35%

 

dude, do it yourself, my hatch looks pro and i did it my self

 

Sweet, thats what I'm getting and that looks perfect, if you got it recently do you know what brand tint that is? (Llumar, 3m, Etc.?)
Also I'm guessing thats dyed and not foil metallic right?

 

Amazing.. absolutely amazing.

Us 1st gen drivers/owners will do *anything* but take a car to a "pro" for everything except window tint.

Brakes? Pshaw! Like I'm gonna let someone do that for me!

Suspension? A compressed spring can only *kill* me.. it's not that bad.

Engine Rebiuld? I'll get the video and do it myself. Who'se scared of a bit of grease?

Window Tint? Woah.. **** man, better see a professional for that!

Jon

 

You know, you're absolutely right!

 

Just a tip for any one going the DIY way. Clean the outside of the window also and cut the film onthe outside first than peal and stick inside. hope thats a contrabution.
Peter A. Trapino

 

Just a tip for any one going the DIY way. Clean the outside of the window also and cut the film onthe outside first than peal and stick inside. hope thats a contrabution.
Peter A. Trapino

 

Just a tip for any one going the DIY way. Clean the outside of the window also and cut the film onthe outside first than peal and stick inside. hope thats a contrabution.
Peter A. Trapino

 

sorry!!!!!!

 

Just a note:

If anyone tries to tint their own windows whatever you do don't use tap water. Use distilled water! Tap water will cause discoloration because of the chemicals thats in the water and the sun.

 

Do it yourself. Like someone else reminded us, we do everything else from rebuilding engines and trannys and redoing interiors, so why let a little window tint scare you off. It just takes a little patience and proper prep work. I did mine and I'm satisfied and that's all that really counts anyway. Besides, in the process you may find your calling and become a professional window tint installer.
TCS

 

Iam not one to write much in these forums but here's my .02...
I would encourage you to DIY for at least two reasons:
1. You did yourself obviously and
2. You might be able to master a skill and earn side money towards your rx-7 goodies.
Here's how I started:
I talked to some friends who actually did tint as a side job and got helpful hints I will share with you:
1. Remove all door and interior panels (Better working area)
2. Clean all windows properly. This meaning both inside and outside. On the inside, use your razon blade and some glass cleaner and clean (pass the blade) for any specs or particles so your window is smooth.
3. make sure you are indoors and no wind is hindering your work.
4. The most difficult aspect (IMO) is cutting the film so it fits perfectly. Be patient, you can use some wallpaper cutters for example (with replaceable blades)
5. Select a good squegee (I use bondo spatulas, to me they work great)
6. Try not to put your fingers in the film, you will have fingerprints forever in your tint...
7. If you can get someone to assist you, even better
8. On the rear hatch, this is IMO the best way to do it...
a. remove the hatch, a good working table thats clean is required
b. if you cant get a big enough roll of film, you can do it this way...put the first piece, and make sure it lies on one of the defrost lines...let it dry and then apply the other piece of flim right next to it (having the defrost line "hide" the union). Very important!!! make sure the rear hatch is warm for this process, dont do it with the hatch being cool and whenever later on you use the defrost, it just might damage the whole process...
If you want to shell the 150 with the warranty thats fine, we are looking for good quality appearance on our vehicles...but think about it, you might be able to do the job once, twice, three or four times on your car getting it done right and will not spend 100 dollars in the process, never! and will acquire a skill many of us dont have...
Guys have pulled engines and even done paint jobs themselves as novices putting hard work and desire into what they want. This is no impossible task!!!
You choose and good luck...

 

A couple things you might want to know.

Pros us Tint that is Generaly good for 5 to 10 years. My guys tint has a 10 year warrently on Fading

Walmart tint is crap and will go purple in 2 to 3 years.

Carbon Steel Razor blades will mark the glass, Pros use blades that will not mark it.

You need a heat gun to shrink the tint for curves.

Mix your water solution will Distled water, Baby shampoo and Some alchol, the alchol is really only needed when the temp is low, like 70 and under, it helps the water dry.

 

i have 20% all the way around, cost me 120, but with no warrenty because of it not being legal. its been 4 years now and its still on with no tickets, (knock on wood).



Carl.

 

Well I haven't done much tinting but my dad does it to everyone of our cars. When he originally purchased the mazda in 1990 he threw some tints on the driver's and passenger's sides and until this day the tints are on, keep their existing color and don't peel off at the top. The "tricks" bizzaro talks about work but I also suggest that when you're done and the tint is dry to use clear nailpolish at the top to keep the tint from peeling and when you're gonna remove the tint just bring some nail polish remover it's a pro trick but not commonly used. Have fun tinting.

 

I say go to a pro. The rear hatch glass is so big to do it in a one piece will be hard.
I had 5% (They call it here Limo Tint) put on the 3 rear windows and a strip of it on the top of the windshield. Then we put 20% on the two doors for night driving.
Good luck and try to go as dark as you can/like it.
35% is the legal limit here but with a FireDepartment Tag I have had no problems.

 

have it done professionally...way easier and less stress

 

The side and quarter windows are pretty easy to do yourself but I would take the hatch to a pro.

 

wow you all are a bunch of noobs when it comes to tint huh? haha, i say do it yourself, although my dad did it professionally for quite a few years and he is a really "helper" when i do tint...haha

 

I say do it your self too. It's not that hard. Especially if you guys are paying $150-$200. In miami it's only around $60.