DIY Network

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO: Custom Window-Tint From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-208

	Window tint now comes in a variety of colors and styles, allowing you to create your own custom look.

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In this episode of DIY's Tricked Out, host Andrew Totolos--with some expert assistance from Kevin Bingham of Gila Film Products--spruces up the exterior of a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with a hot vinyl-graphics package that flows into the custom window tint. This second phase of the project focuses on the custom window tint that is carefully designed to complement the vinyl graphic.

Materials used in this episode:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, torque wrench, etc.), tools and materials used in this episode include:

Vinyl graphics
Automotive window film-tint kit
Window tint: 5-percent limo, black
Window tint: 35-percent, pre-cut
Painter's tape
Craft paper
Pencil
Scissors
Straight edge
Utility knife
Dishwashing-liquid/water solution in spray bottle
Razor blade
Hard-edge squeegee
Soft-edge squeegee
Drop cloth
Lint-free cloth
Scotch tape
Hair dryer
Nylon scrub pad

DIY Difficulty Rating for This Project: We gave this a difficulty rating of 2 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. The kit comes with all the special tools involved. There are a lot of steps, and this job requires a lot of patience and some specialized cutting. But aside from that, it's a relatively uncomplicated project.

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	Kevin Bingham of Gila Film Products.
	Hang your tint-film on a clean surface and spray it down with a soapy solution.

Window-Tint Basics

Installing vinyl and tint is a two-man job so, for this project, Andrew enlisted some expert help from Kevin Bingham of Gila Film Products®. Unlike the old days of window-tinting--in which large sheets had to be hand-cut--modern window tint like the type made by Kevin's company typically comes pre-cut and with smooth edges, so that it's relatively easy to install.

Important: Each state sets its own laws with respect to window-tint including how dark tint can be, whether metalized types are legal, etc. Check your state's laws before you purchase or install custom window tint.

Prep Work

Once you've selected and purchased your window tint, take it out of the box and hang it up on the wall in a clean area. Gravity will allow the soapy water-solution to wash down any possible debris that might be on the piece of film. Once the film has been thoroughly wet down, it can be transferred to the vehicle for installation. The soapy solution also makes it easier to work with the film as you position it onto the window. This particular film allows you approximately 24 hours of work time in which you may still lift up the film, re-spray it and make adjustments.

Important: It's critical to avoid wrinkling or creasing the film as you work, as this can result in visible imperfections that cannot be repaired.

Installation: Driver-Side and Passenger-Side Window

• When you're ready to apply the film, spray down the inside surface of the window (figure A) and use a razor blade to remove all contaminants and residue from the pane using downward strokes.

• Roll the window down a few inches to clean the top edge of the glass. Run the blade along the top edge of the glass (figure B) and push any contaminants down towards the center of the window.

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

• Spray the window again, and then dry the edges using a lint-free cloth. Be sure to firmly press into the borders where the gaskets meets the glass to remove any trapped dust.

• Finish up with squeegee, working from the top straight down for a perfectly clean window surface.

• Liberally spray the tinted film with soapy water to remove it from the liner (figure C).

• Making sure everything is soaked, carefully place the film onto the window (figure D). The film should slide around easily. Line it up on the top edge of the glass and the sides for initial positioning, then slide it down to leave a gap along the entire top of the window edge.

• Tip: When applying window-tint film, spray your hands well with the soapy water solution. This will prevent the film from sticking to your hands as you work.

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

• Now spray the inside of the window film and use a wet squeegee to work the trapped water out from the top center to the left and then again from the top center to the right.

• When the top edge is dry, roll the window up slowly holding the bottom of the film away from the glass. Squeegee away the moisture and then rewet the glass and the film. Carefully tuck the bottom edge of the window film underneath the window trim gasket. The pointed edge of a special window-tint squeegee will help you tuck the tint neatly under the edge.

• Once the edge is tucked, squeegee the bottom third of the window to push out the solution trapped between the film and the glass (figure E). Work from one side toward the opposite end.

• Insert the hard edge of the squeegee below the gasket and stroke across the bottom edge of the film to remove any remaining water or bubbles from beneath the film tucked below the gasket (figure F).

• Use a lint-free cloth to remove any moisture from the window tint and gasket.

Tip: To aid the drying process, you can use a hair-dryer to warm the window from the outside. This will help the film tack faster.

	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I

Limo Tint and Graphic

Now that the driver's side and passenger's side windows have been tinted, it's time to move to the back windows. Andrew and Kevin apply limo tint to these windows for a customized look.

• Take the black limo-tint and cut out the pattern using your vinyl graphic as a template. First, measure and cut the film down to a manageable size the still fits around the graphic on the window.

• Spray the outside of the window (figure G )and lay the film with the clear backing facing out.

• Spray the outside of the tint and squeegee it over the graphics (figure H).

• Using a utility knife and a straight edge, cut the graphic out using the relief of the graphic to guide you (figure I). Make sure not to press hard enough to scratch the glass, but press hard enough to go completely through the tint.
  

• As you cut the tint (figure J), remove the pieces and set aside.

• Now that the pieces are cut out, come to the other side of the window, use your vinyl graphic as a guide and start applying your custom tint. A good trick for getting the backing off is to use two pieces of tape to adhere to both the tint and the backing, then pull them away from each other (figure K).
  

  Figure J

  Figure K

  
  

• Soak the tint and the window and line it up with the graphic on the window.

• Squeegee the tint down from the middle of the design to the sides working the moisture out of it (figure L).

• When all of the tint is on, use a razor blade to peel the graphics off the outside of the window.

• Once the graphic is done, use a hair dryer to speed the process of the tint drying (figure M). It needs about an hour to dry before the top layer of tint goes on.

  Figure L

  Figure M

  
  

  Figure N

• Apply the top layer of tint just like the front window (figure N), making sure to go easy around the edges of the tint below.

• Press firmly around the double layers of tint to get out all the moisture.

• Repeat all of these steps for the back stationary window, and then repeat again for the other side.
  

  	Figure O
  	Figure P
  	Figure Q

To complete the tint job, it's time to move to the rear window of the project car. We opted to apply limo tint to the rear window as well.

• To protect your speakers and rear deck, cover it with a drop cloth.

• Thoroughly clean the window with tint solution, but use a nylon scrub pad instead of a razor blade to loosen the dirt. Be sure to handle copper antenna or defrosting lines with care as they can easily be damaged.

• After cleaning and wetting down the window, wet the top strip of film completely (figure O)

• Carry the first strip into the vehicle and lift the left end up to the wet glass (figure P). It should make contact and flow onto the glass from left to right. Be sure to keep wet hands during this and all the steps.

• Slide the strip up into its final position, and then squeegee the film firmly from the center to the sides.

• Wait about ten minutes before installing the next strip to allow the first strip to dry.

• Install the remaining strips, overlapping them about 1/16", in the center of the glass.

• Because of the rear windshield wiper, the last strip needs to be trimmed before the install can be completed. Place the tint into position on the outside of the car with the backing still in place. Use a utility knife to cut around the outside of the wiper mounts and strips until you have the proper fit (figure Q). Then install the piece inside the car.

  Use the back of the squeegee to get around the gasket.

  The last step is to push all the remaining moisture out of the tint with the squeegee. Push towards each side first, and then work out all the hard-to-reach corners.

Tip: Once the tint has been applied, park the vehicle in direct sunlight to help speed up the curing process.

Tip: When cleaning tinted windows, use a solution of baby shampoo and water. Remove the water gently with a squeegee. Avoid using harsh cleaning products that may harm the film.

The Bottom Line:

$60 Window tint
$150 Vinyl graphics
$10 Window film kit

Total = $220

RESOURCES :

Racing Innovations, Inc.
We apologize no contact information is available.

Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guide: Import Cars (Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guides)
Author: Joe Pettitt
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Voyageur Press (October 2000)
ISBN: 1884089526

Gila Film Products
www.gilafilms.com

GUESTS :

Kevin Bingham
Gila Film Products
www.gilafilms.com