How to care for new window tint
This is the care sheet we give every tint customer at pickup: how long to keep the windows up, what’s normal while the film dries, and when and how to clean the glass. Tinted somewhere else? The same rules apply to any film.
The first 10 days
- Days 1 to 3
Keep the windows up
The film is still bonding to the glass. Rolling a window down now can catch the edge and lift it. Tape over the switches if someone in your house is likely to forget.
- Days 1 to 5
Haze is normal
In low light or at an angle, you may see hazy “clouds” in the film. That’s the install solution between the film and the glass. It evaporates in about 3 days, or up to 5 when it’s cold out.
- Day 11 on
Clean the inside glass
Don’t wipe or clean the inside of the windows for the first 10 days. After that, clean them like normal with a tint-safe glass cleaner and a soft microfiber.
Living with your tint
- Wash the outside like normal. The film is on the inside of the glass, so car washes, rain, and the hose don’t touch it, starting the day you pick it up.
- Clean the inside with a tint-safe cleaner. After day 10, we use CARPRO Clarify for a streak-free finish that’s safe on film. Spray the towel, not the glass, so nothing runs down into the door.
- Use a soft, clean microfiber. Wipe gently. Film is tough, but grit on a dirty towel can scratch it.
Six ways people damage new tint
Rolling the windows down early
Give the film 3 full days. A window that goes down too soon can drag the bottom edge and peel it.
Cleaning the inside glass too soon
Wait 10 days. Wiping before then can push the film around while it’s still drying.
Ammonia cleaners
Ammonia breaks film down over time. Use a tint-safe cleaner like CARPRO Clarify instead.
Blades and scrapers
Anything sharp on the inside of the glass can cut or lift the film, including the edge of a sticker or a parking pass.
Paper towels and rough rags
They can scratch the film. A clean, soft microfiber is all you need.
Seatbelt buckles, rings, and paws
A buckle swinging back or a dog’s claw can nick the film. Our No-Fault Protection add-on covers that kind of damage.
Why we bottom-load
Two-stage
The film is laid on the glass and tucked below the gasket.
Bottom-loading
The gasket comes off, the film goes in underneath it, and the gasket goes back on. This is how we do it.
Bottom-loading takes longer, but it gives a cleaner finish, leaves fewer edge marks, and seats the film under the gasket so it resists peeling as the window goes up and down for years.
Shopping around? Film, installers, and tools are not all created equal. Ask for a lifetime warranty on the film and the labor, and pick a shop with a long record of good reviews.
Window tint care questions
Not sure if what you’re seeing is normal? Call or text (352) 251-2008, or stop by. We’ll take a look even if we didn’t tint your car.
See our tint packagesHow long after tinting can I roll my windows down?
Wait 3 days. The film needs that long to bond to the glass, and rolling a window down too soon can catch the edge and lift it.
Why does my new window tint look hazy or cloudy?
That’s normal. It’s the install solution trapped between the film and the glass, and it shows up most in low light or at an angle. It evaporates on its own in about 3 days, or up to 5 days in cold weather.
When can I clean the inside of my tinted windows?
After 10 days. Until then, leave the inside of the glass alone. After that, use a tint-safe glass cleaner like CARPRO Clarify and a soft microfiber.
Can I wash my car after getting the windows tinted?
Yes, right away. The film is on the inside of the glass, so you can wash the outside of the car like normal.
What glass cleaner is safe for window tint?
Any ammonia-free glass cleaner. We use CARPRO Clarify in the shop because it leaves the glass streak-free and is safe on film.
What is bottom-loading window tint?
It’s one of two ways to install film on a door window. A two-stage install lays the film on the glass and tucks it under the gasket. A bottom-loaded install takes the gasket off, slides the film underneath it, and puts the gasket back. We bottom-load because it gives a cleaner finish, leaves fewer edge marks, and seats the film under the gasket so it resists peeling as the window goes up and down for years.
My tint wasn’t done by you. Can you still look at it?
Yes. Call, text, or stop by, and we’ll help you figure out whether what you’re seeing is normal, even if we didn’t tint the car.
Want it tinted by the shop that wrote the guide?
Send the year, make, and model. We’ll tell you which film fits what you want from your tint, with zero pressure.
- Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 4 PM
- Right across from Brownwood Paddock Square
- We cover a one-way Uber or Lyft while your car is with us
- No pressure. We tell you what your car does and does not need