Tinting sliding windows

[DavidPallister]

I've got a pair of genuine VW sliding windows, 1 Caravelle, 1 Westy (if it makes a difference?), took them to get them tinted the other day, and they were unable to do either of them as the seal between the 2 panes of glass was too tight, so when the slider was slid, the film just kept ripping off. Now, I've seen plenty of tinted windows on here, so it can obviously be done, but what's the secret? Also can't see any way of getting the windows apart, the frame looks like 1 continuous piece of ally, with a single join and no screws or rivets holding it together, are they a bonded unit?

Help please, I really want to get them tinted

Cheers

Dave

[Aidan]

the windows run on now nla from vw nylon runners on the outside, if you remove them, then there's just enough clearance to remove with a slight bit of force, but you need to source new runners in case you foobar the old ones getting them out as they become brittle with age

[DavidPallister]

Thanks for that, any idea what i can do about the tight seals between the 2 panes of glass? They are both so tight that the film won't fit between them. Can they be cut down or removed? or will they leak if this is done?

Cheers

Dave

[PEET]

To remove the glass remove the seals all around and the locking handle via the screw underneath. Then u have to slide the plastic slides out from the lower alloy piece of the sliding window, bewarned these are always brittle and best way is to get behind them with some bent metal, they are around 2inches long or so so dont try and pry them out jus on the tiny end showing.

The seal should brush the inner outside edge of the window so your window guy was trying to do the wrong side....

Bit awkward to do perfectly but they can be. The rubber seals can be matched up with one from http://www.sealsdirect.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and i know as I jus had to do it!!

[smudge]

I had the windows on my Westie tinted recently. The first time I slid open the sliding windows, the film got caught and peeled away from the glass in the corners...

So, to solve it I cut the film approx 5mm from the edge, and then used some black vinyl in a strip, to cover the gap. I did this on both sides of the glass, to make it look better. I bought the vinyl from a local vinyl sign shop, for a few quid, and used a scalpel and metal edge to cut a super straight line.

The vinyl sticks to the glass better than the tinting film, so now when I open the windows it doesn't catch on the edge

I"ll take some pics at the weekend and post em up!

[ambivert]

anyone tinted louvre windows? how did it go?

[DavidPallister]

Cheers peet, I've got the windows stored over at my parents house now, so next time i'm over there I'll double check to see if he was trying to tint the wrong side. He said he'd done loads of VW windows in the past, but these two were the 1st set he was unable to do

Dave

[VWCamperfan]

anyone tinted louvre windows? how did it go?

Yep, tinted mine! Right pain in the arris too! Had all the glass out for a complete service before installing into van so did them while they were out but still not too easy! Looks ok though.