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.