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In any application industry, there will be a need for repairs at some point. The truth is that window tint doesn’t last forever, and won’t last the lifetime of your car — although it should last several years and, usually, for your time with the vehicle.
Here at Jet Black Tint, we serve many clients who are recovering from a shoddy tint job or looking to upgrade their existing vehicle window tint and we are happy to help by removing it and installing fresh Solar Gard® window tint. Whether we are repairing, replacing, or installing tint, our technicians take care to avoid causing the symptoms that would land you looking for tint repair within the next half-decade. In today’s post, we’ll discuss a few common reasons folks wind up in our shop for window tint repair and how we can help.
Immediately following tint installation, there may be a small number of tiny bubbles as the tint permanently adheres to your car’s windows, but these should settle within the two days following application. Small air bubbles or larger air pockets after the curing time necessitate repairs, and rather quickly. Small bubbles that “pop” will turn into small holes, leading to splits, peeling, and may even scratch your window glass. Bubbles under the window tint can be a result of poor adhesion or cheap adhesive product that is now breaking down.
If air bubbles appear after installation and do not go away, it is a sign that the tint was applied too quickly and without making complete contact with your window. In this case, it may be possible to repair the tint by carefully removing and expertly reinstalling it — taking the time and care to completely adhere the tint to your window and facilitating the curing process.
For larger air pockets or air bubbles that appear six to 12 months after the initial installation, we may need to completely replace your window tint and install a high-quality tint that won’t break down under the heat of the California sun.
For any window tint, fading over time is normal. Higher quality tints will fade slower and more evenly, while cheaper tints will fade in streaks or from the jet black look into a purple hue. Why does your window tint turn purple? Tint pigments are made by combining primary colors, and yellow is the quickest color to fade, leaving behind red and blue. With the combination of the red and blue dye and the continued fading, your tint may begin to appear purple. A purple tint is an indication that you were duped with cheap materials. Read more on the topic in our other post on the topic.
Unfortunately, once fading or purpling begins, there is not much to do by way of repairs and it’s likely we will need to completely replace your car’s window tint. However, we are able to install ceramic window tint that will slow the fading process and ensure that your windows never look purple, whether you are able to park in the shade the majority of the time or not.
It is important to note that regardless of how high-quality tint is or the expert installation, all tints will begin to fade over time. You can expect top-end vehicle window tint to last about 5 years, regardless of storage conditions or sun exposure. For ceramic or carbon tint, you can expect the lifespan to be extended to nearly 10 years before you should need repair or replacement.
When adhesive begins to break down, if it doesn’t bubble, it will peel and curl. The peeling and curling of window tint are caused by the breakdown of adhesive and the drying of the tinted overlay. When tint begins to peel in the middle, it appears in the form of a bubble until the peeling reaches an edge of the material, and then, can curl.
Curling or peeling window tint is a sure sign that the adhesive is gone, which makes removal fairly easy, but repairs nearly impossible. If your tint is peeling, it’s time to get a fresh installation of high-quality tint with curing adhesive that won’t break down.
Your car’s interior beginning to fade is a late symptom of failing window tint, but if the tint is evenly fading, it may be the first thing you notice. Remember that one of the reasons you got your car tinted, to begin with, was to protect your luxury interior? When that protective tint begins to fade, the ability to block damage is compromised. If you’ve noticed that your car’s interior is showing signs of sun or heat damage, it’s time to have your window tint assessed.
On the same token, if you notice that your car seems warmer than normal, but there are no visible signs of tint damage, it’s worth the time to have your window tint evaluated. When tint begins to fail and fade, it begins to permit more UV light to enter your vehicle. Before you call your mechanic to check your HVAC system, stop by your local Jet Black Tint and let one of our tint experts check it out.
One of the most common, and most unfortunate, reasons that car owners bring their vehicles in to get tint repair is poor installation. Here in the Bay Area, tint shops are not in short supply, however, the skills and experience required to properly install the tint aren’t as plentiful. When a tint shop is looking for quick cash and high profits, the sacrifice comes by way of using the cheapest product and skimping on employee training. What this means for you is that poor quality tint is being stuck to your windows at a fee, and then we have to remove it and install the tint you were looking for, to begin with.
If the window tint that was used is of decent quality, our highly-trained tint experts may be able to repair the tint and correct any issues you’re having as a result of the sloppy application. If a low-quality product was used, we may need to completely remove it before installing a new tint.
To avoid having your tint repaired or replaced, bring your ride to the Jet Black Tint location near you and have your car upgraded with Solar Gard® window tint, installed by the industry’s top-rated technicians. While you’re here, we can offer disinfecting services, paint protection film installation, and more. Save money with our service packages, and most of our tint jobs are completed in less than an hour. Better yet, don’t waste any more time than you already have, let our techs come to you with our mobile tint services! Don’t settle for less than perfect tint, connect with us to have your windows repaired today.