Window tints protect you and your car’s interior from UV exposure and heat. But if bubbles form on the tints, they can not only make your car appear ugly but also impact your driving experience. Find out why bubbles form and some car window tinting care tips to fix these bubbles.
Causes Of Window Tint Bubbles
The primary cause of bubbles on window tints is water getting trapped between the window glass and the tint film. If not water, it can be air packets or dust that form bubbles. However, there are many reasons for water, air, or dust getting trapped inside the tints.
It’s worth mentioning that bubbles on window tints are normal for newly installed tints. They go away by themselves within a few hours or a day after the installation. If they don’t, these can be the cause:
Cheap Car Window Tint Films
If you select the most affordable car window tint films, chances are that they will show problems within 6 months of installation. Pre-cut tints are more inexpensive than custom tints. They are more prone to bubbling and peeling off than other options. So, it’s not uncommon if you see bubbles on your tints or notice that the tints are peeling off from one end.
This happens because cheap window tints don’t use industry-standard materials and adhesives. The films are prone to scratches which can make way for water to get into the tints.
Moreover, the adhesive of these tints doesn’t adhere well to the glass. Even if sticks to the glass initially, it will be impacted after a car wash. Once the adhesive becomes weak, water penetrates into the tints and forms bubbles.
Bad Tint Installation
The longevity of your car window tints depends hugely on the installation. Poor quality installation causes the same problems that a cheap tint film will.
For instance, you select high-quality ceramic window tints, but the tints meet with a pool installation. Bad installation has many causes. Uneven distribution of the adhesive is one reason that leads to air pockets inside the film which then leads to bubbling.
Moreover, if the installer fails to clean the car windows properly, dust or moisture left on the windows will be trapped inside if tints are installed on them. They will cause bubbles on the tints.
On top of that, sticking the corners of the tints properly needs experience. Many installers fail to do it correctly. This leaves a weak area from where water and air are allowed into the tint films and you see bubbly tints.
The same is true for paint protection films as well. You should visit a licensed paint protection film installer Springfield for perfect installation.
Old Tints
Standard quality vehicle window tints last for 5 years. On the other hand, carbon, ceramic, and other high-quality tints can last up to 10 years. So, if your tints are old enough, you should not be surprised if bubbles form on them or they discolor. Because this simply shows that you should remove these tints and, if you want, install new tints.
Poor Maintenance
Poor maintenance is also a factor that can contribute to bubbling window tints. Maintenance of your car’s tints begins from the moment you take back the car keys from the installer. The installer will give you some instructions that will be the things you should not do until the window tints cure and become. This usually takes from 2-7 days.
- Don’t roll down windows.
- Don’t wash your car.
- Don’t clean the windows
- Don’t touch the windows.
- Don’t drive in rain, hailstorm, or snowfall.
When the tints have cured, you can do the above things and should take care of a few things when cleaning the tinted car windows
Tinted windows require more care using anything harsh can damage the tints. For cleaning tinted car windows, avoid abrasive tools and harsh cleaners. Use cleaners that are made for tinted windows. They are ammonia-free. Ammonia is a chemical that can damage the tints. Moreover, don’t use paper towels. Use a microfiber cloth instead for wiping the windows.
Moreover, park your car in the shade. Tints are made to protect your car from UV rays but they do wear with excessive exposure to the sun. To avoid this, you should prefer shade over direct sunlight when choosing a parking spot.
Lastly, don’t use any sharp objects near the windows because if the tint is damaged from them, it will be infiltrated by moisture. Due to this, bubbles will form on the tints or the film will peel off.
How To Remove Car Window Tint Bubbles?
This method is not foolproof. They may work for some people and might be useless for others. Moreover, if your window tint becomes damaged during the process, you will have only one option to have the tint removed by a professional.
Apply Heat
You can use a hairdryer to heat the tints. Keep the hairdryer at a safe distance when heating the tints. This will weaken the adhesive enough that you can perform other steps for removing the bubbles.
If you don’t have a hairdryer, but your area’s temperature is warm. Park your car in direct sunlight for a few hours.
Hydrate The Tints
After heating the tints with to above-mentioned methods, use a mixture of soap and water and spray it on the tints. This is also done to weaken the adhesive. Apply the solution whenever needed to keep the tints wet with the solution.
Removing The Bubbles
You have done enough to reach the step of removing the tints. Use a squeegee or a hard plastic like a credit card so scrape on the tint and push the bubble to the nearest end of the tint until it’s removed.
Perform this for every bubble and be gentle when pushing the bubbles so the tints aren’t scratched or damaged.
How Not To Remove Window Tint Bubbles?
Many people online are instructing to use a pin to punch holes in the tint for removing the bubbles. This method may allow you to remove the bubbles, but the holes you punched for this will remain there and make it easier for everything like water, dust, dirt, grime, and others to penetrate the tint.
Therefore, you must never use pins or anything else for punching holes in tints because even if it temporarily removes bubbles, it allows more bubbles and other tint problems later.
How To Prevent Bubbling On Window Tints?
You should avoid using low-quality tint films and select tints that come with a guarantee against bubbling and fading. Moreover, make sure that you go to an experienced tint installer for the installation of tints.
After the installation, let the tints cure and don’t roll down your car windows, and follow other instructions mentioned earlier in this blog to ensure water or air doesn’t end up between the window and the tint film.
If you bought a high-quality tint film and the bubbles on the tints don’t go away within 24 hours of the installation, go to the tint shop and explain your issue.
Conclusion
The two main reasons for bubbling on car window tints are cheap tint films and bad tint installation. So, avoid these problems. Moreover, if your tints are old, bubbling is a sign that you should replace them. Go to an auto tint shop Springfield you trust for installing or removing tint films.
