Now that you have decided that tinting your car is the best for you, it is important to take note that things about your vehicle may not be exactly like it was before prior tint application. Cleaning it may require more attention and taking care of it may entail more steps and precautions compared to a car without car tinting. However, all these added efforts and measures only means that you protect your ride better, as it mutually protects you from many things as well.
If you are a first time owner of a car with window tints, here are some tips on how to clean, maintain, and make sure that your tints will last a long time:
How to clean window tints:
Cleaning newly-tinted windows is a simple process as long as you know what materials and cleaners to avoid. You have to be extra careful on cleaning your tinted windows if you want your tint to last a long time, still looking good as new. Here are the things you should know:
- Use the Right Cleaning Solution – Tinted windows are more delicate, which means cleaning it should be gentler. You need to use a less harsh cleaning product on your tinting to preserve it and avoid premature deterioration and early signs of damage. Basically, you should not use cleaning solutions and products that contain ammonia. Ammonia based products can reduce the darkness of your tint or cause its material to become dry, brittle, or otherwise imperfect.
- Do the Two-Towel Method – One of the less known secrets of keeping a car tint good as new is using the the two-towel method for cleaning. This trick is commonly done by professional auto dealers to make sure that the tint films will not get damaged while cleaning. To do it, use one microfiber towel to wipe down the window and another towel to buff away any remaining cleaner or moisture. This is the best way to ensure a streak-free finish. Using microfiber towels will also prevent scratches and swirls in the tint film like you might get using paper towels or regular cotton towels.
- Give Opposite Final Wipes – Another trick is to switch the direction of your wiping motion. When you switch to the second microfiber towel to finish wiping off the window, give the outside of the window a horizontal wipe and the inside of the window a vertical one. This way you can quickly spot a smudge or missed spot and know immediately whether it’s on the outside or inside of the glass based on whether it’s horizontal (outside) or vertical (inside).
How to prolong tint wear
Aside from refraining to use ammonia based cleansers and solutions, there are still ways to prevent premature tint deterioration. While everything has a shelf-life, including your high quality and expensive tint films, knowing these few tips and tricks can prolong it’s beauty.
- Clean off tree sap, bird droppings, and other damaging substances as soon as possible
- Avoid coarse paper towels and cotton washcloths. If possible, use only microfiber towels and cloths to clean your tinted windows.
- If you spot imperfections, it is better that you have it checked by professionals as soon as possible to prevent further damage and destruction.
- Don’t try to fix a problem yourself. Never try to fix them yourself using home products that can be counterproductive and ruin the tint instead. this can cause lines and other imperfections in your tint. You may find tips online on how to handle them, but bringing them in to those who professionally install it would be the best and safest option.
Aftercare Tips for newly tinted windows
The first few weeks after your tint installation will be crucial in determining the life of your perfectly applied tints. Here are some tips that will come in handy help make sure you’re completely satisfied with the results and enjoy the benefits of tints for a longer period of time.
- Make sure its dry before touching, rolling, and cleaning. Let it dry and rest for 2-3 days just to be extra sure the tint adhesive have dried out.
- What to do if you spot bubbles? Bubbles may appear and are normal for the first few days after the windows are tinted. You may also notice tint that appears cloudy, hazy, and has water pockets. These will go away as the film dries out; if they don’t, return your vehicle to the shop that performed the installation.
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