the film then squeegee from the center out to the edges.
If you did it correctly there should be no air bubbles between the vinyl window and the film. If not just peel it off and re-apply. When a whole panel is complete, let it dry in a warm place for several hours to a day.
You may want to start with the smaller windows first. They are pretty easy.
Hope this helps.
Here is how I did the install (based off of previously deleted post).
Preferred Materials:
Medium Tack Tracing Paper
Instant Cling Window Tint
Xacto Knife
Pencil
Squeegee
Soft Top Window Cleaner
Water
Spray Bottle
Cheap Alternative Materials:
Tissue Paper
Instant Cling Window Tint
Scissors
Pencil
Squeegee
Water
Spray Bottle
Take the windows out and clean them thoroughly. After they dry lay them on a flat surface with the outside facing up. If you feel around the edge of the windows you will notice a small lip all the way around. Lay your tracing paper over the window and trace the outer edge [Lip] of each window. I am referring to the black vinyl portion.
Once you have it traced, cut it out to use it as a template. Lay out the film on a flat surface with the template on top. I used the masking tape to hold the template in place. Rough cut the film larger than the template to make it easier to work with. Carefully cut out the film matching your template. Separate the template from the film.
Now since I have cat hair all over everywhere in my house I washed the film at this point. I just took it to the bath tub and ran water over it until I felt it should be free of cat hair and dust. Back to the windows, use a spray bottle with water and apply a liberal amount of water to the windows. Lay the film over the window. If you put enough water on it the film should basically float on the water. Apply more water to the top of the film then squeegee from the center out to the edges.
If you did it correctly there should be no air bubbles between the vinyl window and the film. If not just peel it off and re-apply. When a whole panel is complete, let it dry in a warm place for several hours to a day.
You may want to start with the smaller windows first. They are pretty easy.
Hope this helps.