Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

[Thad]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I really like the looks of tinted windows on a boat. I have even thought really hard about doing mine. I think it would look great as my boat has black window frame work and black and gold trim. Just not sure about doing it myself. Maybe over the winter I'll have a glass company do it.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

It really is not hard to do. The basic steps are below.

1. You want to get the window as clean as possible.
2.Then using a lint free towel and squeegee remove any lint or dust particals. If you buy a tint kit the squeegee and towel are included.
3. Cut the tint roughly to size.
4. Spray a heavy layer of the tint solution on the window
5. Remove the protective layer from the tint to expose the "sticky" side
6. Spray a heavy coat of tint solution on the "sticky side of the tint
7. With the help of someone else roughly apply the tint to the window.
8. Now spray the "non sticky side" and squeegee smooth any air bubbles and tighten it up. The tint should move around freely. If not apply more solution.
9. After everything is tight use a knife to trim
10. If any air bubbles or loose spots are left hit them again with the squeegee.

Thats really all there is to it. Plus if you for some reason really screw it up it is very easy to remove while still wet. Below are some more pics of my Wellcraft before & after...

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww236/MidwestArmorycom/DSCF4931.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww236/MidwestArmorycom/DSCF4948.jpg

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

i forgot to ask, how many rolls did it take? im calling my buddy to see if he can help me this weekend with it, 2 rolls for $20 right now at pepboys.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I always sit on top of my seat too, and I don't do any night cruising either, evn if I did I would still be sitting on top of my seat any way just to be able to see better, logs,anything etc..I got to say it does look pretty cool, I am sold!

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I'll add my two cents worth here as I've done many of my vehicle windows after learning from a tint guy that I knew. First I wouldn't buy the tint kit. Get yourself a disposable razor knife, a spray bottle with soapy water in it, a squeegy, and a tack cloth. Clean the window really well, dry, and then use the tack cloth (don't press hard it will leave smudges) to get any lint, dust etc off the window before tinting, it makes a huge difference as any dirt etc will show in the tint. Then proceed by cutting the tint to size making sure the correct side is out when you do. After cutting to size, spray the window with soapy water (that's all tinting solution is). separate the film from the liner, and spray it with soapy water as you go, make sure not to let it touch anything as it will pick up dirt. Place it one the window, position it, spray the backside with soapy water and squeegy from the center out until all the water is removed. Don't skimp on the soapy water, too much is way better than not enough.

EDIT, when I was typing I flipped the cutting and cleaning steps, cut to size and then clean the window.

 

[cgd7777777]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I have been wondering about auto tent for my boat
does it last?
That bayliner looks great

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I dont see any reason it wont last but hav not had it long enough to confirm this. As for the qty needed i found that two rolls should cover most any boat. As for the soapy water I have been told this as well. i just went ahead and bought the tint kits anyways. Finding a spray bottle, squeegee, razors etc. would of been easy & cheap to do but I said screw it and just bought the kit. I thought it was worth the $10 but can completely understand why someone wouldn't.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

Cool!!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

You can also use a hightemp hair dryer to 'shape' the tint for windows that have complex curves in them, but it takes some practice to get right. The hair dryer will shrink the tint and take the wrinkles out.

Ian

 

[JB25VIP]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

funny a topic should be started about this........Here's a picture of mine with 5% wrapped all the way around.

I'm a window tinter by trade and i couldn't stand my boat windshield being clear glass........so naturally i blacked them out. as far as visibility, you can't see anything through the glass looking from the inside out, luckily my seats have you sitting up high enough you can see over the top (as not to bring danger in the equation)

in my personal opinion tinting the windows on a boat like mine, runabout, bowrider, etc. has no advantage whatsoever. adding value? don't think so. I just think it looks a lot better than clear glass!

now if you've got a houseboat or a big cruiser or something like that then tinting the windows will definitlely help keep the cabin cooler.

 

[JB25VIP]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

heres a before pic, before i put the tower on and tinted the windows

 

[Brokenjaw]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

It really is not hard to do. The basic steps are below.

1. You want to get the window as clean as possible.
2.Then using a lint free towel and squeegee remove any lint or dust particals. If you buy a tint kit the squeegee and towel are included.
3. Cut the tint roughly to size.
4. Spray a heavy layer of the tint solution on the window
5. Remove the protective layer from the tint to expose the "sticky" side
6. Spray a heavy coat of tint solution on the "sticky side of the tint
7. With the help of someone else roughly apply the tint to the window.
8. Now spray the "non sticky side" and squeegee smooth any air bubbles and tighten it up. The tint should move around freely. If not apply more solution.
9. After everything is tight use a knife to trim
10. If any air bubbles or loose spots are left hit them again with the squeegee.

Thats really all there is to it. Plus if you for some reason really screw it up it is very easy to remove while still wet. Below are some more pics of my Wellcraft before & after...

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww236/MidwestArmorycom/DSCF4931.jpg

http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww236/MidwestArmorycom/DSCF4948.jpg

I'll add my two cents worth here as I've done many of my vehicle windows after learning from a tint guy that I knew. First I wouldn't buy the tint kit. Get yourself a disposable razor knife, a spray bottle with soapy water in it, a squeegy, and a tack cloth. Clean the window really well, dry, and then use the tack cloth (don't press hard it will leave smudges) to get any lint, dust etc off the window before tinting, it makes a huge difference as any dirt etc will show in the tint. Then proceed by cutting the tint to size making sure the correct side is out when you do. After cutting to size, spray the window with soapy water (that's all tinting solution is). separate the film from the liner, and spray it with soapy water as you go, make sure not to let it touch anything as it will pick up dirt. Place it one the window, position it, spray the backside with soapy water and squeegy from the center out until all the water is removed. Don't skimp on the soapy water, too much is way better than not enough.

EDIT, when I was typing I flipped the cutting and cleaning steps, cut to size and then clean the window.

These steps are correct, but do your self a favor.
Don't just use soapy water with any old soap. Get Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo.
Also, when cutting to size, put the tint on the OUTSIDE of the window. Sticky side facing you. If you are doing it inside your garage, have your kid or wife, or gf, or bf, hold a light up against the glass from the inside of the boat. Use a straight edge to cut all lines, don't use a regular utility knife, go to the dollar store and buy one of the ones where the blade slides out and you can break off when it gets bad. Also, when using said knife, don't just have a little bit of the blade out, have at least in inch if not more.

Have fun, and buy an extra roll or two and keep the receipt to return if you don't mess up.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

nice job jb looks great

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

Tinting the windshield ads a sporty look. I am a fan of tint, but on certain applications. I can't see doing it to an express cruiser, it just wouldn't look right to me. A small cruiser, bowrider on the other hand it looks good.

A boat with a lot of cabin windows, I am a HUGE fan of tinting those. Sure you "hurt" the light coming in, but it keeps temps down, sun glare down, sun damage down, etc... and the look is night and day difference.

The boats pictured look good with the tint.

 

[H8tank]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I wouldn't own a boat with a windshield that wasn't tinted.

Also, it's cheap enough, just pay a pro to do it.

 

[acecv31]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

hi, im new to this site, i was just brousing when i seen this discussion, i recently tinied my bowrider with 20%, i love the look, but i am getting a lot of reflection form my dash, anyone elsr noticed this and how could i fix it?

1995 17' starcraft bowrider, 120 force outboard.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

wow i forgot about this thread. I posted a bunch in it but never concluded. I tinted mine all the way around. didnt come out that great, but works fine for the boat and looks good from far lol. It does feel a little more private now when we are just hangin out on it though. I dont get any reflection really, but my dash is pretty shiny/ armor-alled alot.

 

[mysweetone]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I have been considering tinting my windows as well. The only reason I haven't is because of what happened to the tint when did the windows on my 85 transam back in the day. Over time the "limo tint" as it was called went from black to a purple-ish hue over time. I definelty don't want that! Of course this was back in the early 90's.... has tint changed over the last 15-20 years so that doesn't happen anymore?

 

[raymondpickens]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

I have been considering tinting my windows as well. The only reason I haven't is because of what happened to the tint when did the windows on my 85 transam back in the day. Over time the "limo tint" as it was called went from black to a purple-ish hue over time. I definelty don't want that! Of course this was back in the early 90's.... has tint changed over the last 15-20 years so that doesn't happen anymore?

There is a HUGE amount of difference in 90's tint and todays tint. You can still get the stuff that turns purple if your trying go the cheap route though

 

[mohead1]

Re: Am I the only one who black outs their windows?

Wow that gel coat renewer worked well.....i need it for below the rub rail on my Wellcraft......I have some stuff from iboats, compound with wax but havnt tried it yet....