3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying Automotive Window Film

Whether you seek greater privacy, UV protection against the sun's rays, or simply an elegant new look for your car, automotive window film can provide the solution. First, however, you need to give some thought to the type of product you need, the application process, and the time factor that goes into the tinting and curing processes. Here are three questions you should ask yourself before investing in automotive window film.

1. What Tint Darkness Do You Want?

How dark do you want your car windows to look? You can get automotive window film in a wide range of tint darknesses, with the darkness indicated as a percentage of how much light the tint allows to pass through it. (A 25-percent tint, for instance, transmits one-quarter of visible light and blocks the other 75 percent.)

Unfortunately, you may find your tint darkness options limited by your state's laws. Some states even assign different darkness limits to different windows on the car. Check your state's restrictions before applying window tint.

2. Should You Do This Job Yourself?

You have to choose between letting a professional apply your window film and doing the job yourself with the aid of a window film application kit. If you're fairly handy and can follow instructions, you can cut the window film to size and apply it to your windows in a matter of hours. Keep in mind, however, that you may have to keep reapplying film, smoothing out bubbles, and correcting mistakes until you achieve the desired result.

A professional window tint company can handle your window film application easily and skillfully, freeing you to go about your everyday life. In this scenario, however, you may have to leave your vehicle with the technicians for several hours. You'll also end up paying more than you would if you went with the DIY approach.

3. Can You Give Your Windows Sufficient Curing Time?

Once you have added your new window film to your vehicle, you may be understandably eager to hit the road and show off your new look. But while you can certainly drive your car immediately after it has received its film, you must remember not to lower the windows until the film has had sufficient time to cure (dry out); otherwise, you may peel the tint off. To play it safe, give your windows a few days to cure before lowering the windows.

You might not feel like showing off your new automotive window tint immediately anyway. As window film cures, it commonly forms bubbles and other little cosmetic imperfections. These imperfections should straighten themselves out by the end of the curing process. In cloudy or wet climates, however, this total process may take days or even weeks.

Now that you understand some of the issues that come up when selecting and applying automotive window film, you're in a better position to pursue the right course of action for your particular needs and expectations. If you need more information, talk to your local professional window tint provider.


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