7 Auto Window Tinting Errors and How to Avoid Them

Tinting your car's windows properly requires knowing what can hinder your progress. Here are common auto window tinting errors and how to avoid them.

Projections show that the automotive tinting film market will reach a value of $5.76 billion by 2030.

There are several reasons why people choose to tint their windows, and various types of film are available. If you want to tint your car windows, there are several factors you need to take into account before doing so. People often don't do this and end up making some errors that could easily be avoided.



For a rundown of 7 key auto window tinting errors and how you can avoid them, keep reading.

1. Not Picking a Reliable Company

Like any work you have done on your car, you want to make sure your tint is done right. There are plenty of companies that will tint your windows for you, but they won't all do a good job. If you go with the wrong company, you'll end up with a poor-quality tint, and may need to pay to get it done again.

Sunstopper Window Tinting is a professional window tint provider. With over 35 years of experience, we know how to ensure tints are done to the highest standards. All of our installers are professionally trained and provided with the latest tools and techniques to ensure everything is done right.

2. Going for the Cheapest Option

There are a lot of different window tint options out there. It's important to remember that, as with most things, you get what you pay for. If you settle on the cheapest tint you can find, it will likely be far from the best.

It's a good idea to set a budget so that you can explore the options within it. If you can afford something at the higher end, you'll get a better quality product. Top-range tints are less likely to trap air bubbles, and will usually be far more durable than cheaper options.

3. Not Getting an Estimate

Assuming you already have a budget set, you need to make sure that you're not going over it. Getting an estimate will ensure you don't have any major surprises when it's time to pay the bill.

At Sunstopper, we provide free estimates. We just need your contact details, along with some details about your car, and we can give you an estimate for your tint.

4. Picking the Wrong Type

One of the benefits of window tinting is that you can choose from various types depending on what you want. All tints have the same overall purpose, but some will provide a higher level of certain benefits. They all help to regulate heat, for example, but a more reflective tint will do a better job of keeping heat out of your car.

Some of the factors you want to consider are keeping valuables out of sight, protecting yourself and your upholstery from UV rays, and providing privacy for anyone in the car.

5. Not Understanding Local Laws

There are legal limits when it comes to window tints, and these vary from state to state. If your car breaks your local tinting laws, you run the risk of receiving a fine whenever you're driving your car.

There are specific laws for windshields, front-side windows, back-side windows, and rear windows relating to both the darkness and the reflection of the tint. These can vary depending on the type of vehicle. There are also sometimes other specific rules.

In Florida, for example, a sticker is needed on the inside of the driver's door jamb to show that the tint is legal. Check out this guide for a rundown of the specific rules for Florida as of 2022.

6. Not Giving the Tint Time to Dry

The window tinting process is a fairly quick one, but you still need to have some patience after the film has been applied. The tint will take at least a couple of days to dry and become fully adhered to the window. Throughout this period, your windows need to stay rolled up.

Rolling down your windows before the tint is dry might cause it to tear or split. You should also avoid washing your car, and if there's going to be heavy rain, keeping your car under cover is recommended.

7. DIY Car Window Tinting

One of the most common (and most easily avoidable) mistakes that people make is to try and tint their windows themselves. It may look like a fairly simple process, which leads many to believe that they'll be able to do it on their own. In reality, it's quite difficult, and there are a lot of things that can go wrong.

The most common issues are a film that has a poor final appearance. If you don't know what you're doing, there will almost certainly be air bubbles and even tears in the film. Even worse, you could end up damaging your windows and will have to spend more money to get them repaired.

It's always best to go with a professional company. This will ensure your tint is applied properly.

At Sunstopper, all of our tints are manufactured by LLumar, who offers a lifetime guarantee. This ensures that in the unlikely event something does go wrong with your tint, you won't have to pay to have it repaired or replaced.

Avoiding These Auto Window Tinting Errors

There are plenty of auto window tinting errors that can be made, but by making the right choices you can easily avoid them. Sunstopper Window Tinting offers a range of tints, and we can apply them to any car. If you're interested in tinting your windows, click here to get your free estimate today.