How to Clean Tinted Car Windows

Cleaning tinted car windows is not a difficult task and can be performed by anyone. Though the task is easy, there are a few things you should be mindful about, so be sure to read this article to find out more about how to ensure your tinting film doesn’t get damaged in the process.

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Since we’ve been asked about it before, it’s good to mention that it doesn’t really matter what type or how dark your tint is. First of all, you can wash the outside of your car like you normally would. Using any type of cleaning tools or solutions is fine because the tint is applied on the inside. Washing the outside of your car is pretty straightforward so we won’t get into that.

It’s on the inside of the car you have to be a bit more careful. Using simple water and paper towels should easily clean the windows and get the job done, and the first thing you should do is clean any dirt, smudges, or fingerprints. The most important thing here to know is not to use any kind of window cleaner liquid that uses ammonia.  Ammonia-based cleaners can make your tinting film turn purple. It is often used to remove tinting film, so for cleaning, you absolutely must make sure your cleaner is marked Ammonia-free!

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More aggressive window cleaning fluids can cause peeling or tearing at the edges of your tint film, so be extra careful around those parts. For the most part, it’s best to simply avoid cleaning too much around the edges. A good trick for smoothing out tearing or deformations at the edge of tinting film is to use a credit card wrapped in a piece of paper or soft cloth to smooth any imperfections. This is also a good trick for “ironing” out air bubbles and pushing them to the closest edge.

If your tint has air bubbles, you could also consider popping them with a needle, though if this happens, often it may signify your window tint is ready to be replaced with new one. Unless you applied the tint yourself and did it unprofessionally, it’s not uncommon to need to replace your film after a few years, so if you frequently see new air bubbles or if the film starts to tear, consider purchasing and installing new tint.