Prep Windows for Tint Job?

AMDin93103

AMDin93103

I like cheese.
What should I prep my windows in my SUV or gf's Subaru Wagon with. I know if I am going to a tinter I should expect the person completing the work to do a thourough job on the preperation for the tint but, I don't trust no one as much as ME self in relation to cleanliness. At worst, its prepped. . .twice. Vinegar/Water solution? AIO? Amonia Based Cleaner? Any tips. Thanks people. :)



-Stu.



edit: just tinting my front windows and windshield in the Runner as the rest is done, the whole Suby is untouched.
 
I wouldn't put anything on them that might leave a residue (clay, AIO). I think your vinegar/water solution and a lint-free towel to dry are a good idea. Even a non-ammonia glass cleaner is probably good. Sometimes I find that a cleaner-lubricated razor blade is also necessary to remove stickers/tough/old stains, but don't apply much pressure.
 
I would just leave it for the tinter to do...most good places give a life time guarantee on bumbles, defects, scratches, fading and all that good stuff so they are going to do an A+ job.
 
Polish the glass if their are any pits or defects on it, then clean it with alcohol and you should be good to go.
 
2001civicex said:
I would just leave it for the tinter to do...most good places give a life time guarantee on bumbles, defects, scratches, fading and all that good stuff so they are going to do an A+ job.
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I agree. Find a good, reputable tinter and let them do the prep. I talked to the guys and they use a little bit of Dawn and water and newspaper to remove it. The tinter I use here in NY, warranty's for life against, bubbling, separation, and fading. Good Luck...



BTW: NO NEED for a polish or protectant as they will probably affect the way the tint adhere's to the glass.
 
I would make sure all stickers and adhesive are removed. I've had great results with Goof Off Professional Strenght for stickers. These are things that the tinter SHOULD be doing though. Other then that if you wanna double clean, i'd suggest a good window cleaner wit newspaper.



BTW what do u mean tinting the windshield? Are you doing just a banner or the entire the windshield? I would strong suggest you don't tint the entire windshield. It is extremely dangerous and illegal. My friend's impala is tinted (20%) all the way round and the banner and at night its pretty dark in there. I can't imagine the windshield tinted, it'd be impossible to see.
 
btw, expect any traffic violation to become a major ordeal w/ a windshield tinted, front windows tinted.... cop on the megaphone, hands out of the window, lie on the ground, the whole nine. They expect you are trying to conceal something b/c of the heavy tint.
 
Jeeper, I am just going to do a 4" strip along the top of my windshield. Youre probably right about the run in with the cops. Doesn't sound fun. They aren't always nice guys.



A reputable tinter would be easier to find if all the tinters in SB weren't reputable. We have 3. Yep, 3in SB. I pulled the one I am going to offa tintdude.com. Little expensive, $110 for the front two windows and windshield in 3M. Sounds outrageously high but if they can back their work up, cool. I have two other cars to be done and if they can't cut $ome $lack they can tint someone elses autos that day.



I had a sloppy tint job on my previous car, an 850 turbo. Friends recommended him, $200 cash for whole sedan, not cool. I don't think the guy prepped too well at all. Hense, my original post.



I think I will inspect the windows with a razor blade and alchohol, and make sure the guys know I am an anal mo&^$& (&^*er :wavey



I apprectiate averybody taking the time to respond. I can always count on you people to give me the answers.



-Stu.
 
I'll also be doing some tint later on in the year, and I think that before I go in for it I would make sure that there are not light scratches or scuffing on the inside first that I would try and remove with glass polish. After that I'd clean the windows with glass cleaner and MF and debate if I should go over it with lighter fluid or not, as this is a pretty strong cleaner that people use to strip stuff like Rain-ecch off. ;) I probably would, just to get it down to bare glass for them...
 
I always use Autoglym Glass Polish either by hand or with a PC if there is noticable spots or sap or anything on the glass before sending my cars to the tinter. They just clean it with a glass cleaner and will put the tint over any small stuff if it is to hard to get off. Even reputable ones. They are only getting <200 for the job and won;t spend as much time on perfection as we will.
 
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