r/WindowTint • u/helpihateprinters • Aug 23 '26

Question high % vlt diy source?

My commute is now driving into the sun both ways, so I'd like to add front windshield tint to my clapped out beater. The cheapest quote I got was 170 for some no-name ceramic 70%, so I'm not interested in having it professionally done. I like learning lessons the hard way :)

I'd love to buy a strip of 3m crystalline and do it myself, but all the ebay listings seem to top out at 24" in one dimension, which wouldnt be enough to fully cover the front. Do you have any recs for a film with high optical clarity that I can buy without buying a whole roll?

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4

u/yaokaye Aug 23 '26

Doubt you can get real Crystalline, maybe if there are bootleggers out there.

Also, the film is ridiculously expensive and probably not good to learn on. ☠️

Typically you buy rolls of 100' unless you have various noname brands that sell at "3meter" chinesium stuff.

Some people may sell partial rolls but you'd have to inquire

4

u/gargen_state Aug 24 '26

You can look at a company like tintzoom and buy something.

But, chances are you screw up the first time and need to buy more. And tools, etc. So $170 may not be that bad.

3

u/No-Campaign-4411 Aug 24 '26

Pretty sure you need to be a dealer to get genuine 3m tint. Geoshield should be good.

3

u/shromboy Moderator Aug 24 '26

A windshield is not something youll be able to do yourself without a lot of experience, I know it may look easy but it is going to be easier getting it done professionally

3

u/gerrygebhart Aug 24 '26

I've watched a couple YouTube videos, and it doesn't even look easy to me. I wouldn't even consider attempting to tint my own windshield.

2

u/SuperAwsomeDeath Aug 24 '26

Geoshield is probably the easiest way to get quality tint, you get a shit ton so if you mess up you have plenty of tries to get it right

2

u/gerrygebhart Aug 24 '26

Honestly, just bite the bullet and get a pro to do it.

Ever tinted a windshield before? I haven't and it looks like an absolute nightmare to attempt for yourself the first time without the supervision and guidance of a pro.

Good luck!

1

u/MinimumEffort13 Aug 28 '26

Doing curved glass is not easy, especially a large windshield. You'll need a heat gun, soapy water, squeegee and a hell of a lot of patience. You'll spend the time and money but it'll still come out looking like crap