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Showing posts from October, 2019

Do You Really Want to Do It Yourself?

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The process of applying window tint can take between one to four hours, sometimes more, and can get expensive. A basic car window tint can be done for $100, while a high-quality job can range up to $500.  It's possible to do it yourself to save the cost of labor, but there are some issues to consider before you decide to apply a car window tint yourself versus allowing a professional to handle it. The most obvious positive to taking the DIY route is that it's cheaper. If you're handy, patient, and have a clean area in which to work (such as a garage with little to no dust), applying window tint isn't especially hard. Then again, an experienced professional can generally do a better job while saving you time. The work often comes with a guarantee or warranty, and they can make sure the tint is legal, helping you avoid a citation.  Now you know the basics. The choice to tint or not to tint is up to you.

A Car Window Tint Can Reduce UV Radiation?

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While the standard glass used in car windows can block some UV radiation, a car window tint of good quality from a reputable manufacturer —if applied correctly—can help increase protection from ultraviolet radiation. It can also help preserve the interior of your car, including the upholstery, carpeting, and dashboard, which can fade over time by exposure to sunlight. The amount of light that a window tint allows into the interior varies greatly, and affects how well you can see out. Every state has its own regulations and laws pertaining to the level of darkness it allows for automotive window tints. The volume of light that can pass through your window is referred to as variable light transmission, or VLT. Each state has different regulations concerning VLT percentage, so it's a good idea to check local laws concerning what you're allowed to do.  In addition to blocking UVA radiation, a window tint can provide a couple of safety and security benefits. In an acciden

Is Car Window Tinting a Good Idea?

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There are benefits to window tinting, but know the regulations where you live so you can do it legally.  Window tinting refers to the process of applying a thin laminate film to a vehicle's glass in order to darken it. The reasons people choose to tint the windows of an automobile vary. These might include privacy or security; protection from UV rays including UVA, the ones responsible for causing skin cancer; and reducing solar gain (interior heat) and thus incrementally improving fuel economy; and cutting down on glare from the sun. Of course, there are purely aesthetic reasons as well for applying car window tint. It doesn't hurt that some people think that tinted car windows look cool, like celeb-style sunglasses for your car.

Things to Know Before Buying Automotive Window Tint

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Automotive window tint for your vehicle is something not many people give a second thought to. While you may know that you want it done, how much research have you done to ensure that you will be happy with the overall result? Unfortunately, most people only notice a window tint job when one is done improperly or the window tint has gone bad. Fortunately, these are easy pitfalls to avoid, so we wanted to give you three things to consider before you get your vehicle tinted. Do you only want the look or do you want performance too?  – Just like most other items you can purchase for your vehicle, there are numerous levels of automotive window tint quality and performance. You first need to determine if you only want the look of tinted windows or if you actually would like some noticeable heat and UV rejection as well. While an inexpensive film might make your windows look the way you want, it may barely reject any heat at all. The good news is that with the latest generations o

The Top Three Reasons to Consider Vehicle Window Tint

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Most Americans love their cars. It is not just a mode of transportation, but an extension of the personality of the individual driving it. Whether you are driving the latest sports car, off-road capable SUV or gas-sipping commuter, it can be enhanced with vehicle window tint. How you ask? This article will give the top three reasons that you should consider vehicle window tint. Window Tint Improves Appearance  – Did you ever wonder why many automotive manufacturers have the windows of their cars tinted in the advertisements they run? It is because they understand that the lines of the car flow better and the appearance of the vehicle is enhanced when the windows are tinted slightly. If you haven’t noticed that in the past, pay attention to magazine and automotive commercials. You will see than many of these vehicles will have tinted windows. So, take a cue from the automotive designers. Your vehicle’s appearance will be enhanced with automotive window tint. Window Tint Impr

CNET Road Show Discusses Avoiding a Automotive Window Tinting Nightmare

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No one wants to have a bad automotive window tint job. While most people do not understand all that goes into a good tint job, we all know what a bad one looks like. Recently  Brian Cooley  from CNET Road Show decided to look into what it takes to avoid an automotive window tinting nightmare. In the article, Brian discusses things to look for to make sure your vehicle gets an great tint job. We wanted to share the top six things mentioned in his article. When deciding on an automotive window tinting location; Look For Clean –  Automotive Window Tinting starts and ends with cleanliness. Any dust floating around the place will end up permanently stuck to your glass. Get a Guarantee –  A lifetime warranty for the original purchaser on the film and the installation should not be out of the question. Look at References –  Have the shop show you a car they have done. Inspect it for edge to edge coverage, no bubbles or dirt trapped in the film and edges that aren’t lifting. Do

Turn the Ordinary into Extraordinary with Automotive Window Tint

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Tired of your vehicle looking the same as all the others in the parking lot at the mall or in line at school pick up? A professionally installed automotive window tint is just what you need to turn your ordinary vehicle into something extraordinary. Whether you drive something like the Yukon in the picture, a compact car, minivan or a sports car; every vehicle looks better with automotive window tint installed. That is one of the reasons you almost always see vehicles with their windows tinted in automotive commercials or advertisements. Pay attention to the next vehicle ad or commercial you catch and you will see what we are talking about. Even the manufacturers know that their products look better with window tint installed! Don’t drive a vehicle that blends in with the masses when you can drive something that gets noticed. 

Managing the Sun’s Heat with Window Film

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While window films aren’t typically thought of as glamorous, these products perform an impressive array of functions. Security, aesthetics, privacy, safety in the event of shattering glass – all are jobs that window films do well. It’s in controlling the effects of the sun’s energy, though, that window film’s most important work gets done. Heat and light from the sun benefit humankind tremendously, of course – and at the same time cause damage to skin and property, and require consumption of energy to manage, mainly in the form of electric kilowatts for cooling. How does window film control the effects of heat on the interior of a building or automobile? Through reflection, absorption, or a combination of both. The sun’s rays are composed of three types of energy: visible light, and infrared and ultraviolet energy that we can’t see, but can only feel. Depending on its construction, window film allows most or all visible light to pass through the glass to which it’s applied,

Learn About Window Tint for Your Vehicle

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Using window tint on your vehicle’s windows can block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and reject up to 92% of the solar heat that builds up in your car. It also adds an extra level of protection in case of an accident, holding shattered glass together. Whether you’re considering window film for safety, heat reduction, or aesthetic purposes, this new “Window Film for Your Vehicle” infographic explains how window film can benefit your vehicle. Window tint is an unsung protector of your car, and while it might not always be noticeable, know that it is working. Staying cool, protecting yourself and the passengers in your car, as well as giving your vehicle a unique customized style are just some of the many benefits associated with window film for your vehicle.

Do Your Car Windows Have Sunscreen?

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Most of us understand the dangers of too much exposure to the sun while outside without taking the precaution of applying sunscreen. However, most of us never think twice about the time, in many cases 1-2 hours per day, that we spend in the car being exposed to the same harmful UV rays. Do you apply sunscreen to yourself before getting behind the wheel? In a recent article published by  The Skin Cancer Foundation  entitled Sun Safety for Drivers, the Foundation laid out some alarming statistics regarding skin cancer and and the possible tie to the time we spend behind in our vehicles. They detailed some ways to increase your protection from this exposure, and at the top of their list was applying window film to your car. Many quality window film feature The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation because they block nearly all of the UV rays hitting your windows. This is what The Skin Cancer Foundation had to say in that article about window tinting for your car: “T

Five Questions to Ask Before Tinting Your Car Windows

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Tinting the windows of your automobile will offer countless benefits including protecting skin by blocking UV rays, cooling your car, and reducing glare – just to name a few. But, before you make the initial purchase, ask yourself these five important questions to ensure you are on the right track. How long will my window tint last?  – The lifetime of window films is dependent on many factors including product type and quality, the climate, and the amount of direct sunlight your car is exposed to. How long will it take to tint my windows?  – The process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a few hours depending on how many windows are being tinted. Is the film covered by a warranty?  – Most quality products come with a limited lifetime warranty. However, you should confirm the exact warranty length and stipulations prior to purchasing any film. Which window tint is right for me?  – In order to select the best film for your vehicle, you should consult a professional window

Safety First! What Makes a Tinted Car Safer Than Non-Tinted Cars?

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High quality window film looks great on cars, but what makes a tinted car safer than one that is not? Car Accidents  – In the event of an unexpected accident, direct impact creates high risk for shattered glass to fly and hit you or your passengers. Having tint creates a protective layer that helps prevent glass from shattering once it is broken, making your windows more durable. Harmful UV Rays  – Did you know that more than 53% of skin cancer occurs on the left side of the body? Think about how much time you spend commuting to, and from work alone and how many UV Rays you’re exposed to if you don’t have tint and aren’t using sunscreen. Not only does the sun accelerate aging on your skin but it fades the interior of your car as well. Personal Belongings – Another great reason to tint your car? Privacy glass! Although the legal limit still allows for you to see in the car, it leaves your personal items less exposed. Depending on your state laws, you can even go darker on

Why Is Your Interior Fading?

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Have you ever moved a floor rug that has been laid on hardwood for a long duration of time? What did you notice when you moved it?  Quite possibly there was the outline of the rug left on the floor – especially on the area closest to a window or door with glass insert. How could this be?  It’s because the rug acted as a barrier between the direct light and the wood floor and blocked a major portion of the visible light transmission.  The area that wasn’t covered had faded due to the long term exposure to the unfiltered sunlight. What about your furniture?  Have you noticed that it is getting dingy or just doesn’thave that crisp look or color that it used to?  It has been affected by the unfiltered sunlight as well.  What about your car dashboard or the ledge behind your back seat leading to the glass?  How does that look?  My guess is that it is a lot duller in color tone since the day you bought the car.  It is sort of like that favorite work shirt that you have when you are

UV Radiation and Skin Cancer

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The link between UV radiation and skin cancer is well known. There have been many studies and successful campaigns to inform people about the risks of sun exposure, yet skin cancer is still the most common type of cancer in the US. Did you know that skin absorbs UV Radiation frequently, over an extended period of time? It can actually change the structure of the DNA which leads to cell growth (i.e. cancer). We can’t always control how frequently we are exposed to the sun, but we can control how often we are protected from it. A lot of SUV’s and trucks are already tinted on the back half but most people aren’t aware that it only provides shade. Factory tint does NOT have any UV protection or heat rejection benefits. Call one of our locations to make sure you and your family are protected from harmful UV rays!

Bubbles In The Tint During & After Installation

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When your tint is first installed there will be some noticeable bubbles in the tint that may linger for up to a week or ten days, dependent on outside temperature and the amount of direct sunlight.  These bubbles may look like golf ball dimples or appear to be streaky.  They are actually okay and are created as a result of the water that is trapped in the process of creating the seal between the window and film.  Over time they will work their way out of the film and dissolve.  However, if they linger for longer than ten to fourteen days you should check in with your installer and get their opinion on what, if anything, needs to be done to remove them and get a proper seal between the window and film. There are times when bubbling can indicate a breakdown of the film.  Usually there will be some bubbling when there is adhesive failure. Fortunately, the product that is used by Dark Shade Window Tint has a limited lifetime warranty on auto film, a lifetime warranty on resident

How Dark Can You Tint Your Vehicle Windows?

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A common question people have when they wish to get the windows on their car tinted is how dark are they allowed to go? The simplest answer to this question is that it depends on what state your car is registered in as it directly affects how dark you can make the windows and remain incompliance with the law. Window tint darkness in California  The percent of visible light allowed through your car windows is called VLT: Visible Light Transmission. The percentage of light allowed through your film and glass in California is very specific and different for sedan cars and SUV cars or vans.  Tint darkness for sedans: Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed on the top 4 inches of the windshield. Front Side windows: Aftermarket film must allow more than 88% of light in, or minimum 70% VLT if combined with factory-tinted windows. Back Side windows: Any darkness can be used. Rear Window: Any darkness can be used. Tint darkness for SUV and vans: Windshield: Non-reflective

What is the Tinting Process and How Long Does it Take?

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One of the common questions that our customers have when they make the initial inquiry regarding tinting windows relates to how long it will take to install the tinting on their vehicles, homes, or office spaces.  This question may have numerous answers primarily being based on manpower, schedules, and type of vehicle or amount of windows that are present. For most vehicles, the average tinting time is about an hour and twenty minutes.  For most homes it will take a full working day and for offices it is completely predicated by what we will be tinting (i.e. entire office or just a door).  While the amount of time required may change, the process for installation remains the same. For automobiles the process is formulated around three important steps: fitting the film to the contour of the window, creating a clean surface for application and placing the film on the window.   The first step is cutting the film to size and fitting it to the outside of the window using a heat

Five Major Benefits of Vehicle Window Tinting

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With Summer finally here, we wanted to share the five major benefits of vehicle window tinting that were detailed in  The NewsWheel  online magazine. As the article states, “ While many people consider the use of window tint as an application of a cosmetic makeover for their vehicles, window tinting offers plenty of other major benefits worth considering. ” So, what are these benefits? We summarized the article for you below. Reduced UV Ray Exposure  – As we have mentioned in previous articles, window film’s UV blocking properties can have significant health benefits. The article in The NewsWheel continues by saying “ Excessive UV ray exposure to the human skin is known to cause a myriad of health issues such as sunburn, premature aging, suppression of the immune system, damage to the skin, and skin cancer. “ Increased Privacy  – Besides the look of window tint, privacy is often the most typical reason to get vehicle window tint. As mentioned in the article, “ This is the