A few questions for the pro's

[Guest crewdog10]

I have a few questions that I would like some advice on:

First, when you cut your film for the side windows, do you roll it on using the whole roll and then cut what you need? Or do you measure it first and then cut it on a table or filmhandler? I just bought a roll of 40x100 and I am worried that if I roll it out onto the car, then cut it, the top will crease when it flops over.

Second, When you place the tint on the inside of roll down windows, how do you lay the tint? It seems to me that it would be better to slide the bottom down first, but I have seen alot of people do the top, then bend the bottom in. It works, but it looks as if you have a better chance of creasing the film.

Third, I heard that alot of newer cars have two rain seals. One is a few inches under the other and alot tighter fit. Do I need to lay the tint below the second rain seal, or just about and inch under the top one? I want to make sure that the second rain seal will not make the tint peel.

By the way, I am doing my first car in years this weekend. I will try to post some pictures of this ameteurs work. Luckily, I won't have to shrink the windows on my first, but I'm going to have to eventually learn. Thanks for any help and constructive criticism that any of you can offer.

[Guest Blade]

I've known alot of tinters in my years and have seen about as many different ways to tint a window. Do what you are comfortable with and you'll learn as you go. As far as the seals go I remove almost every door panel anyway. But their are alot of us who don't remove them. Just do what works for you.

[Guest Tints Jr]

What I usually do is have my company cut the tint into 2 20" or like 17" and 23" or 18" and 22" but I do use a 40" roll on the back windows so I keep all of those sizes in stock but I would suggest putting the tint on the floor and in the middle of the box lift the tint and cut it at the same time to the desired length and you can usually use 20" on most windows so you will get the two pieces you need and nothing goes to waste. I like to lay the tint starting at the the top down because if there was any dirt that wasnt taken off when you first cleaned it, then you can let gravity do its job. And last most new cars do have a second rubber so I push them down and dry the window very well and roll it all the way down and hook both rubbers afterwards. I dont know if this is any help to you, im only 19 im sure ive got a lot to learn.

[Guest S and S]

What I usually do is have my company cut the tint into 2 20" or like 17" and 23" or 18" and 22"

Whats up!!!

[Guest civicnos]

I used to slide film under and then finish top long time ago when I first started tinting,..... but its just not worth it to do it that way,,just do top first,

and I dont worry about seals in the bottom...as long as film edge is not crease or looks sharp and straight .no problemo! I dont even leave an extra inch in the bottom. maybe it depends on the car,,,but usually I dont,

[hoosierwindowtek]

crewdog,

what kind of car are you tinting?

I never have the bottom edge of the tint a whole inch below the bottom seal. usually 1/4 to 1/8 will suffice. Some cars the seals will remove easily so you don't have to fight them at all.

I did a new Impala today and it's like that.

I put the film on the top first, roll up, then tuck the bottom, by the way.

Finally, I use 36" rolls, and use a filmhandler to split the roll as I pull pieces for rolldowns.

[Guest tintslut]

this pro endorse's the use of the search function

[Guest crewdog10]

Thanks for all of the replies. I'm going to be tinting a 92-93 Silverado. The back windows are flat glass so that is why I won't have to shrink. I think that I will make a homemade film handler or take tints jr's advice on cutting the film. The only problem is that I don't have much floor space to spare. As far as the roll downs go, I guess I'll start from the top on this one. Thanks again for the help and I will post pictures of my work when I finish.