Angel Ricardo
Auto Technician Expert Interview. 1 October 2019. Grab a microfiber cloth and spray your cleaner once or twice on the towel. Use the cloth to wipe down the inside and the outside of your tinted windows, trying not to leave any streaks as you go. [8] X Research source

• If you come across a particularly difficult stain, like bug spatter, you can loosen it by soaking it in your cleaner for a few minutes.
• Try not to saturate the edges of the tinting with your cleaner. If cleaner gets underneath your tinting, it could result in it losing stickiness and peeling away from the window.
• Using a microfiber cloth will ensure that you don’t accidentally scratch or scrape your windows. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, use a clean cotton rag instead.

Best Window Tints

Stay cool and incognito.

December 5, 2019

Tinted windows are one of the best upgrades you can make for any car. It gives your car an extra sleek look, helps shield your interior from heat, and provides your passengers with a little extra privacy. Tinted windows can also help protect you and your car’s interior from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

If you simply want window tint that’s easy to install and pre-cut for your exact vehicle, we recommend the LEXEN Premium Carbon Tint Kit . With careful installation, it can produce great results for far less than a professional tint shop.

Are tinted windows worth it?

Assuming you don’t obstruct your view of the road, tinted windows can give you a much-improved driving experience, especially when you’re getting into a car that’s been sitting outside on a hot summer day. That means your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard in the heat.

Tinted windows can also help prevent others from seeing who or what is inside your car, while still retaining visibility for you and your passengers. And although you should avoid keeping valuables in your car, tinted windows can make your vehicle a less enticing target for break-ins.

If your car spends a lot of time parked outside, your interior materials are susceptible to damage from ultraviolet rays. With enough exposure and time, everything from plastic to leather will lose that new car feel. Many tint applications can block up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays. By our calculations, that’s an A+.

Different Types of Window Tint Explained

Dyed polyester tint is the most common and affordable type of window tint. As the name suggests, it’s constructed from a layer of dyed film sandwiched between the adhesive and polyester. For this guide, we’ll be focusing on dyed polyester tint, as it’s the most readily available online.

With metallic tint, you get additional protection from heat and ultraviolet rays, thanks to a reflective metallic layer. The catch is that the material can sometimes interfere with cellular and GPS signals. In this day and age, this type of window tint is probably not ideal for anyone who relies on their phone for phone calls or navigation while driving.

If money is no object and you want to keep your car cool at all costs, ceramic tint offers the latest and greatest advancements in the category. Most importantly, you can use your phone or GPS without any interference. You get what you pay for, which is more than all other types of tint.

Before You Buy

Regulations on tinted windows vary across the country. Many states restrict the minimum visible light transmission (VLT), colors, and location of tint. To avoid a visit from local law enforcement, check your state’s laws on window tint before you purchase and install it on your vehicle.

If you’re feeling crafty, you can save money by purchasing rolled tint and cutting it yourself. Others should consider pre-cut tint, which is cut and measured to fit your exact vehicle. Whether you have a Ford Mustang or a Nissan Murano , it’s always helpful to take the guesswork out of a DIY project.

Best Window Tints

Getting your windows tinted at a professional shop can lead to great results, but it might cost you a few hundred dollars. The LEXEN Premium Carbon Pre-Cut Tint Kit is available for a fraction of the cost and is customized to fit your car’s windows. According to the manufacturer, they draw from thousands of tint patterns for all kinds of vehicles.

The LEXEN Premium Carbon Tint Kit is available in several common VLT levels. From lightest to darkest, you can choose from 50, 35, 15 and 5 percent. When ordering, you do need to message the manufacturer with your vehicle make, model, year, body style, and the desired shade.

There are plenty of satisfied user reviews, with plenty of pictures showing off freshly tinted windows. Most are happy with the quality of the tint, especially for the money. There are some who had trouble installing the tint on their vehicle, which is to be expected for a detail-oriented project like window tinting.

The LEXEN Premium Carbon Roll Window Tint gives you a 20-inch by 100-foot roll of window tint to work with. It’s made by the same manufacturer from the same material as our pre-cut pick, with the same range of VLT levels from 50% to 5%. The only real difference is that you’ll need to cut it yourself.

Given that this is a less user-friendly product, there are positive but fewer user reviews for LEXEN Premium Carbon Roll Window Tint. Most reviewers are happy with the price and ease of application, although a few report user errors. If you’re comfortable cutting out your own tint, this is a great value.

Best Window Tint for Non-DIYers: Professional Installation

Realistically, not everyone has the skill, time, or interest to install window tint themselves. If that’s you, we recommend getting your windows tinted by a local professional. You can find nearby businesses and services through Angie’s List or Yelp . In some cases, you can even get a mobile installation done in your driveway.

Tint shops offer types of tint that typically aren’t available online, including metallic and ceramic. In most cases you also get a warranty with installation, which can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong down the line. A professional tint job tends to cost more, but it definitely has its perks.

If you’re looking to buy a new car , you can often get your windows tinted through the dealership before you drive off the lot. Considering that many people head straight for the tint shop after buying a new car, this can help you save some time during the car-buying process.

Each and every product featured here is selected by our editorial staff of car enthusiasts, and anything you buy through our links may earn TrueCar a commission. Although the prices are accurate and items are in-stock at time of publication, offers are subject to change without notice.