Your Car 101 (Series) - Tint: Comparing Lifetime Warranties, Apples to Apples.

Ah tint.  After tinting for many many many years now, the market has proven to be competitive.  The last question of most phone calls end in "...and does it come with the lifetime warranty?"

The problem is, the average person does not understand that a lifetime warranty does not mean it's a quality tint.  Tint shops generally do not tell you, it's a limited lifetime warranty and not an unlimited lifetime warranty, which is usually assumed.

Here's where the fine print comes in.  Limited lifetime warranty usually means that the warranty is only honored to the original purchaser of the product.  In other words, if you buy a vehicle with a lifetime warranty tint, the warranty is not transferable and that warranty is null and void to you.  You see, tint manufacturers are taking a risk.  They are betting on you selling your vehicle before the tint encounters any issues.  Some are taking a higher risk by using cheaper products.  Some are not and use higher quality components.

Sure, but your'e covered if you were the one that paid for the tint originally, right?  Well, sure.  But that's also depends on how the shop handles the situation.  Most tint manufacturers will reimburse shops for the film, but not the labor to remove or re-install the new tint.  Therefore, some shops may pass this extra expense on to you, the consumer.

The other part of the warranty usually states it does not cover abuse, neglect, mishandling, or abuse of the film.  That can be tricky and is open to loose interpretations by the tint manufacturer.

Also, some tint manufacturer have multiple lines of tint, each with its own set of warranty guidelines.  Be sure to pick the one that meets your expectations.

So the next time you shop around for tint, research not only the recommendations you're getting on the shop itself, but also on the brand and series of film they carry.  You might find you aren't getting what your expecting.

Dyed, Metalized, Hybrid and Ceramic Window Film. What's Best?

Each of the four types of film is named because of the primary component used to protect you and your car.  With so many options, which do you choose?

There are a lot of benefits to using window tinting; glare reduction, heat protection, fade protection, U.V. protection, safety, aesthetics, privacy.  You will have to decide, what you are wanting your window tint to do.  Window tinting is simply adding a layer of UV treated optical grade polyester film.  That film can be manufactured in several ways, not just in the components mentioned in this article, but more specifically how it is made.

Dyed Film
This type of window tinting relies on the absorbing properties of the dye to keep your car cool.  Because it does not contain any metal it gives your automobile the blackest look and does not have any "sheen" to it.  This film rejects the least amount of heat and is mainly used for its appearance.  It does reduce glare, and reduces fading to interior upholstery.

Metalized Film
This film is a good product for customers that desire crisp appearance, heat reduction, glare reduction, fade protection, and UV protection.  Metalized window film are either all metal or have a single layer of ceramics.  Metalized window tinting is very good at reducing heat and reflecting UV rays.  However, they are very shiny and can cause interference with radio, GPS, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensors, and cell phones.  Its shade and color are mainly determined by the type of metal used to make it.  Metalized window film's purpose is to reflect.  These are rarely used anymore after the introduction of the TPMS.

Hybrid Film
Hybrid films use a combination of a dyed layer as well as a metalized layer.  Using Hybrid window tint offers the best of both worlds. A metal layer is used for its reflective qualities and a dyed layer is used for its absorptive qualities.  Because not a lot of metal is used by some manufacturers, these are the best bang for the buck as they don't block any of the signals the 100% metalized films do.

Ceramic Film
The fourth and final type of window tinting is ceramic.  Absorbing twice as much heat as dyed or hybrid films, it is considered to be the most technologically advanced type of window tinting.  It is capable of high heat absorption at relatively light shades.  It is definitely the ultimate in heat reduction; however, the cost is almost twice that of Hybrid films.  This film is optimal for customers desiring a highly durable material, with excellent clarity, and providing superior heat reduction versus other film choices.

It's easy to think that all lifetime warranty films are alike.  Many get caught up in the trap of comparing pricing rather than the film quality.  Be careful.  Some companies may install the dyed film rather than the hybrid, selling it at a lower price but actually making a higher profit.  Also, note thicker film may take up to weeks longer to dry out than other film choices.  Ultimately, it comes down to the purpose for getting your windows tinted.

- Bryan Lin | CEO, The Motorsports Authority, Inc. | MSAStore.com