Question for those with window tint

[jEt_jAk]

How did you guys get it done? I took it to one shop but eventually they gave up as they were not able to get the tint to stick right on the curved windows. I know some of you guys here where able to get it done, is there any trick or special shops who will do it?

 

[USN SCPO RET]

I had it installed in a local shop "California Customs" here in OKC...They said its difficult and because of that....drives the price up. I don't know the secret, but it looks good.

http://www.calcustoms.net/

 

[Ronnie]

I had mine done by a local auto tint shop for $400 including time and materials. They asked and I gave them permission to remove the windows so they could work on them on a bench. It looks great but if I could do it over I would not let them remove the windows because the windows were not realigned properly on reinstallationand this caused the center piece to rub against the gel goat when closed. The shop owner told me it was his first and will be his last boat tint job, he estimated 3 hours whereas it actually took closer to 9 hours.

The curves are a B. One way to deal with them is to allow the tint to be cut at the bend, it will preclude wrinkling at the bend but will probably be noticeable as well. For what I paid I wouldn’t allow the tint to be cut or installed on separate pieces on the same window. If that would have been alright with me I could have and probably would have tinted the boat myself.

 

[Wayloncle]

Had mine done at a shop in Panama City, I paid $120 and it still looks great.
The guy told me the same story about the curve, said he would never do another one at that price.
@skrip345 did his own by taking the windows out I believe.

 

[jEt_jAk]

Just found another shop that will do it tomorrow and has experience with boats but double the price Fine by me if it can get done. Been calling all over.

 

[Speedling]

Mine came tinted buy Yamaha from the factory.

 

[haknslash]

I would love to know if the static cling tint would work and hold up on our boats. I would like a 30% or 20% tint but not worth it to me for several hundred dollars. If the static cling would stick and hold up that might be something inexpensive to try before shelling out the big bucks and dealing with removing and reinstalling the glass.

 

[skrip345]

I did mine in both my 192 and my 242. The 192 was much easier, the bends arent as extreme in the glass and the panels are smaller. Other than the tint itself, the hardest part is reinstalling the glass and getting the rubber strips and metal trim lined back up perfectly. Soapy water in a spray bottle helps, but mostly you need extra hands, lots of patience, and a few beers (but not too many, dont wanna drop one of those glass pieces!) On my 192 I did NOT have to slit the tint at the extremes of the curves. Just a heat gun and lots a patience and I got them to lay down. On my 242 I did have to make small slits at the ends, but the rubber trim covers them ( I was careful to only make small slits every inch or less and less than an inch long.

Only other tip i can give is draping the tint over the window (from the outside, or the non applied tint side) and heating it so that it will relax and conform to the glass. Some say to leave it draped overnight, but I didn't have the patience for that. Check out this video for extra help and inspiration. Dont be afraid to order extra, tint is CHEAP!!!! Get a little extra and if you fail the first or third time, keep trying til you're happy!

 

[Ronnie]

Don’t go too cheap on the tint, I bought the most expensive that pep boys carried to tint my first Yamaha, an ax 230, it turned purple after 2 seasons.

I noticed that my last tinter used a no name brand (on the box anyway) material and it came in much wider and longer roles. When I asked about it he said it is the same tint they use on office building windows.

 

[Jgorm]

Don’t go too cheap on the tint, I bought the most expensive that pep boys carried to tint my first Yamaha, an ax 230, it turned purple after 2 seasons.

I noticed that my last tinter used a no name brand (on the box anyway) material and it came in much wider and longer roles. When I asked about it he said it is the same tint they use on office building windows.

+1 3m brand is all i will consider.