Once you’ve had a professional window tint service, you’ve taken the first step toward making your car stand out, driving in comfort, and protecting the windows (and your interior) for years to come. But you might be worried that you’ll accidentally mess up the window tint you just invested in.
You should feel confident and informed about what to do (or not do) once you have your windows tinted. After all, when you put time and money into your car, you want it to look amazing for as long as possible!
We’ll walk you through five things you can expect after a window tint:
1. It’s normal to see bubbles or hazy windows at first.
Even after a professional window tint, you may see a few tiny bubbles under the film and a haze on the glass. Streaks, haze, and bubbles are a normal part of the window tint drying process, so don’t worry! Bubbles can occur as moisture forms between the window and the film, but they will evaporate within a few days.
While your window tint dries, it will still protect you and your car from UV rays, would-be intruders, and flying glass (in the event of an accident). So even though you have to be patient for the film to dry and for those bubbles to go away, you’ll get to enjoy the benefits of window tinting right after your service.
2. The drying time will depend on the weather and season.
During the summer, the sun will help your vehicle’s film cure (or dry) within two to four days of a window tint. But if you get this service in the winter, you might have to wait three to four weeks before your car’s window tint completely dries.
No matter how long your window tint takes to cure, you shouldn’t go to the car wash right away. This will slow down the drying time and can make those window bubbles stick around even longer. But you can help your window tint dry faster by parking your vehicle in direct sunlight, or inside the garage if it’s snowing or raining.
3. Your windows may be stronger, but they’re not invincible.
Tinting your windows makes them scratch-resistant, not scratch-proof. So you’ll still want to be gentle when moving sharp objects, boxes, and sports equipment around your interior. And don’t forget to take your seatbelt off carefully. This will keep the metal buckle from flying back and chipping your window tint.
You also shouldn’t roll down the windows right after your tint service, as this can scrape film from the glass before it’s had time to cure. But once the film has completely dried (two to four days in the summer, or three to four weeks in the winter), you can roll your windows down again.
4. You can (carefully!) wash your tinted windows at home.
If you want to wash your car at home after the film fully dries, just follow these easy steps for proper tinted window cleaning:
- Look for a window cleaner that’s specifically made for tinted film. Aerosol spray cleaners are normally safe, as most of them have mild cleaning agents. You can also mix soap or vinegar with warm water to clean your windows.
- Avoid blue-colored liquid cleaners, since these often contain ammonia that can discolor and damage your window tint.
- Park your vehicle in the shade, and open your car doors to check for dirty areas on the windows.
- Mist each window with ammonia-free cleaner or a soap/vinegar and water mixture.
- Wipe the liquid from the top of each window to the bottom with a soft microfiber cloth or squeegee.
- If there is any cleaner or water near the edges of the tinted film, gently wipe it away with a towel.
5. You’ll enjoy the benefits of your window tint immediately!
Once your tint has fully dried and you’ve safely cleaned your windows, you can relax and enjoy the benefits of window tinting, which include:
- UV-blocking protection for your skin and eyes
- Less glare and better visibility while driving
- Less interior fading and leather cracking
- No cellphone or radio signal interference
- No flying shards of glass if you’re in an accident
- Dark windows to deter would-be intruders
- A cooler, more comfortable interior
Now that you know what to expect after a window tint, you can:
- Enjoy driving in style and comfort.
- Protect your car’s windows and interior.
- Stay safe from intruders, the sun, and more.
- Maintain a beautiful window tint for years to come.
You’ll be amazed by the way your vehicle looks after a professional window tint service, and you’ll love getting behind the wheel again!
Premier’s mission is to create happiness through professional detailing, and our purpose is to exhibit a philosophy of servanthood! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us or visit our website. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well!
