FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. When tinting a car, does the window tint go on the outside?
No, window tint is installed on the inside of the glass. When preparing curvy windows for your car, we will apply the tint on the outside first so we can heat shrink or mould the tint to the curved surface, then once moulded it will be transferred and installed on the inside.
2. What makes tint illegal?
Tint laws vary from state to state. In Western Australia, you are allowed 35% VLT tint (Visible Light Transmittance) on the front doors of your car and 20% VLT on all windows behind the B pillar. This rating does vary for some commercial vehicles. A film is not allowed to reflect more than 10% light, making mirror tints illegal. For a more detailed explanation please visit the link at the foot of FAQ and download the WA Vehicle Safety Branch Information Bulletin.
3. Why do some tints bubble or go purple?
A bubbled/purple film means it has deteriorated over time, the adhesive has broken down and the dye in the tint has faded or lost its colour. As the sun deteriorates basically everything, window tint will not last forever so it’s unreasonable to expect your window tint to last a very long period of time.
By investing in a good quality window film, you will have the peace of mind that it will last longer and block out more heat than the cheaper films.
4. How long before I can put my windows down?
TKO Tinting recommends not to put your windows down for 24 hours after installation.
5. Why do you recommend 3M Window Films?
3M invented window films 50 years ago, and they’ve spent the past five decades innovating and improving them. As a world leader in adhesive and film technologies, their films enhance products you use every day – laptops, TVs, cell phones and more. So by having the most knowledge and experience in the window film industry, TKO Tinting trusts and recommends 3M Window Films.
6. How do I choose the right film?
That will depend on why you are wanting window film. If your want to stop the heat coming in your car, you need a high heat rejecting film such as 3M Crystalline. If you would like privacy in your home, 3M Night Vision 15 will work perfectly. The best way to choose the right film for your application is to ask the experts at TKO Tinting.
7. Will I void my new car warranty if my vehicle isn’t tinted at the dealership?
No, as long as the window film you install meets all State and Territory regulations, you will not void your warranty when using a window film installer outside the dealer network.
8. How do you remove old tint?
Old window tint can be removed by scrapping it off with the correct blade so it doesn’t scratch your glass. Once the old tint is removed, glue remover solution and steel wool help remove the adhesive.
When removing old tint from windows that have aerials or demister bars, using a steamer is crucial so as to not damage the aerials or demister bars.
9. Is there a film I can see out, but people can’t see in, that also works at night?
Some window films have different levels of reflection on either side – high external reflection and low internal reflection. They’re sometimes called one-way mirror films.
Imagine a police station interview room. The suspect sits in a room with good lighting and a mirror on the wall. The police are in a dark room with no lighting, watching through the mirror. The ‘mirror’ is a double layer film. The highly reflective film faces the suspect with a low reflection film facing the police.
With higher lighting in the interview room, the suspect sees a mirror of themselves, and the low light level on the police side is washed out. The police can see through the glass clearly, as their side is low reflection and there is plenty of light from the brighter side transmitting through the film to them.
There are many types of one-way mirror films to choose from. What matters are your preferences regarding how reflective and dark the film is.
Where just a degree of privacy is required, a lower reflection and lighter film fits better. This will allow more light into the room.
One crucial point – the film only works in the daytime. At night when the light balance swaps, the neighbours will be able to see in. It would therefore be necessary to close blinds or curtains at night for privacy. There is no film that can provide night time privacy other than a frosted film.
10. Will safety/security film stop people from breaking into my house through the glass panels?
No, safety/security will not completely stop someone from breaking into your house through the glass panels. It definitely will slow them down from entering, if not making the job so difficult that they give up. The amount of time taken for someone to break in through tinted glass depends on the type of security film used, the strength of the intruder, what tools they are using to break in, the thickness and type of your glass that is installed, whether the film is anchored in and the quality of the window frames.
TKO Tinting can help you make the right choice in protecting your home with security film.
11. How should I clean my 3M window film?
Don’t use Windex when cleaning your window film as it has ammonia in it. Ammonia can damage the scratch resistant coating on the film. Use ammonia free or tint safe window cleaner. Please read the label of your window cleaner before using it on your window film.
12. What is the warranty on the film?
3M Window Film warranties vary on the film used and area tinted. Home and car warranties are lifetime. Commercial installations have a 10-15 year warranty and installation of 3M external window film ranges range from 1-7 years. Labour is included in the warranty but only varies with external applications. 3M warranties are not transferable.
Click on this link for 3M Website Tint info or for the WA Vehicle Safety Branch Information Bulletin information on the legality of tints.
Contact Details
TKO Tinting Carlisle
Unit 1, 266 Rutland Ave (Corner Briggs)
Carlisle WA 6101
Phone: (08) 9472 6440
sales@tkotinting.com.au