Window tint is almost an essential in Colorado, especially here in Colorado Springs. With the elevation, and thus closer proximity to the sun, we need to protect the interior of our vehicles, including ourselves. So, what are some things you must know as a novice shopper looking for window tint?
The first thing you need to know is that there are 3 major types of window tinting options. Dyed film, Carbon film and Nano Ceramic film.
Distinguishing Types Of Car Window Tint On The Market
Dyed Films
Dyed films are typically the stuff you can pick up at AutoZone or similar for around $20-$30. Ever wonder why it’s so cheap? If the price in it of itself didn’t indicate this to you, the quality is sub-par. Have you seen a car driving around with purple tint? 99% of the time, that’s not intentional. It happens because dyed films have a high propensity for changing color, fading, chipping, cracking, peeling etc. They fail prematurely all the time. It’s a waste of time and money.
Stay away from cheap tint jobs. This is what you are paying for. The word Premium gets thrown around a lot, even on dyed films. Premium and dyed films should never be in the same sentence. Buyer beware. This is really just a privacy tint; it doesn’t serve much purpose other than to be easy on the wallet, initially. $99 tint jobs are this quality. I say it’s initially easy on the wallet because while it’s cheap to have done, you will see it bubble crack peel and fade pretty quickly and you’ll want to have it redone. Tint, especially cheap tint is a pain to remove. The $99 you paid to have installed, will be roughly the cost to have it removed.
Carbon Films
Carbon films are the industry standard here at J9’s Luxury Auto Detailing and most other reputable shops. But you should always clarify what films are being used before agreeing to install. Carbon films are made up of carbon particles mixed into the film itself. It’s a step up from metalized films which can interfere with cell phone reception. Carbon adds a bit more to its benefits however, like how it has some ability to reject heat and UV protection. It’s mostly known for being a durable and color stable film at an affordable price.
Nano Ceramic Tint
Nano Ceramic tints are the holy grail of window films. The film itself is infused with nano particulates which is exceptional at heat rejection, UV protection, sun glare and clarity. In Colorado, you will feel a huge difference in how much cooler your vehicle is even after sitting in direct sunlight. Additionally, this helps protect the interior of your vehicle like your leather seats from premature aging, cracking and peeling. 3M Crystalline series is the highest rated window tint on the market and comes at a premium price.
So now you know what the difference are between the 3 major classes of window tint but what else should you know about?
So now you know what the difference are between the 3 major classes of window tint but what else should you know about?
A shop that charges differently for different percentages seems fishy to me. The cost to buy doesn’t change. But there is some liability as the shop owner if we install illegal tint. If you are in Colorado, the state minimum is 27%. If you’ve done any research, you will find that percentage is nonexistent. We do install down to 1% (limo) tint at the buyer’s discretion.
No shop will warranty tint that is out of bounds on legality so just be aware of that when you do purchase film. You probably will have to sign a waiver acknowledging that, if you get pulled over it’s your responsibility to pay that ticket and pay to have it removed should you so choose.
What else should you be wary of when looking to purchase window tinting? Mobile tint is convenient, but quality will suffer. For a tint job to look good, it needs to be installed in a controlled environment. No moving air, a glass board, a machine to cut the film. None of these are mobile friendly, which means you will get what you get. Contaminants are guaranteed to happen which look like hundreds of tiny bubbles in the film that never come out. Since you can’t tote around a giant plotter machine to cut, it means it’ll be hand cut; rough edges and much harder to install. So always opt to go to a shop over mobile.
Something to be aware of; since no tint shop operates out of a clean room, contamination is probable. We allow up to 5 bubbles per window. Now that may sound like a lot, but remember these bubbles are the size of pencil heads. They are usually very hard to see, and most consumers like yourself won’t hardly notice them if at all. Perfection is impossible in every industry; tint is no different.
Read more: Window tint service price in Colorado Springs, CO
The 5 Questions You Need To Ask Before Getting Window Tint.
1. What film is being installed? (brand and type - dyed, carbon or ceramic)
To determine what car film is being installed, you would need to ask the specific installer for the brand and type of film they are using. For Window Tinting Installed in Colorado Springs, CO Contact J9’s Luxury Detailing or learn more.
2. What percentage is legal in my state? (CO is 27% which is nonexistent)
Colorado law requires that windshields allow a maximum of 70% VLT non-reflective tinting in the top four inches6. Front side windows, back side windows, and rear windows must allow more than 27% of light in.
3. Do you warranty your work?
(You want at least a 2 year, if it doesn’t fail within 2 years it should be good for life)
4. Are you mobile or have a shop? (Remember you want this service performed in shop)
Do you offer mobile installation, or do you have a shop where the tinting will be done? I’m specifically looking for a service performed in a shop environment.
5. How much will the vehicle tints cost?
(Low end carbon on a sedan is between $200-250 and ceramic low end is $300-350. You get what you pay for so don’t cheat yourself. on price alone. Brand, reputation are all things worth paying a little more for.) The quote should include the cost of the window tinting materials and labor. An itemized list of expenses can help dispute potential miscommunication errors
Pricing can vary widely on a few factors; brand of product being installed, labor cost, shop expenses, experience level, reputation. Obviously, brands like 3M come with a higher ticket price because it’s a nationally recognized brand, there are a lot of other reputable brands out there that aren’t as expensive but still good quality.
Geoshield and Xpel are some of my highest recommend mid-high tier brands. Stay away from stuff you can buy online as a consumer. Those are always low quality. See if you can buy it on eBay or Amazon and then don’t use that installer. If you don’t need an account to purchase the film, it’s not something you want installed on your vehicle. Unless quality means nothing to you of course.
Now You Know What Questions to Ask When Getting Your Car Windows Tinted.
When you take the time to consider your car window tinting options, you have a better chance of making a choice you will feel satisfied with. Considering how many hours of use you will get out of your window tint, it is more than worth taking the time to make the right purchase decision.
To learn more about the benefits of auto window tinting or to speak with window tint experts who can help you make the right decision for you, feel free to reach out and get in touch with J9’s Luxury Auto Detailing here at any time!
