FAQ
Q. What is Window Tint
A. Window Tint or Window Film is a thin polyester layer sometimes infused with metals. Window Tint comes in a variety of shades and colors to match the look and feel of any vehicle.
Q. What is the difference between Window Tint and Window Film
A. Window Tint eliminates the sun’s harmful heat, blocks UV rays and any other damaging effects as well as adding a tinting to the window. Window Film is similar to Window Tint in that it too eliminates harmful heat and blocks UV rays but it does not come with a “tinting” feature.
Q. How do I choose a shade?
A.Window tint percentages run from 0 to 100%. The lower the number, the darker the shade. Window tint percentages run from 0% to 100%. The number refers to what percentage of visible light can pass through, so the lower the number, the darker the shade. For example,; 5% window tint is darker than 15%. MTint by Solar Gard is available in tints ranging from 5% to 70% shade. See our graphic above to compare some of the common window tints.
Window tint percentages and shades determine how light or dark the window film is. The percentage, abbreviated as VLT%, is how much light the film lets inside your car. On a tint chart, the lower the percentage, the darker your tint shade will be. In Colorado, legal shades of window tint should allow more than 27% of light in. Remember that window tint laws vary by state and window location. For example, Utah requires a VLT of at least 43% on the front side windows but has no minimum for the rear sides and rear windows. If you frequently drive your vehicle to other states, make sure to get window tint that is legal in those states.
The best window tint percentage also depends on your needs. For example, a 70% window tint is considered the bare minimum to protect against extreme heat and UV rays. A VLT of 50% offers excellent UV blocking, giving you protection from sun glare, sunburn and upholstery fade. The 35-27% tint range makes the vehicle look sleeker and makes it harder for other drivers and pedestrians to see inside, offering privacy that is important for some people. However, this amount of light-blocking can start to hurt your ability to see, especially at night.
Stop by any of our locations to learn more about the benefits of vehicle window tint in Colorado Springs or Pueblo, Colorado today! Drive-In Autosound offers full window tint service with the best installed price and a lifetime warranty on workmanship.
Q. Do I need to tint my windows really dark to keep out heat and UV rays?
A. Nope! You can tint your windows as dark as your state laws allow, but you don’t have to in order to benefit from the UV protection and heat blocking. We offer our M5 window film, made with revolutionary nanotechnology construction, which allows for electronic signals to pass through without interruption, offers our highest level of heat rejection and UV protection, and is nearly clear (70%). If you want to maintain the look of your car but enjoy the benefits of window tint, check out our M5 film!
Q. How long will it take to have Window Tint installed?
A. The process varies from vehicle to vehicle. The average amount of time is anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. This is all dependent upon the vehicle, number of windows and the cleanliness of the windows.
Q. Is the tint applied to the outside of the glass?
A. Nope. The tint is placed on the interior of the glass.
Q. Will having my back window tinted cause the defroster not to work?
A. No it will not. Tinting or filming your back window will actually assist in defrosting your back window.
Q. If I choose to have my Window Tint removed, is that possible?
A. Yes, window tint can be removed from a vehicle once it has been installed. Many times people choose to have their window tint removed is because it was not professionally installed.
Q. Why do some vehicles have a purple colored tint or have bubbles in the window?
A. Window tint of a low quality is very likely to deteriorate or “bubble” over time. Drive-In Autosound uses top of the line window tints and films from Solar Gard that guarantee against fading, shrinking and peeling.
Q. What is a Frequency Friendly Film?
A. Window Tints that have been infused with a metal may cause issues with electronic frequencies (Such as Cell Phones, GPS Devices and Satellite Radios). To avoid any possible disturbances with electrical devices, purchase a Frequency Friendly Film. Solar Gard carries 2 Frequency Friendly tints.
Q. How long do you have to wait to roll down windows after they have been tinted?
A. We recommend that you leave your vehicle windows rolled up for at least 24 hours after the window film installation. This allows the film to cure and adhere to the glass before the window is moved.
Q. I just had my windows tinted, why do they look hazy?
A. The moisture that remains between the film and the glass after installation can cause a hazy, streaky, blotchy appearance. It takes several days for the adhesive/film to completely cure. The remaining moisture will evaporate through the film; this process may take a couple of days, or even a couple of months. When the water evaporates completely, your windows should have excellent clarity.
Q. What should I use to clean my windows after they’ve been tinted?
A. Always use fresh clean soft materials to wash and dry your window film surfaces. Most glass cleaners will work well, although a good cleaning solution for window film is 1/2 ounce of liquid dish soap added to 1 quart of fresh water. A soft cloth or a clean synthetic sponge is recommended for washing the window film followed by another clean soft cloth or soft rubber squeegee for drying.
To avoid scratching the film, do not use bristle brushes, abrasive scrubbing sponges, or any cleaning materials that may have been contaminated with dirt particles, as is commonly the case when washing interior and exterior windows with the same cleaning materials. Some brands of paper towels are coarse enough to put fine scratches in the film, even films with scratch resistant, protective hard coat finish. While these scratches may be too thin to be seen at the beginning, they can damage the polished look of the film over time.
Q. Do I need to remove old window tint before putting on new film?
A. Yes,old film will need to be removed before installing new window film. It is always best to have the old film removed by a professional, as the vehicle’s rear defroster can be easily damaged. There is an additional charge for removal of old film, and the process adds about two to four hours to the window film installation process
Q. Can the front two doors be matched to the vehicle factory window tint?
A. We will do our best to match factory tint jobs.
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