What Does Bad Tint Look Like?
From cracking and peeling to turning purple and bubbling, there are many things that can go wrong.
A bad tint job will make even the most beautiful car look ugly. Not only does a bad tint job ruin the aesthetic of any vehicle, but it also makes driving the vehicle difficult and dangerous. Streaks of bubbles and murky purple film have given tint a bad wrap, so it’s important to know what separates a professionally installed tint from a hack-job.
If you’ve been roasting in your car all summer, it may be time to consider the value of tint. Chatting with a reputable tinting company will help you decide which variety and strength of tint are right for you, resulting in your vehicle being more comfortable and performing better than ever.
If you are checking out a pre-owned vehicle, or are about to have your vehicle tinted for the first time, here are some signs to look for:
Edges
A top-notch tint installer will use digital templates and laser cutters to custom fit the films to your vehicle. This means that the edge of the tint will be a clean, straight line and come extremely close to the edge of the glass. The edge of a well-installed film will not look wavy and it will go all the way to the edge of the glass.
Purple
Don’t get us wrong, purple is a great colour, just not when it comes to automotive windows. Purpling is the result of low-quality dyes fading over time. A high-quality tint, such as Hüper Optik Ceramic Tint, will never turn purple. You can count on a high-quality tint to last as long as your vehicle does.
Bubbles
Big bubbles are an obvious deal-breaker, but make sure you check up close for little ones. Even small bubbles will reduce your visibility. A good installer has the tools and techniques to prevent bubbles. However, a low-quality tint will bubble even if it is installed by the greatest tint installer of all time, so it makes sense to make sure you are getting a premium tint.
Dot Matrix
No, we aren’t talking about Sci-Fi. Take a close look at the little dots at the edges of your vehicle’s windows. These dots have texture and are raised from the surrounding glass, making it a difficult surface for the film to properly adhere to. This principle applies to the defroster bars on your rear windshield as well. A sub-par installer will leave those sections of windows with an ugly zig-zag pattern. Don’t worry, a good installer will make sure the film is properly applied and cured so this area will look flawless.
Darkness… or Lack Thereof
The darkness of a tint and its level of heat rejection are not necessarily linked. If you want powerful heat rejection and also want your windows to remain clear or just have a very light tint, a high-quality ceramic film like Hüper Optik will accomplish your goals. Huper Optik is more efficient, meaning a lighter shade can still be more effective than a dark shade of the cheap stuff.
Signal Interference
Beware of films that can interfere with the signal of your mobile device. Metallic elements in some films will block wireless signals from passing through your window, potentially rendering your radio and mobile device useless. Better film, like what we use at Diversity, won’t do this.
Windshield
The windshield is an obvious source of excess heat for every vehicle but can be a problematic area to tint. In most places, it is illegal to have a dark tint applied to your front windshield. However, a very light (almost clear) tint is generally permitted for the front windshield, allowing you to take advantage of the heat-reduction properties of a high-quality tint without getting in trouble with the law. This is where those really high-quality tints that don’t have to be as dark come into play.
All of the technicians at Diversity are trained to the highest standard and take serious pride in their work. Combine that enthusiasm and passion with the best films available on the market, and it is no wonder that our results are so incredible. Talk to us today to get started on your project.