Pre-cut window tint film

[4x4 rav]

Hi all
There are pre-cut window tint films, cut to oem specs.
Has anybody installed the pre-cut film on his/her car?
If so, can you share your experience?
thank you.

[vanib]

I did this.

Will not do it again since it is hard to get the curved surfaces right. I gave up on doing my front windows. The rear windows have some bubbles with which I can live. You can actually use a pin and poke tiny holes in them and squeeze out the air. I did not bother.

I had bought the pre-cut film from Amazon.com(http://www.amazon.com/The-Black-Box-Tint-UltimaCool/dp/B004Z2PH0W/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=13589139 78&sr=1-2-fkmr1&ymm=2008%3Atoyota%3Arav4&keywords=black+box+ tint+rav4+2008). High quality film. thick, No blue hue, clear when viewed from inside the car. in hindsight, I should have taken the quote of $200, given the amount of skill that you need with curved surfaces.

The rear windshield I used the cling-type film. They are thicker and removable but the image is not crystal clear. That's fine for the rear windshield but not the door glasses. The reason I did this is because the thick cling film is easier to mold into shape to fit the curved glass.

I had better luck with my 95 corolla where I did all the windows and rear windshield, hardly any bubbles. I guess the RAV 4.3 has more curved surfaces in the front.

Before attempting this: I looked at videos (and tried most options) of how to use a heat gun (pre-shink before install), use a powder under the film, ....

[4x4 rav]

i browsed a website where they provide detailed instructions on how to install the tinted film. they also have instruction on how to remove old film.
i found the installation instructions to be a bit complicated.
i think i'm going to let a shop tint my glasses. Besides, if i were to get the pre-cut i would end up saving only about $100, that's if everything went well, which is unlikely after reading your post! But if i mess up the installation, i end up losing how much i paid for the pre-cuts and the installation kit and end up taking the car to the shop to do the tinting.
Might as well take it to the shop and cut your losses!

[vanib]

My thoughts exactly. I am actually happy I did not do the front. It makes it hard to shoulder check at night when switching lanes.

[vwvannut]

Tint is a PITA, pay for it to get done, you'll pay about $100 for installation (on top of material) but it will be done nice and probably come with a warranty against defects. You'll also save a few hours and curse a lot less.

[vanib]

My 8 year old son was asking me today why one of the triangular shaped tints was blue. "Because Papa messed up on of the triangles and got some crappy tint film from CanadianTire!!!"

I really think that the pre-cut tint for the small triangular glass is cut based on the exterior glass; there is no way that you can install from the inside. I thought I would start with something small and simple. instead it was a real challenge and I ended up damaging the film completely.