How to install pre-cut window tint

Pre-cut kits skip the hardest part of tinting: cutting film on the glass. What's left is cleaning, placing and squeegeeing. Plan an afternoon, and do the easiest window first.

1. 1

   Clean the glass twice

   Spray the inside of the window and scrape it clean, then wipe. Roll the window down an inch and clean the top edge too. Any speck of dust left now shows up as a bubble later.

2. 2

   Match each piece to its window

   Lay the pieces out next to the windows they belong to. Start with a small, flat window to get the feel for it.

3. 3

   Peel and spray

   Spray your fingertips, then peel the clear liner off the film. Spray the sticky side of the film and the glass generously. Wet is good: it lets the film slide.

4. 4

   Place it

   Lay the film on the inside of the glass with a small gap at the edges. For front door windows, set the top edge first with the window rolled down an inch, then roll it up and tuck the bottom edge below the seal.

5. 5

   Squeegee

   Spray the outside of the film so the squeegee glides. Work from the center out: first a stroke to anchor it, then push the water toward the edges. Wrap the squeegee in a cloth near the edges.

6. 6

   Leave it alone

   Don't roll the windows down for 3–5 days. A little haze or small water pockets are normal and dry out on their own over a week or two in the sun.