Learn About Window Tinting
- How do black dots and lines at the edge of a window on newer cars affect window tinting?
- Why is a garage required for tinting my vehicle?
- Will my windows be cloudy or bubbly right after they are tinted?
- Will my car be cooler when I get in on a hot day?
- How does window tint aid in protecting you during a automobile accident?
- What are the tint laws for Arizona?
- What does the film percentage mean?
- How dark will the legal tint look on my car?
- How is automotive film applied? How long does it take?
- How do I clean my tinted windows?
- I couldn’t find a quote for residential or commercial glass on your quote page? How much do you charge?
How do black dots and lines at the edge of a window on newer cars 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 type of material that is applied at the factory. Purely cosmetic, they hide trim lines and edges on different styles of autos. The thickness of these Teflon type areas make them a nightmare 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 usually put at the top of some windows are so thick that it makes it impossible for the tint to stick at all.
Why is a garage required for tinting my vehicle?
Though we strive for perfection in our installations, due to the nature of the product, some degree of dust contamination and or minor imperfections are present in every window film application. Working in an enclosed space drastically reduces the amount of contamination that may occur. Windy and hot sunny days also make it very difficult to tint without proper closure. On a side note, pre-existing flaws or scratches and metal deposits on the glass are often much more noticeable after the windows are tinted.
Will my windows be cloudy or bubbly right after they are tinted?
Yes, this will occur temporarily after your tint is installed. A thin layer of water will be trapped under the film until it evaporates. Often, as the film is drying, it may also contain a ripple look or fish scaly appearance. Rest assured, this is normal and will dry out. The film should be dry and clear within a week in sunny, warm weather.
Will my car be cooler when I get in on a hot day?
Yes, but for the most part, it’s going to still be hot due to the lack of ventilation that traps the heat within the closed vehicle. The big difference you will get occurs when you attempt to cool down your car with air conditioning. It will cool down much faster and be able to stay cooler inside your vehicle much easier. Also, you will begin to notice that the sunlight that hits your skin is much more bearable than before without any tint.
How does window tint aid in protecting you during a automobile accident?
One of the most common causes of physical harm during any vehicle accident is from the explosive glass shattering around you upon impact. Window tint bonds to the glass and may possibly hold the glass together during an accident, shielding the occupants in the vehicle.
What are the tint laws for Arizona?
The front side windows: Must allow at least 33% of the light in. The back side windows and rear window: Any darkness can be used. Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.
What does the film percentage mean?
The film percentage means how much light will filter through the film and reach the interior of the car. For example, 5% film allows 5% of light to filter through the film and reach the inside of the car.
How dark will the legal tint look on my car ?
Illusion has a lot to do with how dark the window film appears. For example you can take a white exterior vehicle with a black interior and put a 35% film on all glasses (which is the legal film for the front doors) and it appears very dark from the illusion of the contrasting surrounding colors of the car almost appearing illegal. The opposite illusion occurs on black exterior vehicles with light colored interiors (such as light tan or white). These darker colored cars tend to have a more conservative look on the darkness appearance. Interior colors tend to have the most dramatic affect on how the window film darkness appears. This is not to say that the film works better on one or the other. It filters energy transmission equally on both scenarios.
How is automotive film applied? How long does it take?
Automotive glass is curved. Since Automotive Window Films are flat, putting film on auto glass is like trying to wrap a basketball with a sheet of paper and not getting any wrinkles. Professional installers have developed various methods of installation including stretching, seaming or piecing, heat-molding to combat this problem. All these methods have proven successful and guarantee a form fitted application. Installing window films takes approximately 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the vehicle’s curved glass.
How do I clean my tinted windows?
You can clean your windows with any cleaner that does not contain ammonia. Stay away from using any abrasive materials or cheap paper towels to wipe your tint. A soft cloth or squeegee seems to work best. Also, remember to wait 48-72 hours before rolling down your windows.
I couldn’t find a quote for residential or commercial glass on your quote page? How much do you charge?
Yes, my quote is intended more for automotive not residential or commercial. We use a very attractive Madico bronze film and starts at $4.00 a square foot for material and labor. If you are interested in residential or commercial glass, send us a message using our contact us form.