How to choose a glass tinting workshop

Choosing a window tinting shop is not as easy as finding several places on the Internet and making a decision right away. The ads are tricky to read, with some places offering a "best deal" while others advertise "no bubbles." The best thing you can do is to do a thorough research and investigation before making a decision, and word of mouth advice can be invaluable in this situation.

The result of your window tinting work will either be great or terrible. There really is nothing in between: either you will look at your car with pride, or you will walk up to your car and see a crappy job that can really ruin your perception of what your car looks like.

Bad tinting can also rob you of any perceived value that a potential buyer can see if you're going to be selling your car. Follow the information below to find one of the best window tinting shops in your area.

• AttentionA: Find out how much tint is legal in your state before you tint your windows.

Part 1 of 1: Find one of the best window tinting shops in your area

Step 1: Ask others for word of mouth feedback. If your friends and family have tinted car windows, ask them where it was done, inspect their cars and look for signs of poor workmanship.

• Functions: If you are somewhere and see a car with tinting that looks great, why not ask the owner where it was done if he or she is nearby? If they have time, they may let you take a closer look, but don't be offended if they won't let you.

Step 2: Inspect the cars of friends and family who have tinted windows.. Look for signs of sloppy work by looking for protective film in and around windows.

If the seal is notched, it means that the tint installer was not careful when cutting the tint to fit the window.

Also pay attention to the painting of the car near the windows. Scratches or cuts in the paint indicate poor quality work.

Step 3: Look at the tint carefully and from an angle. If everything looks smooth and uniform, that's a good sign.

Make sure the shade hits every corner of the window, all the way to the edge. If there are bubbles in the paint or the corners are not completely covered, these are sure signs of sloppy work.

• Functions: If you are viewing a tinting job that was done very recently - for example, within a few days - do not worry about streaks. The shade takes a few weeks to dry completely before it becomes transparent.

Step 4: Read Online Reviews of Local Paint Shops. Find reviews on Google, Yahoo, and other sites like Yelp.

If you like what you are reading, go to the paint shop webpage and check out their website.

A place that does quality work should strive to show it online. Look for images and close-ups that give you the full picture so you can determine the quality, as in steps 2 and 3.

Step 5: Visit a couple of stores in person. Make a list of several stores you would like to visit so you can compare quality and prices.

When you are there, the owner or staff will be happy to talk to you and show you around the store and the installation site. These areas must be very clean and located indoors, as the tint must adhere to perfectly clean windows.

They can show you different tint materials with color options, explain material and labor warranties, and show you samples of their work.

If you are denied any of these options, you may want to reconsider your purchase. You also need to be careful if the seller is trying to sell you.

It's also good to know how long a company has been in business - an established business tends to be more established than a new business with little or no track record.

Step 6: Decide Which Paint Store to Use. If the store meets all of the above criteria, then you should not worry too much about the tint brand or pricing policy.

You must be willing to pay a reasonable price to ensure quality work from professionals who choose their products wisely.

If the store is busy, they definitely don't want to sacrifice time and money for a low-quality tint that they have to turn in under warranty, and then spend time on repairs on the road. They want to do quality work to maintain a steady stream of satisfied customers who don't have to keep coming back for repairs.

• AttentionA: A tinting job can take anywhere from two hours to half a day depending on what kind of work you get, so plan accordingly.

Once you've followed the steps above to narrow down your choice of shops, if the deal seems clear and direct and they have a proven track record, you're moving in the direction of buying a quality tint job. If and when you feel your expectations are met, buy a tint and make an appointment to bring your car in.

Quality window tinting will last a long time and increase the privacy of your car, as well as protect it from excessive heat in sunny weather. If there are any problems such as peeling or air bubbles, contact the store that installed it and they will fix it. Don't forget to properly clean your tinted glass to prolong its life. Read this article if you decide to remove the tint from the windows yourself.