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HOW TO |
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AUTOMOTIVE WINDOW FILM INSTALLATION
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The best looking tint job results from exercising patience and following the directions carefully. The best time to install film is when you are relaxed with few distractions. Start with the smallest flat window. Become comfortable handling and applying the film on small fixed windows before tinting larger or compound-curved windows.
CAUTION: Tinted windows must comply with state and local laws. Dark tinting may reduce visibility outside during poor lighting conditions. Use care to avoid accidents. For product information, call 1-800-528-4481.
IMPORTANT! TINT LAWS: Most states permit some windows to be tinted. Regulations differ about which windows may be tinted and which light transmissions are allowed. BEFORE installing ANY window film on ANY vehicle, you should check with your local state police and comply with appropriate state laws. The factory and the retailer assume no responsibility for the misuse, illegal, or improper application of window film. |
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VIDEO DOWNLOADS
Instructional Video (Complete)
Side Window Installation
Rear Window Installation
Instructional Video (Segments)
Side Windows:
Before You Begin
Tools Needed
Cleaning the Exterior
Finding the Liner Side
Wetting the Exterior/Rolling Film
Trimming Excess/Leveling
Bottom
Trimming Vertical Edges
Trimming Top Edge
Rounding the Corners
Cleaning the Interior Surface
Removing the Liner
Applying the Film
Rear Windows:
Cleaning the Rear Window
Create Pattern on Exterior
Applying the Film
Trimming for the Brake Light
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Some states also require certification labels which must be applied between the film and glass BEFORE application. To receive a copy of your state’s tint law and any appropriate certification stickers, send $1.00 and the front panel of the film box to: GILA Products Division • Dept. CS/L • PO Box 5068 • Martinsville, VA 24115 USA. All requests must be in writing; certification labels cannot be sent without proof of purchase information.
TOOLS REQUIRED
• spray bottle
• rubber squeegee
• single-edge razor blade or utility knife
• distilled water
• lint-free cloth
• baby shampoo or FILM AID Application Concentrate
IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
• Tint vehicle in a shaded, well-lighted, dust-free environment.
• Apply film when air temperature is between 40ºF and 98ºF for at least three days.
• Handle film carefully because creases are not removable.
• Two people should work together to handle large pieces of film.
• DO NOT clean glass or film with ammonia, vinegar, or household glass cleaners; these will cause adhesive failure.
• If tinting residential windows, please call the factory to receive a residential instruction sheet.
• DO NOT apply any auto film to thermal or dual-pane windows. Any film may be applied to single-pane or storm windows.
• DO NOT apply film to plexiglass, plastic or acrylic windows; the adhesive will cause the materials to become opaque.
PREPARATION STEPS
Gather all tools. Mix 1/4 tsp. of baby shampoo into 1 quart of distilled water to make a soapy solution, or mix FILM AID according to package directions. Fill a spray bottle. Use this solution throughout the entire application process. Identify the release liner which protects the adhesive side of the film. Usually the liner is on the outside of the curl of the roll.
FILM INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Thoroughly spray the soapy solution on the inside and outside surfaces of the window(s) you plan to tint. Use a razor blade to lightly scrape away any dirt or residue from the glass. Respray and hand wash both surfaces of the glass. Use a squeegee or lint-free cloth to dry the surface. The cleaner the glass, the better the film application will look.
2. Use the razor blade or utility knife to cut a piece of film 1” larger than the window you plan to tint.
3. Use the outside surface of the window as a pattern. Wet the outside of the glass with the soapy solution and place the film onto the wet glass with the liner side facing outward. Spray the film then squeegee to hold it temporarily in place.
4. With the film in position, trim along the top and side edges. For roll-down windows, leave 1/4” to 1/2” of film at the bottom to tuck under the gasket.
5. Spray the soapy solution on the INSIDE surface of the window until thoroughly wet. Gently lift the precut film from the outside of the window.
6. To separate the film from the release liner, dry both sides of a film corner, and place two 3” pieces of transparent tape on each side of the film corner: half of the tape on the film, half extending over the corner edge. Press the two pieces of tape firmly together, then quickly pull them apart to expose the adhesive. Peel liner apart diagonally, from corner to corner. While handling the film, do not allow the adhesive to touch itself.
7. While removing the liner, spray the adhesive side of the film. Place the wet adhesive onto the wet INSIDE of the window. Handle film carefully. DO NOT CREASE. Allow the film to slide easily. Wet your fingertips with the solution and smooth the film into place. If the film does not slide easily on the glass, remove film and respray the glass. Reapply.
8. Spray the outside film surface thoroughly. On flat glass, squeegee from top downward only, not side to side. On curved glass, squeegee from the center to the bottom, then squeegee film toward the sides. Press firmly on squeegee to remove ALL water and bubbles from under film. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe up excess water. Trim as necessary with a sharp blade.
9. Lubricate the gasket at the bottom of roll-up windows with a few drops of solution, then press the 1/2” flap of film down between the window and the gasket. If puckers appear under the film, use a credit card or ruler as a
guide and trim the bottom film edge. Respray the film and resqueegee toward the newly cut edge to remove air and solution.
10. If any final trimming is needed, use a new razor blade to carefully cut the film. On fixed windows, leave a 1/16” gap trimmed around the film so you will be able to remove the water from under the film. Film may not adhere to dot-matrix window designs; you may have better success trimming the film to fit the clear glass portion of the window.
11. Respray the top surface of the film then firmly squeegee to remove ALL bubbles. Repeat as needed. For areas too small to squeegee, wrap a clean, soft cloth around a credit card and firmly press the remaining water toward the nearest edge. If a “V” shaped pucker appears, the window has a compound curve. If the puckers are less than 2” long, respray the film and squeegee firmly and slowly. If puckers are larger, refer to the “Tinting Compound Curved Windows” instructions.
12. Leave windows rolled up for at least 3 days. Film may appear cloudy or foggy at first; this is normal. Film should clear up in a few days.
TINTING COMPOUND CURVED WINDOWS
The back side and rear windows of some vehicles may have compound curved surfaces that prevent film from lying flat without v-shaped or finger bubbles. Film cannot conform to these surfaces without being cut into strips. The GILA Rear Window Kits contain precut strips designed especially for these applications. Horizontal strips are recommended for most windows. You should need only 2-4 strips for most curved windows.
1. Review basic film installation instructions before applying film strips. DO NOT scrape defroster lines while cleaning the rear window.
2. To make a pattern, spray the OUTSIDE of the glass and place the strips on the window with the liner side facing you. Overlap the strips 1/32” to 1/8” in the center (A). Spray the strips and temporarily squeegee them into place before trimming. Trim the left and right sides of each strip, and trim the top and bottom strips to complete the pattern (B).
3. Start with the bottom strip. Lift it from the OUTSIDE of the window and remove the liner (C).
4. Respray the INSIDE surface of the window and spray the adhesive side of the film. Position the strip along the bottom of the window and squeegee it firmly from the center to the sides (D). If any final trimming is needed, use a new razor blade to carefully cut the film. On fixed windows, leave a 1/16” gap trimmed around the film so you will be able to remove the water from under the film.
5. Resqueegee problem areas in each strip as you proceed, trimming as needed. CAUTION: do not cut defroster lines. Use a credit card to firmly press out all puckers. Allow each strip to dry 5-10 minutes before applying the next strip.
6. Repeat these steps with each film strip, overlapping the strips slightly at the sides and more in the center, depending upon the degree of curvature in the window.
FILM CLEANING
Always clean film with a soapy water solution and a clean, soft squeegee. NEVER use ammonia, vinegar, household cleaners, paper towels, or brushes to clean. |
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