TL;DR
- Don’t Panic About Your Car Window Tint Just Yet!
- Causes of Window Tint Bubbles
- How To Manage the Different Types of Window Tint Bubbles: What’s Worrying vs. What’s Normal
- A Note of Caution: Take Professional Help When Needed
- How to Avoid Dealing with Window Tinting Bubbles in the First Place
- FAQs
Don’t Panic About Your Car Window Tint Just Yet!
You probably chose car window tint for the benefits it promises: cooler interiors, better privacy, and a sleek, polished look. But if you’re reading this, something has gone wrong.
Car window tints are designed to act as a protective shield, in more ways than one. Over time, exposure to the elements or installation issues can manifest as degradation, including the formation of bubbles.
If you’re already exclaiming that you’ve been extra careful, don’t begin panicking. Window tint bubbles can appear for a variety of reasons (sometimes even shortly after installation!), and when they show up early, there is often a clear explanation and a solution.
Let’s break down what to look for and determine the best course of action.
Causes of Window Tint Bubbles
Bubbling window tint usually occurs because of the following causes:
1. Moisture bubbles in newly installed tint
2. Dust or debris trapped in the tint
3. Air bubbles
4. Adhesive failure from old tint
How To Manage the Different Types of Window Tint Bubbles: What’s Worrying vs. What’s Normal
Here’s how to essentially diagnose and treat the different types of bubbles that form in car window tint:
1. Moisture Bubbles in New Tint (Normal & Temporary)
Tint installation uses a special solution to ensure seamless application. Sometimes, that solution gets trapped between the tint and the glass, forming moisture bubbles that appear right after what you’re assured is a perfect installation.
If your installer hasn’t told you already, bubbles in new tint are normal. These water pockets will slowly evaporate out of the film as it cures and should disappear within a few days (it may take longer if you don’t get a lot of sun where you live).
Also read: What to do after tinting windows: essential tips
How to Identify: Small, uniform bubbles that feel soft to the touch; randomly distributed across the window. You should notice them shrinking as the days go by.
What to Do: Wait it out! Park in sunny conditions to speed up the process and avoid rolling your windows down for at least a week. Check every day to verify whether the bubbles are shrinking.
2. Dust & Debris (Requires Fixing)
While it’s normal for some application fluid to get pressed between the film and the glass, you need to be wary of contamination. Dust and debris bubbles are unfortunately permanent (since they cannot evaporate in the curing process) and need intervention from an installer to fix.
With these types of bubbles, debris is preventing the tint from adhering to the window, thereby impeding its function.
How to Identify: Contamination bubbles often have specks of visible dirt, oil, hair, or mold. They appear to have a white glow and a defined shape, spread unevenly across the window. Unlike moisture bubbles, these tint bubbles will grow larger as time passes.
What to Do: Contamination-related bubbles are usually a result of improper cleaning and installation environment. You should get in contact with the original installer to get the issue addressed promptly. You will need a reinstallation of a new tint.
3. Large Air Bubbles (Requires a Reinstallation)
While small moisture bubbles are normal and resolve on their own, you need to be wary about large air bubbles that signify major installation issues. These are usually a result of poor squeegee technique and are a result of a hurried installation. They may also unfortunately manifest as a result of extreme temperatures that adversely affect the adhesive.
How to Identify: These problematic air bubbles usually appear near the edges or corners of the tint film. These are usually larger than a quarter and are firm to the touch. They do not usually change size, but may grow larger with temperature changes.
What to Do: Make sure your tint has air bubbles and not moisture bubbles (that resolve independently) by sending a photo to your installer. Post confirmation, you will have to get the bubbles removed and the film reapplied properly. If the cause is determined to be an installation error, it’s best to discuss rectification with the original installer.
4. Old Tint (Time for Replacement)
If you’re noticing bubbles in your window tint years after installation, that’s a smoke alarm going off. After years of wear, the adhesive in the film will naturally begin to separate from the glass, manifesting with bubbles of all sorts as debris, moisture, and air become trapped inside.
Age-related bubbles are a result of UV degradation, heat cycling, and old adhesive.
How to Identify: If bubbling appears years after installation, it’s probably age-related. These bubbles start at the edges, slowly spread inwards and are usually accompanied by other signs of aging such as color changes, cracking, and film lifting.
What to Do: Age-related bubbles require a complete replacement as the tint has naturally worn its course. Contact a professional installer for a complete removal and application of a brand new window tint. Maybe it’s time for an updated option? Your installer can advise you on your best options.
A Note of Caution: Take Professional Help When Needed
At the Bravo Protection workshop, we’ve met numerous clients who’ve come in after attempting a fix themselves, ultimately botching the job and leaving the tint far worse for wear.
By opting to DIY window tint bubbles, you risk voiding your warranty over any damage. The results are also extremely variable and may take hours.
Professional methods instead take minutes, are often covered under warranty, and deliver guaranteed results.
How to Avoid Dealing with Window Tinting Bubbles in the First Place
Window tinting is a great investment that greatly improves your driving experience. If you’re opting for its benefits, you need to ensure you’re “future-proofing” the process by choosing the right type of tint, the most experienced installer, and taking the time to understand the process and its aftercare. Due diligence is your best shot at avoiding tint bubbles.
Installation can be a precise art and at Bravo Protection, we pride ourselves on delivering some of the best work in the industry. We supply all our customers with high-quality XPEL films, all installed by experienced professionals trained under a family-led brand.
We approach every project with passion and provide expert advice on the best course of action every time. Visit our workshops in Minnesota or Western Wisconsin and experience the difference of a legacy built since 1978.
Get in touch: (952) 476-7025
FAQs
1. How long until bubbles in tint go away?
If bubbles have appeared in your tint shortly after installation, they should evaporate over a few days. If you don’t see them shrinking slowly or if they appear long after installation, contact a professional.
2. How to tell if window tint is fully cured?
A window tint usually takes a couple of days to cure. You’ll know that your window tint is fully cured when any haziness and moisture bubbles disappear. Your window should essentially look just like it was when factory-installed.
3. Does heat make tint cure faster?
Yes, newly installed tint will cure faster with some warmth (generally, temperatures above 70°F). Cold or wet conditions slow down evaporation, halting the curing process as well. However, avoid applying heat directly to your windows unless advised otherwise.
