Where to buy tint film

Fast track your auto tint project with tools that are specially designed for Gila and tested by window tint pros. Reported values are taken from representative product samples and are subject to normal manufacturing variances. Actual performance will vary based on a number of factors, including glass type and properties. Learn more and find an installer. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

All rights reserved. No liability is accepted for errors. Visual renderings are for illustrative purposes only; actual appearance of windows treated with film may vary.

Toggle navigation. You are here Home. For Auto - Page. Looking to tint your vehicle? Gila Premium Auto Window Tints. Static Cling Window Tints Try our adhesive-free window tints for temporary installation needs and for a film that is easier to remove.

Windshield Glare Strip Kit A kit to add a glare strip along the top of your windshield to help make your driver safer and more comfortable. Window Tint Application Tools Fast track your auto tint project with tools that are specially designed for Gila and tested by window tint pros. Product Specs. The analysis and opinions are our own. Its UV radiation will gradually deteriorate interior materials, and it can contribute to skin aging and Read More.

Read Less. Best Overall. Why We Picked It. Ceramic film blocks more infrared radiation and heat than other types, and it holds up better Precut kits are easier to install than roll film Available in a wide range of tint shades and configurations More expensive than dyed and carbon window tints Three-year warranty is less than some other brands Instructions recommend using a heat gun to apply the film.

Best Window Tint on a Roll. MotoShield Pro Premium Ceramic. Ceramic film blocks more infrared radiation and heat than other types, and it holds up better Rolls of tint film are less expensive overall than precut kits Available in a wide range of tint shades and dimensions Roll films require you cut them to fit Three-year warranty is less than some other brands Instructions recommend using a heat gun to apply the film.

Best Precut Carbon Film Kit. Lexen Max 2Ply Carbon. Best Carbon Film on a Roll. Lexen Max 2Ply Premium Carbon. Buy Now On Amazon. Best for People on a Tighter Budget. Gila Heat Shield Basic. Best-selling Window Tints on Amazon. Bestseller No. Tint Kits Computer Cut for All Four Door Cars E Full Tint with Tool Kit The "customize now button" will allow you to provide all of the information we need to complete your kit Car must be newer than We only offer quality tint that will not bubble, peel, or turn purple.

Methodology Forbes Wheels compared the specs, materials, and pricing of window tint products from more than 20 brands, while looking for the best ones that car owners can install themselves.

What are the different types of tint films? All window tint films reduce the amount of visible light coming into a vehicle, which helps reduce glare and provides more privacy. The most economical use only layers of dyes to achieve the desired benefits. They can give your car a great appearance, but they fade more quickly and can take on a purplish cast over time.

Metalized films use tiny metallic particles to reflect more sunlight, which helps reduce the amount of heat entering the vehicle and better resists fading. This type has fallen out of favor with many drivers, though, because of reports that the metallic particles can interfere with electronic signals of phones, portable GPS navigators , and other in-car consumer electronics.

For many drivers, a better alternative is a carbon window tint, which replaces the metal particles with tiny bits of carbon. This has similar heat-reflective properties, but without the chance of electronic interference. It also has a matte-like finish that many people like, and it holds up better than basic dyed films.

The most expensive type is ceramic film, which uses nano-sized ceramic particles instead of carbon or metal. What do the tint numbers mean? All window tints have a VLT visible light transmission percentage number that can range from 5 to The lower the number, the less visible light enters the vehicle. Standard sunglasses have a VLT of The website, tinting-laws.

The laws for the side windows and the rear window vary. Police may use tinted windows for a pretext stop. The driver is pulled over for a possible minor violation tinted windows, an air freshener hanging from mirror, tail lamp out in hopes of finding a larger violation. In addition to the AAA website above, windowtintlaws.

Can I install a window tint as well as a shop? The easiest type to install is a precut kit, which has been trimmed to fit your specific car model. With a roll of film, you need to measure the windows and cut the film to the right size yourself.

Once cut, most products are installed by spraying the inside of a window with a soap-and-water solution, positioning the film on the window, and smoothing it out with a squeegee. Before attempting the installation, we recommend you read over the instructions that many companies provide on their websites.

There are also many installation videos available, either on company websites or YouTube. Compound curved glass, such as rear windows that curve in both directions, can be the biggest challenge for first-timers. Some companies advise you to shrink the film with a heat gun to get it to fit well, and there are a number of good YouTube videos, such as this one, that show you how to do it.

Other companies recommend installing it in horizontal strips, even though this can leave visible seams in the tint. How long do window tints last? It depends on the type of film. According to Gila Film Products , the dyes and pigments used in basic dyed window-tint film will gradually break down from UV radiation. Presuming correct installation and proper maintenance, the company estimates they will last three to four years before beginning to fade.

But this depends a lot on the environment you drive in and how much direct sun the car gets. Films that reflect more sunlight, such as those with carbon or ceramic particles, will last longer, often five to 10 years. Rik Paul Contributor. Rik is equal parts geek, gearhead, and driving enthusiast. Rik has also written DIY auto-repair manuals for Haynes.

And he likes nothing better than to be exploring new places in a great vehicle.