How to Clean Tinted Windows

Tinted windows are incredible. Are you trying to find out how to clean tinted windows on your home or car? Everyone with window tint needs to understand how to wash tinted windows so they don’t suffer the disappointment of accidentally ruining their window film.

A home with tinted glass has a lower electricity bill in the summer as fewer UV rays penetrate inside, while a car with tinted glass is much more comfortable for travel. Window tinting is an investment; cleaning tinted windows shouldn’t be a concern. Though tinted windows look sleek and stylish, they’re more delicate than clear glass.

The tint applied to windows is either a thin, flexible film or a ceramic coating easily scratched, scraped, or accidentally removed with incorrect cleaning procedures. We compiled a comprehensive list of the best ways to keep the tint looking clean. Get your tinted glass looking great without the risk of scratching or accidentally peeling off the film.

How to Wash Tinted Windows

Having window tint shouldn’t hold you back from keeping your glass squeaky clean. Learn how to clean tinted windows on your automobile or residence. Discover clever tips for cleaning tinted windows, including vital knowledge on what window tint is and how tinted glass differs from standard glass.

Explore cleaning options using water, a DIY window cleaner, dish soap, white vinegar, or a commercial product. Find out how to remove bubbles and scratches from your tint.

What Is Window Tinting?

Tinted house windows and car window tinting have become increasingly popular, and for good reason. Window tinting is performed by applying a tinting film or ceramic tint to window glass to make it darker. The tint reduces the number of UV rays entering a vehicle or building, reducing the need for air conditioning and improving the experience inside.

If you’re thinking of having commercial window tinting or doing it yourself, it’s worth checking the local tint law for motor vehicles. Very dark tint obscures vision and could render your car illegal on the roads in some states. As tinted windows have an extra layer compared to plain glass, they require special cleaning.

Differences Between Cleaning Tinted Windows and Regular Glass

A tinted window is clear glass covered with a thin window film. The window tint film is easily scratched or dislodged if care is not taken during cleaning. If cleaning standard windows, we strive for invisible glass. With tinted windows, the goal is a clean mirror finish.

Try not to soak the edges of the tinted car windows with glass cleaner. Keep the cleaner in the middle of the glass panes, so it doesn’t slip beneath the film. If the cleaning product gets below your tinting, it may lose stickiness and flake off the glass.

Windows are one of the most noticeable aspects of your vehicle. Accidentally spraying and spreading dirtiness while cleaning other sections of your car causes your window and tinting to get filthy and could even damage it. Before cleaning your windows and window tinting, clean the exterior and inside of your vehicle first.

Try Plain Water for Cleaning Tinted Windows

It’s not a bad idea to try cleaning your window tint or paint protection film with distilled water first. If your auto glass is only lightly dusty, distilled water and a microfiber cloth may be all you need. Never use tap water to clean automotive tinted windows since it contains a range of pollutants.

Regular water is ineffective at cleaning glass because it contains minerals and other impurities. Water that has been distilled has been filtered and cleansed to extract extra minerals or gasses. Distilled water will leave you with streak free car windows without any hard water spots on tinted glass, making it the better cleaning option for a tinted car window.

How to Clean Tinted Windows

This gentle glass cleaner is quick to make and gentle on tinted windows. It’s ideal to use on the inside surface of your residential or car windows, as the essential oil gives the spray a fresh scent.

Distilled white vinegar forms the basis of this glass cleaner. Diluting the vinegar tempers its acetic acid to use it for cleaning without risking degrading the window tinting. Distilled water ensures the spray is streakless, and essential oils create a pleasant scent.

Choose your favorite essential oil. Lemongrass is a popular choice for its bright, vibrant fragrance. Shake the ingredients in the sprayer and spritz over the window. Wipe the glass with firm pressure using a microfiber towel. Keep the spray away from the seam of the window tint to avoid affecting the adhesive. Buff your windows until they shine.

Washing Tinted Windows With Dish Soap

Dish soap’s powerful cleansing chemicals dislodge food from plates, so it washes away. Dish soap cleans a tinted glass window without ruining the color because dish soap is designed to remove even the most stubborn stains without being abrasive.

In a mixing bowl, combine three tablespoons of dish liquid and one cup of warm water to prepare a cleaning solution. Using a microfiber towel, wipe off the tinted glass with the liquid. Don’t apply the dish soap cleaner to the edges of the window tint or ceramic coating to prevent accidentally removing it.

Cleaning Window Tint With Distilled White Vinegar

Create a tinted glass cleaner using purified white vinegar and lemon juice. Instead of using a commercial cleaner, save money by cleaning tinted glass with all-natural substances such as fresh lemon juice and white vinegar. Lemon juice shines tinted glass, and white vinegar removes tough stains.

Shake the spray bottle to thoroughly combine the ingredients, and spray the cleaning mixture onto the tinted glass. Don’t spray the liquid at the edges of the window to avoid getting it behind the tint.

Allow the cleaner to sit on the window for at least 15 minutes before wiping with a cloth and rinsing it. Continue the process until no traces of stains remain. Cleaning inside car windows with vinegar and inside of your house is effective with this homemade glass cleaner as it has a pleasant smell.

The Best Tools to Clean Residue on Tinted Windows

One of the most common mistakes when cleaning tinted glass is using the wrong tools. Regular cloths disperse their fibers, leaving small fabric fragments all over the glass. Even a paper towel leaves behind little paper pieces.

Use a microfiber towel or another soft, lint-free cloth to guarantee a smooth finish. Another typical mistake when washing colored glass is being too aggressive and destroying the film. Never use sharp instruments like razor blades, and work with the lightest pressure possible on the tint.

Clean Smudged Tinted Windows Fast

If you’re concerned about using a DIY cleaner on your tinted windows, there are several commercial glass cleaner solutions formulated explicitly for tinted glass. Visit the cleaning supplies section of your local supermarket. Choose a cleaning solution for tinted glass, such as Sprayway glass cleaner.

Read the cleaner’s directions and follow safety precautions. When using the cleaner as directed, use appropriate tools, such as a soft cloth, to avoid harming the window tinting film. Never use glass cleaner containing ammonia on your window tint. The harsh chemical destroys the adhesive and causes your tint to peel or fade.

Smooth Bubbles as You Clean Tinted Car Windows

After cleaning, push out any raised bubbles in your car window tint with a credit card. Wrap an old credit card in a microfiber towel and push on the surface of air bubbles. Work from one side of the tint film to the other.

Move the bubble toward the tint’s edge to let the air out and flatten your tint film. Use a squeegee to press bubbles and wrinkles out of your tint if necessary. If you have a lot of bubbling in the film, you may need to have it updated by a tinting specialist.

Can You Clean Scratched Tinted Windows?

While there are DIY methods for cleaning scratches from glass and filling scrapes in wood, there’s no way to clean a scratch out of your window tint. A scratch in the tinting film is a tear, and no amount of cleaning repairs it. A window tinting company best assesses large scratches on your car or home window tinting.

Cover a tiny speck of damaged window tint using a black dry-erase marker. Dab the marker on the blemish to turn it dark and remove the opacity, improving the look of the glass until you’re ready to have the film repaired. The dry-erase marker wipes away and doesn’t damage the window, so it’s ready for a new film application.

Did you find this article on how to wash tinted windows valuable? Window cleaning is an integral part of car maintenance, and sometimes, a trip through the car wash isn’t enough to get your tinted windows clean and glossy.

Having a clear view from your house or the driver’s seat is important. Sharing simple techniques to clean tinted windows helps people keep their glass clean and safe without accidentally damaging tint film.

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