How to clean tinted windows.

How to clean tinted windows, step by step

1. Wait until the film has cured. On new tint, wait 7 days before the first cleaning of the inside of the glass.
2. Grab an ammonia-free glass cleaner. Most premium glass cleaners are ammonia-free; check the label.
3. Use a clean microfiber towel. Never paper towels, which scratch the film surface microscopically.
4. Spray the towel, not the glass. Overspray on rubber gaskets and door seals can cause the film to lift at the edges.
5. Wipe with light pressure. The film is a thin polymer, not glass, so aggressive scrubbing is not needed.

What to avoid on tinted windows

• Ammonia-based cleaners. Ammonia degrades the film’s UV-protective layer and breaks down the adhesive over years.
• Paper towels and abrasive towels. They leave fine scratches that show over time.
• Heavy scrubbing. Light pressure is enough on film.
• Drilling or mounting through the film for aftermarket accessories.

Rolling windows down during the cure window, ammonia-based cleaners and abrasive towels can void a window film warranty, so it is worth getting the routine right.

Cleaning new tint: the cure window

Window tint is installed wet. The adhesive uses a slip solution that has to evaporate before the film fully bonds to the glass. Small water haze, tiny droplets, streaks or a milky look under new film are normal and clear as the moisture evaporates; by about day 7 the film looks completely clear. Parking in the sun helps, because heat speeds up the cure. Do not clean the inside of the glass during this time, because cleaning still-curing film can disturb the bond.

When can you roll the windows down after tint?

Keep the windows up for at least 3 days in hot climates, and 5 days in cold or humid weather. Lowering a window before the adhesive cures can lift the edge of the film and cause peeling or bubbles.

For PPF and ceramic coating care, see the full care guide for tint, PPF and ceramic.

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