Tinting your car windows is a great way to keep yourself cool in the summer months and prevent other drivers from looking in your windows. But do you need to wait for a particular time of year to tint your windows?
You can tint your car windows during the cold weather. However, it is advised to tint your car windows during the spring or fall season. These seasons generally have fewer temperature extremes and can help the curing process to proceed more smoothly.
Are you wondering how the weather affects your car window tinting process? Let’s look at more information about the window tinting process and when is the best time of year for you to take your car in to get its windows tinted.
Does Weather Affect Car Tint?
While the local weather doesn’t affect someone’s ability to tint your car windows, it does affect how long it takes for the window to cure after tinting. During the curing phase, which is usually 48-96 hours, you want to avoid exposing your newly tinted windows to high heat or humidity.
Suppose you expose your newly tinted windows to either of these environments. In that case, it can cause the tinting to form bubbles or even fall off prematurely because the curing process won’t be able to finish correctly. And in some scorching and dry places, having your window tinted in the summer can lengthen the curing process.
But before you get too excited, having your windows tinted in the winter isn’t always the best either. Just as heat can affect the curing process, so can frigid temperatures.
What is the Best Time of Year to Get Your Windows Tinted?
Because you are paying good money to have someone tint your car windows, you want avoid replacing them for as long as possible. For this reason, the best time of year to have your car windows is when the weather is most temperate and not humid.
In the United States, this generally means that the spring or fall is when you want to get your car windows tinted. But in some locations, spring may be a bit humid, so you would want to focus on having them tinted during the fall season instead.
How Long After Tinting is it Safe to Use Your Windows?
Because the curing process depends so much on the temperature and environment where the window tinting was done, it is best to ask the person who applied your tint how long you need to wait before using your windows.
If you are already at home and forgot to ask before you left, wait a full 96 hours before rolling down your window after tinting, as by then, the adhesive should be dry regardless of your local climate.
What are the Benefits of Tinted Windows?
Many moving parts come with having your windows tinted, which may leave you wondering what the benefits are. Generally, people tint their windows for two reasons, temperature control or privacy.
In the summer, driving with the sun beating down on you can be annoying, especially in hot locations in the United States. Tinting your windows can help keep you cooler as you drive and lower your UV exposure.
At the same time, having your windows tinted also makes it harder for other drivers to see you or for thieves to look into your car while it is parked in a lot. Thus having your windows tinted can allow you much more privacy and even save your car from getting broken into.
DIY Tinting vs. Hiring a Professional
Having your windows tinted is not cheap; once you see the price tag, you may think about doing them yourself. This, however, is never advised, as window tinting is a complicated process that can easily be messed up.
Sure, you can purchase the material yourself, but the fundamental aspect of window tinting is cutting the tint film and applying it so there are very few bubbles on your windshield. Unfortunately, this takes years of practice to master, and you will likely struggle with it if you attempt to do it on your own.
Plus, window tints you perform on your own don’t come with a warranty, and you likely won’t do a job that will last. So while it can be painful to shell out $400 for a quality window tint, at least you know your windows will be tinted for years to come, and you’ll have a warranty if anything goes wrong.
Final Thoughts on Should You Tint Car Windows in Cold Weather?
Overall, there is no reason not to tint your car windows in cold weather. However, remember that if you tint your windows in the dead of winter, you will likely need to wait longer for the curing process to complete.
If you are unsure if your climate is too cold for window tinting, it’s a good idea to give a professional window tinter a call and let them guide you through when is the best time for having your window tinted.