I just got a new 08 F150 XL reg cab. Most all my vehicles have either came tinted or done it myself. I havent done it for awhile but Im thinking of giving it a shot again. Used to be pretty good at it. I would take it to a nearby shop but my schedule doesnt work well with theirs. I always liked to take the door panels off to get the tint down below the weatherstripping to help prevent peeling. My 1st question is, how you take these panels off? I have crank windows and not sure how to properly remove the crank. Other than a couple of screws I assume the panel just snaps off? Correct me if wrong. 2nd question is, is the Gila tint any good? Cant remember what I used in the past. I have heard Llumar is good but dont know where to get it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Wow! I thought more people here did their own tint. Anyhow, I did mine today. Turned out pretty good! Just took my time, showed a little patience and had a friend assist ocassionally. $30 and 4 hours later...it was done! Most shops around here wanted $170 to $190 to do my truck. I will take pics when I get it washed.

 

Glad all went well for you!

 

Not many people have the patience for doing tint. It requires ALOT of patience. I've been doing tint jobs since I was 14 ( recently just turned 20 ) and i've done many tint jobs. I dont do it as a profession, mostly just for friends and their friends for a low cost, and ofcoarse for my own vehicles.

 

I can do my own tint but I can't find any good tint around here that will not turn purple in a year or two. I think I will go with the professionals

 

Ebay, Northern Tint sells great grade tint, I got samples from them and have been cleaning them with random glass cleaners, not purpling out yet, and Im waiting for a day to install my 20% kit.

http://search.stores.ebay.com/Northe...579135QQsofpZ0

 

Thanks I will look into it.

 

I hear ya on that! I got the premium Gila tint from Autozone. Hopefully it holds up good and doesnt turn purple. I have had good luck with it in the past. But hell...knowing me I will trade it before that happens! For another Ford of course!

 

It should last. I used that on my old Silverado, had it in for a year before I traded it for the Ford.

 

Smart move man!

 

I have done tinting in the past was one who didnt want to give my money to someone else for something that I could do. That was about 20 years ago. I just purchased my 1st new truck (mine). The wife has had a new vehicle for as long as we have been together. But this is my 1st new truck. I just had my windows tinted professionaly a couple of weeks ago. I was amazed. In and out the door in 30 minutes and the quality of the job is top notch. It did cost me $150 for the back, 2 doors, and 2 little sides. Money well spent and I got to ride around for the next 3.5 hours not being in the heat enjoying the cold AC and my newly tinted windows. Just my 2 cents.

 

Sound like you got a good deal! Glad for you and I bet that looks good with the white! Mine definitely looks better!

 

Is there a key to self-tinting that i need to know before i attempt mine? Thanks in Advance.

 

PATIENCE!!! LOL! I have done several vehicles over the years but it had been about 10 years since my last tint job. I bought a kit at Autozone made by Gila that came with a nice squeegee, a bottle of solution and a short instructional DVD. It was actually very helpful. Follow the directions, take your time and you should be fine.

 

And another tip, theres no such thing as too much tint solution, flood the window up before you put the film on it ( keep a spare cloth to wipe the door panel with ), and un-peel it slowly.


Was a very smart move, should have done it in the first place.