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If you’ve decided to take on the task of tinting your car’s windows yourself, you’ve undoubtedly run into some issues. While tinting car windows isn’t exactly rocket science, there are a lot of nuances that professional window tint technicians learn through extensive training and throughout their experience in hundreds of vehicles and thousands of windows. There are certain challenges that come along with routine tint installation that can be frustrating to encounter when they aren’t anticipated. In today’s post, we’ll offer a few tips on troubleshooting common DIY installation problems.
Bubbles may develop when vehicle tint film hasn’t been properly installed. This is a fairly common problem with DIY car window tinting, especially in the face of inexperience or cheap adhesive. The bubbles themselves are not such a big problem but they may inhibit your visibility while driving and lead to cracked, peeling tint. Plus, they are unsightly!
To prevent bubbles when installing your window tint yourself, you’ll just need to make sure that the glass is thoroughly cleaned and completely adhered to the window. If there are bubbles, you can use a hard edge to smooth them out.
Much like putting a band-aid on, if you’ve ever attempted to apply a sheet of sticky material in one failed swoop and it does not bunch up, you’re a hero of a different kind! Bunching, crinkling, and folding are common problems in auto tint applications. To avoid crinkling, we recommend keeping the film backing on and only exposing the part that is being applied, removing the backing as you smooth the tint out during application. For instance, begin a the top of the window with just an inch or two of the backing peeled. Slowly and methodically ensure that the tint is affixed on the window and work your way down a few inches at a time, removing the backing as you go.
Like bubbles, peeling films aren’t out of the ordinary with new window tint film installation. If the film is not completely adhered to the window, it will begin to peel at the edges. If bubbles have emerged and then crack, tint film will begin to peel at the cracks. If peeling begins shortly after the application, you may have used poor-quality materials, especially adhesives. Or, it could be that you applied the tint onto a wet or dirty surface.
When you purchase Jet Black DIY static window tint, you don’t have to worry about shoddy adhesive or poor-quality tint. You will need to ensure that you properly prep the glass surface and allow it to dry before applying the tint. If you have any issues or experience peeling, we are just a phone call away and one of our tint experts can walk you through what may have gone wrong and how to correct it.
One common problem with DIY tint jobs is the sticky residue left behind after completing the window tinting. There are several techniques you can try to remove the residue without damaging your tint or the glass beneath, but they all take a little finesse and some experience to get it right. When you use Jet Black Tint’s DIY window film, you won’t have to worry about sticky residue or adhesive transfer because we use pre-cut static tint. This means you’ll get a clean seal without worrying about sticky glue.
Known to cause a deep rage, trapped dust and dirt between the tint film and your glass is all too common when applying window tint. More than being unsightly, anything trapped between the two surfaces compromises adhesion and can create a hole in the tint that will peel and eventually ruin the entire piece of film. To avoid this, it’s important to ensure your windows are thoroughly clean and avoid anything floating by the window during tint application. Slowly apply the film, paying attention to every inch as you apply it, removing anything you need to as you go.
There is nothing more frustrating than the satisfaction of a completed DIY tint job and then behind the wheel to realize your vision is blurred. While hazy window film is incredibly annoying, it’s common with fresh tint jobs. Because it obstructs your vision and makes driving dangerous, you’ll have to have it corrected immediately. Fortunately for you, the most likely cause is poorly cleaned windows — like looking through smudged sunglasses. If you’re using Jet Black static tint, you can easily remove the film, thoroughly clean the window with high-quality window cleaner, wipe down the film, and reapply. It may take some additional time, but it’s an easy problem to fix.
Another common problem with DIY car window tinting is heat transfer problems. Many DIY auto tints on the market use heat to completely adhere the film to the window. If you aren’t using enough heat, the right heat, or too much heat, it can cause heat transfer issues that are more than a headache to correct. Luckily, if you’re using Jet Black Tint’s DIY static tint, there’s no heat necessary and you don’t have to worry about these issues!
Noticeable gaps between the edge of the film and the edge of the glass or uneven side lines occur when there is a slight shift in the tint during the application process. This can be difficult, but not impossible to avoid. Slow and steady is a good policy when installing your window film. Start at one edge, taking care to line everything up. With a good start, you should be able to continue to smooth out the tint as you go and end with nice, even lines. When you are using static tint, if you’re off a little, you can easily remove the film and try again.
At Jet Black Tint, we’ve got the supplies and the support to help you take on the venture of do-it-yourself window tint installation. Our static tint is perfect for even the most novice car enthusiast taking on tint application for the first time. All of our tint experts are able to help troubleshoot over the phone or at any one of our 13 Bay Area tint shops. Shop our window tint film online and try it for yourself today!