Tinted Windows

	To tint or not to tint? You asked, and now we have the answers - everything you need to know before you decide to tint your vehicle’s windows. Remember, if you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They're always ready to help, no matter what the job is. Let's go!
	A Few Things Before You Begin
	In case you need them, you can always find free print outs of specific vehicle instructions and torque specifications from Mitchell on Demand at your local PartSource store. Everything you need for this job can be found at your local PartSource store. Ask a Parts Pro about what you'll need for the job. It's better to have extra spare parts ready for anything that might need to be replaced. The last thing you want to do, is go shopping when you have the car up on the jack. When taking parts apart, be organized. Keep similar parts together in a safe place where they won't get lost and layout parts in a way that will allow you to put them back in the same order.
	Make Safety Your Top Priority
	Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs always follow the vehicle's owner's manual. Make sure you have all of your tools and supplies before you begin – the last thing you want to do is go shopping when you have the car on the jack. Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace. Always wear your safety glasses, a dust mask and latex gloves. Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance. Finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, seek the assistance of a Parts Pro, professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.


Reasons to Tint Reduces Heat With proper tinting, your car's interior can stay 60% cooler during those hot summer days. Your air-conditioning unit will pump out less cool air to regulate the temperature. Once a comfort level is reached, maintaining the temperature is easier. Protects Your Skin Harmful UV rays from the sun can cause skin cancer. Tinting your car can block 99% of these damaging rays. Durable in an Accident In an auto accident, tinted glass shatters less that non-tinted glass, protecting your vehicle’s occupants. Makes Driving Safer Tinting reduces dangerous glare from the sun, snow, and other headlights, helping you drive safely. Enhances Privacy Tinting increases your privacy and shields your vehicle's contents. If a burglar can't see, they won't steal. Reduces Cracking and Fading Harmful UV rays and heat can cause the upholstery to crack and fade. Think of tint as sunscreen for your car. Tinting can help reduce the fading process by filtering the amount of light. Tinting FAQ's What types of automotive films/tints are there? There are basically two types of automotive window films available today: Dyed and high performance metalized. Dyed or Non-Reflective Automotive Films are just that, dyed polyester with an adhesive and scratch coating on them. This type of film offers the minimum life span and is warranted for 5 years. It is readily available in most shops. Metalized or High Performance Automotive Films have a layer of metal over top of the dyed polyester. This construction allows the film to last longer. The metal coating better protects the film and subsequently your vehicle and passengers from damaging sunrays. Metalized films offer superior protection and is warranted for a lifetime. However, they are not as easily found. What do the Part Pros recommend? We recommend the metalized automotive window films because they offer extra protection for both you and the product. The extra protection means the film will last longer and stand up to the damaging rays of the sun for longer. What is the warranty or life span of the automotive films? In Canada, most professional grade films should last over ten years. The effective life span of window film depends on the types of film, glass, and climate. There are documented cases of film lasting over twenty years. How dark are automotive films? Automotive films are available in four shades or approximate light transmissions: 50%, 35%, 20% and 5%. These percentages correspond to how much light the film allows in. 5% or “limo” tint is the darkest shade, allowing only 5% light to pass into the vehicle. How is the film protected from scratches caused by keys and rings, etc.? Automotive Window Films are protected with a durable scratch resistant coating constructed of silicone. This coating is designed to protect the film from normal wear and tear. Regular cleaning done with a paper towel or soft cloth and mild soapy water. IMPORTANT: Do not use products that contain ammonia to clean tinted windows. Will automotive films make it difficult for me to see at night? Depending on what your personal preference is, and what percentage of tint you apply, your visibility will be reduced in varying degrees. It is not recommended that you put the darkest percentage of window tint on the rear windows of your vehicle if you drive a lot at night. However, darker tints do help cut the glare of headlights approaching from behind. How is automotive film applied? Automotive glass is curved. Since automotive window films are flat, putting film on auto glass is like trying to wrap a basketball with a sheet of paper and not getting any wrinkles. Professional installers have developed various methods of installation including stretching, seaming, piecing, and heat-molding. All of these methods guarantee a form fitted application. How long does it take? Installing window films takes approximately two hours, depending on the complexity of the vehicle’s curved glass, but installers will often ask to keep the vehicle for the day. What are the laws of automotive window tinting? The laws regarding window film vary from province to province. Here's a quick summary; *Ontario/New Brunswick/Newfoundland* For the driver’s compartment, right and left, no film can be installed that would substantially obscure visibility from the exterior 35% is your best bet but you may get away with 15%. Behind the driver’s compartment, any film can be installed. *Alberta/ Saskatchewan/ British Columbia /Prince Edward Island* No film is permitted on the driver’s compartment, right and left. Any film may be installed on the side windows behind the driver. Any film may be applied to the rear window, provided the vehicle has 2 exterior rear view mirrors. *Manitoba* For driver’s compartment, right and left, the minimum visible light transmittance, net, is 50%. The maximum visible light transmittance, net, is 35%. For windows behind the driver’s compartment, the minimum Visible Light Transmittance, net, is 35%. Where film is installed behind the driver’s compartment, 2 external rear view mirrors are required. The net figures that are allowed are enforced at plus or minus 5%. *Quebec* For the driver’s compartment, right and left, the minimum Visible Light Transmittance is 70% on automotive net basis. Any film may be installed behind the driver’s compartment, provided the vehicle is outfitted with 2 exterior rear view mirrors. *Nova Scotia* No film is permitted on any glazing surface. NOTE: Laws vary from province to province and may change at any time.

Removing Window Tint

All window film deteriorates with age and eventually has to be removed. Two of the most common symptoms of dying film are the dreaded "purple film" and the "bubbling film". Purple film is caused by non-metallic dyes in the film breaking down and changing color. Bubbling film is a sign that the adhesive used to apply the tint to the window is failing. After a single bubble appears, many more will follow.
Cut a garbage bag in roughly the shape of the window. Spray soapy water on the outside of the window, cover it with the black trash bag and smooth the plastic flat. Most window tint is constructed of multiple layers of film. When left under the hot sun, the garbage bag will absorb heat, helping the film peel off in one piece.
Protect all inside surfaces near the rear window with a tarp: speakers, rear light, and upholstered surfaces, then spray the entire window film with undiluted ammonia. Undiluted ammonia has a strong smell. It is recommended that you use in a well-ventilated area and wear a facemask.
While the ammonia is still wet, trap the ammonia against the window film with another trash bag or plastic film. Now we can start peeling the window film. Use your fingernail or razor blade to lift the window film in a corner of the window, and try to peel the film off in one entire piece. Keep the tint moist with ammonia as you strip.
Now we can start peeling the window film. Use your fingernail or razor blade lift the window film in a corner of the window, and try to peel the film off in one entire piece. Keep the tint moist with ammonia as you strip. Use a razor blade to scrape off any tint that did not peel. Be careful not to cut the defroster lines.
Remove any residual adhesive. Use ammonia and Super-Fine steel wool or a nylon pot scrubber, then wipe with paper towel before it dries. Remove the exterior trash bag, and clean the window thoroughly with glass cleaner.
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