Whether you want to add a little personal style to your car or want to shield some of the sun's ultraviolet rays, you may have decided that you want to tint the windows. In order to save money, you may have also decided to try to apply the film yourself. However, before you attempt the job, be aware of a couple of mistakes to avoid that could adversely affect the application and the finished job when applying your own auto window tinting film.
1. Neglecting to Thoroughly Clean the Windows Beforehand
One mistake that you should avoid when applying tint film to your car's windows is neglecting to thoroughly clean the glass beforehand. The film needs to have a squeaky clean surface on which to adhere.
If you do not fully clean off all of the dust, oils, and debris, the adhesive on the back of the tint will not be able to fully stick to the glass. This would greatly increase the likelihood that the film will start to peel within days or weeks of application. Also, if you leave granules of dust on the windows, the thin film will be pushed upward when stuck on the glass. These areas would then have a greater chance of bubbling up and creasing, which would leave you with a rough, unclean finish to the tint.
2. Applying the Window Tint to Dry Glass
Another mistake that you should avoid when applying tint to your car's windows is attempting to apply the tint to dry glass. While the adhesive on the back of the film is designed to adhere tightly to the windows, it still needs a catalyst to fully activate it.
If you apply the tint to dry glass, it will not stick for very long. Within a few days, it will start to peel up around the edges as well as in the center, leaving large creases and bubbles. As you work, apply a fine mist of water to the glass right before you apply the tint. This will help to anchor the film's adhesive in place.
Even if you do avoid making the mistakes discussed above, you may still end up with tinting on your windows that is bubbly, creased, or loose. Instead of attempting to do the job yourself, consider taking your car to a shop that offers auto glass window tinting services to discuss your options for having them professionally apply the tint for you.
