Last Updated on August 23, 2022 by
If you’ve never tinted your windows before, you might have some questions. One common window tint question a lot of people have is whether the tint goes on the inside or the outside. It’s important to know this because you have to make sure you’re not scratching your tint or getting it dirty if you want it to last a long time.
Window Tint is on the Inside
The short answer to this question is that window tint is generally installed on the inside of your car windows. This is because installing tint on the inside prevents it from being damaged by all the things that tend to damage the outside of your windows. When you tint the inside of your windows, you don’t have to worry about rocks chipping the tint or dirt and dust from the road making your tint blurry.
That’s not to say there aren’t cases where window tint is installed on the outside. Tint can be installed on the interior or exterior of the window, but any good tint installer will install it on the inside to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
How Does Window Tint Get Damaged?
Even if your window tint is installed on the interior of your car windows, it’s still going to suffer some damage and wear and tear over time. So, how exactly does your window tint wear down over time if it’s not on the outside of the windows?
Sun exposure is one of the biggest problems when it comes to car window tint. Even if you tint the inside of your windows, there’s no way to prevent the tint from being exposed to the sun. Over time, sun exposure can make your tint start to fade and turn a purplish color, hindering its ability to keep light out and provide you with privacy.
Physical wear is also a common problem with window tint. While tint that’s installed on the inside is somewhat safe from wear and tear, rolling your windows up and down is still going to cause problems. The best way to prevent this type of wear is to avoid rolling your windows up and down when you don’t have to.
Fingerprints can also make your window tint blurry over time. While your tint may have started off crystal clear, fingerprints and dirt that build up over time can obstruct your vision. Fortunately, we’ve got window tint cleaning tips (link to “removing tint bubbles” post here) that make it easy to get rid of that blurry window tint so you can see clearly at all times.
Maximizing Window Tint Durability
One of the most important parts of making sure your window tint lasts a long time is getting it installed by a professional tint installer. As tempting as it may be to save some money and use a home window tinting kit, you simply can’t get the same seal that a professional can.
Bubbles in tint are the most common window tint installation problem. Tint stays on your windows thanks to its adhesive, which means any spot where there’s a bubble is a spot where the adhesive isn’t working. Not only can this make your window tint wear off prematurely, it also looks bad.
Window tint should also be installed to cover the entire window. A lot of home window tinting projects fail because people simply don’t cut or buy the right piece of tint. A professional can pick the perfect tint and cut it to the right size for your window, which helps prevent peeling and other problems.
Other Things to Know
If you’re planning on having a professional tint your car windows, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. These are some of the most important things to understand about car window tint:
- Tint type: The more time and money you invest in getting quality tint, the longer it’s going to last and the less of an issue dirt and fading will be.
- Tint lifespan: No matter what you do, window tint isn’t designed to last all that long. Expect to replace your car window tint in the next 5-10 years if you want to keep it looking nice.
- Legal window tint: You can’t tint your windows too dark, especially the front and rear windshields. Make sure you have your window tint installer install legal tint on your windows.
Get Your Tint Installed Right
No matter what type of tint you choose or how much you’re willing to spend, it’s always best to hire a professional window tint installer. The last thing you want is to end up with tint that’s filled with bubbles and peeling months after you get it installed. As long as you’re getting your tint professionally installed on the insides of your windows, you’re good to go.