What You Should Know Before Tinting Your Car Windows

Car window tinting is one of those modifications that don’t break the bank, aren’t intrusive, do not void any warranties, do not garner unnecessary attention from the cops (if it’s within the legal limit, more on that later), and is both functional and cool-looking. Checking all the right boxes so far, but nothing is as straightforward as it may seem to be on the face of it.

There are several things one needs to know before going out and getting car window tinting. We encourage everyone to make an informed decision regarding any modifications to their vehicle, this one included. So, let’s begin.

Understand that Quality of the Tint Matters

It may catch those in the unknown by surprise that window tinting films actually come in a variety of types and qualities. The 4 major kinds of film found in the market, in a hierarchical order, are Dyed, Metallic, Carbon, and Ceramic. There are mixtures of them in between, but those are the 4 primary categories with Ceramic film sitting at the top of the film chain.

The quality of your film truly matters. All marketing buzzwords are just that, buzzwords, if your film starts to peel or bubble up after a couple of days. At that point, it won’t provide any functional or aesthetic benefits and will really just grind your gears.

An example of a high-quality film is Kepler’s IR+ Ceramic window films. These films are made using a 6-layer design, when the standard is 1–2 layers, and nanoparticles for better performance.

Remember, the sign of a quality tint is the warranty it comes with. Every company worth its salt offers a warranty on its products, like the lifetime warranty on Kepler Films. If they believe their product is good.

Read Up On The Laws

Ideally, you should listen to Breaking The Law in a tinted car by Judas Priest, not actually do it. Despite the massive car culture we have, window tints, whilst legal across all states, are subject to state-wise restrictions. Window Tinting Spartanburg laws, for example, differ from those found in California.

Breaking tint laws won’t land you in prison, but it is considered an infraction and leads to fines as well as removal of the tint. Repeating the offense will increase the punishment, though. So, before you apply the film, read up on the legal limit of VLT, Visible Light Transmission, to be on the safer side of things.

DIY Isn’t That Easy

It is a major misconception that window tinting DIYs are super easy. Sure, it may look easy on the surface level. “It is basically just like applying a sticker,” but it is far more than just that. DIY kits being so readily available has made it difficult for individuals to realize that the reason why professional window tinters exist is that applying them isn’t something everyone can do.

Now, we aren’t trying to discourage everyone. Making car window tinting your Sunday DIY project is possible, don’t get us wrong. However, more often than not, it ends up not perfectly. A lot of tint goes to waste, grime and dirt stick to the film, and eventually, it starts to peel or bubble. This is largely due to inexperience applying films, lack of proper tools as well as not having a controlled environment.

Doing so obviously results in your car not looking as sleek as you’d expect but it also voids the warranty your film comes with. So, remember to tread carefully and potentially consider getting a professional window tinter.

After Care Matters

Alright, you’ve chosen the perfect film. It is:

• High-quality
• Comes with a warranty
• You’ve got a window tint that will install it properly

All done, right? Well, not really. Aftercare for window tints is real and often, unfortunately, overlooked. Which is why many tints go bad. Whilst the professional will provide you with aftercare tips, here are some general ones:

1. Avoid rolling down the windows for a couple of days
2. Do not use a dirty cloth or any sort of hard/sharp material on the windows. Use a microfibre towel only
3. Only use ammonia-free solutions
4. Parking in the shade and protecting against UV exposure can also help extend the tint’s lifespan.

Take note of the things mentioned here before you get your car fitted with window tints. None of these are deterrents really, just things that will help you make a more informed decision as well as better care for your investment. Ideally, a tint lasts up to 10 years and more if well taken care of and installed properly. So, absolutely do both of them.