A tip for cutting the correct amount off the roll...

I have been tinting for years, and until before a couple of months ago, I would still struggle with this one:

In the past I would measure the horizontal dimension on the roll-down, and estimate how much to add to the base dimension for the angled rear edge. Sometimes, it would still come up short in the upper-rear corner, then I would have to cut another piece off the roll, wasting some film in the process. Granted, I could still use the first piece for a rear roll-down or something, but it was annoying.

Here's a tip that I have been trying out for the last couple of months to stop that from happening:

Basically, I measure the base of the roll-down window, then measure the diagonal dimension from the upper-rear corner to the lower-front corner. I would then divide the difference of those two measurements in half, and add that to the first base measurement. For those of you that like to add 1/4" extra behind the gaskets, add another 1/2" (front and rear tuck).

Example: Measure the base dimension, for instance, 32". Then measure the diagonal measurement, or 37". The difference is 5", so I add 2.5" to the original measurement, 32" + 2.5" = 34.5". I like to tuck 1/4" on both sides, so I cut 35" off the roll.

I haven't been tinting as much as in the past, only doing it part-time now, but I have tested this formula on about twenty vehicles in the last couple of months, and it works slick every time. I don't have to cut it again, longer, and I don't have waste.

cool tip Exact-Oh

Less waste! I'll give it a go!

Nice one, and good to see you around Exacto oh. Hope everything is going well for you

good tip zacto

nicey nice bro

Sorry i dont understand what your trying to say. Can someone explain it to me. Thanks

good tip dude !!!

That would be "NIcey nice, SIS!"





Dudette!!

Wassup Exact-Oh. Long time no see. How's things? Glad to see ya!

Sounds good. I'll give it a try.

I have checked a few doors the last couple days and I find that I would be shorter than I like with this technique.

I just put the tape along the bottom seal and then bend it at a 90 degree up so that have a good idea of the distance....has not failed me once in the few years I have been doing it.

is it just not easier to take the roll out of the box and roll the film directly out onto the window and cut off just what you need?????? flip roll over... bingo, now you're double cutting. Unless you're using a 40" roll for sides or something, seems like a lot of extra work for something that takes about 8 seconds. By the time you get the math done, I've got film layed out and ready to trim for 4+ panes.

That's how I used to do it. Measure it like a TV.

Nowadays, I just stock 20" rolls. =)

so then you do 2 peice all back windows

Maybe he only tints trucks now...

he must have sold the crown vic and aspire then. I though they got retinted once a month

my bad a 20" will do a crown vic. Ive never had the pleasure of an aspire

Have you done a Focus, same thing

22 0r 24 then

30"

4 door anyway

yup the 24 inch is just a harold short

I don't mean I stock only 20" rolls I mean nowadays instead of slicing films I also stock 20" rolls.

Thanks for all the 'welcome back' messages everyone. Things have been fun and profitable in the engineering world.

In regards to the tip, I tested it and it does work, and I can do the math in my head before I get to the cutting table. I'm sure there are a few cars out there that it will fail on, but that's life. No two cars can be tinted exactly the same. All of the vehicles that I have tested it on so far have worked flawlessly using this method.

I stock only 36" rolls, and for most cars I cut just that one calculated length off the roll to cover both sides (if each side is <18" tall).