Best Management Procedures (BMPs) for Window Tinting. Every auto detailer south of the Mason-Dixon line or who works in a major city has wondered: Should I provide window tinting to my customers? New vehicle lots and smaller used car lots in those states and locations often ask their wholesale auto detailers if they know anyone who does window tinting. You can’t help but ask yourself, “Hey, maybe I should do window tinting. What can I charge? How do you do it?” Is it hard to do?
Many people who call themselves “mobile car washers and detailers” or “auto detailers” have considered this strategy. Some have realized their disastrous error since they lacked the necessary training to complete the task. Others appear to have an innate talent for window tinting. Window tinting requires scientific precision and artistic flair, skills best suited to a professional detailer with an eye for the finer points. If you’re considering getting formal training to offer these services, the following advice and suggestions may be helpful. Professionals must adhere to a few standard procedures. It’s not easy, but it’s not that complicated, either. The first step in preparing a window for painting is to ensure the surface is completely dust- and fingerprint-free. Having the right equipment, such as hard cards, a heat gun, and some razor blades, will reduce the time spent tinting windows.
A small squeegee comes in handy as well. Professionals of all levels can be seen toting paper towels and dishwashing liquid. Things like protruding weather stripping and automotive caulking compounds can also make installation difficult, so checking for and removing them beforehand is essential. Ensure no antenna components for a cell phone or satellite radio are sticking out the window inside. Before you begin chopping apart the tent’s shape with the razor blade, you may want to determine whether or not there is any need to apply any additional fluids around this region.
We have often found old antenna mounts or leftover glue on the windows that we didn’t see due to the lighting or shading when we first started. There you are, with a soapy film mass in one hand and a razor blade to scrape off the other, knowing that if you don’t do everything right, he could easily fold over the window tent and have to start entirely over any just by yourself extra material. For this reason, before attempting this, you should pay close attention to every square inch of the internal surface of the window. After this is done and while the window film is still wet, you can begin trimming it to fit the window’s outline. Laying on the outside of the window and cutting into the basic shape in nylon paper is the simplest method to do this, but you need to give yourself some breathing room. Next, wet the glass to the proper level, place the nylon paper inside the window, and smooth it out in all directions, beginning in the center. Cut along the edge as you approach the outside. Make sure the paper fits perfectly over the film and liner by cutting it to size.
Once the paper has been taped down on four sides and is flat, trace its perimeter. You will cut an opening in the paper, trace it onto the film, and peel the sheet if there are any obstacles, such as mirrors, that you must detour around. After you have achieved the desired form, you can proceed with applying the tint. After cleaning the window’s interior with soapy water, set the window tint where you want it, peel back a third of the backing sheet, and spray the exposed tint with a sticky window solution. It is recommended that the window film itself not be touched at any point. Check that all of the corners are in a straight line. Starting at the top of the glass, peel slowly, spray adhesive, and work out any air bubbles you want to leave working your way down. It’s good to let the solution move down with your squeegee; it’s preferable to use a little more than none, so don’t be afraid to use it. When you’re finished, use the plastic complex tool to remove any remaining solution or soapy water, and then dry the area with a towel and a buffing machine.
A paper towel placed around the plastic tool will prevent it from ripping as frequently. This is the approach most seasoned and skilled operators take, at least in our observations. The safety glass windows with the polka dot design on the borders have been a common sighting of maintenance issues in the previous few years. This makes it so much more difficult.
It will try to rip off if you don’t put enough adhesive at the edges. If you want a tight seam at the top, apply more solutions as you work outward and upward on the initial point of contact. Also, if window tinting is illegal where you live, you should inform your customers.
Some states permit this kind of tint only on SUVs and not on cars, while others permit it only on the back windows of SUVs and not on the front ones. A plethora of statutes necessitate familiarity with state regulations; this is especially true if your home is near a state line. It is wise to be familiar with those regulations as well. In some jurisdictions, the installer may be held liable alongside the operator or the vehicle’s owner. Wonderfully more regulations, undoubtedly. It would be best to get used to it because your sector is highly controlled.
“Lance Winslow” is a discussion board for the online think tank. Ponder with Lance at www.WorldThinkTank.net/ if you have fresh ideas and a different take. In his free time, Lance publishes articles online.
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