What are the legal limits for window tint in the state of Wisconsin?
Unfortunately Wisconsin's tint laws are quite strict. The legal limits are 50% on the front driver and passenger windows. On any windows behind the front two, the legal limit is 35%.
What do the different percentages of window tint actually mean?
The percentages that you see being used to rate window tint indicate the amount of light that the film allows to pass through. For example, a film rated at 50% would allow half of the light through. On the other hand, a film with a rating of 5% would be a very dark film and allow only five percent of light through. For reference, most SUVs and pickup trucks that have some of the rear windows pre-tinted from the factory are usually around 15%.
How long will the window tint that you install last?
The window tint that we install will last for the life of the vehicle. We install Johnson window film, which is one of the premier window tint manufacturers. They stand behind their film with a lifetime warranty. This warranty guarantees that your tint will not peel, bubble, or fade. Of the literally hundreds of cars that we have tinted at Sounds & Motion, there has only been one instance of a customer needing to have warranty work done on their window tint. The bottom line is this: the way your car looks the first day it is tinted is the way your car will look for as long as you own it.
Does window tint require any special care or cleaning?
No, your window tint does not require any special cleaning. Soapy water or your standard window cleaning solution will work just fine. We do recommend waiting for the film to fully cure (around a week or so) before you wash the inside of your windows for the first time. Additional care should also be taken to not use any sort of abrasive cloths or pads that could scratch the film.
Can I roll my windows down right away after the tint has been installed?
Per the manufacturer's instructions, we advise customers to wait 48 hours before rolling their windows down after they have been tinted. We do put small pieces of tape on your window switches to help remind you of this. During the first 48 hours, the film may appear slightly hazy or milky, which is totally normal. This is part of the curing process of the adhesive and will go away in a short period of time. Parking the vehicle in a warm garage orin a sunny area will help speed up the curing process.
What type of warranty is included with your tint installations?
All of our window tint installation comes with a lifetime warranty. This warranty guarantees that your window tint will not peel, bubble, or fade for the life of the vehicle. Scratches in the tint are not covered under this warranty, however the film has a very hard scratch resistant surface. The only times we have seen scratching become an issue is 1) when pets with sharp nails scratch at the window for a long period of time, and 2) if there are large amounts of sand (aka tiny little sharp rocks) that get lodged between the door panel and the window itself. These situations are however quite rare.
I want tint, but I've seen cars with tin that has turned purple and bubbled. Will this happen to me?
Tint that has turned purple, or that has excessive bubbling is generally film that is either very low quality or has been installed improperly. The window tint that we use at Sounds & Motion is some of the best tint available, and we back our film installation with a lifetime warranty. If it ever bubbles or peels, it will be replaced at no charge to you.
I want tint installed on the windows of my house so that I can see out but people cannot see in. Is this possible?
This is a borderline urban legend that has been perpetuated by hollywood movies. A bad guy is in the interrogation room, and behind a large panel of glass people are watching, yet from the inside it looks like an ordinary mirror. Is this type of scenario possible? Yes. Does it work like it seems to in the movies? No. (does it ever?)
Limiting someones vision through a window is almost exclusively dependant upon how much light is on each side. Lets say for example that a house has some fairly dark reflective tint installed on its windows. If all of the lights inside the house are turned off and it is a bright sunny day, a person trying to look into the windows will merely see their own reflection, and will not be able to see into the house. Now take that same house on a dark night with all of the interior lights on, and the situation will be the exact opposite. Someone standing outside will be able to easily see into the house, while someone inside will not be able to see outside very well, if at all. The bottom line is this: If you don't want someone seeing into a certain area, that area needs to be significantly darker than the other side of the window.