Signs of a bad tint job and how to fix bad tinting

We can fix the lousy purple tint. Don’t go cheap on your home. Good quality window films are affordable, with a significant payback on investment. Window films can reduce heat, UV, and don’t change color.

what should I look for in window tint, to make sure it’s good?

Are you afraid you might be suffering from lousy tint? Did you notice one summer day that your windows are lighter than you remember or seem to look a bit purple? There are several ways to tell if you have fallen victim to lousy tinting. However, don’t fear it is possible to fix lousy tint and keep it from ever happening to you again.

Top signs of bad tint job:

1. Your windows are not as dark as to when they were tinted initially.
2. The shade is turning purple
3. Bubbles are appearing in the tint
4. Cracks are appearing in the tint
5. Edges are beginning to peel

Why bad tint happens

Harmful tinting usually happens when inferior materials are used. Most often, the cheapest tint in town is not going to use a film that lasts. These cheap films do not use the material to create the black shade that is impervious to UV light, and the adhesive is susceptible to UV as well. As this film is exposed to the sun, it slowly bleaches out, causing fading and purpling. The sun often bleaches the film; it is also destroying the adhesive that holds the film to the glass; this creates the bubbling that is so obvious.

Other symptoms of Bad tint can be caused either by inferior materials or by a careless installation. Proper installation requires that the tint be molded to your window before it is installed. Too many “budget” installers skip this critical step. Instead of molding the film to the glass, they stretch it on, and over time the adhesive is not strong enough to hold the film, as it was never designed for this stress and causes the film to crack. Peeling is typical of a careless installer that installs the tint but never bothers to clean the windows properly. Just like you would never serve food on dirty plates, you should never install a film on a window that hasn’t been adequately cleaned.

Can you fix a lousy tint job?

Simple answer; Yes! If you have the signs of lousy tinting and want to fix lousy tinting, you have options. Bad tint can be removed, but should only be done so by a careful professional. A lousy tint is notoriously stubborn, and if proper care is not taken, removal is more likely to damage your vehicle. Sometimes harmful tinting is so bad that even the most skillful and careful professional will have to resort to more intensive measures to remove the bad tint entirely. The highest risk for damage in removal is the rear window defrosters. Because the defroster is not inside the glass but on the inside surface, harmful tinting can pull the defroster off the glass. Chemicals should never be used as they can etch the glass, damage defrosters, or damage your interior. Our team of professionals uses a process for removal with special equipment that minimizes the risk to all areas of your vehicle. Once the lousy tint removal is complete, a new film with a lifetime guarantee never to fade, peel or crack can be installed.

Can Window Tint be repaired?

Window tinting films are generally removed and replace. Repairing window tint is not something that can be done.

If you have a terrible film that either bubbling, peeling, cracked, or looks hazy, the best thing to do is to have it professionally removed and replaced. Here are the reasons why:

1. Window film is a one-time application.
2. Adhesives are one-time use
3. The film fades over time, and matching bad film is nearly impossible.
4. New films perform much better on every level.
5. The cost of removal and replacement is often the best route.

How do you get your window tint to stick again?

Although using adhesives to restick old or damaged films can work, it’s not recommended. Window tinting films have a unique bond that contains UV inhibitors that are not affected by ultraviolet light. Its often a cheaper and faster option to remove and replace the film.

Can scratched window tint be repaired?

No. Some might tell you that the can fix a scratch in window film, or even that partial replacement is possible. This isn’t’ true.

We can un-crack a cracked egg. The same is true for fixing a scratched window tint. Here is what you can do though:

1. install security or anti-graffiti film over the areas that might get more traffic and be susceptible to abuse. Anti-graffiti films and security window films are designed to take an extreme amount of abuse.
2. Applying window films will help keep the solar control window films safe from abuse and maintain their effectiveness.
3. The best solution for this particular issue is multilayer anti-graffiti films. These films have several layers designed to be sacrificial, so when they are damaged and don’t look good anymore, you can remove 1 out of 4 layers extending the time of window film for years.

What causes tint to peel?

Bad or low-quality adhesives are the primary cause of the peeling of window film. Professional window tinter use slips solutions specific to the type of window film installed.

There are two significant types of window tinting mounting solutions used to apply window film; baby shampoo and CDA solution specifically designed to mount film to silica in the glass. Be sure to know what type of window film you’ve purchased, and use the right solution to avoid peeling.

Does tint get lighter over time?

All window film fades over time, but as long as window film doesn’t fade beyond 4%, the human eye cannot distinguish the discoloration. For this reason, it’s essential to use a reputable window film manufacture, manufacturers like Solargard, Veloce, Madico, 3m, Hanita Tek, Llumar, and Huper Optik.

Should I clean my windows before tinting?

No, usually a window tinting professional will need to clean the application area to their standards.

Sometimes windows need to be scrapped with a stainless steel blade; stainless steel is much softer than glass, so use these blades doesn’t damage glass. But, window film installers will need to identify where and if a low e coating is present; if window film is installed on a Low-E layer, it can adversely crack the window.