Tinting your car windows can be a great idea. It can help reduce the amount of heat coming inside your vehicle in the summer, or trap interior heat inside the car during the winter, to better regulate the temperature inside your car whilst driving.
This also helps extend the life of your car engine, whilst lessening your gas consumption because you do not have to use your vehicle’s heaters to warm up or cool the interior down. So, if you are thinking of tinting your car windows, then you will need to get all of the information first. That’s where we at Tinting Laws come in handy! We have all the hints and tips you need for your tinted windows, and how to care for them.
What is a window tint?
A window tint is another phrase for a window film. This is a thin laminate film that can be applied to the interior or exterior of glass surfaces, such as car windows, vehicle windows or boats and buildings. This film is generally made from polyethylene terephthalate, as it is clear, strong and able to withstand the elements.
Window tints can be dyed, metallized, reflected and made with a range of components but are generally used for car windows. One of the main reasons car owners choose to tint their windows is because it can reduce glare from the sun, and from other car’s headlights, whilst also regulating the heat in the car. Some people choose to tint their windows due to the aesthetic value it brings, and the intensity of the tint tends to depend on the local laws that your country or state allows.
How is a window tint applied?
Installing window tints can be very tricky and time consuming, which is why it is often left to a professional, as they know the best conditions, tricks and methods of installing tinted windows. However, it can be done by yourself.
You can purchase kits with pre-cut pieces ready to stick on the windows, or you can cut them to size yourself, which can take a little more care and attention. To start, you will have to ensure that your car windows are perfectly clean first, using a window cleaning solution to remove all dirt and grime.
It is recommended that you only do this in a dust free environment, and in temperatures of 40-90 degrees fahrenheit for the best results. Once you have your pre-cut tint or you have measured and cut it out ready, simply apply the application solution to the window, and peel the protective layer off the tint film.
Start at the bottom edge of the window, and work your way upwards avoiding crinkles and bubbles as best as you can. Once you have placed the film on the window, and there are no lines, use a squeegee to press it down firmly.
Just ensure that you have wet the outside surface of the film to work out air bubbles, and use even strokes with the squeegee so that it glides across the top and does not damage the film. Anyone who has had a window tint before will tell you that there are perfect times of the year to do it, and times that you shouldn’t. So, is it OK to tint windows during the winter?
Is it OK to tint windows in the winter?
Now that you have an overall understanding of how tints are applied, you may have noticed that many people advise that you choose to do it in the right kind of weather, as the tint will need time to cure.
The ideal times are spring and fall, as there will be typically low humidity levels, leaving the tint a good chance of properly adhering to the windows quickly. In addition, you do not want it to rain, as it will not cure as fast, and it may loosen.
Whilst warmer temperatures are advised, you do not want any humidity, so installing in the summer can be a problem too. So, what about the winter? Can you tint windows during the winter months?
Generally, speaking, yes it is okay to install window tints in the winter, you just need to be aware that the drying times may take longer, and it will take a good few days to cure completely. Also, you will need to wait a little while to use the windows, or roll them down if you are tinting windows in the winter months. Due to the cold weather, curing times are much longer, but as long as you are aware of that, there is no reason why you cannot tint your windows during the winter.
How to clean tinted windows in the winter
In addition to taking extra care when applying the tint in the winter, you will need to be careful cleaning tinted windows in the winter. This is because the tint can develop a film of hard water, road salt, sand and debris from the harsh weather, which will need to be cleansed to keep your windows in good condition.
You should always use an ammonia free cleaning solution, and wipe clean with a gentle and non abrasive cloth, and your tints will be fine.