Considering a Window tint

Wow good price! All the local tint shops were asking for $250-350 for lifetime warranty tint jobs, so I took a leap and got the window tint from SnapTint.com.

I tinted my own car this weekend with my wife. Gotta say, despite all the warnings from people, it was pretty easy. Me and my wife worked through their instructions in about 2 hours and was done. Total cost: $95. I really recommend this product!

SnapTint pre-cuts the window film to the size and shapes for the windows to my 2007 Prius. They have maybe 5 different film choices (black,grey,greenish,mirror,blue), and I chose SolarGard HP True Grey. Attached some pictures so you guys can see the process.

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Here I am sliding the film around on the window to align the bottom then the top of the film.

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My wife is helping me squeegee water out from underneath the film to lock it down

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I am using a heat gun to shrink the rear window to fit the curve

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This is how it looked today. So far so good.

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Back view, looks professional to me!


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rxmxsh @ Apr 12 2007, 10:04 PM) [snapback]422410[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhitePriusZOOM @ Apr 16 2007, 03:59 PM) [snapback]424288[/snapback]</div>

I'm sure all the people you see driving down the freeway with bubbly tint in their rear window thought it looked great the day after it was installed.

Let's see how yours looks after a couple of summers.

 

Good point, but I am optimistic that this will turn out well.

1. They got a replacement film program, so if at any time the window goes bad, for whatever reason, even like 5 years from now, they will replace the window for only $9.99 from me. I will still be up $200 bucks in the bank; 5% interest on $200 after two years is $20 anyways.

2. I took a sample of the film to my local tint shop, and they matched it with the SolarGard HP True Grey film, so I know I am getting good film. If it goes bad, the tint from my $300 shop will go bad too.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Apr 16 2007, 05:28 PM) [snapback]424318[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Apr 16 2007, 07:28 PM) [snapback]424318[/snapback]</div>

That is usually people who used the self-adhesive stuff, or didn't follow the instructions properly. The liquid-apply stuff is a bit trickier at first, but it can last a long time when applied properly. How do you think the tint shop does it? A lot of them buy pre-cut pieces from companies much like snap-tint. Same film, pre-cut, quicker installation for them. Not the same retail packages, of course, they have wholesale accounts, but same idea.

The other way you can get all bubbly is to use windex to clean it. Never use any ammonia containing glass cleaner on tint, you'll live to regret it.

-Sam

 

One thing to keep in mind. Even though $9.99 sounds cheap for a later replacement, it's extemely difficult to remove old tint. I had to do this once and spent many, many hours on the rear hatch window on a Camaro. It wasn't fun.

As far as your vehicle, looks pretty darn professional to me. I too have a white Pri and am considering SnapTint after looking at your pix. Your windows are too dark for me however. I'm guessing you got the 20%, right? I'm thinking the 35% for myself unless you tell me that's what you have (doubt it though). Also, I'm guessing you purchased the $14.95 installation tool kit just from your total price. What exactly came with that? Lastly, I would need to do this on my own. Is it a 2 person job or could you have done it easily without the help of your wife? Certainly the pros can probably do it with one hand tied behind their back but I'm no pro... at this


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhitePriusZOOM @ Apr 16 2007, 06:59 PM) [snapback]424288[/snapback]</div>

 

We wanted to get pretty dark film so we went with the 20%, you can barely make out the people or contents inside the car. My wife got her laptop stolen in a parking lot, so we wanted a little extra privacy. If you want to be able to see into the car from outside, and maximize the sun protection, I think your choice of 35% would be right.

I did not get the professional installation kit, because i had some squeegees at home window cleaning, but Snaptint.com seemed to include a pink rounded squeegee and a large white rectangular squeegee for free.

Hmm... i think all the windows I could have done myself, but having a extra set of hands helps, because none of the window were so big that they required two people to do it.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Apr 17 2007, 05:19 AM) [snapback]424537[/snapback]</div>

 

I don't have a heat gun. Do you think you could have done without it or was is absolutely necessary? I see you used it on the back window... any others? Lastly, did you have to remove the weather strips around the window?

appreciate your feedback!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhitePriusZOOM @ Apr 17 2007, 11:39 AM) [snapback]424644[/snapback]</div>

 

Good question, I used the heat gun only for the rear window. None of the other windows required it. The instructions said that if I lay the film flat on the rear window, and I still see "fingers", then I needed a heat gun. So I got a heat gun from my neighbor who happens to be a general contractor. He has all the tools in the world.

Using the heat gun was kinda fun, you kinda heated up the film slightly, then smoothed it the film with your hand, and the film just shrunk to fit the curve.

Yeah, the weather strip was removed on all of the roll down windows. It was rather easy to remove and put them back in (just pull and push).



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jackovalltrades @ Apr 17 2007, 06:13 PM) [snapback]424999[/snapback]</div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhitePriusZOOM @ Apr 17 2007, 11:49 PM) [snapback]425074[/snapback]</div>

I applaud your efforts! Good for you! I think you did a great job from what I can see in the pics. I hope it works out for you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius The First @ Mar 31 2007, 09:44 AM) [snapback]415439[/snapback]</div>

I just got 3 quotes in Northeast Pennsylvania. I got $220.00 & $220.00 & $240.00.
They must be in CAHOOTS. They are all good deals but the one is very reputable and they offer that price backed by LIFETIME coverage on it. All 4 windows and the hatch.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhitePriusZOOM @ Apr 16 2007, 06:59 PM) [snapback]424288[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the detailed information and pictures! These certainly seems like a reasonable way to go and save some $ in the process. Looks great on the white too!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bobby @ Apr 27 2007, 01:08 PM) [snapback]431232[/snapback]</div>

These seem pretty reasonable, but with the silly state law of 70% visability its almost not worth it to even bother...don't you think? Or are you going darker anyway? Its something I would love to do, but I would be the one to get pulled over for sure... <_<

 

I found a guy who's been in the business for 16 years and now works from home to home. He gave me a quote of $165, using High Performance Solar Gard with a lifetime guarantee. He's actually listed on Solar Gard's web site as one of their dealers. I think I'm going to schedule it for sometime next week.

 

I paid just under $200 to have all my windows done in Eastern PA. I had all windows done except windshield with 20% all around.

I think tint makes any car look cooler

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BethlehemPrius @ Apr 28 2007, 09:13 PM) [snapback]431898[/snapback]</div>

They did not say anything about that dark tint?
Do you have any images on how dark it is? I am from Scranton so I am in the same PA LAW BOAT.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bobby @ Apr 29 2007, 10:20 PM) [snapback]432299[/snapback]</div>

Sure i have a pic, I would be hapy to post but the site isn't letting me post pics for some reason. I would be happy to email it to you, shoot , me your email in a message and I will send.

No issues with the dark tint. They guy i have my windows done at is in Reading and I have had numerous cars with it on, however most were not cars that cops were looking to pull over...lol

Honestly I dont' think I could live without it on any of my future cars, it helps so much to cut down the glare at nite with lights from behind or in side view mirrors that I think the state should really consider that added safety measure of having it on, not to mention heat in the summer and sun glare

I love it!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BethlehemPrius @ Apr 29 2007, 10:50 PM) [snapback]432320[/snapback]</div>

Wow 20% is pretty bold around these parts. But then again I have no idea how much they really enforce it. The 70% is a joke to be sure, but my best friend is a retired officer so I can understand the police point of view as well.

That price is great can you share the name of the guy who did it for you?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darken @ Apr 30 2007, 03:27 AM) [snapback]432433[/snapback]</div>

I think that 20% is bold. But look at the car that we are driving. If there was a 20% MUSTANG or HIGH END performance vehicle I think it is a different story. Cops see a 20% Priii and they can't really think anything of it. That is just my POV.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bobby @ Apr 30 2007, 08:32 AM) [snapback]432492[/snapback]</div>

They have a window tint kit on Ebay for $39.95 plus $7.20 shipping and it sounds ok but I think I won't take any chances and just have it done at a local shop-provided it;s reasonable. I'll call around and see what they are charging and let you folks know.

 

John,

I would stay away from the ebay shop(s) you are referring to. I did some research on the film samples from the various DIY kit places, and ebay shops either refused to provide samples of the film, or the samples they provided were lower quality film. Basically the film that can go purple in a year or two. If you do go the DIY route, SnapTint.com and TintKits.com both sent me high quality film samples, but at the end, I went with window tint from SnapTint.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John6012 @ Apr 30 2007, 10:52 AM) [snapback]432628[/snapback]</div>

 

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