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 PET 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. There are even decorative window films that can replicate the look of frosted glass or etched patterns.
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.
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.
How long will it take to install window tint on my vehicle?
Installation time ranges from 1 to 3 hours depending on how many windows are being tinted and what type of vehicle you have. Call us for details @ 561-327-8468.
Should I drop off my vehicle or wait?
Both options are available and you can do what works best with your schedule. We prefer that the vehicle be dropped off for the day, but we do have a waiting area with TV and magazines for customers who choose to stay for the installation.
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.
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. 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. LLumar's Dyed, Metalized, Ceramic and IR Ceramic Tinting Products insure high quality adhesives.
How long should I keep my windows rolled up after I have window tint installed?
We recommend keeping your windows up for at least 2-4 days. If windows are rolled down before that time frame the tint often peels off because it has not had enough time to cure. Should this happen we can redo your window at a low cost, but it is not covered under the warranty.
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.
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 will have been wiped down, but will probably need a proper cleaning with 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.
How durable is window tint?
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.
What causes window tinting to turn purple and bubble?
UV rays from the sun are responsible for damaging your car’s 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 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 allows them to give a manufacture backed guarantee against fading and bubbling.
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 tint. Window tint 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.
Will you travel to my home to tint my vehicle?
We do not travel to install window film on vehicles. Window tinting must be done inside a controlled environment to prevent dirt, dust and debris from getting under the film. Visit our showroom in Jupiter Florida or visit our showroom virtually through our virtual tour.
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. The Ford Mustang is NOTORIOUS for this issue.
What are these chips in my tint?
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.
What are the benefits of window film on buildings?
Depending on your choice of film and it’s application, there are varying benefits. For example, safety films can hold shattered glass in place to offer protection from threats like:
Tinted window films, also called solar control films, can do the following:
Will window film really stop my furniture from fading?
Window film will significantly reduce the amount of fading on interior furnishings. It’s nearly impossible to eliminate all risk of fading though.
How long will the film last in my home or building?
This depends on the film type, glass type, window construction, orientation and geographical location of the building. Most residential and automotive applications are covered by a lifetime warranty as long as you own the house or car. Most commercial installations receive either a 10 or 15 year warranty. There are some specialty films that have different terms; for example exterior films are warranted for 5 years on vertical glass, 2 years on sloped glass; decorative films usually have 7 year coverage.
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