Questions and Answers About Window Tinting For Your Car, Truck or SUV

[Frequently Asked Questions] About Car Window Tinting , Home & Office Tinting

This page will help you to understand a lot about window tinting in general: How to properly care for window tinting you may have purchased for your car, home or office. We will try to be as complete as possible and give you enough information so that you understand what you need to know about your purchase, or to help you decide on what film to buy for your particular project.

Please read or scroll through the list below for answers to common questions as well as other information.

[QUESTION]: How Do I Choose The Best Window Film Installation Company To Tint My Car?

[ANSWER]: Use Online Reviews To Verify Your Service Provider.

Now you have a valuable and extremely important avenue to find the right company to complete your window film project. Online reviews hold a companies' feet to the fire, and pretty much forces them all to offer outstanding service, including any problems after the sale. If you dont take the time to do the research, you very well could have a bad experience and get burned. Just as in any profession, there are great companies to deal with as well as some that may appear to be a bit shady to you. What is the criteria you should consider? Go through the check list below:

How long has the company been in business?
How much experience do they have?
Are they professional in appearance, and does the condition of their shop reflect their level of performance?
Do they have a comfortable waiting area, and offer amenities like free wifi, access to cold beverages, TV access as well as other things available to you while you wait?
What does their online reputation profile say about their on time performance, as well as how they treat their customers?
Are they "friendly" and do their online reviews reflect this?
Have they accumulated enough online reviews to help you make an educated decision based on what others have said about them?
Does their online profile have a majority of positive reviews?
Are online complaints addressed properly in your opinion, and do the reviews reflect this?
Do you receive a factory backed written warranty with the films they carry?
What happens if the company you choose goes out of business, who will stand behind the work?
Does the company have a brick and mortar store, or are they a "mobile' based company, meaning they will come to your location to do the work?
If you choose a "mobile" company, what happens if you need any warranty work done. Will they come back and correct this? [A lot of online reviews of these companies will show you that this could be your worst choice, and can actually hold you hostage, getting around to your problem when it is best for them, NOT you, if at all.]. You can read any number of reviews on other companies that tried to push off their customers when they had complaints, or make excuses for not redoing subpar work.
If you read reviews of a company where the customer did not get his or her complaint resolved, stay far away from that company. You work hard for your money, and you deserve complete satisfaction for your patronage.

These are all legitimate, important things that you can find out about companies that we compete against. You will typically pay more at the higher end shops for your window film installation because the quality of the work as well as the materials are generally much better than the "hackers" that we compete against. We are committed to offering the best experience we possibly can, and our online profile will show you this. Sure, we will make mistakes, because we are only human, but we are at the same time committed to outstanding customer service, and hopefully you will see the difference from the first point of contact all the way through to the close of the sale. We will work to resolve any issue you may have with the work we do in a friendly positive manner, because your satisfaction is priority one. Give us a shot to earn your business, it's all we ask.

[QUESTION]: Are Tinted Windows Legal?

[ANSWER]: Tinted Windows Are Legal In The State of Georgia, But Automobile Tinting Is Regulated.

You can have protective window film installed on your car, truck or SUV, but bear in mind that there are regulations in place that will only allow you to have film that is the legal limit. If you get pulled over by police officers, and you do not meet the state requirements, you can be fined for the infraction. Going too dark looks fairly obvious, and most officers of the law can tell you may not be legal just by looking at the tint on your vehicle. This gives them "probable cause" to pull you over.

It can be an expensive proposition if you go past the legal limit with the film you select. Not only do you have to pay a fine, and go to court, you will have to remove the old film you purchased, and install new film that meets the state's criteria. Easily several hundred dollars out of pocket could be the end result. Keep this in mind when you are selecting window film for your automobile. You can take a look at our Law Page to see what the requirements are.

[QUESTION]: What Are The Safety Benefits To Having My Auto Glass Tinted?

[ANSWER]: The Most Common Benefit Is Heat Rejection And UV Rejection.

Depending on the film you choose, added heat rejection is one of the options available. It gets very hot in Georgia during the summer. You know how hard your automobile's air conditioner will have to work to try and compensate for the heat. Most people will have their air conditioner on high for most of the time they are driving in the summer. Not only does this put a lot of stress on your AC, it alos will cause your car to consume more gasoline while running on high.

Adding a High Performance film to your auto glass will reject a large portion of this heat that transmits through the glass. This means that once you have the cabin of your car cooled down after getting in and starting your trip, you can throttle back on how hard you run your AC. Since these films do such a great job rejection heat, gas savings actually come into play.

UV rays from the sun that transmit through the glass on intense, sunny days is also a silent threat that you may not be aware of. Most films stop almost 100% of this form of radiation and not only protect your skin, but also eliminates to a large degrees fading your interior parts or causing discoloration to fabrics, leathers and plastic parts.

In the event of an automobile accident, window film also acts as a safety net of sorts, and will help keep glass from flying through the cabin if fractured. This in of itself is worth the price of window film, just to help minimized potential injuries that may occur.

[QUESTION]: How Much Does Car Window Tinting Cost?

[ANSWER]: Car Window Tinting Costs Can Vary Greatly From Shop To Shop.

Depending on who you call, and how much money you have in your budget, you can get your car tinted for as little as 99.00, or as much as 500.00 or more. Many factors come into play when you are looking to get a price for automobile window tinting.

First of all, you have to be aware that the old saying; "You get what you are paying for" is in effect. A lower price can mean that you are buying and inferior product, or a film that will not stand up to the test of time. If you have purchased a newer car, you may want to consider this carefully. A lot of lower priced films will start to turn color or bubble up in as little as one years time. Surely you are going to own your new car for several years right? Bear in mind, if you go the cheap route and buy one of these films, you can be sure that you will have to replace it at some point in the future, and maybe sooner than you expect.

Try to strike a balance between longevity and price. Upgrade to a lifetime product even if you have to pay more. Even though it may cost more, it is a better value simply because you only have to be out of pocket one time for the price of the installation.

For Mid-Grade Films, [Cheap Film Upgrade], you can expect to pay anywhere from 175.00 to as much as 300.00 dollars or more for a much better window film. Some of these films may not come with a lifetime warranty, but since they are of better quality than an entry level film, they may last a lot longer. If you dont select one of these films with a lifetime warranty, you may also have to replace it. Just bear this in mind.

For "premium", High Performance films, you will of course be paying more money. The features and the value in these films make them the best purchase particularly if you are going to keep your car for more than 3 years. These films typically are the latest in technology, as well as offering the best heat rejection which factors into the price. If you are looking for something long term, High Performance films give you the best of everything, longevity, best heat rejection, as well as awesome UV rejection. Even though they are the most expensive, they just deliver more value for the money you are investing in protecting your interior and passengers. Justify the price that you pay for the time period you are going to own your car, and you will be able to see that these films are worth the investment.

Glass Tiger Tinting offers a full range of window films that meet anyone's budget. Give us a call if you want to learn more about the films we carry and the price for tinting your car, truck or SUV

[QUESTION]: How Much Does Truck Window Tinting Cost?

[ANSWER]: Truck Window Tinting Costs Can Be Similar To The Cost Of Tinting Your Car.

Depending on whether of not you have the factory privacy glass on the rear section of your truck or not, you may just want to tint the front doors to complete the look, and even out the overall appearance since the companies that manufacture the glass do not tint the front doors.

The cost of tinting your truck can also vary depending on whether or not you have a 2 door or a 4 door truck. Having a sliding rear window can also affect the price, and typically will cost more to complete the tint work, simply because there are individual panes in the back glass that have to be addressed.

Just as with the cost of tinting your car, how long you want the film to last as well as performance characteristics of the film you choose come into play.

On the low end, you can tint have a 2 door truck in the same range as an automobile, starting with the "cheap"film for as little as 100.00. Mid-Grade Films start at around 175.00, and go up to 300.00, and High Performance films can run as much as 500.00 depending on the film manufacturer.

Of course the same considerations should be thought about, how long you will keep your truck, how long you want the film to last, and what performance you want to receive. Remember: "Good Work Ain't Cheap, and Cheap Work Ain't Good", so keep this in mind, because it certainly applies to your window film selection, as well as who you choose to do the work.

[QUESTION]: How Much Does SUV Window Tinting Cost?

[ANSWER]: SUV Window Tinting Costs Are Typically More Than A Car Or Truck, Simply Because Of The Glass Area Involved.

The more film that is required to do the work, means that you will have to pay more for the installation. It is not a "dramatic" increase, but does cost more none the less.

The typical starting price for theses automobiles can be had for as little as 150.00 for the low end films, 225.00 to 325.00 for Mid-Grade films, and anywhere from 350.00 to 550.00 or more for the best films, the high performance products. If you own an SUV, you know as well as we do that sometimes your air conditioner has to work harder to keep the driver and passengers comfortable in the summertime. This is where High Performance films really come into play, and are often the best choice for SUV'S. Because of the high heat rejection rate, these films will help your AC keep the SUV much more comfortable without having to run on high all of the time.

Seriously consider these films especially if you own an SUV just for this reason alone. It is just a much better choice for larger vehicles.

[QUESTION]: What Does [VLT] Mean?

[ANSWER]:"VLT" Stands for "Visible Light Transmission.

What does this mean in simple terms? A window film that has a VLT of 35% means that it stops 65% of the light that passes through the film, which is substantial. VLT has nothing to do with heat rejection as well as UV light rejection, which confuses some people. The heat spectrum is something different. All though every film does stop some amount of heat, high performance films are engineered to give you a much higher heat and UV rejection rate if this is something you are considering for your car.

Not all films act the same way in this regard. If you want a film for heat rejection, you need to ask for it specifically. If the shop you are considering using for your window film project does not show you a heat lamp test, then you just have to take their word that the film they are proposing actually does stop heat. Beware of scammers in this industry that tell you all their films stop heat. If they cant demonstrate these properties to you with a heat lamp, then you probably shop somewhere else.

[QUESTION]: How Long Will It Take To Tint My vehicle?

[ANSWER]: In Most Cases We Can Tint Your Car, Truck Or SUV In 2 Hours Or Less.

Some cars can take longer than others depending on complexity. It is true that some cars are more difficult to do than others,and we have to allot for the extra time. But for the most part, we do get you on your way in 2 hours or less if you choose to wait while we do the installation work. We do provide a comfortable waiting room, with a big screen TV, free wifi and a cold beverage. There are also some really good restaurants close by if you want to take a walk and get something to eat while we work on your car.

On time performance is critical to our success, and we rarely if ever go over the time that we quoted you over the phone as far as it concerns how long it takes for us to do the work.

[QUESTION]: What Percentages [Darkness] Is Window Film Available For My Car?

[ANSWER]: Typically, Most Shops Will Carry 4 Or 5 Shades To Tint Your Car.

Depending on the type of window film that you choose, there will be several shades available in each "series'. Standard shades come in 3 or 4 VLT's, 5%, 20%, 35%, and sometimes a 50%. Of course, the darker films should be carefully considered since most of them will put you past the legal limit, and open you up to possibly getting pulled over and ticketed. In the State of Georgia, a 35% film will drop the light transmission into the legal threshold, which is at 32%.

We have more shades available than a lot of shops that offer window tinting for your car, truck, or SUV. WE also have several "series" of different types of films that you can choose from, particularly in the Llumar CTX Ceramic Film series. For individuals that want a very light film, the ceramic series also has an 80% VLT, which is great for people that dont necessarily care about having that "custom tinted" look, but are more concerned about heat rejection and UV protection from the sun. This film gives you excellent viability for any driving condition, whether it is dark outside or not, and will not interfere with your ability to see what is going on around you.

[QUESTION]: What Percentages [Darkness] Is Window Film Available For My SUV or Truck?

[ANSWER]: The Same Shades That Are Available For Your Car Are Offered For Your Truck Or SUV.

The same films are available for your truck or SUV if you want those vehicles tinted. The difference between trucks and SUV's and cars are the regulations that are in place, and they are different. On a car, all ALL the windows are regulated. On a truck or SUV, only the front doors are regulated, and you can go as dark as you would like behind the front doors.

[QUESTION]: Why Is The Window Tinting Law Different From State to State?

[ANSWER]: Window Film Is Not Regulated By Federal Law.

What does this mean? Currently it is up to the legislative branches of each particular State to make the laws concerning window film regulations for their State. It can also vary greatly form State to State. Some states dont allow anything at all on the front 2 windows of any passenger car. Some States only allow a very "light" film on the front 2 doors, but darker films for the rear section of the automobile.

Most every State will let you have a darker film of the rear sections of trucks, vans and SUV's, and in many cases you can go as dark as you would like. Until there is a "universal" law put in place that is the same in every State, there will be different rules depending on where you live. A lot of people think that if you have a car registered in another State that allows films to be darker than what Georgia allows, that they are exempt from the Georgia regulations. This is not true. If you drive into Georgia, you are subject to the exact same law that Georgia residents must adhere to and you can in fact be fined if your tint is past the legal limit.
Not too long ago, the Georgia Legislature amended the law to include "any" driver as being subject to the law because there was a constitutional challenge made to the old law as it was written then, and was changed to include all drivers because it had at the time applied to "only" Georgia drivers, which did not hold up in court. The law must apply to everyone equally, and that was the outcome of the court decision.

We also have a detailed chart of the Tint Law for every state on our Law Page if you need easy reference.

[QUESTION]: Is Mirror Tint Legal?

[ANSWER]: Reflective Window Tinting Films Are Not Legal In The State of Georgia.

Although there are some films that have a certain amount of metal in them, there is a limit on the actual reflectivity of the film. If you have ever driven around and seen some cars that have a "mirrored" look to them, it is just a matter of time before the owner gets pulled over and fined.

Mirrored tint went out of popularity many years ago, and can be a hazard to other drivers simply because it can cause too much glare, and can be reflected in other drivers eyes. Since most cars have a slight amount of green dye that is injected during the manufacturing process, putting a mirrored film will give it a "green" mirrored look, which is entirely unattractive. You want a film that does not contrast against other color combinations on your car, and a "neutral" appearance looks best aesthetically.

All the films that we carry accomplish this neutral look without adding a totally new contrasting color to the color combinations on the car you drive. After all, window film should "enhance" your automobiles appearance rather than detract from the look, don't you agree?

[QUESTION]: What Is The Percentage Of Tint Allowed On Car Windows?

[ANSWER]: On Passenger Cars, Window Film Is Regulated To The 32% Threshold.

In technical terms a window film that will make your car windows darker than 32% will push it past the legal limit, opening you up to be pulled over and fined for the infraction. Please bear in mind that darker films can be more difficult for night time driving and can be a hazard. Consider the safety of yourself and your passengers if you are thinking about installing darker films on your car's glass. Just because a window film is darker doesn't mean that you will get better performance as a result. All darker films do is lower the incoming light transmission through the glass, with minimal performance characteristics. Trucks, vans and SUV's have a different set of regulations, and our tint law page covers this as well.

For a more detailed explanation of the current window tinting law in the State of Georgia, or to check out the laws for other states, please look at our tint laws page for a more detailed run down on the existing laws for passenger cars. There are exemptions available for people with medical conditions that need darker films, and there is information about this as well.

[QUESTION]: After My Auto Is Tinted, How Long Will It Take To Completely Dry?

[ANSWER]: After Your Car Is Tinted, It Depends On What Time Of The Year You Are Having It Done.

Drying time is accelerated in the hotter months of the year. Because of the intensity of the heat, it cause the film to dry much quicker than in the colder months of the year. In northern states, this drying time can take much longer if it is extremely cold. It does not take so much time in the winter here in Georgia, because it does not get super cold very often.

A good rule of thumb for the summer is 2 to 3 days drying time if the vehicle is sitting in the sun for the majority of the day. Don't park your car in a garage during this period, as it can slow down the curing process and take longer to dry. You want the film to cure to the glass as soon as possible so that you do not have any problems with normal operation of the windows, particularly the ones that roll up and down.

For winter applications, this drying process could take 4 to 6 days if it is fairly cold, and there is not a lot of sun out after we do the work. Just bear with it during this period, there will be some water that is under the film, and the drying process will take care of this and will allow the adhesive to get a good bond to the glass.

[QUESTION]: What Is The Best Way To Care For Automobile Window Tint?

[ANSWER}: Make sure you clean tinted windows with a "tint safe" product.

You have to be careful what you use to clean the tinted side of the glass after you have window film installed. Since the film is applied to the inside of the glass, this is the only part that you have to be careful with. Use whatever you normally use on the outside of the glass, as this does not affect the film application in any way.

Window film is porous to some extent, so anything you use that is not tint safe could possibly cause problems over time. We recommend that you dont use ammonia or alcohol based cleaners, but instead use something mild, like a vinegar based cleaner. This will insure that you will not have any problems with discoloration, which is the most common problem if the wrong cleaner is used. It takes extended use for this problem to manifest itself, so it is just not a good idea to start with the wrong cleaner. You have a fair amount of money invested in your installation, and care and keeping is simple as long as you follow these simple rules.

If you are going to purchase an aerosol can cleaner to use, just check what it is comprised of and make sure you see a statement on the can that tells you it is safe for tinted windows. There are a few of these available, and we recommend the Sprayway product if you decide to go with this type of cleaner.

The only other consideration you may want to think about is if you use a car wash or detailing company to clean your car. Some use the proper cleaner that is safe, some do not. Typically, I would recommend that you tell them to clean all the glass except for the inside glass just to make sure. Of course you can speak to them ahead of time to see what they use, just make sure that they dont cause a problem for you over time.

[QUESTION]: If I Damage My Tint, Can It Be Repaired?

[ANSWER]: Unfortunately, If You Scratch Or Gouge Your Film, There Is Not A Way To Repair It.

If any sort of damage occurs to your film, it cannot be repaired, but it can be replaced with a brand new piece of film. Please be aware that a professional grade film is scratch resistant, but is not scratch proof. It will resist normal wear and tear, like cleaning, rolling up and down your windows, and so forth. It can resist some impact, but if whatever hits the film has a sharp edge, and depending on velocity, your window film could be scratched or ripped.

Be consciously aware that film is applied to the glass at all times after it is installed. Seat belt buckles sometimes retract so hard that the buckle end can hit the glass, and you want to avoid letting this happen. Also watches, keys and rings can cause damage if you sweep any of these things across the glass, particularly when you are trying to reach to put your seat belt buckle on. Also, dont close the door if you have loaded something into the car that will make an impact on the glass, as this could potentially cause damage to your film as well.

[QUESTION]: Who Makes The Best Window Tinting Film For My Car?

[ANSWER]: There Are Many Factors To Consider When Answering This Question.

There are several very good window film manufacturers in the USA today. The technology has reached "State of the Art" as far as materials that are being used in the construction of a first grade professional window film. Do your research on the subject and decide for your self what you would consider putting on your car glass.

One of the most valuable considerations you should think about it this: Can you get a factory backed warranty from the company that installed your film that has you covered in the event that the company goes out of business. Some manufacturers of window film will honor this warranty and have any claim work done at another one of their dealers, and generally can be done at no cost to you. Businesses come and go, and you just cant look into the future and determine if the company you used will still be around in the event of a warranty claim you need to make.

Select a company that offers this type of warranty to do the work, as well as make sure that they have been in business for an extended period of time, at least 5 years or more. If they have made it this long, they probably have staying power, and will be there to service any future claim you may have. At the very least, if you are going to roll the dice, make sure you get a written warranty that clearly states what happens in the event of a claim if they can no longer service you or go our of business.

Stay away from "mobile service" companies that offer the service, as these will typically leave you hanging, and can be problematic getting them to come back and service a claim you may have. Choose a company that has a fixed location. At the very least you can drive to their location to get a problem resolved

Every customer we provide service to will receive this type of protection, and is included with your window film purchase. Thats why we use window films by Llumar. They will store a copy of your warranty, and we will keep one on file as well as provide you with a written copy of the warranty you can keep with your car papers. You are totally protected.