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rear screen and tinting film
smart51 - 2/11/09 at 08:29 PM

I've applied some tinting film to my rear screen but I'm not happy with the results. I want it as a black edge round the window to hide the rubber seal but my cutting isn't neat enough so I'm thinking of just covering the whole screen. is it OK to have 90% tint on the rear screen?

Second, the kit arrived with fitting instructions in Russian. I guessed at spraying it with water and squeegeeing it on but it hasn't worked well and is streaky. How are you supposed to apply it?


dogwood - 2/11/09 at 08:36 PM

I used tinted plastic to the rear windows of my Transit camper van.
I put it on in 1993, it's still on there and still looking OK.

I used a spray bottle with a week solution of washing up liquid
(Just a few drops is all that is needed)
Then as you say squeege it out.
The glass needs to be super clean though.

David


paul the 6th - 2/11/09 at 08:41 PM

Hi mate,

not sure about the legalities of tinting the rear screen but considering there are vans, trucks and some cars without rear screens or rear view mirrors, I'd imagine you'd have to be unlucky to get in any trouble for it? Like I say, I'm not 100% on it.

In terms of the "streakyness" it sounds like it *could potentially* be adhesive which isn't really cracking quality.

It could be worth adding a tiny bit of washing up liquid to the water (about 1-2 teaspoons per litre of water). This give it a slightly more "slippery" quality and makes it easier to squeeze out from under the film....

Also, when you say you used water, how did you introduce the water? i.e. dipped the film in it/sprayed it on? It's a bit of a daft question but ideally you want quite a fine spray to make effective use of the soapy solution.

A good few years ago I had my windows tinted professionally - the fitter did advise that it would take a day or two for the tint on the rear screen to fully set/dry. If you've got small streaks then they may dry out...

Hope some of the above tips help - if not, pop back and try to get some pictures up


Sebastian - 2/11/09 at 09:02 PM

The legal aspect i don't know because i live in Holland, regards applying the film all i can say is depending the screen get a professional to do it, the screens you can try yourself are the ones like a transit since these are pretty flat but if they are getting more convex you have to form it on the outside of the screen with a lot of heat to remove the "memory" of the film than you can apply on the inside and after that you have to reheat it again.
I hope this gives a good idea of applying this sort of film and trust me it's not as easy as it looks, and yes this is my line of work so i paid my learning by doing and doing over and over again and messing up a lot of film.

So if you have any doubts i would say get it done by a pro this would save you a lot of trouble and money in the end.


adithorp - 2/11/09 at 09:29 PM

No restriction on tinting the rear screen however you would need two good side mirrors if view through it could be seen as restricted.

A window tinting guy I occationally use says there's a special (expensive) detergent for the job, however he says Johnsons baby shampoo is just as good and better than anything else.

adrian


smart51 - 2/11/09 at 10:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
No restriction on tinting the rear screen however you would need two good side mirrors if view through it could be seen as restricted.


Now there's a thought. I've got enough for another piece so I'll try to cut it a bit neater. A couple of drops of washing up liquid in the water sprayer made the test piece go on a lot nicer the second time round.