I tinted my windows
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
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From: Pennsylvania
Yes I did. The film I got seemed to fit the glass very well straight out of the package without any heat shrinking. Of course, I figured this out after trying to heat shrink the driver side. I need to build up the courage to try this again because I don't really want to throw away more money.
I am happy to see some folks giving this a try! It is an art work that takes a lot of patience and cleansing but it is simple after you master it!
I prefer to use the Llumar brand film available in pre-cut kits by TintZoom.com. Excellent customer service and a nice website. Llumar film is GREAT!
Sorry to hear of your unsuccessful result, but its all good! It will take a few attempts to get it right.
Here is a video I filmed of how I tinted my 2007 truck. I feel the window gaskets are very tight on Supercrew trucks. I removed my door panels and gaskets for my install. Took a little more labor but the tint job is 100% perfect fitting.
Darren, thanks for posting this thread. Based on your results and some others, I've decided to do the tinting myself. First I was planning to just do the sunroof but might as well do it all. My aim is maximum heat rejection while keeping good visibility, especially at night, so I'm thinking to get a ceramic 70% all around, from ebay. I'd like the back windows to be darker actually, but still want to be able to see behind me at night.
If anyone has suggestions besides ceramic or ebay, let me know. I will be using this thread as a guide.
If anyone has suggestions besides ceramic or ebay, let me know. I will be using this thread as a guide.
Unfortunately, the tinting attempt was a bitter failure. Some things went very wrong. My first mistake was on the driver side. I didn't squeegee out the solution the right way so I had a large series of intricate fingers. This is where I made my second mistake by trying to heat shrink the area. The film became bubbled and wouldn't lay flat anymore. I tried installing it just for kicks. All went according to plan until I tried to squeegee out that spot, as it wouldn't flatten and looked terrible. I left it to dry while I worked on the passenger window. This time I knew the correct way to squeegee the film to set up for heat shrinking. The film fit perfectly and didn't have a single finger. This lightened my hopes for a while. Everything looked nearly perfect until I got to the point when I had to tuck the tint under the rubber seal. After this point, I got a finger that was flipping me off and wouldn't smooth out. Puns aside, I tried repositioning the bottom half of the film multiple times with no luck. I proceeded by pulling the tint off the windows before it dried on. I realize that these could have noob mistakes but this was also my first time doing this. For me it turned out to be a $40 learning experience but window tinting hasn't got the best of me...I will be back. Sorry for the small novel but I just wanted to share my experiences.
Here is a video I filmed of how I tinted my 2007 truck. I feel the window gaskets are very tight on Supercrew trucks. I removed my door panels and gaskets for my install. Took a little more labor but the tint job is 100% perfect fitting.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
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From: western u.s.
According to the charts, the Llumar is a dyed film, and the nano-ceramic has better heat rejection, so that's what I got.
The filmvantage customer service has been great as well.
I'm curious what went wrong with the first film that you used. Was the problem primarily due to learning how to apply it?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
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From: Pennsylvania
Sorry to hear of your unsuccessful result, but its all good! It will take a few attempts to get it right.
Here is a video I filmed of how I tinted my 2007 truck. I feel the window gaskets are very tight on Supercrew trucks. I removed my door panels and gaskets for my install. Took a little more labor but the tint job is 100% perfect fitting.
Here is a video I filmed of how I tinted my 2007 truck. I feel the window gaskets are very tight on Supercrew trucks. I removed my door panels and gaskets for my install. Took a little more labor but the tint job is 100% perfect fitting.
Thanks for the insight! I thought about removing the door panels but not until after the tint job went wrong...haha. I will be giving this another try again as soon as my confidence is built up again. This time I'll take the door panels off and do it right because you are correct, the gaskets are pretty tight, making the job difficult. I'll be back with the results - this time hopefully they'll be better!
Last edited by Zander10893; Jun 14, 2012 at 05:51 PM.
The first film I used by NorthernTint was just not attractive looking. It was a charcoal looking film basically. You couldn't totally tell if it was tinted in direct sunlight because it was not as black as the back glass is, I hate that. It basically made it look darker, but with a grey tint. Llumar film is dyed in a way that it looks almost as black as the rear doors.
This picture of my old truck which I put the same Northern Tint 20% in displays the grey look that I am referring to.
As for the Llumar ATR 15% film, it matches almost completely.
As for removing the panels, a quick tip. The front doors speaker grills need removed to access the speakers as they need removed along with their retaining prongs. The rear doors DO NOT need the grills removed. Don't damage yours like I almost did with mine! The top edge needs pulled off, and the handle needs removed and the 2 screws on the bottom.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,178
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From: Bluffton, SC
Got a link for the tint you used Darren?
What did we talk about 35% over my original factory 20%? That would yield like 5% right?
Thinking I may do this rather than pay someone, gotta price it out locally though
What did we talk about 35% over my original factory 20%? That would yield like 5% right?
Thinking I may do this rather than pay someone, gotta price it out locally though
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
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From: Pennsylvania
Having noticed you're a PA resident as well, I was wondering if you've ever had any trouble with cops for the 15% tint, or even the 20% on your old truck for that matter (I read about the gas station incident). Or even any troubles with inspections?
Last edited by Zander10893; Jun 17, 2012 at 12:52 PM.
TintZoom.com. Great stuff!
Yeah 35 over 20, I was going to try it myself on the old truck. I'm kind of considering doing it over my 15% because I still want it darker.
Never in 10 years had any troubles with my over the limit tints. Inspection up here is pretty mellow with it, my guy lets it slide but he doesn't just do it for me alone. The only hassle I have ever had was the dark tail lamps. Otherwise tint, exhaust setups, suspensions, in my area of north PA is usually pretty easy going for the most part.
Never in 10 years had any troubles with my over the limit tints. Inspection up here is pretty mellow with it, my guy lets it slide but he doesn't just do it for me alone. The only hassle I have ever had was the dark tail lamps. Otherwise tint, exhaust setups, suspensions, in my area of north PA is usually pretty easy going for the most part.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
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From: Pennsylvania
I've had two cops follow me now and haven't given me any trouble for my tinted tails. It could be because I didn't go too dark though - only two coats. That makes me feel better though if you hadn't had any trouble, especially seeing how you're up north like me. Where exactly at if you don't mind me asking?
I've had two cops follow me now and haven't given me any trouble for my tinted tails. It could be because I didn't go too dark though - only two coats. That makes me feel better though if you hadn't had any trouble, especially seeing how you're up north like me. Where exactly at if you don't mind me asking?
Nice man. Got the advantage of fishing up near Erie!
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
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From: Pennsylvania
That's for sure! The Kinzua Dam - closer to home and provides great recreational options along with decent fishing.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I'm back with an update. I tried tinting again. Only to bring bitter...success! I used some 20% tint to match the front with the rears and I must say it looks pretty good as far as that goes. For only being my second time tinting, I'm satisfied with the way the install went. The drivers side has a few series of tiny bubbles but nothing that you notice unless you're right up close looking for them. As for the passenger side, it is nearly perfect! There just a few very small imperfections but nothing I'm too worried about. Overall, everything went pretty well. Once I get done with a few maintenance things on the truck I will create a thread with pictures of everything that I've done recently so you can check things out there.