[Mk2] [Generic] Tinting T bar glass - DIY style?

[craig]

Has anybody here successfully tinted a pair of T bar glass themselves? Thinking of tinting them mirror tint, but the problem I see is that little round plastic bit that is used to lock in the sun shades.

Is this easy to remove?

DIY or pro job?

Many thanks for any input.

[brown snake]

hi i had mine tinted 3 years ago didnt do it myself bad news is its lifted a bit in places with the cold weather (snow) the little round plastic bit that is used to lock in the sun shades the guy just cut the tint around it didn't remove it

[craig]

Cheers for the reply buddy, that's what I thought I'd have to do.

[Rory]

For the cost of a spare set you may as well give it a go. I'm thinking of carbon wrapping a set for myself if i can find a set as cheap as I can.

[craig]

For the cost of a spare set you may as well give it a go. I'm thinking of carbon wrapping a set for myself if i can find a set as cheap as I can.

Yeah, ordered some mirror tint off ebay for under a tenner, so going to give it a go.

Think the hardest bit will be cutting the tint around the sun shade latch, but I'll just take my time with it.

Carbon wrap sounds an interesting idea, gotta be easier than breaking up a set of panels to fit the carbon panels, plus obviously a fraction of the cost.

[stuMR2lee]

I tinted mine in smoke. Really like the effect it gives. Looks much better, especially when the roof is wet! Unfortunately I did remove the shade catches and have been trying to glue them back on ever since with limited success. Next time I think I'd try and make a template with a cutout first and not remove them.

Mine has lifted in a few places on the edge as I didn't have a heat gun to shape/shrink the tint on the top before applying it underneath. It would have been more successful if I had as the glass is curved.

[craig]

Well, I tried this out tonight with the mirror film.

First attempt was an abortion. Second attempt was a lot better, but couldn't get it right around the plastic catch.

bought a 3 meter roll, so got plenty left to have another crack

Bloody hard to do though, and don't get me started on trying to part the tint from the liner.

[Rory]

Get some pictures up!

[craig]

Get some pictures up!

I didn't take any! I'm now back to a normal set of glass panels.

[stuMR2lee]

I take it you are using plenty of soapy water spray? Should come apart fairly easy with a sharp craft knife and the spray solution.

[craig]

I take it you are using plenty of soapy water spray? Should come apart fairly easy with a sharp craft knife and the spray solution.

Yeah, plenty of spray bud, looked alright till I got to the catch. Might just get em professionally done. Won't be expensive.

[alanmr2turbo]

Bloody hard to do though, and don't get me started on trying to part the tint from the liner.

Use 2 bits of cellotape on one corner then its easy

[stuMR2lee]

Yep, that's why I removed my catches as it was a lot easier. Ok if you don't want to use shades but a pain if you need to re-attach them! Used araldite on mine, with some success, but its starting to fail and doesn't look pretty. Need some seriously strong double sided tape then I'd have another go at mine.

[craig]

Bloody hard to do though, and don't get me started on trying to part the tint from the liner.

Use 2 bits of cellotape on one corner then its easy

Didn't think of that!

[craig]

Yep, that's why I removed my catches as it was a lot easier. Ok if you don't want to use shades but a pain if you need to re-attach them! Used araldite on mine, with some success, but its starting to fail and doesn't look pretty. Need some seriously strong double sided tape then I'd have another go at mine.

hmmmm, will have a think. Want to keep the shades for the completeness etc.

Think I'll just get the pros to do it.

[stuMR2lee]

Think I'll just get the pros to do it.

Definitely less hassle and a better finish if you do. Be interested to know how much they'd charge to do this.

[craig]

Think I'll just get the pros to do it.

Definitely less hassle and a better finish if you do. Be interested to know how much they'd charge to do this.

I'll get a quote and post up.

[craig]

Thought since I have loads of tint left, I'd have another go tonight.

This is my 3rd attempt, and pretty happy with the result. Slight crease near the sun shade latch, but it's an absolute s**t to tint around. Never the less, although not 100% perfect, I'm happy enough for a DIY job.

Got the other one do yet.

Pics:

Tinted and non tinted side by side:

and close up of the tinted glass:




Thanks to Alan for the sellotape trick, worked a treat!

[madbasshunter]

Think I'll just get the pros to do it.

Definitely less hassle and a better finish if you do. Be interested to know how much they'd charge to do this.

Think I paid £30 to have mine done in limo black as I couldn't do them as its so curved yet I can do the back window in one piece.

[BLZ-8027]

Did this on my first car (wonder where it is now?)

Easier to take the catch off ,tint them ,place the catch back in place, then cut round it and stick it back on ,use the glue they sell for interior mirrors