Window tinting.

[jason1976]

I have a few projects that I have been working on, where I need to tint some lenses. In most cases, they are plastic lenses. Most of the lenses are fairly flat, so I was thinking that window tinting material would work. (you now, the "do it yourself" film stuff you get in the automotive section of most stores. ) However, I took a look at that stuff, and found myself in way over my head. They have a lot of different kinds. The prices very widely, and they have a number of different amounts of tent. The amount of tint is discribed in % witch makes since, but I have know idea what % I need.

So my questions are. What brand soul I get? does anyone have any idea who I could tell how dark it will be without having to buy it first? (i.e. is there a place I can go, or site that I can go to, that has some kind of sample, or guide, to give me some idea.) And most importently does any one have any tips on how to use this stuff?

 

[fuelish]

Try a tint shop. They will have samples of the different levels so you can get an idea of how dark they are. They might even give you some scrap to try out.(I can also send you some. I have some Limo tint, really dark)

As far as price goes, it has a lot to do with the quality of the tint and its ability to resist fading(turning purple) For a costume or model that should not be a problem so the cheaper stuff would be OK.

Applying it is pretty much cutting it close the the right shape, making sure the surface is very clean, spraying on a water/alcohol solution(That might depend on the tint) , removing the glue protecting film, sliding it on to the glass and smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles.

 

[Ace Replicas]

I just finished making a My bloody Valentine cosutme. I need to tint the glass lenses in the gas mask. I took them to a local window tinting shop and the guy went in back and grabbed some scraps for me. No charge!! He was into scary movies so I think that help. Once we started BS'ing about the costume we went in back and he tinted them while I waited.

Michael

Here is a pic of the finished costume.

 

[exoray]

The % is the amount of light it lets through...

Most 'limo' tint is about 5% while the average car window tint is 15-35% depending on state laws it varies, also most new SUVs factory rear privacy window tint is about 20%... Once you get above 35% it really starts to just be a smoked look in many cases...

It's not horribly hard to apply especially on a flat surface, a hair dyer will aid in getting it to smooth out on curved surfaces... Also depending on the tint, a drop or two of dish soap in the water you apply to the glass helps...

 

[eltee]

How about curved surfaces, like a space helmet faceplate??

 

[exoray]

How about curved surfaces, like a space helmet faceplate??

Hair dyer and patience, and more patience... Just the right amount of heat will soften the film just that much allowing it to form with a little coaxing...

Also quality professional grade films vs over the counter cheap stuff helps, as does experience greatly...

I have not done that much but what I have done, I can state that curved surfaces are 100% more complicated but they are obviously possible as every tint shop does curved auto glass without hassle... I managed to do some curved glass on one of my cars long ago, but it took me all day (literally) of working it to get it to lay flat on the curved surface without bubbles...

As someone above said a local tint shop might be your best bet, car windows are only about $200 (rough estimate) to get done at most shops by me, I suspect the right shop might hook you up for a very reasonable deal for a small prop job when you factor in the change you will be spending on a roll of tint...

 

[jason1976]

Well, here is one of the projects I'm working on. (the screen caps bellow, are from Farscape, and the other pic, is of the mask the made the screen used peice from. I'm working on a replica of the mask, from the show.)

y.

I've sanded off the logos on the rubber parts and dyed them black, and I figured some paint will take care off hard plstic parts, and that just leaves the lense. (it's hard clear plastic.) Oh, and the lens can be removed, and I did so, when I dyed the rubber parts.

It sounds like, from what I've read in this thread, so far, my best bet is to check and see if I can find a local shop, and see what they can set me up with, or offer my as services. And then if that doesn't workout give the over the counter stuff a try.

 

[fuelish]

That piece should be easy to do. I would use the darkest tint(Limo) and the curve you have is not compound so that should be no problem. If you do it yourself give the tint a day or two to dry before reinstalling it.

 

[kdawg1]

What about stain glass spray? I've seen a the craft stores and used it to paint or tint light bulbs to get the right colors I needed. It's really thin and the lens must be super clean no dust!

 

[jason1976]

I finally picked up some window tint. I still have a couple of questions.

1. Should I put it on the inside, or out side of the lens? I know the instructions say inside, but this is not a car, it's a mask that might get worn, it's curved, and most importantly This is a flexible lens. Wall it's out of the rubber goggles, it lay's out , a little more then when in the goggles. This means I'm going to have to flex it a bit to put it back in. If it was on the outside, it would just pull it tighter, but on the inside, it might cause it to sag, ripple, etc. (But what do I know, that's way I'm asking not telling. )

2. The lens I'm working on, is made of a hard plastic, but the instructions say that this stuff should not be used on "Plexiglas". Do you think there is a chance it will work anyways, since there is going to be rubber all the way around the edge, or is there some trick i could use to make it work better.

 

[fuelish]

Put it on the inside. It will look better as long as your clear plastic is in good shape and it will hold up better if the goggles get some abuse.
I bet your plastic is polycarbonate (Which is not plexiglass)

 

[Ace Replicas]

I finally picked up some window tint. I still have a couple of questions.

1. Should I put it on the inside, or out side of the lens? I know the instructions say inside, but this is not a car, it's a mask that might get worn, it's curved, and most importantly This is a flexible lens. Wall it's out of the rubber goggles, it lay's out , a little more then when in the goggles. This means I'm going to have to flex it a bit to put it back in. If it was on the outside, it would just pull it tighter, but on the inside, it might cause it to sag, ripple, etc. (But what do I know, that's way I'm asking not telling. )

2. The lens I'm working on, is made of a hard plastic, but the instructions say that this stuff should not be used on "Plexiglas". Do you think there is a chance it will work anyways, since there is going to be rubber all the way around the edge, or is there some trick i could use to make it work better.

When I went to get the lenses in my gas mask tinted the guy at the tint store said that the tint will not adhere to plastic or plexiglas lenses. He told me that it would start peeling off by itself in a matter of days. I dont know that for sure but that is what I was told. The reason we had the conversation is because he thought that my lenses were plexiglas at first. I would go to your local automotive store and look for VHT lense tinting spray paint. (Purple Can) It is made to tint your taillight and side marker lense. I used this to tint my windscreen on my CBR1000RR and it works great. :thumbsup

Michael

 

[jason1976]

Well, I gave the tinting I have a try, and it was a pain in the but. The plastic kept flexing, and moving, so it wasn't much fun to get it to lay flat on the lens. After 3 tries, with 3 different pieces, I've got it to look.........ok?....... passable? I'm going to let it set until Monday, and see what i have. If it looks good, and sticks, I'll just leave it alone, but if it's pealing, or has a lot of wrinkles. or bubbles, I may give the spray paint a try.

I'm hopping this stuff works though, it is really, really, dark. I went with 2.5% (It may actually be too dark to where inside, but it looks really cool.) Oh, and after I originally started this thread, I found out that all the tinting they sell at Wal*Mart has a little window at the top, that lets you see how dark the tinting really is. So, if you just can't quite picture how dark 5%, or 2.5% Really is, just look at the top window.

 

[Ace Replicas]

Cool, Hope it works out for you. If not that spray tint works really well.

Michael