Things to Do Before Getting Your Vehicle Window Tinted

Things to Consider Before Getting your vehicles Windows Tinted:

Window tinting is one of the least expensive ways to enhance your vehicle, in terms of both outer appearance and interior comfort. But if you choose the wrong material or the wrong installer, it can turn into a nightmare. Some people try to do it themselves—sometimes with disastrous results—and even choosing the right professional to do the job can be challenging because there are so many window tint installers in the DMV offering what seems like a "deal."

 

Things to Do Before Getting Your Vehicle Window Tinted

This article will cover the three top tasks you should undertake before getting a window film "tint" applied to your vehicle. The goal is to make you an informed consumer and allow you to make an educated decision.

First, let’s talk about the pros and cons of window tinting, as compared to factory tints or no tint at all.

 The most permanent window tint is done at the factory. The tint is embedded in the glass, so there is no chance of peeling. But factory tints offer no protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays, the is also no infrared (IR) or solar heat protection. Even though many factory tints are very dark they allow (UV) and (IR) to pass straight through and thus offer zero actual protection for your vehicles interior or for you against risks like skin cancer.

Window tint films, sometimes called “aftermarket tints,” offer protection against both Ultraviolet light and infrared heat, even with light tints that do not significantly limit visible light. The proper aftermarket films can reduce interior heat by up to 70 percent, which makes your summer drive time more pleasant; such films can also protect your skin from UV rays—and your car’s interior, which maintains the value of the vehicle.

Do your homework

Window tinting is a skilled craft, and some installation options are better than others, so it’s important to do some research before making a decision.

Get referrals from friends

Talk to friends who have had their windows tinted and find out which shops they have used and how they feel about the quality of the work. Have they had problems with the tint peeling, bubbles, the film changing color over time? Did they have a positive customer service experience? Was the pricing fair, honest and upfront?

Call—then visit—a few window tint shops

There’s no substitute for experience, the master films applicator in our shop has been applying films for over 15 years. Anyone can open a window tinting business with very low startup costs, but that doesn’t mean they can do good work.

Find out how dark window tint can legally be in your state

Many states and cities have laws restricting the maximum darkness of window tints because they are viewed as a safety concern for patrol officers. We’re writing this post from Fairfax Virginia - The max VLT in the front two windows in VA is 50% and in the rear of a passenger car is 35%, the rules are different in Maryland, and the District. For more detailed information about your locality follow link

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Narrow your list to two or three shops with good reputations, then visit them. Here’s what to look for on your visit:

Attention to customer service – Any shop worth their salt will take time to explain what they do, why they use the materials they do, and what kinds of tinting options are available to you.

A neat, clean shop – Window tinting techniques require a clean work environment. Dust and dirt around the shop could mean contaminants in the adhesive as the tint is being applied—a real problem. Tools and workspaces should look neat and well-organized.

Samples of their work – Ask to see a window tint job they have recently completed. They should have no problem with this if their work is good and they are eager to earn your business.

Here’s what to look for on your visit:

  o        Look closely at gaskets and paint around the windows. Are there slices, nicks or scratches in them? This could be a sign of sloppy workmanship during installation.

  o        Check the edges of the tint film. There should be no flaws or lack of adhesion. Side window films should extend inside the chassis.

  o        Make sure the rear window tint is one solid piece of film. Some installers patch this together around defroster lines, but a solid piece of the film provides the best adhesion.

  o        Obviously, bubbles are a no-no. But you may see some streaking in the film, and this is normal. The adhesive will dry in a week or so, and this discoloration will go away.

Ask about their warranty – Any reputable shop will provide a warranty and stand behind it - we offer a lifetime warranty on most films, no bubbling, warping, peeling, or changing color. 

Find out how long they have been in business – Look for a shop that has been around for several years. If they have been successful for a while, they are more likely to be around later, should you run into problems with the work. Established shops are also more likely to have skilled, experienced employees.

Get a cost quote – Now it’s time to compare pricing. The lowest price tag is not always the best, but sometimes you can get excellent, cheap window tinting when a shop has its operation humming along.

Good luck!

If you have any additional questions or would like to discuss anything posted here please feel free to post a question in our comments section. 

What is Paint Protection Film - is it a good option for me

Paint Protection Film, or PPF (sometimes referred to as Clear Bra), is a thermoplastic urethane film which is most often applied to the forward or leading painted surfaces of a vehicle. Originally, this type of protective film was designed for military use on helicopter rotors to protect them from sand particles, and over the years it has expanded to general aviation, racing, and finally consumer vehicles and even electronic devices such as mobile phones. Paint Protection Film has been in use on privately owned vehicles for several years now, and with good reason.

From a maintenance standpoint, PPF is an excellent investment for any vehicle. The clear coated urethane film helps preserve the paint finish while protecting surfaces vulnerable to stone chips, bug damage, abrasion, and weathering. Not only will your vehicle’s paint be preserved from these types of damages, but the film will also allow your paint to age naturally, and will not yellow from prolonged sun exposure. Additionally, you can clean and maintain your vehicle the same as before. The nearly invisible film can be washed and waxed just like the rest of the painted surfaces to retain that high gloss shine you expect.

These protective films are typically applied to the impact zones on vehicles parts, or otherwise vulnerable areas such as hoods, fenders, side mirrors, bumpers, grills, rocker panels, headlights covers, floodlights, car door protection, luggage areas, rear bumper decks, roof, and A-pillars. Most vendors guarantee their product not to haze, yellow or peel and offer a warranty of anywhere from two to five years when properly installed. The film contains ultra-violet stabilizers to prevent discoloration or degradation of the product itself while still allowing the sun’s rays to pass through to the paint so if you do decide to remove the film your vehicle will not be two-toned, or “sunburned”. Unlike leather car bras or plastic shields, these clear protective films are practically invisible and do not substantially affect the overall appearance of your vehicle.

Our goal at Automotive Protection Services (APS) in Fairfax, Virginia, as always, is to provide you with superior products and first class installation service. If you are interested in taking advantage of the protection offered by automotive protective film, we would be happy to meet your needs. Call us or stop by our local store to learn more about our protective films and installation options. 

Paint Protection Film

The first cut is the deepest. On your car, that is...

Our Master Films Applicator doing a tricky install 

Dents from rocks. scratches from debris, and bug acid from, well, bugs, all contribute to diminishing your car’s overall value and appearance. The sun’s UV rays, along with road rash, including rocks, pebbles, road debris, winter salt, and sand, can greatly damage your vehicle’s integrity and can ultimately lead to lower resale value.

In order to protect your vehicle and it’s exterior from the devastation of road rash and to augment your vehicle’s value, a protective paint film is a necessity. 

Paint Protection Film also referred to as your car’s “Clear Bra”, delivers a shield of protection from damaging agents, preserves your car’s paint job, and increases the longevity and resale value. Useful to everyday drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs, as well as owners of exotic cars, race cars, track cars, and collector cars, Paint Protection Film is a thick clear urethane film that can be applied to the entire vehicle. Popular applications of Paint Protective Film are paint, front bumper, front fenders, rear fenders, hood, headlights, mirrors, door cups, and door handles.

CHECK OUT THE TOP FIVE BENEFITS OF HAVING PAINT PROTECTION FOR YOUR VEHICLE.

1. Polished Look— Paint Protection Film for your car emphasizes a sleek and polished appearance with its high-gloss durability and shiny end-result look. 

2. Protects Integrity— Paint Protection Film protects your vehicle from damage, road rash debris, bugs, climatic change, and various chemicals.

3. Preserves Paint— Paint Protection Film aids in preserving your vehicle’s coloring and prevents discoloration from the sun’s harmful UV rays. 

4. Cost-Effective— Paint Protection Film lessens damages caused to your vehicle’s exterior, allowing itself to be a contributor in cost-management for your vehicle. 

5. Increases Resale Value— Paint Protection Film ensures the vehicle’s paint stays fresh and looking brand new, no matter what weather, climate, or situations it encounters.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PAINT PROTECTION FILM?

If it sounds like paint protection is something your car needs, check out our website and see which PPF package is the right fit for you, like our Deluxe kit for example. If you would like to learn more about our vehicle paint protection film,  please contact us, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have or provide you with more information.

Questions and some misconsptions about, Undercoating

Questions customers ask us frequently: Undercoating

1 - Will undercoating void my warranty?
No, undercoating will not void your manufactures warranty. It's designed to work with your information
manufacturer's warranty, protecting critical parts like your frame and floor pan. Here is some additional

The vehicle receiving rust protection

2 -  How do you apply the undercoat?
- The very first thing that we do whenever we apply undercoating is clean the whole underside of the vehicle - we remove all dirt, mud, salt, chemicals, grease, everything that contributes to corrosion. Then we put the car up in the air using our four-post drive on lift. Once in the air, we dry the underside of the vehicle using our high-pressure air system. Then we remove the spare tire (if it's located under the vehicle). Then we mask off the parts of the vehicle that we're not spraying (exhaust system, drive shaft, shocks). Then we spray the whole vehicle with a thick coating of undercoating - frame rails, floor pans, rocker panels, wheel wells, etc. Then we set it aside and allow the chemical to properly cure.

Gun used to apply Undercoating

3 - I've heard undercoating can cause rust - is that true?
No, undercoating does not cause the formation of rust. Rust a chemical reaction when iron (part of steel) oxidizes. Undercoating helps to prevent this from happening by creating a barrier between the metal and environment surrounding it.

4 - Cars and trucks don't rust anymore so I don't really need undercoating, do I?
False, Cars and trucks do rust, while automobile manufacturers have made great strides in reducing rust occurrences they've not eliminated them. See this link for more information  

5 - When should I get my vehicle undercoated?
The most cost-effective time to undercoat your vehicle is when it's brand new. Once your vehicle has shown signs of rust it will be most expensive to remediate.

6 - If my vehicle already has rust it's too late, isn't it?
No, it's not too late at all - we do have a process to remediate the rust - it involves the use grinders wire wheels, wire bristle brushes, and the use of a rust inhibiting chemical. The process works and can be an excellent option after the purchase of a pre-owned vehicle.

7 - I thought this was just something dealers use to pad their sale, but it doesn't really work, right?

It does work if it's applied correctly.

8 - What is undercoating made of?
The undercoating we use in this shop is manufactured by Noxudol - it's a solvent based product. The particulars of their product are a trade secrete.  

9 - Is there a warranty with this product/service.
Yes, We offer a ten-year warranty for qualifying vehicles - less than 36 months and 36,000 miles from the date of manufacturer.

10 - How much will undercoating cost for my vehicle?
Prices vary depending on the size, and condition - however, a typical new vehicle can be treated for between $400 - $500 

Don't let winter road salt ruin your ride

Cars Still Rust

The vehicle receiving Underbody rust remediation work

It's not unusual for folks to believe that modern cars are not susceptible to rust, but that's simply not the case. Steel can corrode, once exposed to water and air - and salt will accelerate that process. With the recent snow, V-DOT has been out on the roads aggressively treating to reduce ice and slippery conditions (a good thing to be sure) - but an unfortunate outcome is the corrosion all our vehicles will suffer as a result. 

AAA estimates that road De-Ices Cause $3billon in annual vehicle rust damage... 

Rusty Frame Rails 

There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risks and protect our vehicles. The first thing we should all do is clean off our vehicles, especially the undercarriage after driving in winter conditions. The pre-treatment, or brine, used in advance of winter weather is especially bad - it will remain active until removed - very effective at reducing ice, but can cause a lot of damage to our vehicles. 

A vehicle receiving undercarriage treatment 

The other thing we can do is have our vehicles professionally Undercoated and treated for rust damage at a reputable shop - like Automotive Protection Services in Fairfax Virginia. APS has been protecting vehicle owners cars against rust going back to 1979 as a family owned and operated business. Typical undercoating jobs run between $400 and $500 and come with a ten-year warranty on new vehicles. 

Within the past month, a customer from Maryland brought us a 2004 Expedition that was showing signs of rust damage. We have a process of rust remediation and treatment - but we quickly discovered that this truck was beyond our protection services, the frame was structurally compromised. While it's rare for us to see that much damage, it can and does happen. Unfortunately for the vehicle owner, there are few shops willing to work on it - none that we reached out to. 

With more snow in the forecast, we can be assured that V-DOT will be treating the roads, and this will contribute to more corrosion on our vehicles. Safety on the roads is the primary concern - protection of our vehicles is then up to us.

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Automotive Protection Services
3170 Draper Drive Unit #8
Fairfax, Va 22031
(703) 591 0900
Ian Sturdevant  (owner)

Automotive Protection Services provides several automotive protection and appearance services throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. From undercoating, rust proofing, spray-in-bed liners, to car detailing with paint sealants and Paint Protection Films along with our vehicle accessories shop, featuring brands like BAK and WeatherTech you are sure to find exactly what you need to keep your vehicle protected from the elements and staying showroom fresh for as long as you own it.

http://apsrustandtint.com/