Do it yourself auto tint is realistic for flat side windows if you have a clean space, a sharp blade and patience. The method is simple: clean the inside of the glass, cut the film to shape, spray the glass with a soapy slip solution, lay the film and squeegee the water out. Bubbles come from dust, too little solution or rushing.

Curved rear glass and windshields are harder, and many DIYers leave those to a shop. This guide covers the tools, nine steps and the mistakes that cause bubbles, so your first window is not your last.

In this article

• What tools do you need to tint car windows yourself?
• How do you choose a legal tint shade?
• How to tint car windows yourself in 9 steps
• What causes bubbles in window tint, and how do you avoid them?
• Should you tint the rear glass and windshield yourself?
• How much film do you get in a roll?
• FAQ

What tools do you need to tint car windows yourself?

You need film, a handful of cheap tools and a shaded, dust free place to work. A garage beats a driveway because wind and sun are the enemy.

Many of these tools overlap with wrapping. Our vinyl wrap tools checklist explains squeegee edges and blades in more detail.

How do you choose a legal tint shade?

Pick the shade before you cut anything. Tint darkness is regulated state by state, and the limit for front side windows is usually stricter than for the rear. We do not list limits here because they change; check the current chart for your state on the International Window Film Association's tint law page.

For film, our Carbon Nano-Ceramic Window Tint comes in 10%, 20% and 30% light transmittance. If you are still deciding between ceramic and cheaper film, read is ceramic tint worth it first.

How to tint car windows yourself in 9 steps

1. Park in the shade and clean the car first. Wash the windows and door seals so dirt does not blow onto wet glass later.
2. Clean the inside glass thoroughly. Spray, scrape and wipe the inside of the window, including the edges where the glass meets the seal. Any grit left here becomes a bubble.
3. Measure and rough cut. Cut a piece of film a little larger than the glass on every side.
4. Shape the film on the outside of the glass. Spray the outside, lay the film liner side out and trim it close to the glass edge. On curved glass, use gentle heat to shrink the film until it lies flat.
5. Spray the inside glass generously with slip solution.
6. Peel the liner and spray the adhesive side so it does not grab too early.
7. Lay the film on the inside glass and slide it into position, leaving a small gap at the edges.
8. Squeegee from the center out. Firm, overlapping strokes push the water and air to the edges.
9. Trim, wick the edges and let it cure. Leave the window up until the film has bonded.

These steps follow the same sequence the International Window Film Association describes for automotive installs: clean, measure and cut, apply soapy solution, position, squeegee, use heat on curves, trim and allow curing time.

What causes bubbles in window tint, and how do you avoid them?

Almost every bubble has one of these causes:

• Dust or hair under the film. Clean again, work in still air and keep the liner side away from your clothes.
• Too little slip solution. Dry film grabs early and traps air. Keep both the glass and the adhesive wet.
• Light or uneven squeegee pressure. Water left behind forms pockets. Overlap every stroke.
• Working in direct sun. Solution dries before you finish positioning.
• Creasing the film. A fold in tint film does not come out. Handle large pieces with two people.
• Rolling the window down too soon. The edge catches on the seal and lifts before the adhesive has cured.

A light haze or tiny water pockets right after install are different from trapped dust. Give the film its cure time before you judge the result.

Should you tint the rear glass and windshield yourself?

Rear glass is curved in two directions, so flat film will not lie down without heat shrinking. That takes practice, and a mistake on a big piece wastes more film. The windshield is harder again, and it is the window where a flaw is always in your line of sight.

If you do want windshield protection, our near clear windshield films are built for it. The pure ceramic AI7090 lets 75% of light through, and our carbon nano ceramic tint explainer covers how the windshield films compare. For a first project, tint the side windows yourself and let a shop do the curved glass.

How much film do you get in a roll?

One full roll of our tint is 1.52 m by 30 m, or 45.6 square meters of film. That is more than one car's windows, which is good news for a beginner: you have room to redo a window that goes wrong, or to tint a second car.

Store the roll flat or standing on end in its box, and keep offcuts. They are perfect for practicing cuts and squeegee technique on a spare pane of glass before you touch the car.

Frequently asked questions

Can you tint car windows yourself?

Yes. Flat side windows are a realistic DIY job with a slip solution, a squeegee, a sharp blade and a clean, shaded space. Curved rear glass and windshields are harder, and many first timers leave those to a shop.

Does window tint go on the inside or outside of the glass?

Tint is applied to the inside of the glass. You shape and trim it on the outside first, then apply it inside over a soapy water solution.

How do you install window tint without bubbles?

Clean the glass thoroughly, keep both the glass and the adhesive side wet, and squeegee from the center out with firm, overlapping strokes. Work out of the sun and away from dust.

How long before you can roll down windows after tinting?

Wait until the adhesive has cured. Cure time depends on temperature and humidity, so follow the film maker's guidance and give it longer in cold or damp weather.

How do you get a tint exemption?

Medical tint exemptions are handled state by state, and the process differs in each one. Start with the International Window Film Association's state tint law page, then your state's motor vehicle agency.