What is window film?

Window film is a polyester film, usually made of Polyethylene Teraphthalate (“PET”). Most films are applied to the interior surface of a glass window in a home, commercial building, marine craft or automobile. They have a scratch resistant coating on the outer surface to protect the film. There are many types of window films. Some are clear and feature multiple layers of PET to offer protection from shattering glass; others are tinted with metals, dyes or pigments to reduce the visible light transmitted through the glass and block heat coming through from the sun. There are even decorative window films that can replicate the look of frosted glass or etched patterns.

Does the tint go on the outside or inside?

The short answer is on the inside. First, the film is laid on the outside of the car’s windows and cut out to fit. Those pieces are then placed on a large piece of glass and trimmed before being installed on the inside of the windows.

How long will it take to install window tint on my vehicle?

Installation time ranges from 1 to 3 hours depending on how many windows are being tinted and what type of vehicle you have. 

Can you have window tinting applied to your windows in wet or cold weather?

Yes! With the modern adhesive systems found in today’s window tinting products, it is possible to have your car windows tinted even in freezing weather. However, the curing time may be extended in adverse conditions. Professional installers take the weather into consideration during installation, allowing more time to apply heat to the edges of the tint to activate the drying process. The old adage to keep in mind is you get what you pay for. High performance or metal window tinting products insure high-quality adhesives. 

How is window film installed?

The installation process starts with thoroughly cleaning your windows to remove even the smallest pieces of dirt. A piece of film is cut roughly to the size of your window, its release liner is removed and an application solution is sprayed on the film’s adhesive to activate it. The application solution is also sprayed on the window. The film is then placed on the glass and the application solution is pressed out from between the glass and film through the use of a squeegee. The final touch is edge trimming to ensure the film fits perfectly.

Should I drop off my vehicle or wait?

Both options are available and you can do what works best with your schedule. We prefer that the vehicle be dropped off for the day, but we do have a waiting area with TV and magazines for customers who choose to stay for the installation.

How many windows does my car have?

The answer to this question can vary widely based on the year, make and model of your vehicle. 

How long should I keep my windows rolled up after I have window tint installed?

We recommend keeping your windows up for at least 2–4 days. If windows are rolled down before that time frame, the tint often peels off because it has not had enough time to cure. Should this happen, we can redo your window at a low cost, but it is not covered under the warranty. 

Will you travel to my home to tint my vehicle?

We do not travel to install window film on vehicles. Window tinting must be done inside a controlled environment to prevent dirt, dust and debris from getting under the film. 

How do black dots and lines at the edge of a window affect window tinting?

The black dots, or matrix patterns, as well as the lines at the top of some windows, are made of a Teflon material that is applied at the factory. Purely cosmetic, they hide trim lines and edges on different vehicles. The thickness of these Teflon-type areas makes them incredibly difficult when applying window tint. Window tint is designed to adhere directly to the glass. The black lines across the top of some windows can prevent window tint from sticking and cannot be covered. When black dots are encountered, the window tint sticks to the slightly raised dot. This can give, depending on the thickness of the material, a lighter or different look in the area of the black matrix dots. This poses no risk of peeling. In some cases, the dot pattern or lines put at the top of some windows are so thick that it makes it impossible for the tint to stick at all.

What are these scratches or streaks in my window tint?

This is another commonly asked question and is sometimes confused with being a defect in the film; however, it is actually caused by a vehicle’s weather stripping. You’ll notice a fuzzy, felt-type material that lines the weather stripping around your windows. This felt functions as a trap for small particles of dirt when you roll your windows up or down. Some vehicles have both sides lined, some only have the exterior side. When only the exterior side is lined it makes the interior more susceptible to trapping dirt and debris. When you roll your windows up or down, the dirt, or sometimes even the hard plastic of the stripping itself, can cause the film to scratch.

What are these chips in my tint? One thing to be careful about, once you have window tint, is your seat belts. When removing your seat belt, be careful to not allow it to sling over and hit the window as this will make a little chip in the tint each time the seat belt hits.