Why Get Your Windows Tinted?
With many things stressful in our lives, it is important to find a few good things that we enjoy. For many, that is their car or truck. Whether it is a Sunday drive or a weekly wash, many times people look to relax for a few hours in the joy of their automobile.
One way to make your vehicle look its best, and provide some useful improvements, is to add window tint. Window tint film is added to the inside of your car windows and provides a reflective element to help keep the sun and heat out of your car.
Also, it can provide you help from glare by installing a tint strip on your windshield. This is best if you drive in early morning or late evening when the sun is at its’ lowest levels. Most people that have car tint really like this part as a bonus. It normally only costs $25 for the extra strip on the windshield, so it is worth the cost.
Finding A Window Tinting Service Near You
Many times we have to spend $ 1000’s of dollars on upgrades to improve our rides, however with window tint you normally only have to put down a few hundred dollars. From $100 – $300, depending on the brand and style of vehicle, you can normally get a good job done by a tint shop near you.
Car window tinting prices have remained steady in the past few years and they normally have some good deals around the holidays. Many sell gift certificates so if you have a family member that wants some windows darkened, and then think about that as an option as well.
The first thing to do is find a few good friends who have their autos tinted and ask to see the work. They should be more than happy to show you if there are any bubbles in the tint or if the film is turning purple or fading over the years. Also, you can ask the shop if they have any customers you can call and ask about their work. If not, at least ask to see some pictures of window tint jobs they have done in the past year or so.
So what if I want to try to tint the windows myself?
How To Tint Car Windows Yourself
Yes, it is possible to do the job yourself. I have done it once but it was not easy. Whether you use precut window tint or buy a big window tint roll, there are some basic tips and tricks you can follow to do a good DIY tint job.
Many people use a template and place the film on the outside of the car and cut it to get the shape. Then, a mixture of adhesive, such as hairspray and water for DIY users can be used to place the tint on the windows. Be sure to use lots of water and spray so it remains flexible.
Then get it in place and squeegee the excess of. Then use an exacto type blade to carefully trim the tint around the windows. Now, this may not be the professional way, but it is nearly free, except for the tint rolls you have to buy. Some prefer to have fancy window tint tools, but you really do not have to have them.
Please note it is not easy and even after watching a video it can be very hard the first time.
Reviews Of Window Tint
Many people have used 3M and Llumar tint products for years and have heard many good things about them. I really do not know much else, except to be careful for the bargain bottom prices at some places. They may be using lesser quality auto tint on your glass.
Most people who tint car windows for a living prefer Llumar products in my opinion. Those that buy window tint want the best, even if it costs a bit more. Quality and custom work is what customers want these days, so shops try to do all they can to provide a professional glass service without charging too much cash.
While my research has only been local, it seems to be the product of choice around here. Either way, the best company’s tint films are probably all very equal in the end.
Levels of Darkness
Starting at about 50% is when you can start to notice that a car has tinted windows on it. The lower the % means the less light that can pass through. This is what a tint meter will read if the police pull you over for a window tint violation. It can happen and does.
At 35% the windows start to have a nice dark look to them, but you can still see out of them pretty well.
At 20% they get to look really dark and have some nice contrast with your paint color. However, rain and night driving can be a bit harder here.
From 5% down to mirror window tint is just plain crazy dark and please drive carefully. At night and in the rain you will have a hard time turning without rolling your window down. At dusk when some cars do not have headlights on is a big risk, as well as, people walking in the roads. It is very hard to see at low light levels with percents of tint this dark. Be careful and also be advised many state tint laws making anything 50% and below illegal. Some do not allow and tint on the front windows, so be sure to check your local laws before risking a tint.
Either way, if you do decide to take the risk, be very careful driving with dark windows. Now, people even want colored window tint these days so if you go that route expect to get pulled over. While red and blue window tint looks sweet depending on the car or truck, cops will not be happy. They get used to see black tint, but colored tint sticks out like a sore thumb and they probably will have some questions for you.
Good luck in your tinting adventures!
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