Caring for Tinted Windows
Getting window film applied to your windows can be a wise investment for your car, office, or home. Window film provides plenty of benefits for anyone who decides to apply it to their windows. That being said, it makes sense why someone would want to protect their investment. There are a few steps you can take to improve the lifespan of your window film and ensure that they last for years to come.
The smartest thing you could do is clean your window film/ Window tint much like you would for any product. Of course, you can’t simply wash your window film as you would your normal windows, there are certain things that you should do instead.
One of the first things you should do is wait for your window tint to cure. This can take anywhere from seven to 30 days depending on the climate. During the curing process, you may discover some hazing or water pockets. These are normal and shouldn’t be any cause for alarm. Once the window film is cured you can then think about cleaning it.
Once you are ready to clean your windows you should use a clean rubber squeegee or a cotton cloth. As far as cleaners go, choose one that is precisely made for cleaning window tints if available. If you cannot do that, then avoid anything that contains ammonia or harsh cleaning chemicals. In a pinch, you could also use warm, soapy water.
To start cleaning your window, begin by lightly misting the surface with your cleaner of choice. After misting, use your cotton cloth to wipe the surface of the window. Turn the cloth frequently to ensure that you get a clean surface. After wiping the surface, you can then begin to use the squeegee to ensure your window film is properly clean. Spray your cleaner again and then run the squeegee along the surface going horizontally from top to bottom until dry.
If there happens to be any left of leftover glue or adhesive from things that were stuck your window film, you can use a cotton cloth dabbed with acetone. Acetone won’t damage your window film but will remove the adhesive. Wipe any residue left over with a cloth.
Here are some DOs and DON’Ts for your window film.
DO use a cleaner that is marked safe for window film
DO use soft cloths and clean squeegees to clean your window film
DO clean the outside of your windows as you normally would. The window film is on the interior of the windows not the outside
Don’t clean your window film with ammonia or any harsh cleaning chemicals
Don’t clean your window film as soon as it is installed, wait and let it cure before cleaning.
Don’t roll down your window for a week after having the window film installed.
Don’t use abrasive cleaning compounds, scrapers, are razors of any kind on your window tint.
Having window tint installed can be something that is beneficial. However, much like any product, window film is still something that needs to be taken care of once and a while. Following these guidelines will help you get the longest lifespan out of your window film and preserve it for as long as possible.