Window Tint Maintenance: Tips for Keeping Your Windows Clean and Clear

Having tinted windows means having to do specialized care and maintenance. Here's what to know about window tint maintenance for your car.

It's estimated that 66% of people wash their vehicles 13 times a year on average. This shows that most people at least wash their vehicles once a month.

If you have made upgrades to your vehicle, this may include window tint. This is a very common car upgrade that adds value and protection.

But it is important to understand window tint maintenance for your vehicle. This guide will help you understand the cleaning process and general care.



Keep reading to find out how to care for your vehicle‘s window tint.

Use a Gentle Cleaner

Window tinting is when a film is installed over the windows of your vehicle. This film can be completely transparent or have different colors.

Window tint provides a variety of benefits, like UV protection and durability. But it's important to know how to care for this vehicle upgrade.

The first thing you need to consider is the products you are using. Any window cleaning product should be ammonia free and very gentle.

You don’t want to choose anything too harsh as it can be abrasive. A gentle cleaner will prevent damage while still getting your windows squeaky clean.

Keep in mind that you also don’t need a lot of cleaner for your car windows. A few drops should do so that you don’t have leftover suds.

Remove Streaks

If you have ever washed your car windows, you may have had a common problem. Streaking is something no one wants to deal with and it ruins the effect of your windows.

To avoid this, you need to clean your windows vertically. Once you have done that, clean the windows horizontally as well to remove streaks.

Instead of letting the windows air dry, get a soft towel and dry them manually. Follow the same method by wiping the windows vertically and then horizontally.

Using this method should eliminate any streaking after washing your windows.

Clean Inside and Outside

If you have a car window tint, you may be worried about maintenance. The good thing is that your vehicle‘s windows won’t require much more care than usual.

The only thing you have to keep in mind is that the film can become damaged. Something a lot of vehicle owners forget about is cleaning the inside of their vehicle windows.

The inside of your windows also becomes dirty, making it harder to see clearly. After cleaning the outside of the windows, get inside the vehicle to clean inside.

Use the same cleaning products with the same cleaning methods discussed above. This will give you crystal-clear windows without smudges and residue.

Avoid Abrasive Materials

A lot of people prefer to wash their vehicles by hand. This creates a much better result than using a drive-in car cleaner.

You need to make sure you choose your cleaning materials very carefully. A lot of sponges and squeegees tend to be too abrasive and rough for your window tint.

This can start to cause tiny scratches that start damaging the window tint. Experts recommend using a microfiber cloth or something very soft.

Wait For the Tint to Cure

There are a lot of vehicle upgrades people enjoy investing in. Window tint is an upgrade that requires a curing time after installation.

This curing time allows the film to attach completely to the surface of your windows. Because of this, it is important to wait until after the curing process to wash your windows.

For most vehicles, the cure time is around 3 to 4 weeks. It is a good idea to ask the window tint company when it is safe to wash your vehicle‘s windows.

Clean Windows When Dirty

A lot of car owners have specific cleaning schedules for their vehicles. The problem with this is that you may let your car become very dirty before cleaning it.

This can result in debris attaching to the windows and becoming very hard. One good example of this is bird droppings that become solidified and stuck to the window surface.

It is much better to clean your windows when you see that they are dirty. If you notice droppings or tree sap, clean it as soon as you possibly can.

Addressing it soon will make the cleaning process easier and less aggressive. If something is stuck to your windows, wet the area and let it soften before you try to remove it.

Park Under Shelter

If you have had your windows tinted, you want to keep them as clean as possible. One great way to do this is to always park your car under some shelter.

When your vehicle is exposed, it is more likely to become dirty. Things drop on the windows, and the wind may blow debris against them.

Keep in mind that you want to be careful if you are parking under a tree. Some trees have sap that could drop onto your car, creating a very difficult mess to clean.

Window Tint: Caring for Tinted Windows

If you have had your windows tinted, you need to care for them afterwards. Window tent is durable, but it can still become damaged if you aren’t careful.

You need to use an ammonia-free cleaner with a non-abrasive washcloth or sponge. It is also important that you allow the tint to cure completely before cleaning the windows.

Are you interested in having your vehicle windows tinted? Contact us today at Sunstopper Window Tinting to get a free estimate.