How to Properly Care For Your Vehicle's New Window Tinting

If you've just had your car's windows tinted, keep reading. Here is a handy guide on properly caring for your vehicle's new window tinting.

Getting the windows of your vehicle tinted is a real game-changer when it comes to your comfort while driving, as well as security and privacy.

A good window tinting film will block out harmful UV rays, keeping your skin, eyes, and the upholstery of your vehicle safe. As it dulls the sunlight, you'll experience less glare, better temperature control, and a more comfortable driving experience overall.

Many drivers think that you just have your windows tinted once. In reality, most standard window films last about 5 years if you care for them, which is what we're here to discuss today.

In this post, we're going to look at some of the best ways to care for your new window tinting. Put the work into window tint care and it'll last. Neglect it and you'll have to replace your tint sooner than you'd like.



Keep reading and you'll know everything there is to know about caring for different types of window tinting.

Choosing a Tint

When you get a window tint from Solar Waves, you can choose between our 3 premium tinting options. Which type you choose shouldn't affect your window care routine too much, as they're all scratch-resistant with a manufacturer's lifetime-limited warranty.

A dyed tint is an economical film that boosts the appearance of your car and prevents 99% of UV rays with some heat reduction. The dye tends to fade over time, but with good upkeep, it's the most affordable option.

Carbon window film will not fade over time, unlike dyed tints. You'll be able to choose from a variety of shades, all of which have superior heat reduction for a more comfortable ride.

With ceramic window film, you get the highest quality window tint on the market. What sets it apart is its superior resistance to glare while making your windows virtually shatter-proof. It does fade over time, however, so window care will be a major priority.

If you're at a loss for which window tint to choose, pay us a visit at our Cocoa shop to consult with our team about the best option. Once you make your choice, we'll install it and have you back on the road in no time.

Resist the Urge to Touch and Clean

Once your window tint is chosen and professionally applied, you're going to have the urge to clean and touch up your windows to maintain their perfect appearance. Don't do this, as the tint needs time to cure. Touching it could cause it to peel and bubble.

How long it takes to cure will depend on the type of window tint you've chosen. Some take as little as 48 hours to cure, while others could take up to a week. The film may look hazy or bubbly during the curing period, but these are temporary flaws that usually smooth themselves out.

Before you leave our shop, we'll make sure to let you know when it's safe to start your window care regimen. It may be an obvious thing to say, but you should also avoid putting any adhesives or suction devices on your windows during this time.

Another thing that a lot of tinting shops forget to remind their customers of is to keep the windows up while the film is curing. After the curing period, you'll be free to use your windows as normal.

Use Gentle Solutions and Cleaning Tools

A lot of customers ask us if regular glass cleaner is okay to use on window film. If you want your window tint to stand the test of time, you're going to need ammonia-free glass cleaner. The ammonia in normal glass cleaners can degrade the bond that adheres the film to your windows.

Using the wrong type of cleaner will almost certainly cause your film to bubble and peel. Make sure to read the label when you're purchasing glass cleaner and if it contains ammonia, don't buy it.

The best thing to wipe your tinted windows with is a microfiber cloth. Yes, all of our window tints are scratch-resistant, but when you use things like paper towels, you can end up rubbing dirt and debris into the film. This will cause it to degrade faster.

A good rule of thumb is to use one cloth for cleaning and another one for drying. This will help you avoid streaks and keep your windows looking perfect.

Perform Regular Window Cleanings

It can be hard to remember to clean car windows on a regular basis. If they don't look dirty, then most people tend to leave them be. To help your window film last as long as possible, you should stick to a regular cleaning schedule.

Make a point to clean the windows when there are obvious blemishes as well, such as bird droppings, sap from trees, or road debris. When these things are given time to set in, you're forced to use harsh cleaning tools, which will degrade your tint.

You can make your life easier by avoiding certain situations, like parking under trees or in direct sunlight. Try not to take your car through a commercial car wash. It's always better to hand wash with the chemicals and materials that we discussed above.

If you do end up bubbling (it happens to the best of us), you should always take your car to a professional. You can remove them yourself by heating up the film and using a credit card to smooth them out, but there's little margin for error when you do this.

Get the Best Window Tinting in Cocoa

Now that you know a bit more about window tint care, it's time to get your car window tinting from the best in Cocoa. Solarwaves Window Tinting has over 15 years of window tinting experience and, as an authorized dealer of LLumar Window Tint, you can be sure that you're getting the best possible window tint for your car.

Contact us today to get a free estimate for your car window tinting.