Tinting your windows on an '08 22V

[Fman]

I had my boat windows tinted last month and wanted to send some information out on this. After doing this, my first piece of advice, make sure you truly have a skilled window tinter that can do boat wrap around one piece windows! The Supra windows have a wicked bend and create a lot of problems for tinters. I took my windows to three different shops before I could find someone who actually could handle the job. If you live in Northern California, ACME Stereo and Upholstry in South Sacramento did an awesome job, "Ben" will take care of you.... I highly recommend them.

(1) The first thing you will need to do is remove the windows from the boat. Remove the center walk through window first. There are 4 phillips screws that hold the window onto the frame. Simply remove them and take the window off.

(2) Next you will remove the wrap around windows from the boat. This sounds like a lot of work but it is quite easy. First disconnect the support members located on either side of the walk through window. There is a slider phillips screw, simply remove it and the brace will come free. You can also loosen the bottom screw bracket if need be.

(3) Next, there is a rubber strip located at the bottom of the window frame that needs to be removed. Gently pull it out and slowly peel it away from the frame. After removing this strip this will expose the screws that hold the window/frame on the boat.

(4) Once exposed remove the screws taking care not to scratch your frames. There are a couple tricky screws, one being under the front tower mount, you will need a shortie to get this one and the other is on the back top frame, you will also need a shortie for this one. There is one other screw that has a nut on the other side of it located about 3/4 of the way towards the front, it will be the one that never loosens. If you are by yourself put a small vice grip on the backside to hold the nut and unscrew it and it will loosen up.

(5) The windows can now be removed from the boat, they are awkward to move around so be careful not to hit your gelcoat. I layed a moving blanket over the swimdeck and placed them on there to make taking them out of the boat easier.

Now you can take the windows to the tinter, I chose 35% because I do a lot of early morning and late evening skiing and the 20% makes it a little tough to see. Either way its a matter of preference. They used Llumar tint on the windows and did it with one piece, no light gaps, fingers or bubbles. The shop also removed the frames from the window which I would also recommend.

Installation is just reversed, you will have to re-adjust your walkthrough window which takes some trial and error with the brace location. If you have any more q's please just ask.