5 Things You Should Know About Window Tint

As the mercury starts to climb this spring season, so does your car’s “To Do” list. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to enhance the look of your vehicle, protect your interior from UV rays, and reduce cabin temperatures, then window tint should be on that list. Whether you’re confident in your ability to DIY, or if you’d be looking for a pro to do the job, here are the five things you need to know about window tint.

Window tint does so much more than simply make your windows darker.

Window film has been around for a long time. Many years ago it may have been viewed as only a cosmetic upgrade, but the technology has come a long way. That means, there are several advantages of which you might not be aware.

First, a proper window film will offer some level of protection from harmful UV rays. This also results in a reduction of damaging heat from entering the vehicle. Protection from these two factors will help keep your vehicle’s interior from sun-fading, reduce glare, and balance the interior climate.

Also, tinted windows will be less likely to shatter in the event of a collision, reducing the risk of injuries from flying glass. Darker windows can increase privacy, too, deterring theft by making it more difficult for ‘bad guys’ to see inside.

All tints are NOT created equal.

Truthfully, this may be the best-kept secret of window tint. The tint that the pros install is not the same window tint that you can buy at your local parts store or online. Commercial grade window films, which are reserved for the pros, can only be purchased through authorized distributors. These high-grade films are easier to work with, last significantly longer, and may provide increased protection from those harmful UV rays.

Educate yourself about the differences between the tint you can buy and apply yourself versus the tint that would be installed by a pro if you decide to go that route.

You CAN do it yourself.

The internet is a great resource for tutorials and instructions for those of you who want to DIY. If you’ve got a little bit of experience under your belt, own or are willing to purchase the proper tools, and can devote some time to watching helpful YouTube videos—you can absolutely do your own window tint.

The most important thing to remember if you decide to DIY would be that you need to work in a clean environment. Josh Poulson, owner of Auto Additions in Westerville, Ohio, says that even if some people possess the skills to complete a DIY window tint job, a home garage is a trap for all kinds of dust, dirt, and debris.

“A single speck of dirt or dust between the window and the tint could mean you’ll need to start over again,” he says. Poulson reminds vehicle owners that the windows will need to be left in the up position for at least three full days to allow for proper adhesion between the window film and the glass. Plus, you’ll need to buy a few things ahead of time such as window cleaner, towels, a squeegee, and, of course, the window film.

You may also need to swing for specialty tools such as door panel/trim removal tools if you need to remove the door panel for a gap-free installation. Additionally, some rear windows will have a slight curve to them. These will require special preparation called “shrinking,” which will help the window film stick to the glass without any creases. All in, you might spend between $75-$125 on tools, window film, etc.

“When you add up the cost—plus your time to complete the job—this is the kind of work that really makes sense to partner with a local professional,” advises Poulson.

It doesn’t cost that much more to have a pro apply window film for you.

Cost and time investment aside, if you don’t feel confident completing an install like this yourself, you might be surprised by how little it might cost to have a pro do it for you. “There is a lot of competition in the market for window tint, so the prices are rather low to consumers,” says Poulson. Depending on where you live in the country you might see prices around $100 for a 2-door car and $175 for a 4-door. (Keep in mind, though, prices will definitely vary by region and the type of window tint being installed. We’ve also seen quotes as high as $300 for a 4-door car. So be sure to shop around.)

Having a pro apply your window tint does certainly have its advantages. An experienced pro can install tint in half the time. And, if they happen to make a mistake (which does happen to the best of us) the fix is on them. If you mess up applying your own tint, then you have to put in more time, energy, and money.

Additionally, any pro is sure to be aware of insider tips and tricks. A good example of this is that some luxury vehicles, like Mercedes-Benz, incorporate the antenna for the remote key fob into the rear windshield. Certain window tints will interfere with the antenna’s operation, and you might have trouble getting your key fob to unlock your doors.

Do your research.

If DIYing, it’s a good idea to read articles, watch YouTube videos, and search internet forums to get a strong base knowledge of what you’ll be undertaking. Ask around and see if anyone you know has tried to do the job solo. (You might be surprised by what they tell you—just because it can be done doesn’t mean it isn’t a frustrating task to do so.)

If you’re looking for a pro, it still helps to educate yourself on the process. This way, you have a good base knowledge ahead of time and know what to expect. Check your local listings for shops that offer tinting as one of their services. And be careful of places that haven’t been in business long, switch locations seemingly often, don’t have a clean work space, can’t or won’t present professional certification, or seem shady in general (i.e., only accept cash payments).

Reading online reviews can be helpful, but sometimes they can be misleading. Poulson explains, “Say a customer didn’t understand or neglected to follow post-installation instructions, such as not rolling the windows down for a few days as the tint properly adheres. Now the customer has bubbles and leaves a poor shop review unnecessarily.”

Finally, you want to check your local laws regarding window tint. Many municipalities have restrictions on how dark windows can be—commonly described by the amount of light able to penetrate the tint. While a citation for window tint might not carry a very large fine, sometimes it’s best to avoid drawing unwanted attention to your vehicle.

Whether you decide to DIY or hire a pro, we hope you can use this list to prepare yourself ahead of time, and be thrilled with the results afterwards!