Window Tint and Glass Replacement: What to Know Before You Book
Aftermarket tint on a replaced pane has to be reapplied. Factory privacy glass does not. Knowing which you have prevents an unpleasant surprise.
Key Takeaways
- Factory privacy glass is tinted in the material and comes with the new pane
- Aftermarket film is applied on top and is destroyed with the old glass
- Windshield tint strips are usually part of the glass itself
- Film should be reapplied after the adhesive has fully cured
Two completely different things
Factory privacy glass is manufactured with the tint in the glass itself, so a correct replacement pane arrives already tinted to match. Aftermarket film is a layer applied to the inside surface after the fact, and it comes off with the glass it was applied to.
The windshield shade band
The gradient strip across the top of most windshields is part of the laminate, not a film. Your replacement glass will include it if your original had it. Tell us if you have a non-standard shade band so we order correctly.
Sequencing a re-tint
If you are having film reapplied, wait until the urethane has fully cured and the vehicle has gone through a couple of days of normal use. Applying film immediately traps moisture from the fresh installation under the film.