3 Tips to Make the Most of Your Car's Window Tinting
Aesthetically, fiscally, and environmentally speaking, deciding to tint your car's windows is an excellent decision. Window tinting keeps your car cooler in the summer, gives you privacy while you drive, and saves you money by reducing sun damage to your car's interior.
But just like any design change, window tinting is a financial investment — which means you should care about maximizing your return. Keep reading to learn what you can do to protect your investment in window tinting for years after you have it applied.
1. Know Your State's Tinting Laws
Different states have different laws about how dark your car's window tinting can be, and your new tint job won't do you much good (or save you any money) if you're required to adjust or remove it right after applying it. You can avoid this problem by working with a professional auto tinting company. Professionals are familiar with their state's laws and won't sell you an auto tint job that gets you pulled over.
Bear in mind that if you move states, you might need to adjust your car's tint percentage. If you're just driving through another area, your out-of-state plates will hopefully give you a pass on being pulled over for dark windows — but make sure not to speed anyway. You could also consider renting a non-tinted car for longer cross-country trips.
2. Choose the Right Kind of Window Film
You might think the only difference between types of film is their dark and light percentage, but different films offer varying benefits for your car and bottom line:
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Carbon films are potentially the most cost-effective window-tinting options. They're sturdy enough to outlast years of harsh weather and shouldn't peel or fray.
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Infrared films keep the sun's most damaging rays out of your car without being so dark that they violate the law. Like carbon films, they resist peeling and cracks and can last years.
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Metallic films are among the darkest types of films, which means they block out more UV rays and heat than carbon and infrared films. If you want maximum privacy while staying within your state's laws, metallic films are the right choice.
Non-film tinting, like OEM and coating tinting, are either built into the car's windows or sprayed on. Coating requires you to remove the car's windows, spray them, and put them back on, while OEM tinting requires you to buy new windows altogether. So while these options can be longer lasting, they may also cost more than typical film tinting.
Talk to your professional auto tinting company about which type of film is right for your car. Your priorities — including cost-effectiveness, durability, and privacy — will determine which film best delivers the long-lasting results you want.
3. Take Care of Your Window Tinting
The better you take care of your window film, the longer it will last and the more money you'll save. Along with following any instructions your auto tinting company gives you, maintain your window-tinting job with these steps:
- Be careful when taking off your seatbelt and getting into or out of the car — metal hitting the window film can chip it.
- Never clean your windows with abrasive cleaning solution; use soap and water instead.
- Don't use harsh materials like brillo pads on your windows. Instead, use soft cleaning cloths on your windows and make gentle circles rather than scrubbing.
- Never peel off the film if you notice it flaking. Take the car in to the company that performed the job and ask their advice.
Looking for a professional auto-tinting job that will maximize your savings and help you get the best return on your investment? Turn to Affiliated Auto Glass. Request a free quote online, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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