Window tints are best when you want to protect the interior of your vehicles from UV rays as well as a cool-looking car. But sometimes this magical item can make you frustrated when you experience bubbles under the window tint.
There are many factors that can cause bubbles. However, you can easily eliminate bubbles if you follow the instructions. You’ll need heat and some everyday tools to eliminate bubbles. Let’s get into the details.
What Causes Window Tint Bubbles?
Bubbles on your window tint can be many types, such as air bubbles, water bubbles, fingers and spears, specs, contamination, creases, and hairs or fibers underneath the tint. All of these bubble types can form when air, mist, water or any other objects like hair, fibers, or dust come into contact with the tint adhesive or window just before installing it or at any after installation.
There are different reasons that can cause the bubbles, such as:
- Low-quality or expired tint film has less durable adhesives; that’s why it can’t stick to the window glass properly, and air pockets will form that can trap air or other materials inside.
- If you or the mechanic aren’t careful enough when installing the film, air, mist, or dirt can trap underneath the tint.
- When you install the tint in a dusty or smokey area, or after any harsh environment on the vehicle, it can lead to bubbles.
- Weather leading to excessive moisture can lead to water bubbles.
- Extreme heat can also lead to bubbles as the tint adhesive weakens.
- If your tint is so old, it’s more prone to forming bubbles.
- Any type of physical damage or rough activity on the tint window can also lead to bubbles.
How Do You Fix Window Tint Bubbles?
Fixing window bubbles is not so tricky. There are a few methods to remove the bubbles, but all of them require some of the same processes. Such as, you’ll need to use any kind of heat to loosen up the adhesive under the tint to make the bubbles out easily. Also, you’ll need any tool to help remove the complementary bubbles from between the tint and window.
4 Ways You Can Get Rid of Tint Bubbles on Your Windows
There are mainly 4 ways you can get rid of the tint bubbles from your windows if they don’t go away over time. Let’s get to know them in detail.
Using Squeeze
Squeezing the bubbles out is the most popular method among customers. It’s easy, takes less time, and is also safer compared to the other methods. The first thing you need is something to heat the bubbling area, such as a hair dryer, heat gun, hot air gun, blow torch, hot water, or you can just simply put your car under the hot sun for a few hours.
If you’re using any heating tool with high heat settings, make sure to apply heat only for a few seconds; otherwise, it can damage the tint. As soon as you heat the bubbling area for a few seconds, use a squeegee to pass the air bubbles out from the tint.
If you don’t have a squeegee, you can try any small, flat hard plastic, like a credit card, or library card and keep squeezing and pushing the bubbles out.
Using Iron
Fixing bubbles with iron is an alternative option when you don’t have either the squeezing plastic or the heating tools. And iron can do both, it can heat that place and, at the same time squeeze the bubbles out.
However, you’ll need to be extra careful when dealing with the iron in the tint. It’s because the iron can damage the tint if the surface gets too hot. You can avoid overheating by using the lowest temperature setting, but it can take a lot of time and patience for satisfying results.
Using Pin
Another popular method to fix bubbles is to use pointed pins or needles. For this step, you’ll need to warm up or heat the window tint first to make the adhesive pliable for easier working procedures. Then you’ll need to spray cold water or soapy water on the tint to help the adhesive loosen up and get the air bubbles out more quickly.
After that, you’ll need to make tiny holes in every bubble so that the air can get out. You don’t need to worry about holes in the tint, as they can heal when you keep them under low heat, like sun rays. But make sure not to puncture too big or tear the tint; otherwise, the tint can be permanently damaged.
By Reinstalling
In some cases, the bubbles are too big to remove using pins or squeezes and fix properly. If this happens, it’s best to remove the tint completely and reinstall it. However, make sure to reinstall it properly with the help of professionals; otherwise, it can get misplaced or form even more bubbles!
Why Is It Important to Remove Window Tint Bubbles?
Removing tint bubbles has many important aspects, such as:
- The bubbles can decrease UV-blocking functionality and damage the vehicle’s interior.
- Bubbles can obstruct visibility and even lead to accidents.
- If not treated promptly, bubbles can worsen and deteriorate the film more quickly.
- The aesthetics of your vehicle will surely decrease if there are many bubbles.
- If you want to resell the car, bubbles can affect the price as buyers will assume the vehicle was poorly maintained.
How To Prevent Car Window Tint from Bubbling
Preventing bubbling in window tint can be super easy if you’re careful enough about this problem. There are several methods you can follow to prevent this damage, such as:
- Make sure your car is never exposed to extreme heat.
- Regularly clean the tint window, but make sure not to use harsh chemicals.
- If you’re installing tint, choose a high-quality one and contact professionals.
- Make sure the cut tint has the proper size and no rigged edges, as they can trap air.
- When installing, use a squeegee to push out air before the form inside.
Conclusion
Fixing the bubbles in the window is not complex, but it needs precision. If you accidentally heat for too long or heat the surrounding rubber, you will need to spend extra to fix them later. Also, reinstalling can be messed up if you’re not experienced working with them. That’s why we suggest you contact a tinting service. Specifically, if you installed the tint from them before, they can even fix the bubble problem without even charging you!
