Frequently Asked Question’s About Window Tinting
Here you will find some frequently asked questions about window tint.
Q. How does solar window tinting work?
A.
Solar window films are designed to reduce the amount of solar
heat transmission through window glass by increasing the solar
reflection and solar absorption through the glass. The transparent
color absorbs the solar energy at the glass, thus reducing the
direct transmission into the room. Window films range from moderate
to excellent in solar performance (heat gain reduction). Window
films are optically clear and offer ultraviolet (UV) protection for
your skin, fabrics and furnishings.
Q: Can you get a quality mobile tint job?
A:
YES! Some shops you call will say no way can you get the same
quality job done at your house as you can at our shop. B.S. If you
have a garage with enough room to open the doors all the way at your
house, you can get as good or better tint job than any shop in the
business.
Q: What is the difference between your garage & their shop?
A: Their shop is bigger with a much bigger opening at one end, which lets in more air, which carries, more particulate matter, which is the thing a window tinter is most concerned about "cleanliness", is as important as materials & workmanship.
Q: What causes window tinting to bubble?
A: UV rays from the sun that are responsible for damaging your cars interior and excessive heat build-up are usually the cause of bubbles forming in the window tint. The bubbles are a result of a failure in the adhesive system. Protect yourself from this potential problem by purchasing a major brand name window tint material. The major window tint manufacturers, in their high performance and metal window tints, have a high temperature adhesive system and 99% of UV protection capabilities, which along with the metalizing technology, allows them to give a manufacture backed guarantee against bubbling of window tinting. These films are available at South Florida Mobile Works.
Q: How durable is tinting?
A: One question asked thousands of times about durability is, "Will my kids tear it up?" We are glad to report this is not a problem. Pets are also a concern but damage is usually confined to smudges that just need to be cleaned. The hard scratch-resistant coating found on quality window tint products do an excellent job protecting window tint from everyday use as well as kids and pets. A word of caution is to remember window tinting is installed on the inside of the glass and is usually coated with a high quality scratch resistant layer for protection. However, the key word is **resistant**. Take care when loading and unloading objects with sharp or hard edges, boxes, sporting equipment, etc. It is possible to tear even the best window tinting material with a sharp or hard object hitting against the tint. Glass without tinting, or with factory window tint; can be damaged in this fashion also. Remember if you accidentally damage a window, the cost of replacing the window tinting material on one window is not that expensive.
Q: How do black dotted edges and lines at the edge of a window on newer cars affect window tinting?
A: Most cars have a black ceramic 'frit' edge on the rear window. Sometimes this ceramic edge is straight and flat; sometimes it will have a dotted edge. Purely cosmetic, they hide trim lines and edges on different styles of autos. These black ceramic dots are quite thick on most cars and prevent the window film from sticking to the area between the dots. Window tint is designed to adhere directly to the glass. This results in a whitish looking strip trimming the glass. Typically this isn't very noticeable, however some cars have a wide band of dots trimming the top of the rear window. This area is so wide that the whitish looking area created is more pronounced. We can reduce/eliminate this issue for additional cost since its more labor intensive. Ask your certified installer for more details. In some cases, the dot pattern or lines usually put at the top of some windows are so thick that it makes it nearly impossible for the tint to stick at all.
Q: How will window-tinting affect my defroster performance?
A: Window tinting actually helps to insulate the window and helps the defroster clear the glass of frost and fog quicker.
Q: How will window-tinting affect my Night Time Defogger Distortion?
A:
At night you may notice that the light from headlights will reflect
off of the defogger lines. This is caused by the film having to bend
slightly around the raised defogger line, it varies from car to car,
and there is nothing that can be done about it.
Q: After the window is tinted... I see little tiny bubbles scattered on the glass. Will they go away?
A:
The answer is yes. Though we strive for perfection in our
installations, due to the nature of the product, some degree of dust
contamination and/or minor imperfections are present in every window
film application, also pre-existing flaws or scratches and metal
deposits on the glass are often much more noticeable after the
windows are tinted. However, as the film cures, it will tighten up
around these spots and they will become even smaller and less
noticeable.
Small silvery looking spots or 'metal rubs' on some windows are
usually found in station wagons or other utility vehicles, and are
caused by a metallic object (such as a baby stroller handle) rubbing
against the inner surface of the glass during travel. This rubbing
deposits metal onto the glass creating a silver or grey stain.
Usually these metal rubs aren't very noticeable and often aren't
noticed until the windows become tinted.
Q. Why do customers have window tinting applied to all of their windows? (Commercial/residential applications)
A.
Lower cooling operating costs, lower utility demand costs, improved
comfort, improved aesthetics and uniform appearance, improved safety
and security, extended A/C equipment life, valued alternative to
adding more A/C equipment, justify the purchase through energy cost
savings.
Q. Should I have film put on all of my windows or only those facing the sun?
A.
All windows transmit UV, regardless of whether they face
direct sun so all windows should be protected. Both clear and solar
films offer protection against fading of floors, furniture, fabrics
and UV damage to your skin. Window film protects against glass
breakage 24/7, so it should be on all the glass windows and doors.
Also, it is commonly applied to some interior glass windows and
doors.
Q. What is the typical energy pay back for solar window film?
A.
Paybacks begin immediately, and vary upon the amount of sunlit glass
exposure, type of film, and type of glass. It ranges from as few as
6 months to as long as 2-5 years. We can provide an analysis of you
potential energy savings.
Q. How is window tinting applied?
A.
Window tinting is professionally applied by skilled,
well-trained authorized professionals. Most film is designed to be
applied to the inside of your home. For difficult to reach windows,
such as skylights, exterior film is available. The film is cut very
close to the size of the pane, leaving a very thin, usually less
than 1/8th of an inch margin around the edge.
Q. How do safety and security window films work?
A.
Safety and Security Window Films are designed to make glass
shatter-resistant by holding the glass pieces together when broken.
This type of window film is made with thicker polyester and a much
thicker, more aggressive adhesive, and are resistant to tearing.
Pound for pound, the impact and tear resistance of safety & security
window film outperforms the traditional solar window film.
Q. Is window film hurricane-proof or burglar-proof?
A.
Our window films are not hurricane-proof or burglar-proof. Designed
to make the window glass more shatter-resistant, in the event of a
windstorm, window film may have significant safety and security
value. They can reduce the risk of injury from flying shards of
broken glass, and possibly help prevent debris and water penetration
through the window depending on the severity of the storm (and the
type of glass, framing system, size and velocity of objects, and
more). They can reduce the risk and possibly prevent glass from
falling out of a home or building which protects the people outside.
Window film is a low profile, high performance measure of security in the battle against 'smash and grab' crime. The tough, shatter-resistant qualities of the film can hold the window glass together even if a brick is actually to pass through the glass. The thief must now make a choice; continue to attack this window, try another window, or move on. Time is short, and often they move on. However, if they are determined to gain entry, they will get in. It is generally recommended that the property have proper alarm systems in addition to window film.
Q. How long does it take for window film to dry?
A. Depending upon the film type and weather conditions, drying may take as much as 60 days, or as little as a few days. Once dried, window film will look great. Allow 60 days for the film to fully dry and cure. It is normal to have small water bubbles and/or a hazy appearance - these will disappear as the film dries.
Q. How do I clean my windows once window film has been installed?
A. After 30 days you may clean the window film using cleaning solutions, such as vinegar and water with soft, lint-free towels. You may also use a smooth squeegee, too. Abrasive and ammonia-based products will damage the film and should not be used.