If your vehicle has tinted windows, you likely already know that they require special care to keep the tint intact and looking great. But what you may not know is that tinted windows require some special auto glass repair practices when they suffer chips or cracks that need to be fixed.
What kind of practices are we talking about? Read on to learn what you should know about getting auto glass repairs for tinted vehicle windows.
1. Take Your Vehicle to a Professional Auto Glass Repair Shop
When you had your window tint professionally applied or did the job yourself, you shouldn’t attempt to repair chips or cracks in the glass on your own. Not only are windshield repair kits difficult to use, but they typically also yield low-quality repairs that don’t last and compromise the integrity of the glass.
What’s more, repairing tinted auto glass always requires that the tint be removed before the repair itself can commence. An auto glass repair specialist can easily remove the tint in just a small area immediately surrounding the chip or crack, but you may not be able to do the same.
If you mess up the tint in one area by trying to accomplish the job yourself, you’ll likely have to remove all of the tint and have it reapplied. And if you attempt to perform the glass repair on your own, you may not even be able to have the damaged area re-tinted if the DIY repair didn’t turn out quite the way you had hoped.
2. Opt for Auto Glass Replacement When Ideal
Several types of auto glass chips and cracks can be repaired, but in some cases, opting for repairs may render the glass un-tintable. Although the repair will allow you to keep the glass intact and reduce the likelihood of further damage, the filled area may no longer be eligible for tinting due to the difference between the repair and the rest of the glass.
If there’s any chance you may not be able to have your window retinted after the repair, you should opt to replace the damaged window instead. That way, you’ll have a clean slate to work with that tint can easily be applied to.
3. Have a Professional Re-Tint Your Window After the Repair
You may be able to apply your own tint after getting a damaged window repaired, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea unless you’re a pro.
When an auto glass repair specialist removes the existing tint around the damaged area, the new tint will need to align perfectly with the old. If you mess up and overlap it even slightly, you’ll have created an ugly blemish that’ll necessitate more work and expense to fix.
Need Auto Glass Repairs for Tinted Windows?
When you need a Twin Cities auto glass repair team you can trust, look no further than Only 1 Auto Glass! We specialize in tinted window repair, windshield repair and replacement, back glass replacement, side window replacement, and ADAS recalibration for all makes and models of vehicles. We offer limited warranties on all of our work and have shop locations throughout the metro area to make auto glass service as quick and convenient as possible.
To learn more about our services or schedule an appointment, call us today at 651-789-1111 or request a free estimate, and we’ll get in touch!