How You Tint Matters. Say No To DIY
Welcome to our first instalment of our new series called “Tinting Matters”. Here we go in-depth on issues important to our dealers & customers, giving you the straight facts on HOW & WHY we do what we do.
Anyone who has been reading our blog knows that tinting your car’s windows is a great way to reduce glare and heat as well as enhance privacy. Consumers typically have two options for tinting their cars windows: Do it themselves with a DIY window-tinting kit or hire a professional. Although a DIY window tint is generally less costly, it definitely pays dividends to invest in professional installation.
If we were going to sum it all up for you, we would say there are five key reasons to avoid an at home DIY window tinting kit. Because dark windows are a safety concern for law enforcement officers when they’re making a traffic stop, many cities and provinces have specific limits on how dark you can tint your windows. Most professional window tinting companies make it their business to stay up to date on window tint regulations. While some shops may provide darker-than-legal tint, most good shops (like autobahn™ shops) make sure their customers stay on the right side of the law. DIY kits can’t claim such an assurance, and when you get pulled over, fined, or impounded, “I didn’t know” is not an excuse that will get you off the hook.. Unless you’re purchasing a more expensive professional-grade tint kit, you’ll likely find the film in a DIY window tint kit is flimsy and temperamental when compared to the higher quality materials a window tinting pro would use. For a first-timer, window film, in general, is hard to work with; a slight breeze or wind can cause creases or crinkles, and some may find it hard to keep dust or other debris from sticking to the film. If you opt for a higher grade film kit you will be paying the retail price for it, which will be as costly as a professional installation.
If you opt for a window film installation from a pro you will get peace of mind, and in the case of an autobahn™ shop, a lifetime warranty. Even if you successfully apply tint to your vehicle’s windows, you may not do so perfectly. So try again, right? Not quite. Removing window film is much more difficult than applying it, due in part to the sticky adhesive used to apply it to the auto glass. So, if you need to remove it to try again, you will need to buy a new set of films, doubling your cost, and erasing any DIY savings. If you ever have a problem with a tint job done at an autobahn™ shop, they will re-do the job for you and get you a warranty replacement. If and when you make a mistake while tinting you own windows, however, you probably won’t be able redo the tinting without buying another kit. Once window tinting film has been applied to a window, it cannot be taken off and simply returned to the store, and with DIY kits you do not enjoy any warranties. Installation is Extremely Affordable. Why would anyone use a DIY kit? Because they are trying to save money. However, low-grade window film does not have any of the features that will protect your vehicle or its occupants. For example, one of the main reasons car owners are interested in window tinting is that they want to protect their car’s interior from fading and cracking. Cheap or low-quality window tinting, though, does not provide this protection.
At best, car owners may get a little extra shade inside their cars, but they will not be able to protect their car over the long run from the harmful effects of the sun. For this reason, it makes sense to invest a little bit more money into a mid-grade or high-grade window tint installed by a professional.
Looking for a recommendation, or need some help finding a qualified local shop? Give us a shout, we would love to help you out.
