How Long Does It Take To Tint Your Car’s Windows?

Are you planning to tint your car's windows but don't know how long it's going to take? Read on for a helpful guide on the tinting process.

Automotive and traffic laws in the United States can get complicated and confusing. One of the strangest aspects of automotive law is window tinting. It's legal to a certain extent in every state, but each state sets its limits. 

Percentages measure tints, but they work backward. While, in most cases, 90% would be extensive, it's not much here. This is because the percentages show how much light can come through the window, so 40% would mean 40% is allowed through the window, while 100% is a window without tinting.



If you want to tint your car's windows, you'll need to consider percentage. You'll also need to think about timing because window tinting does take time. We'll discuss how much time it takes and why in this article.

Initial Tinting

The first thing to know about window tint is that it takes place in phases. The first phase is the installation of tinting, and that process doesn't take long. In most cases, it won't take more than a few hours.

We should note that many factors play into this, such as vehicle size, the number of windows you're tinting, and how much. A few side windows on a truck should be quick, but tinting all the windows on a full-sized SUV will take a while. 

How It Works

The process of tinting windows is a complex one because there are a few ways to do it. The easiest way is to apply a pre-cut sheet of polyester fiber. This is quick, but it often won't fit perfectly because they were built to fit a generic car design rather than one specific car. 

Another choice is to cut sheets to fit your car, which is far more precise and will fit better. It's also more expensive and time-consuming. You could even pass up the polyester altogether and go with a ceramic-based material. 

These ceramic tints are the most expensive choice, but also the highest quality. This is because ceramic tinting tends to be denser than other types of tinting.

Season and Temperature

You should consider which season it is when you're installing window tinting. Tinting is faster when performed during the Spring or Summer because the tinting has to dry. Higher temperatures work better for drying things, and with tinting, that difference can mean weeks.

In the summer, tinting often dries within a week. Meanwhile, this same process lasts two to five weeks in winter. This assumes that there isn't much humidity or precipitation.

Humidity and Precipitation

Humidity and precipitation both play a role in window tinting. Since window tinting has to be dry to be effective, excess water in the air can slow or even ruin the process.

The same is true for precipitation, which is more common in winter. Temperature doesn't affect humidity, but it does affect precipitation. The saturation threshold is lower in the cold, so the same amount of humidity is more likely to cause precipitation in winter than in summer. 

If you live in a humid area or the weather is humid this season, we recommend keeping your car in a controlled environment. The garage should work, provided you can keep it warm and dry.

Professional vs DIY

Perhaps the only thing more important than when and where you get your windows tinted is who does it. You can do the tinting yourself, and many people do, but most of us aren't professionals and lack the ability of a professional. 

This is important because a professional can do a more thorough job in less time. The downside is that a professional might not be cheap. If you can afford to hire a professional, they're worth the cost.

Drying and Window Care

Having tinting installed isn't the end of the process. It's not over until the material is clear of any bubbles or streaks.

Until the window is clear, you should refrain from rolling it down. Disturbing the window can create more streaks and bubbles. This could make the entire process longer, or worse, botch it so that the tinting doesn't line up.

On a related note, we would recommend having a working air conditioner in your car before you tint your windows. Since you can't roll your window down for at least a few days, you need to find ways to keep your car cool. The good news is that window tinting blocks out some of the sun's heat.

Delayed Window Cleaning

Before the tint begins drying, you need to give it time to set in. If you disturb the tinting before the color has set in, you might ruin it. You're better off storing the car for a few days until the color sets in, if possible. 

Once the color has set in, which often takes a few days, cleaning is no longer a problem. In fact, cleaning after the color has settled can speed up the drying process.

How Long Does it Take to Tint Your Car's Windows?

How long does it take to tint your car's windows? The answer depends on when and where you are and can range from one week to several weeks. We've discussed some of the specifics of window tinting here, but there's always more to learn.

If you want to know more about window tinting or are in need of a window tinting service please visit our site. If you live in the Tampa area and would like to get your windows tinted, contact us at Leo's Touch Window Tinting.