Gila Static Cling 20% VLT Automotive Window Tint Installation Manual

Part 1: Preparation

1. Clean the Exterior: Thoroughly clean the outside of the window with application solution and a low-lint cloth or squeegee. This surface will serve as your pattern.
2. Identify the Liner Side: Rub a small corner of the film against itself. The sticky side is the film, and the slick side is the clear protective liner.
3. Wet the Exterior: Generously spray the outside of the window with application solution.
4. Roll Out Film: With the liner side facing out, carefully roll the film onto the wet exterior glass.
5. Trim Away Excess: Using a sharp razor knife, trim the excess film, leaving a slight overhang around the window edges.
6. Level Bottom Edge: Position the film so its straight bottom edge extends approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch below the top of the inside gasket.
7. Lock Film in Place: Gently stroke the film downward with the soft rubber edge of the squeegee to temporarily hold it in place for further trimming.

Part 2: Applying Film to Side Windows

8. Trim Vertical Edges: With a sharp blade, trim the vertical edges of the film first. Press the knife gently at a low angle, using only enough force to cut through the film. Always tear excess film away from you.
9. Lower Window for Top Trim: Open the door and gently lift the film from the bottom of the glass. Reach inside and roll the window down about 2 inches.
10. Trim with Glass as Guide: Using the top of the window as your blade's guide, trim the film precisely to the edge of the glass.
11. Round the Corners: Carefully use your finger as a trim guide to round out any ragged corners.
12. Clean the Interior Surface: Spray the inside of the window generously with application solution. Use a plastic scrubby or low-lint cloth to clean the window thoroughly. Remember, any dirt left behind will cause bubbles. Wipe down all gaskets where dirt may be trapped.
13. Remove the Liner: Use two pieces of transparent tape to remove the clear liner protecting the adhesive. Place half of one tape piece on the film and the other half extending over the corner edge. Do the same with the second tape piece on the liner. Press them firmly together, then quickly peel them apart to expose the adhesive. While removing the liner, spray the newly exposed adhesive thoroughly with application solution to reduce static electricity and contamination.
14. Apply the Film: Spray the inside of the window generously with application solution. Carefully lift the film from the outside of the glass and place the wet adhesive against the wet interior glass. Before positioning, fold up the bottom edge of the film so the adhesive does not touch the door and pick up dirt. Slide the film into place, leaving about a 1/8 to 1/4 inch gap at the top on roll-up windows.
15. Squeegee the Film: Spray the outside of the film with solution. Using the soft rubber edge of the squeegee, press the top of the film firmly to the glass. Remove all water from under the film by stroking downward. Roll up the window. To ensure the bottom of the glass is clean, respray with application solution and squeegee. Wet the window again, then unfold the film down onto the glass. Slip the bottom of the film under the gasket. Using the hard angled edge of the squeegee, pull back the gasket so the film slides easily behind it. With your fingers and the squeegee as guides, run the film under the gasket completely, being careful not to crease it. Once the film is tucked under the gasket, squeegee firmly downward until all water is pushed out from under the film. Push any remaining bubbles to the nearest edge. Wrap a low-lint cloth around the hard edge of the squeegee and firmly push water down to the nearest edge; the cloth will absorb excess solution. Wipe up any solution left on the upholstery.

Part 3: Tinting Rear Windows (Using Strips)

Rear windows, especially on passenger cars, are often curved from both side-to-side and top-to-bottom. Film cannot conform to these compound curves in one piece. We recommend using the Gila Rear Window Kit (sold separately) or applying the film in strips.

16. Clean Windows: Clean the inside and outside of the rear window as you did with the side windows. Use a plastic scrubby to remove stubborn debris.
17. Prepare Film Strips (Exterior): The film strips will be prepared on the outside of the window. Wet the top of the window with application solution. Starting at the left side, roll the first strip across the top of the glass, under the dot matrix pattern, with the liner side facing out. Trim the right edge with a sharp blade. Squeegee the strip into place, then trim the left edge.
18. Repeat for Additional Strips: Spray the window again in preparation for the next strip. Overlap the next strip 1/32 to 1/8 of an inch in the center. Repeat the lay-down and trimming sequence until you have three strips prepared on the glass. The final strips will be done after the first three are applied.
19. Apply Film Strips (Interior): Move to the inside of the vehicle. Remove the liner from the first 8 to 10 inches of the film strip, wetting the adhesive as you go. Spray the top of the window in preparation for applying the strip. Apply the strip to the window, moving from left to right, removing the liner as you work across the glass. Using the soft rubber edge of the squeegee, squeegee the water from under the film. Repeat these steps with each film strip, overlapping the strips slightly at the sides, depending on the curvature of the glass.
20. Trim Around Brake Light: Place a fluorescent shop light in the rear window to illuminate the brake light area. Trim the film around the edge of the brake light. Never obstruct the brake light with film. Apply the film to the inside as with previous strips.