How Long Does Auto Window Tint Actually Last?

When it comes to auto window tint, you should understand how long it'll last. Our guide here breaks down the average lifespan.

Do you want to get your vehicle's windows tinted but don't know how long auto tint lasts? There are all kinds of benefits to getting your vehicle windows tinted that many drivers would find useful.

Auto window tint is a very popular feature amongst vehicle owners as it can make driving safer and easier. It can be a great option for anyone who lives in a sunny climate.

Auto tint can make driving safer for you and other drivers as well as making it more enjoyable. Keep reading to find out how long auto tint lasts on average before you get it added to your vehicle.

How Long Will Auto Tint Last?

On average, tinted auto windows typically last about five years. This applies to standard window tint film that most window tinting services use for their customers.

Car window tint is very durable, but it does become less effective over time. That is why it will end up needing to be replaced after about five years.

This does not mean that anything was done wrong or it wasn't applied properly. Like most things, car window tint just becomes worn down and needs a refresh.

This is important to do since car window tint will fade over time and become much less useful. Most car tints will fade from 99% to 70% over the course of five years of being used.

This creates a dramatic difference and will make your auto tint much less effective. Auto window tint helps to darken your windows and makes it easier to drive in sunlight.

As that darkness begins to fade, the tint is less useful and can become entirely ineffective. This is why car owners should get it replaced once it gets to this point.

It is also important to remember that different types of window tint will last longer than others. This is why it is important to get a high-quality window tint.

How to Know When You Need to Replace your Window Tint

Want to know what signs to look for to know that your auto tint is getting old? There are certain signs that you can watch for to know when your window tint needs to be replaced.

Keep reading to find out what happens to an old auto tint that needs to be replaced with a new tint.

Bubbles Have Formed

You will know that your car window tint needs to be replaced when it starts to bubble. This is one of the clearest signs that you will see when it is time to get a new tint.

This occurs when air gets trapped between the tint and the car window. This creates bubbles that can even obstruct your vision if they get too bad.

This could even be a sign that the film used was of poor quality, though it can start to happen purely due to how long it's been on the window.

The Tint is Peeling

Tinting car windows should be done well enough that the film is firmly on the window. You shouldn't see any tint peeling, at least not for several years.

Tint can start to peel if it has been on the windows for several years and is getting worn down. After years of sun and heat exposure, it is not uncommon for tint to start peeling.

This will typically start at a corner as it starts to peel back slightly. If left like that, it can gradually get worse until the entire tinted window is starting to peel.

This is a clear sign that your auto window tint needs to be replaced by window tinting services.

The Tint is Changing in Color

If you have had your windows tinted for several years and it is getting old, it may start to change colors. This is not uncommon as sun exposure can start to warp the darkness and shade of the tint.

Dark tints will gradually start to fade to a light purple-toned color. This may not be overly noticeable at first, but it will be much less effective.

Poor quality tints can start to fade to a gray tone as a sign that they weren't made very well. This will typically start to happen within a year or two if the quality is bad.

If you get a good quality tint from one of the many high-quality window tinting companies it should take longer. A quality tint will only start fading or changing in color after four or five years of use.

Your Vehicle isn't as Cool Anymore

If your car starts to feel warmer than it used to, this is a sign that your auto window tint is getting old. This is due to the film not blocking sunlight as well as it used to.

This typically happens because the tint has faded or the tint itself has weakened and cannot block as much sunlight. This will cause your vehicle to feel warmer than it used to.

More sunlight will get through, heating up the interior of your car on sunny days.

What Window Tint Lasts the Longest?

Though film window tint is the most common kind of tint used, it is not the most durable. Though a good quality film tint will last about five years, other tints can last longer.

As far as the best tints go, ceramic tint is the most durable and long-lasting auto window tint you can get. This is a much pricier option, but that is because it will last longer.

Ceramic tint will last at least five years and can last much longer as long as the quality is good. This tint will stand up to more wear and tear and won't fade as quickly.

Make sure you invest in high-quality window tinting services instead of a cheap window tint. The cheaper the tint, the less quality you are ultimately getting.

A cheap window tint could need to be replaced within a year or two, as opposed to the five years that a quality tint gives you.

How Long Does Auto Window Tint Last?

Auto window tint is a great option for many vehicle owners. It provides an effective way of cutting through the sunlight, making it easier to see, and keeping your vehicle cooler.

There are many reasons why you should get auto tint, though you should consider the lifespan of auto tint on average before doing so.

Check out Solar Waves Window Tinting's tinting options that you could use on your windows.