6 Common Car Window Tinting Mistakes to Avoid (2023)
Do you want to tint your car windows this year? Read this to discover common car window tinting mistakes to avoid in 2023!
One of the coolest vehicle modifications you can get is a nice car window tint to accent a fresh paint job or wrap. It should come as no surprise that window tinting always ranks in the top 5 most popular car modifications every year.
However, window tinting is a lot easier than you'd think to mess up. It can bubble, peel, or deteriorate over time if you don't do it right.
Luckily, we can help with that. Let's talk about some of the most common car window tinting mistakes to avoid and a helpful auto tinting guide for your vehicle!
1. Not Knowing the Laws
Among the most important auto tinting mistakes to avoid, not looking at your local laws is the biggest. Understanding your local laws and regulations regarding window tinting is essential. These laws vary widely depending on your state and municipality.
Therefore, if you want to avoid any potential legal trouble or frequent stops by police, make sure you know what your local regulations are. You don't want to exceed the maximum percentage allowed by law. Even getting close to it may invite traffic stops.
Also, if your state requires a special permit for tinting, make sure you carry receive the permit before getting the tint job. Once you have it, keep the permit in your vehicle at all times in case of traffic stops.
If you go to a professional (and reputable) shop, they can likely tell you about what's allowed in that area. However, if you're visiting a shop outside of your city, or if you regularly drive in different states or municipalities, it's worth looking into yourself. Look at different state tinting laws and contact your local government to learn more.
2. Choosing the Wrong Tint Products
Not all tinting films are created equal. Some of them will not help protect your glass from shattering, some won't block out harmful UV rays, and some will deteriorate or peel over time.
For these reasons and more, it's essential that you find the right tinting film for your needs. Otherwise, the job becomes more difficult and the results won't last as long. Make sure the tint product you choose:
- Complies with local laws and regulations
- Lasts for at least five years
- Blocks harmful UV rays
- Offers the tint percentage you want
- Can work with your vehicle
- Meets the sizing requirements
If the tint lives up to these standards, you should be okay. Just remember not to choose the cheapest product just for the sake of saving money. This could be counter-intuitive, as you'll likely need to order another product afterward.
3. Skipping the Warranty
Just in case you do choose the wrong tint without realizing it, having a warranty can really help! Otherwise, you'll have to pay to redo it, even if only one window needs it.
Then, you'll need to match it to your existing window tint, and there's no guarantee that the product you chose will be around when that happens. Window tinting isn't the cheapest modification for a car, so make sure you get the warranty when you buy a product for extra peace of mind.
4. Not Matching Your Car's Aesthetic
It's important to plan ahead and ensure that your tint job matches the look of your car. Yes, black tint will match nearly any color on a car, but if you can't black out your windows due to local regulations, you'll still want your car to look good. That's the whole point of window tinting and other modifications.
Now, we aren't suggesting you need to get a new car that will look good with window tinting. However, there may be some complementary modifications you can make that will enhance your tinting jobs, like a new paint job or a professional vehicle wrap. Consider your options before investing in your tint job!
5. Not Removing Old Tint
Before starting a new tint job, you will need to properly remove your old tint film. Otherwise, you could go above the legal threshold without realizing it.
Make sure you do this properly, including removing the old adhesive, as this can cause your new tint to bubble or appear rough on your windows.
6. DIY Tinting
Finally, the biggest mistake you can make when tinting your windows is to watch a YouTube video and do it yourself. Not only is high-quality tinting film fairly expensive, but without the right tools and experience, it's unlikely to come out correctly.
Moreover, that's because window tinting is a sensitive job. If you make a mistake, it's difficult to correct, and you can easily damage the film. In this case, you'll have to order new ones and try again, rendering the savings of a DIY job moot.
Therefore, it's best to hire professional window tinting services for a one-and-done job. This way, you can have your tinting for as long as you own the car and not have to worry about it. Also, if you opt for the warranty, your shop can fix any issues you have down the line, including labor!
Get the Right Car Window Tinting Today
Now that you know some common car window tinting mistakes to avoid, make sure you choose the right products and services for your needs. Remember to do your research ahead of time to choose the right products and the right services. If you have any questions, it doesn't hurt to ask Top Line Tints & Audio professionals for advice.
Stay up to date with our latest automotive tips, and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or for help with your window tinting needs!
