I'm a cheap Ba$tard, and can't afford 200-300 bux for a 9-window tint job. Has anyone (successfully) used the pre-cut film? They are about $25 on EvilBay. The special Squeegees for installation are another $10-$15 for a set.
Any tricks or things I should NOT do?
Thanks, Sid 6.7 for that great Sticky on tinting.

 

Do a little research on different types of tint. Higher quality tint can block out more heat but be easier to see out. Not sure hat you get for $25.

Now for tips:

Make sure the windows are very very clean so you don't get stuff under the tint that will create a bubble.

Spray the window and the inside of the tint so that you don't scuff the tint during squeegeeing.

$10-15 for a squeegee kit....hmmm,....I've used the narrow end of a credit card to squeegee tint. Not suggesting you do that. The point is a squeegee can be anything flat with some flex that will glide over the tint when its wet without scuffing it.

Don't roll windows down for 24 hours and longer if its cold out.

An air bubble that is super stubborn and not caused by trapped dirt can be poked with the point of a new utility knife blade to let the air out. Its better not to do that but it works.

Good luck!

 

Autobody supply shops have small rectangular rubber sanding blocks that work great as a squeegee for much cheaper.

 

Thank you BOTH for some good ideas. Will update after it's done.

 

It's not hard to do, follow 2010Fitsport's instructions. I use newspaper and foam glass cleaner to clean the windows, doesn't leave any dust or streaks. Make sure you do it in a garage that's not terribly dusty if you can. Also i've used the precut tints from ebay. They are cut good and look good, easy to work with, but it won't last. If your car sits in the sun expect it to be faded and need redoing within a year or 2. Where I park on my street, the passenger side of my accord faces south, i did 5% rear and 20% front, after about a year and a half the passenger windows were just about clear lol. Drivers side was also starting to fade with splotchy spots. Good news is after such a short time it's real easy to remove. I'm a cheap bastard too, but I sprang the $200 to get the Fit tinted, worth it in my opinion with a lifetime warranty incase it fades, and I figured it's a nice car, wanted a pro job. With that said good luck with your endeavor!

 

Which type of tint did you go for?

 

What do you mean by type? I did the cheap stuff, not 3m or lumar if that's what you're asking. Think it was $20-$25 for all windows on my accord. I still paid to have the rear window done on that car though because it's a pita and I ruined the precut one in the kit trying to apply it on the curved glass. If you go with the better stuff then disregard my fading statement.

 

That answered my question, thanks. I guess it's worth a little more to get a quality product that won't fade. I don't have room in my garage (!!) and don't have a
dust-free place to do it, so there's another consideration.

 

No problem, you should definitely think about not being able to do it indoors, all it takes is one little breeze while you're peeling it off the backing to screw up your whole day. Then you're out of the money and have to spend more for replacement, been there. I swear i'm not trying to be a downer lol