HELPFUL INFORMATION
Window Tinting Information Shown below are some of the most common questions which we are asked along with a brief answer. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please call our office Auto Reflections Window Tinting at 832-228-0893
Q: What is window film?
Window film is a thin polyester/metal layer, in a variety of performance levels and shades, which is trimmed to fit your windows and then applied.
Q: I just had my windows tinted, why do they look hazy?
It takes several days for the film to completely adhere to the window. There still may be water under the film even three days after tinting. This causes a hazy look until the water completely evaporates. When the water evaporates, your windows should look completely clear with excellent clarity.
Q: Can I roll my windows down right away?
It is recommended to leave your windows up for at least three days after tinting. This will allow the tint to almost completely dry before tampering with the window.
Q: What causes the film to turn purple?
Our tinting film utilizes state-of-the-art dyes that are color stable. The benefit for customers is that our films do not turn purple like cheap tinting films sold in auto parts stores or other retail outlets. Please ask about our Lifetime Warranty for more information.
WHAT IS WINDOW TINTING?
Window tinting is the phrase usually used to describe the process of applying window film to car windows or flat glass in homes and buildings.
Window tint or film is constructed of one or more layers of polyester film darked or dyed with a variety of components to achieve different results. It is coated with an adhesive and generally applied to the inner surface of windows to reduce heat, light and improve aesthetics. Thicker versions are used as a safety film to help prevent injuries and to slow intruders.
Having glass tinted can generally reduce the need for air conditioning and can pay for itself over time in residential and commercial applications. Many modern window films are able to achieve a great amount of heat reduction without as much visible light reduction compared to the window films of the past.
Installing window film is not a do it yourself job. Window tinting requires acquired skills and should be installed by professionals.
Window Film Care and Cleaning
Drying time:
Your new window film will take about 3 to 5 days to fully dry, sometimes a lot longer depending on film brand, type, and weather conditions. Until this time your tinted windows may appear hazy or lumpy, and it may seem to have water bubbles. Do not roll your tinted windows down until dry!
Cleaning
Window film may be cleaned with a soft clean cloth and alcohol-based cleaner or plain water. Ammonia products should not be used.
Black dotted edges
Most cars have a black ceramic ‘frit’ edge on the rear window. Sometimes this ceramic edge is straight and flat, sometimes it will have a dotted edge. These black ceramic dots are quite thick on most cars and prevent the window film from sticking to the area between the dots. This results in a whitish-looking strip trimming the glass. Typically this isn’t very noticeable, however, some cars have a wide band of dots trimming the top of the rear window. This area is so wide that the whitish-looking area created is more pronounced. Unfortunately, the effect is unavoidable.
Seat Belt Chips
Caution should be used when releasing seat belts. Small chips can be made in the window film due to the seat belt hitting the glass as it is released, THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.
Imperfections
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, also pre-existing flaws or scratches and metal deposits on the glass are often much more noticeable after the windows are tinted.
Small silvery-looking spots or ‘metal rubs’ on some windows are usually found in station wagons or other utility vehicles and are caused by a metallic object (such as a baby stroller handle) rubbing against the inner surface of the glass during travel. This rubbing deposits metal onto the glass creating a silver or gray stain. Usually, these metal rubs aren’t very noticeable and often aren’t noticed until the windows become tinted.
Night Time Defogger Distortion
At night you may notice that the light from headlights will reflect off of the defogger lines. This is caused by the film having to bend slightly around the raised defogger line, it varies from car to car, and there is nothing that can be done about it.
