Congratulations on getting your vehicle tinted! Regardless of whether you did it at Solar Solutions Window Tinting, or at another shop, we are proud of you. You’re on your way to a cooler, more comfortable ride. But wait…what are those bubbles?
Don’t panic! Bubbles are completely normal when it comes to a fresh window tint installation… at least most of them. Before you stress, here’s a list of the potential bubbles alongside images to help you identify what you’re looking at, and what you can do about it.
Moisture Bubbles
These are the most common and harmless type of bubbles you’ll see after a fresh tint installation. They’re simply caused by tiny pockets of water trapped between the film and the window.
Why does this happen? Well, car tint installation involves a water-based solution that helps the film adhere smoothly to the glass. While our expert installers at Solar Solutions take great care to squeegee out as much water as possible, some moisture can linger.
The good news? These water bubbles are completely harmless and temporary. They’ll gradually disappear on their own as the water evaporates. This usually takes about a week or two, but it can vary depending on the weather conditions. Hotter, drier weather will speed up the process, while humid conditions might make the window take a bit longer to cure. You’ll easily recognize these bubbles by their clear appearance.
Dry Spots:
During the installation process, we sometimes need to apply a bit of pressure to squeegee out all the water. This can occasionally create a “dry spot” that looks like a smudge or a slightly cloudy area. There’s no need to worry though! Dry spots are temporary and will fade away within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, depending on their location, they might be an eyesore for a bit, however, they won’t affect the performance of your tint one bit!
Bubbles with a White Spec:
If you notice a bubble with a tiny white speck in the center, it usually means there’s a piece of dust or debris trapped between the window tint and the glass. However, sometimes that white speck can indicate a small imperfection in the glass itself.
What kind of imperfections?
Think of it this way: everyday life can leave its mark on your car’s windows. If you do a lot of welding near your car, tiny sparks might hit the glass, causing microscopic damage that’s barely visible to the naked eye. These imperfections, while seemingly insignificant, can become more noticeable when window tint is applied.
In most cases, our installers will spot these imperfections during the installation process and let you know. However, some might be too small to notice until the film is fully applied and dried.
Here’s what we recommend doing.
If you see a bubble with a white speck, bring your car back to Solar Solutions. We’ll carefully examine the bubble and determine the cause. If it’s simply a piece of dust, we can usually remove the film, clean the glass, and replace the film. But if the issue lies with the glass itself, we won’t be able to fix it. Our team will communicate with you every step of the process to make sure you know what’s happening.
Finger Bubbles:
Sometimes, during installation, the film might not be perfectly positioned, leading to a “finger” shaped bubble. These can be a bit more concerning as they might be a sign of a developing wrinkle.
If you spot a finger, it’s best to bring your car back to Solar Solutions as soon as possible. We can quickly smooth it out and prevent any permanent wrinkles from forming. Just a hard card away for a quick replace if it’s caught early on. If it’s been like this for a while, it might require a replacement, as the adhesive might not be as strong.
Heat-Related Bubbles:
If your window tint has been installed for a while and you suddenly notice bubbles forming, especially accompanied by peeling, it’s likely due to heat damage. This usually happens with older tint that has reached the end of its lifespan.
Unfortunately, heat-related bubbles are a sign that it’s time for new window tint. Continuing to drive with damaged film can obstruct your vision and become a safety hazard. Come see us at Solar Solutions, and we’ll replace it with a fresh, high-quality tint that will keep you cool and protected for years to come.
That’s pretty much every spec and bubble you should be looking out for. If there are any concerns with your car tint that aren’t mentioned in this article, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Solar Solutions. We’ll run a quick inspection, and let you know what the next steps are to repairing or replacing your tint!