Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!
Here are the most Frequently Asked Questions by Midwest Tinting clients.
You can use several different kinds of cleaner. The main thing is to avoid ammonia or vinegar based products. We recommend Hi-Sheen a product we carry in our stores. It is excellent for glass but cleans many other surfaces as well.
Visit our Product Specs page for more information >As long as the auto has been exposed to sunlight for a couple of hours it is safe to have the outside of your car washed.
Most films are applied to the interior surface of the glass we also offer exterior films for some commercial or unique applications.
The warranty covers any defects in the film such as bubbling, peeling, cracking and de-lamination and demetalization. Our ultimate and elite films are also covered against color fading. Midwest Tinting is the only company that offers an extended protection warranty option that covers film replacement in the event of scratches or window breakage.
Not at all your defroster will actually operate better since tint is insulation for glass, it will actually clear the glass two and ½ times faster.
Window film will not only make your car look great, it will keep you cool, protecting you and your interior from the harmful UV rays.
Typically, you can roll your windows down in 3-5 days. The more sunlight that the tint is exposed to the quicker the mounting solution is allowed to evaporate between the glass and the tint.
Curing time for window film adhesive applied to glass depends on the several factors such as film type, time of the year when film is applied, time of the day when film is applied etc. The recommended curing time for ordinary window film is at least a week from the day of application but some haziness and cloudiness may last up to 3 or 4 weeks.
Application time for film depends upon various factors such as place of application, access to glass, installer’s efficiency, type of film, time of application etc.
Normal time to apply film to a car is between 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the car.
Window film applied on glass can prevent flying glass splinters in the event of accidental breakage. However it does not reduce the chance of glass panes breakage.
The range of films includes auto, commercial films – Reflective films, Non reflective film, Clear frost, silver frost (privacy film) graffiti guard, decorative, and Safety film.
Installation of the film on flat glass is fairly easy. However, it is advisable to install the film with the help of trained installers to avoid appearance of bubbles or damage to the film and to prevent excess waste. Professional installers know what they are doing and can also make recommendation on the best film for your unique situation.
Film was initially designed as light weight insulation by NASA and the insulating qualities of the tint work by saving energy costs. Our tint is able to reflect the solar heat gain back out of the window and in the winter reflects heat back into the room instead of allowing it to go outside.
Film once applied on window glass reduces the ingress of heat through it enhancing cooling of the room/car. As a result there is a cut down in terms of the energy consumed, and hence film is also called an energy saver. The extent of energy saved will depend on the type of film used (Different films have different heat rejection properties).
Answer: All of our films are made with a UV inhibitors in the product, which can cut up to 98% of the harmful UV rays. UV rays are the largest component in the solar energy spectrum that effect fading, other components such as heat, infrared radiation and light are also effect fading. With the wide selection of films that we carry the end result of fade protection is based on how much of the heat, light, and infrared heat that is being stopped.
Visit our Ultraviolet page for more information >
Window tinting services has recently introduced new Blackout film, which can completely block light in either side of the glass there will be a small 1/8th inch gap around the parameter.
Reflective films are based on the simple principle that the side with the greatest amount of light is the side of reflectance. Reflective films prevent visibility from outside (area of greater light intensity) during daytime and vice-versa during night time. We do carry decorative types of tint that will obscure visibility on both sides of the window along with various tints that will provide one-sided privacy.
The life span depends on various factors such as quality of the tint, orientation of the window, south and west exposures receive the greatest sun exposure. We have buildings with tint on them that we applied over 20 years ago.
The heat rejection property of window film varies from one film to another film. The reflective range of Sun control films rejects up to 85% of the heat.
Window film has adhesive coated on one side, which is covered with a protective liner. Removal of the liner exposes the adhesive, which can be activated by spraying a mounting solution. It is then fixed on the inside of the glass and the excess water is squeezed out with the help of a squeegee.
Film is best suited for plain window glass that is smooth. It is not recommended for any non-smooth surfaces glass surfaces including Plexiglas®.
There are several different types of window films or (tints). In the simplest form, window films are composed of a polyester substrate to which a scratch resistant coating is applied on one side; a mounting adhesive layer and a protective release liner is applied to the other side.
The main three types of tints used in the automotive arena are Full Metal films, High Performance Metalized films and the Non-reflective films. Metalized films are manufactured using sputtered metallization which produces its distinct color without the use of dyes. The obvious advantage is that it can never fade since there are not any dyes that can be affected. The easiest way to understand it is, to imagine a piece of stainless steel that cannot fade since it is metal with no dyes.
High Performance films are manufactured by using a polyester base and incorporating a sputtered metal with a technology that encapsulates dye between the laminated layers of polyester. This combination allows for very high heat rejection with low reflectivity. Non-reflective window tint or film is a UV stabilized window film and has no metal in the material which adds stylish true black color to enhance the look of any vehicle.
All of our films once applied to the window glass will reduce the transfer of heat and other solar radiation through the window. All of our films are 1.5 mils thick as opposed to a less expensive 1.0 mil material. With the addition of 50% increase in material thickness we can assure longer life expectancy. In addition all of the tints that we carry come with a lifetime nationwide warranty.
