How Often Should Car Window Tinting Be Replaced?
Car window tinting generally doesn’t need replacing after the first application. Most car window films have a 10- or 15-year warranty, which is only achievable with vacuum magnetron sputtering film, a feature rarely found in lower-quality films. Vacuum magnetron sputtering film contains no chemical additives, won’t fade, has no odor, offers high clarity, excellent explosion-proof and heat insulation performance, is extremely stable, doesn’t require a large triangular area during application, protects the driver’s privacy, and won’t bubble or crack.
Lower-quality films, on the other hand, may need to be replaced only after one summer. Summer sun exposure renders them unusable. Some fade, some bubble, and they offer no heat insulation, potentially emitting toxic substances like formaldehyde and benzene, and providing poor visibility, which is dangerous while driving.
How often you need to replace car window tinting depends mainly on the quality of the film. Brand-name window tinting films are less prone to bubbling and are typically replaced only when they age, scratch, or bubble. Replacing the film every month is impractical and financially prohibitive. A full car window tinting typically costs several hundred yuan, with higher-end options exceeding a thousand, but they can last for several years. Amber Optics’ ceramic series boasts a 10-year warranty, while the metal series offers 5 years. The warranty period for Amber Optics’ nano-ceramic heat insulation film is quite long; most automotive window films don’t dare to promise such a long duration.
Car Window Tinting Precautions
1. Water
Many installers use tap water directly without filtering or settling, which is incorrect. Tap water pipes contain many impurities and sand particles, and even pipe replacements can affect water quality. Therefore, the water used for tinting must be filtered or settled.
2. Dust
Many shops lack dedicated tinting rooms. Applying film on the roadside involves cars driving by, stirring up a lot of dust. Sometimes, strong winds also generate dust. Therefore, when there is no dedicated tinting room, all car doors must be closed during the tinting process.
3. Work Clothes
Removing the transparent part of the heat insulation film generates a lot of static electricity. It’s not advisable to wear wool or lint-covered clothing when applying the film, as the lint or wool will be attracted to the film by static electricity.
4. Film Surface
The cut film is often placed on car floor mats, seat covers, or on the roof and hood, making the interior and exterior unclean. Due to static electricity, dust adhering to the surface will also be attracted to the film when removing it. Therefore, before removing the transparent film, it must be washed or sprayed with water to prevent dust and sand particles from getting in.
5. Seat Covers or Objects
Similarly, due to static electricity, some seat covers are made of rabbit fur, fox fur, or have too much lint. Care should be taken when removing the film. Also, avoid getting too close to objects while removing the film to prevent dust on those objects from being attracted by static electricity.
6. Doors Opened While Removing Film
After the windows are washed or when removing the film, do not allow people outside the car to open the doors. Sometimes, forcefully opening the door can cause rapid airflow, bringing in a large amount of dust or sand particles. 7. Excessive Air Conditioning Fan Speed
Summer is peak season for window tinting film. Under the bright sun or inside the car, temperatures can be very high, making it unavoidable to use the air conditioning. However, when removing the film, set the air conditioning fan speed to the lowest setting. Only increase the fan speed after removing the film and applying it to the glass to prevent dust from flying around the car.
8. Dirty Waste Water Sprayer Base
Waste water sprayers are often placed on the floor, floor mats, or seat covers, and the bottom is often not clean. When removing the film, if the sprayer is moved above the film, small particles of sand or pebbles may fall onto the film. Wipe the bottom of the sprayer clean before using it.
9. Hand-Pinched Part
After removing the transparent film, you must pinch the window tinting film with two fingers. The part you pinch will have fingerprints and sand. The key is to control the amount of film you pinch, leaving as little as possible.
10. Incorrect Wiper Method
There’s a specific method for wiping glass. Wiping haphazardly, intermittently, or without a proper finishing touch will bring in sand particles.
11. Rinsing
Side or bottom wipers may not reach all areas, requiring rinsing. When cleaning with tissue paper, use absorbent paper to avoid dust accumulation. Older cars and windows with triangular windows require extra rinsing, but avoid rinsing the top to prevent dirt from sliding down.
12. Beware of Objects Inside the Car
After removing the film and spraying water, be as accurate as possible when applying it to the glass. If the film is misaligned after application, moving it will pick up objects from around the glass, or sand particles from the rubber sealant.
13. Direction of Water Removal
The next step after application is to remove water. Water can be removed from top to bottom, right to left, or left to right, but avoid removing large amounts of water from bottom to top, as this can cause sand particles to be carried down.
14. Do not lift again.
Once the paper is applied to the glass, avoid lifting it again. The more times it’s lifted, the more sand and dust particles will accumulate.
15. Inadequate glass cleaning.
For some older cars undergoing glass replacement, the attached dust should be scraped off. Any labels or dirt should be removed promptly; otherwise, even the best technicians will be unable to fix the problem.
16. Water not completely removed.
The final step in applying the sticker is removing excess water. Most technicians fail to remove most of the water in over 80% of cases. In winter, when evaporation is slow, it can take a month and a half to dry. We clean the removed transparent paper before applying it to the glass, then use a coin to squeeze out the water. This method not only avoids scratching or tearing the paper but also helps to remove sand particles from the paper, gradually reducing their size and embedding them into the adhesive of the heat-insulating paper. The car doors can then be opened the next day.
17. Sand and Dust Accumulated in Airflow
Older cars often have hidden sand and dust particles in the mud troughs and rubber seals. When the paper is closed, some curved glass surfaces can create triangular airflow loops. If the water isn’t quickly expelled, sand will continuously be drawn into the water.
18. Car Windows
When cleaning car windows, roll them down first to reach the top. After wiping with water, roll the glass upwards to spray, but do not continue wiping the top.