Window Tinting Basics & Introduction

• Clean — dirt is the #1 enemy of tint
• Light
• Space
• Temperature
• Air movement
• People movement
• Safety

Cutting/peel board, straight edges, aluminum trim guide, film handler, plotter, heat gun, work light, blank plates, cordless screwdriver, panel pullers, picks, sockets, bits, pressure sprayer, tint meter, spray bottles, baby shampoo or Joy, window cleaner, adhesive remover, microfiber and lint-free towels, Olfa knives and blades, single-edge razors, and a set of squeegees you trust (Blue Max, Slim Foot, Big Foot, hard cards, and more).

There are hundreds of squeegees — try many and find what works for your hand. A 5" blade is generally preferred over an 8" for even pressure and water removal.

Film sizes matter for cost and handling: 40", 36", 30", 24", 20".

Shade on glass typically reads lower than the labeled VLT:

• 50% film → about 40–48 on glass
• 45% → 35–40
• 40% → 33–38
• 38% → 30–35
• 35% → 29–33
• 25% → 18–23
• 20% → 14–18
• 5% → very dark

Walk the car before you start. Check rims, panels, doors, handles, columns, trunk, window operation, door panels, screens, interior handles, dash screens, and seats for pre-existing damage.

Protect quarters and panels, clear dust and obstacles, then template visible glass. Mark size, year, and model. Templating builds control, practice, reusable patterns, better finished quality, and less waste.

Stack film on the board (liner orientations as taught), cut from the template with extra at sides and bottom, top-trim on the car, check curvature/shrink need, finish corners on the board, then clean, lubricate, apply, squeegee into channels, and dry the bottom edge flat.

Moist dryer sheet and H-pattern on glass, light inside if needed, fresh stainless tip, film oversized ~1", shrink by quarters, trim ~1/8" over the black border, transfer to a clean peel board, clean both sides of glass, peel with spray, install from center out, hard-card water out, and heat remaining fingers only as needed.

Never decide strip width for the customer. Level-mark their request, protect the dash, trim ~1/8" over the black border, shrink if needed, install clean, dry, and leave a do-not-roll-down label.

Perfection is rare — but it must be the goal every time. That standard builds reputation and repeat customers.