Tinted windows are a necessity for drivers in sunny Florida, but that doesn’t mean everyone is willing to pay top-dollar for them. Like just about everything else these days, there are plenty of low-cost alternatives and do-it-yourself options that can save you money on getting your windows tinted, but buying window tint film is one of those instances where you get what you pay for.If you’re reading this, it means a couple of things:

1. You’re thinking about tinting your car windows
2. You’re thinking about saving money with cheap window tint
3. You care enough about your car to do your research and weigh your options

Instead of telling you about all of the benefits of a high-quality automotive window films like 3M Crystalline, Spectra PhotoSync, or SunTek CXP, we thought we would highlight some of the drawbacks of cheap window tint that does nothing more than save you a few bucks upfront, and how cheap window tint might actually end up costing you more in the long run.

The Problem with Sub-Par Window Tint

So you bought the cheap stuff to try and save a few bucks—what’s the worst that can happen? A lot, in fact. Putting cheap window tint on your car might not be as bad as some other things people do to cut corners, but there are plenty of problems that can develop as a result that will only end up costing you more in the long run. Go with sub-par window tint and you run the risk of experiencing:

• Bubbling and Peeling – Bubbles are usually a sign of a bad window tint job, but they can also develop as a result of using low quality window tint film. Bubbling can indicate a breakdown of the film, usually when there is adhesive failure. Window tint can also peel as a result of film breakdown. In either case, you can be sure of one thing: Your car will turn heads, and not for any of the right reasons. If you care about how your vehicle looks, don’t settle for anything but the best window tint film.
• Interior Surface Damage – Buy cheap window tint and you might end up spending a lot more later on to repair or replace interior car surfaces that have become sun damaged. UV rays and intense heat can fade leather upholstery, crack vinyl or plastic dashboards, and even damage expensive aftermarket in-dash electronics. This interior surface damage can also cost you money in terms of how much you get for your car later on, since a good portion of a car’s value comes depends on the interior condition. Spend a bit more upfront on higher quality window tint film, like 3M Ceramic Series films that block 99% of harmful UV rays, and help protect the inside of your car from damage.
• Window Damage – The adhesive backing on cheap window tint can leave behind sticky residue that can take hours to scrap off, if in fact it can be removed at all. Depending on the amount of residue left behind and the size of the affected area, you might be forced to buy new windows after the tint film eventually bubbles and peels away. And new car windows almost always cost more than even the most expensive window tint films, so keep that in mind the next time you think you can’t afford high quality window tint.

How Much Does Good Window Tint Cost

So if you get what you pay for, how much should you expect to spend on high-quality window tint? It depends on a number of different factors, including the number of windows being tinted, the size of your vehicle, and additional labor costs involved with the installed. The type of window tint itself will also affect the price. For example, it can cost around $300 to install ceramic window tint and $800 or more for infrared heat-reducing window film.There are also differences in price from one window tint film brand to the next. Among the very best window tint films, 3M’s Crystalline Window Tint is on the higher end of the price spectrum while SunTek’s CarbonXP is typically more affordable.If your budget is a concern and you don’t want to resort to cheap window tint, here are some tips and strategies to save money without affecting the quality, appearance, or performance of your tinted windows:

• Have as many windows tinted as you can with your current budget and tint the remaining windows when additional funds become available. You don’t have to get every window tinted at the same time. As long as you work in parallel sections (both rear windows, front and back window, etc.) you can complete the job over a couple of months so you can start enjoying the benefits of tinted windows sooner rather than later.
• If you have multiple cars you’re thinking about getting window tint for, ask around to see if any installers will offer a “volume” discount of sorts for doing both vehicles at the same time. You’ll end up spending more up front and at one time than you were probably hoping to spend, but you can save a lot more in the long run compared to tinting two or more cars at different times.

Your car deserves the best window tint money can buy, and that’s exactly what you’ll get with Auto Super Shield. Contact us to learn more about our high-quality window tint films and superior window tint installation services.