Frequently Asked Questions On Tint Installation.
What is the rule for tinting car windows in Ontario?
The Tint Laws in Ontario prohibit vehicles fabricated after January 1st, 2017 from any post-retail window tint connected to the front windshield. Windows to the right and left of the driver must not block more than 30 per cent of light. There is no limit for rear windows.
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Front Windshield: NO TINT is allowed unless pre-tinted from OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or factory-made cars can have 70% VLT (30% opacity/light block), and tinting may not extend more than 75mm from top of windshield.
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Front Side Windows: 70% Tint – ( Meaning at least 70% visible light must be transmitted through the window)
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Rear Side Windows: No restrictions on tint level
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Rear Window: No restrictions on tint level
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Will you travel to my home to tint my vehicle?
We do provide mobile service to auto body shops and dealerships around the Greater Toronto Area. However, window tinting must be done inside a controlled environment with minimal air movement to prevent dirt, dust and debris from getting under the film, which can jeopardizes the quality of the installation. If you have an area that is bright and a lot of room so that we can work in, we can definitely provide you with that service.
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What is window film?
Window film is a polyester film, usually made of Polyethylene Teraphthalate (“PET”). Most films are applied to the interior surface of a glass window in a home, commercial building, marine craft or automobile. They have a scratch resistant coating on the outer surface to protect the film. There are many types of window films. Some are clear and feature multiple layers of Polyethylene Teraphthalate to offer protection from shattering glass; others are tinted with metals, dyes or pigments to reduce the visible light transmitted through the glass and block heat coming through from the sun. The tint types are gauged by how much light they let pass through, so the lower the percentage, the darker the effect. There are even decorative window films that can replicate the look of frosted glass or etched patterns. Please come and visit our shop to view some samples.
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How is window film installed?
The installation process starts with thoroughly cleaning your windows to remove even the smallest pieces of dirt. A piece of film is cut roughly to the size of your window, its release liner is removed and an application solution is sprayed on the film’s adhesive to activate it. The application solution is also sprayed on the window. The film is then placed on the glass and the application solution is pressed out from between the glass and film through the use of a squeegee. The final touch is edge trimming to ensure the film fits perfectly.
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Does the tint go on the outside or inside?
The short answer is on the inside. First, the film is laid on the outside of the car’s windows and cut out to fit. Those pieces are then placed on a large piece of glass and trimmed before being installed on the inside of the windows.
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How long will it take to install window tint on my vehicle?
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The process generally takes 3-5 hours depending on the complexity of the vehicle, cleanliness of the windows, and the number of windows. Getting the job done quickly while sacrificing the quality of our work is not what we're about. Our installers have over 20 years of experience. We take pride in our work and will take the necessary time to provide you with a high quality professional installation.
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Can I choose what type of tint shade I want on my car?
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Yes, we offer different shades of film. When you come in we can show you different tint samples and recommend a nice look for your car. In the end, the decision is still up to you.
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How many windows does my car have?
The answer to this question can vary widely based on the year, make and model of your vehicle.
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Can you have window tinting applied to your windows in wet or cold weather?
Yes! With the modern adhesive systems found on today’s window tinting products, it is possible to have your car windows tinted even in freezing weather. However, the curing time may be extended in adverse conditions. Our professional installers take the weather into consideration during installation, allowing more time to apply heat to the edges of the tint to activate the drying process. The old adage to keep in mind is you get what you pay for. Our LLumar, SunTek and 3M Tinting Products insure the highest quality adhesives.
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How long should I keep my windows rolled up after I have window tint installed?
We recommend keeping your windows up for at least 3-5 days. If the windows are rolled down before that time frame, the tint often peels off because it has not had enough time to cure. This is not covered under the warranty. Should this happen, don’t worry we can redo your window at a low cost.
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How long does the film take to fully cure?
It is nearly impossible to get every drop of application solution from between the film and the window. Therefore, there is a drying time (“cure time”) for the film, when the remaining application solution evaporates. During this time, the film is still performing to its full solar control and safety capabilities, however it is common to see water bubbles, haze, streaks and other visual defects in the film as it cures. This is completely normal, and these will disappear as the film dries out. The amount of time for the film to fully cure can vary drastically. If it is a dark solar control film on a hot summer day, the film can be completely cured within a few days. If it is a heavy gauge safety film installed during the wintertime, it’s not uncommon for the curing process to last a few weeks. During the drying time, the bubbles and streaks are purely cosmetic.
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What do I use to safely clean my windows?
After your windows are tinted, you need to wait a couple of days to clean them. You don’t want to risk pulling the tint loose before it fully dries. Once your vehicle has been tinted, the windows is cleaned, but if you accidentally got it dirty and have to clean it. You will need a soft paper towel and any non-ammonia cleaner. Do not use the blue “Windex with Ammonia-D” or any blue colored cleaners because they usually have ammonia in them. We suggest using vinegar Windex (Green) or any of the citrus Windex’s. There are other cleaners made specifically for tinted windows such as “Ammonia-Free Spray Away-Foam Spray,” which work very well. You can also use soap and water, vinegar and water or really anything without ammonia or abrasives.
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How durable is window tint?
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Many times our customers inquire about the durability of window film – “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 film 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. 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. If you accidentally cause damage to the film, the cost of re-doing the window is generally inexpensive. Unfortunately, these types of damage are not covered under the warranty.
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What causes window tinting to turn purple and bubble?
Ultraviolet rays from the sun are responsible for damaging your car’s interior can also turn the film purple. 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 films adhesive. You can protect yourself from this potential problem by purchasing a brand name window tint material. We carry several lines of film that have a high temperature adhesive system and 99% of UV protection capabilities, which are guarantee against fading and bubbling.
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Why do I see little bubbles and haze in the film immediately after installation?
This is normal. We use a water solution to activate the adhesive which allow us to move the film into position. Although we squeegee out as much of the water as possible, a small amount of water remains between the glass and film. As the water evaporates through the film you may see little water bubbles of foggy/hazy patches. This should clear up as the water completely evaporates (between 3-5 days) or longer if the weather is cold or raining.
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How do black dots and lines at the edge of a window affect window tinting?
The black dots, or matrix patterns, as well as the lines at the top of some windows, are made of a Teflon material that is applied at the factory. Purely cosmetic, they hide trim lines and edges on different vehicles. The thickness of these Teflon-type areas makes them incredibly difficult when applying window film. Window film is designed to adhere directly to the glass. The black lines across the top of some windows can prevent window tint from sticking and cannot be covered. When black dots are encountered, the window tint sticks to the slightly raised dot. This can give, depending on the thickness of the material, a lighter or different look in the area of the black matrix dots. This poses no risk of peeling. In some cases, the dot pattern or lines usually put at the top of some windows are so thick that it makes it impossible for the tint to stick at all.
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What are these scratches or streaks in my window tint?
This is another commonly asked question and is sometimes confused with being a defect in the film; however, it is actually caused by a vehicle’s weather stripping. You’ll notice a fuzzy, felt-type material that lines the weather stripping around your windows. This felt functions as a trap for small particles of dirt when you roll your windows up or down. Some vehicles have both sides lined, some only have the exterior side. When only the exterior side is lined it makes the interior more susceptible to trapping dirt and debris. When you roll your windows up or down, the dirt, or sometimes even the hard plastic of the stripping itself, can cause the film to scratch.
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What are these chips in my tint?
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One thing to be careful about, once you have window tint, is your seat belts. When removing your seat belt, be careful to not allow it to sling over and hit the window as this will make a little chip in the tint each time the seat belt hits. Also, be careful with your rings too as when they are sharp they can easily scratch the most durable tint.
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Will the film damage my defrost lines?
This depends on how long the film has been on the car. In most cases, it will not damage the defrost lines if you remove the film. However, in some cases, on some vehicles, it does damage the defrost lines. In any case, we do not guarantee when we remove the film that it will not damage the defrost lines.