Can I get a car wash after tinting windows

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Can You Wash Your Car After Window Tinting?

Often times people may want their windows tinted by may not ask how to care for their car afterwards.  Moreover, they may never realize just how the windows are tinted, and therefore be uncertain as to what they can do when it comes to cleaning them.  After all, if window tinting is done by applying a special film to the windows, won’t it come off when you wash your car?   

Can I get a car wash after tinting windows


The answer to this little conundrum is actually quite simple: No. You can wash your car to your heart’s content and never have to worry about the tinting in your windows.  This is because when the tinting film is applied it is placed on the inside of car windows – not the outside.  This gives them a much longer life because they are not exposed to the elements. That means no wind, rain, sand, dirt, and other things that might damage the film.  It is better protected on your car’s interior, so you never have to worry about washing your car and damaging the film.  

So How Do I Clean the Windows?  
After you do your regular car washing, you may wonder just how to clean your windows’ interior.  Because this is where the film is applied, you may be cautious since you don’t want to do anything that might make the film come off.  That’s okay – this simply means that you care about your car and want to do things right.  If you have kids who like to poke windows, or dogs that tend to stick their noses against the windows, a good cleaning may very well be in order.   

Cleaning the interior of the windows is relatively easy.  Skip the window cleaner because your tint doesn’t need any harsh chemicals to be clean.  First get a soft cloth and carefully brush off the window in order to free up any larger debris.  The pieces will fall away and then you won’t have to worry about them scratching the film when you perform the next step.  If at any time you feel the cloth is becoming too dirty switch to a clean one.  

Next, dampen a clean sponge with clean water and gently wipe it over the window.  This will help free up any additional loose dirt.  Next use a very mild soap on a clean sponge and again, gently wipe the window.  Make sure you don’t do multiple windows at once because this will give the soap time to dry on the film.  Finish by using more clean water and a soap-free sponge and gently wipe down the window.  Dry it very thoroughly with a clean, soft towel.  You should start at the top and wipe downward in order to avoid any streaking or water spots.  

Clean as a Whistle!  
If you ever have any questions about how to clean or care for your tinted windows, you can always let us know.  We’re here to help you get the most out of your window tinting and want you to feel confident and comfortable when it comes to cleaning and enjoying them.  And feel free to use the car wash any time you like!

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If you want your car window tint to look perfect, what you do in the first few days after installation is crucial. Eventually, any quality tinted window film installed by Car Audio City will prove durable and cleanly applied. However, the window tint will be vulnerable while its adhesives dry, so even little, honest mistakes can damage an otherwise perfect application.

A common question from customers who have just put tinted windows on their car, is “Why Can't I Roll Down My Windows After Tinting?” The answer is that the adhesives holding the tinted window film in place take time to dry, and until they do, friction caused by rolling down the window could scrape film from the glass. Leave them rolled up at least two to four days.

Here Are 4 Things You Can Do to Ensure Your New Window Tint Experience Goes Well

1. Be Patient With Window Tint Bubbles

Everybody who lived through the 1980s knows about the dreaded air bubbles that can become trapped in cheap window film, ruining a window tint forever. However, window tint bubbles you notice after an install are much more likely to be caused by moisture, and should evaporate within a few days, as the tint cures. As for how long bubbles stay in window tint, times will vary depending on climate, but give it four days at least.

2. Skip the Car Wash

Another question new tinted window customers commonly ask is, “When can you wash your car after tinting windows?” The good news here is that the tinted window film is applied to the inside of the car, so a new window tint won’t be under threat if you drive through dirt or mud. However, washing those windows afterwards may add enough moisture to impede the drying process; hold off until you’re sure the tint has cured completely.

3. Let the Tint Dry

It takes a little patience, but the bottom line is you want to do everything you can to let tinted window film dry before doing anything that could damage it. San Diego sunshine can help, and in general window tint cure times are shorter in summer, meaning two to four days.

However, the window tint cure time during winter and rainy months can extend the wait as long as a month. That’s going to be less common for a window tint installation in San Diego, but if you find that’s the case, there are things you can do to speed up window tint drying. For example, park in direct sunlight on clear days, but if you can, park inside on cool or rainy days, as well as overnight.

4. Turn Up the Music and Drive - But Don't Roll Down Your Windows After Tinting

Once enough time has passed, you may go ahead and proceed with routine use of your car, knowing your tinted window film will remain ins good shape. We recommend leaving them rolled up anyway, cranking up your car stereo, and going for a ride in your newly tinted automobile. Don’t worry, the cars next to you won’t see you singing along.

Give Car Audio City a call at (619) 474-8551 if you have any questions, we're located in National City, California.

What can you not do after getting your windows tinted?

You also shouldn't roll down the windows right after your tint service, as this can scrape film from the glass before it's had time to cure. But once the film has completely dried (two to four days in the summer, or three to four weeks in the winter), you can roll your windows down again.

What if I accidentally roll my window down after tint?

The reason you do NOT want to roll down your car windows is that: If water remains between the film and glass, the film can slide around on the glass. If the film has not adhered (dried) to the glass, the film could peel away from the glass. If the film peeled, it could have creased.

Can I roll my windows down 3 days after tint?

It takes some time for the tint to dry off against the glass surface. In case you roll down the panes too early, chances are high that the tinted coating would peel off. This is why seasoned professionals recommend car owners to wait for approximately three to four days after getting it installed.

Do tints get darker as they dry?

As the curing commences, it appears to the human eye as the tint becoming darker, when in reality, the shade has been consistent. It's only the adhesive that has changed. Bear in mind that tint will darken no matter which type you've chosen.