With so much information like super-low prices, misleading advertisements and confusing claims, it is difficult choosing a competent and professional window tinting company. So to help you make your choice, read this consumer’s guide to learn about window tinting rip-offs, mistakes to avoid and questions you should ask to make an informed and right decision while hiring a tinting company.

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Auto Tint Company:

Mistake #1: Choosing a low-priced company as:

• You may end up paying more when you reach the establishment.
• The quoted price may not be for your entire vehicle but for just 2-3 windows.
• The company may use cheap and poor quality film that gives problems like de-laminating, color changes and poor glass adhesion several weeks later.

Mistake #2: Choosing the tinting company via phone.

Always visit the company to look at their work and ask for a recommendation and a written estimate. You thus know what choices you have and will not end up a victim of high-pressure tactics for tinting your windows.

Mistake #3: Not asking for past customers’ comments or reference.

Tinting companies can easily make claims about their jobs that may not be entirely true. So ask for past customers’ references or read their comments to get a better idea of the company’s competence, integrity and honesty.

Mistake #4: Choosing an inexperienced tinting company.

An experienced installer will install the perfect tint while inexperienced tinting companies only give you a tint with a worthless ‘lifetime warranty’ that is definitely not worth it.

Misconceptions Cleared

Misconception #1: You can put a tint on yourself.

It’s possible only with a steady hand, lots of patience, a heat gun, a dust free environment, various razor sharp cutting knives and lots of film for practice before reaching perfection.

Misconception #2: Tints only keep your car cooler

A good quality tint not only reduces heat from entering the car, it also provides increased UV protection to reduce fading of your car’s interior and gives a secure, private sporty look.

Misconception #3: All tinters are similar.

Poor installation will never do justice to the best material but an experienced installer can do a decent job even with poor quality film. Hire a company that has been around for at least a year or two and have tinting technicians who have tinted hundreds or thousands of vehicles. Moreover, reputable companies readily show their warranty with their work.

Misconception #4: Film available at the local auto parts or discount store is just as good as material used by professional tinters.

This depends on the material you buy. If it is automatic scratch resistant commercial grade film, has great adhesive with warranty and offers good UV resistance, the answer is yes. However, in most cases, it is not.

Misconception #5: Hire the company quoting the lowest price.

The lowest price tinters pose the most problems. The quote may be for a cheap and low quality grade tinting film without any warranty and not for a high quality commercial grade tint. The second problem is that the low quote lasts only until you reach the window tinting company. You later end up paying for various add-ons and some tinters illegally use various bait and switch tactics.

Misconception #6: No warranties are required.

Beware of companies that don’t provide a written warranty for the film’s performance. Make sure you review the warranty before tinting your car as the tinters may not be around to help you when you need it.

What to Look For in Window Tinting

While choosing a tinting company for tinting your vehicles’ windows, you have various materials, guarantees, warranties, shades, methods, experience and ranges to choose from. Choose companies that:

1. Use high-grade automotive film, preferably scratch resistant with excellent UV protection and great performance and looks.

2. Use skilled tinters with lots of experience in tinting vehicles and do an excellent job.

3. Provides a written warranty against the fading, de-laminating, peeling, bubbling and tint changing color.

4. Offers a wide selection of tint shades and colors to choose from for the exact look you want.

Of course, professional tinting of your vehicle costs more than your doing it yourself. So if you want to just darken your vehicle and nothing else, you may do it or choose the cheapest tinting quote you receive.

However, if you want a professional tint for your vehicle with material that enhances the look of your vehicle, keeps your cool in summer, prevents the interior from fading and provides you security and a professional tint with a risk-free guarantee, hiring a professional tinting company is a better choice.