Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing to clean tinted windows
• Part 2 of 3: Safely Cleaning Tinted Glass
• Part 3 of 3: Making Your Own Safe Tinted Glass Cleaner
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need
• Cleaning tinted glass
• Preparing your own safe cleaning solution for tinted glass

Cleaning tinted car windows is easy if you know what to avoid. You will most likely be able to clean tinted glass with household cleaners, but avoid using ammonia-based cleaners or most common window cleaners. You will also need soft rags to clean and dry tinted windows. As a result, you will not damage the windows and they will look like new.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing to clean tinted windows

1. 1 Park your car in a shady place. Cleaning in the sun will dry out quickly, making it harder to apply, grind, rinse, and dry your car windows. As a result, the windows can be stained and not look completely clean. Many car wash specialists recommend doing this in the garage, but if this is not available, find a suitable spot in the shade of trees or under a canopy.
   • The shade will not work under any tree. Some trees, such as pine trees, give off a sticky sap (tar) that, if spilled onto a car, can damage the finish. Inspect the trees before parking under them. If you see sap or tar on them, or the ground under the trees is a different color, do not park your car under them.
2. 2 Wash the glass at the very end. Car windows are one of the most visible parts of the car, and if you accidentally splash or spill something on the glass while cleaning other areas of the car body after washing them, they can become dirty again. Wash your vehicle thoroughly inside and out before cleaning the windows and tint.
   • If you want to sell your car, it may need to be cleaned more thoroughly. This deep cleaning procedure is often called detailing. While you can save money and do the detailing yourself, many people prefer to pay a small amount and see a specialist.
   • Pay attention to the condition of windows and tinting when cleaning other parts of the car. It may be worth applying a tinted glass-safe cleaner to particularly dirty areas before washing your car. This will pre-treat areas such as insect residues, flaky or thick dirt spots, and then it will be easier for you to remove them.
   • Avoid using window cleaners that are designed for other parts of your car. Chances are, the tinting is attached to the inside of the windows, and if an ammonia-based cleaner that is safe on the outside of the glass is applied to the inside of the glass, it can damage the tinting film.
3. 3 Remember about the "enemies" of tinted glass. Knowing which products are bad for your tinting will help you avoid accidental damage or shortened life. Tinting is almost always applied to the inside of windows, and this is where it should be treated with caution.Ammonia products can lighten, dry, brittle or otherwise damage the tint. Also, avoid drying or abrasive products such as paper towels, newsprint, and hard sponges.
   • Many people often use sharp tools, such as a razor blade, to smooth out bubbles or irregularities in protective films that resemble window tint. However, as a result, wrinkles and other defects may form on the tinting. To force bubbles to the edge of the window, use a credit card wrapped in a soft cloth (such as microfiber), or pierce the bubble with a pin and release the air trapped between the film and the glass.

Part 2 of 3: Safely Cleaning Tinted Glass

1. 1 Collect everything you need. Tinting films, which in most cases are made of mylar, are more prone to scratches, deformation and tearing due to physical force. You will need milder cleaners to keep the tint. Under no circumstances use a product with ammonia, as it will lighten the tint and significantly reduce its service life. To clean tinted glass you need the following:
   • ammonia-free cleaning agent;
   • bucket (optional);
   • microfiber rags (2 pieces);
   • distilled water (optional).
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Filip boksa

   
   
   Cleaning professional Philip Boxa is the CEO and founder of King of Maids, a US cleaning service that helps clients with cleaning and organizing.

   Filip boksa
   Cleaning professional

   Expert opinion: when cleaning tinted windows, use a suitable cleaning agent. Vinegar and water are best, although most ammonia-free products will work. Apply the cleaner with a microfiber cloth, then wipe the glass dry.

2. 2 Spray a liquid ammonia-free cleaning agent and wipe off the dirt. It is normal to use an ammonia-based cleaner to clean windows outside where there is no tinting, but even small drops or splashes of such a cleaner can damage the tinting film. On the other hand, an ammonia-free cleaner is suitable for both the outside and the inside of the window. At the very least, use an ammonia-free solution for the inside of the window.
   • If you are using a liquid cleaner, you will most likely need to prepare the solution in a bucket of water. However, it is best to follow the directions provided with the cleaner. Using a single microfiber cloth, apply the cleaner to the glass, then wipe off any dirt from the window.
   • Keep two microfiber rags separate from each other. Using one of them, you will remove dirt from the glass, and the second will wipe the window dry. After cleaning the window from any dirt, you should use a second (clean and dry) rag to wipe the remaining moisture from the tinted glass.
   • Try not to wet the edges of the tinting with the cleaner. If it gets under the tinting film, it can peel off and come off the window. Dampen the rag you are going to wipe off the dirt with the cleaner and run it along the edges of the tinted glass to clean them safely. Then wipe the edges with a second (dry) microfiber cloth to keep the cleaner from getting under the tint film.
   • It may be worth wiping the tinted surface in a different direction from the one in which you washed the outside of the window. For example, if you washed the outside vertically, wipe the inside horizontally. This will make it easier for you to spot missed spots.
   • You can leave the cleaning agent on stubborn stains longer. For example, insect stains can be difficult to remove and you can soak them for a few minutes with a cleaning agent to loosen the glass.
3. 3 When cleaning heavily soiled tinted glass, use a bucket of water. Tinted glass can get dirty for a variety of reasons. For example, dirt can accumulate as a result of long-distance driving to work or from frequent off-road driving. However, if the tinted glass is heavily soiled, you will most likely need to wash the microfiber rag you use for cleaning in a bucket of water to avoid smearing the dirt on the window. If you notice a cleaning rag gets dirty, rinse it in a bucket to remove the dirt, and then squeeze out the excess water to keep it damp but not wet. After that, continue wiping the window.
   • If you have hard tap water in your home, it's best to use distilled water. Hard water will leave behind a white film and mineral deposits. Simply purchase a 5-liter bottle of water from the store and pour it into a bucket to rinse your rag in it.
4. 4 Correct distorted and deformed areas in the toning. Bubbles under the tint film look ugly and can cause further damage. You can move the bubble to the nearest edge of the tinting with your fingers and nails, however, after the nails, noticeable damage may remain on the film. To prevent this from happening, use a credit card wrapped in a soft (such as microfibre) cloth. Use the card to move the bubbles to the edge of the film and remove any air from underneath.
   • If some bubbles cannot be moved to the edge, they can be removed with a needle. Pierce the vial with a thin needle to release air from under the film. After that, ripples or wrinkles may remain on the film in the place where it was stretched by the air. If this happens, wrap the credit card in a soft cloth, such as microfiber, and try to smooth the film as much as possible.

Part 3 of 3: Making Your Own Safe Tinted Glass Cleaner

1. 1 Collect everything you need. Most ammonia-free cleaners use mild (such as baby) soap, water, and a disinfectant such as alcohol. These are the three ingredients you will need to make an ammonia-free cleaner for tinted glass. In this case, you should use distilled water, since it does not contain such impurities as calcium and lime, after which stains, streaks and plaque can remain on the tinted glass. The ingredients you need can be purchased from your local hardware store or the appropriate section of your supermarket. Here's what you need:
   • baby soap (any);
   • distilled water;
   • isopropyl alcohol (91% is better, although alcohol at a lower concentration is suitable);
   • spray bottle.
2. 2 Prepare a cleaning solution. Rinse the spray bottle thoroughly with water to remove all dust and residues of what was in it before. Then pour 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of rubbing alcohol into the bottle and add a few drops of baby soap. Then fill the bottle with distilled water, screw the cap back on, and shake the contents to mix well.
   • The alcohol contained in the cleaning solution not only safely disinfects the surface of the tinted glass, but also helps the moisture evaporate quickly and does not leave behind stains and streaks. In addition, alcohol is good at dissolving grease, such as fingerprints, that may have remained on the glass.
   • These ingredients have a long shelf life so you can make a large amount of ammonia-free cleaning solution. This will allow you to save a significant amount and achieve the same results as using the purchased product.
3. 3 Apply the prepared solution liberally to tinted surfaces to clean them. You can leave the cleaner on heavily soiled areas for a while to absorb it into the dirt.Simply spray the solution onto heavily soiled areas and leave it on for about five minutes. Be careful around the edges of the tinting. Do not leave the solution on for too long at the edges, otherwise it may seep under the tint film, causing it to come off the glass or become covered with bubbles, which will shorten its lifespan.
   • When cleaning windows, use two microfiber cloths. With the first rag, you will wipe dirt, dust, grease, and the like from the window. You may need to rinse it from time to time in a bucket of water if it gets very dirty, otherwise you will just smear the dirt on the glass. A second rag will be needed to remove any remaining moisture from the tinted glass after washing.
   • You can apply more cleaning solution to stubborn stains. For example, it can be especially difficult to remove insect stains. Apply enough solution to stubborn stains to thoroughly moisten the stain. Let the solution sit for about five minutes, then try to wipe off the stain. If this fails on the first try, repeat a few more times.
   • To protect already cleaned parts of the car from accidental splashes, apply the solution in small to moderate amounts. Dampen a cleaning cloth and scrub the tinted glass thoroughly. This will reduce the likelihood of dripping and splashing. You can also keep a dry towel ready when you wipe the glass with a cloth dampened with a cleaning solution - if it accidentally drips onto an already cleaned surface, you can wipe it off right away.
4. 4 Check if you have missed individual stains and remove them. Take a look at the windows from inside the car and check for stains. Some spots can be difficult to see at close range. Move away from the window, change your angle of view, and check if you missed any spots on the outside or inside of the windows. If you see a stain on the inside, apply a little ammonia-free product to a cleaning cloth and wipe it off. Then wipe the tinted glass dry with a second cloth. You are done when you have removed all stains from the windows.

Tips

• If the tint is badly scratched or starts to lag behind the glass, it may need to be changed.
• If you know your tap water is too hard, use distilled water to clean your car and tinted windows. Hard water can leave stains, streaks and deposits on cars and tinted windows. This will not happen if you use distilled water purified from impurities.

Warnings

• If you use an ammonia-based cleaner to clean tinted windows, there is a high likelihood that the tinted film will fade and / or deform. Always check if a particular cleaner contains ammonia before using it on tinted windows.
• Do not break the edges of the tinting. Water or cleaning agent can deform and detach from the glass.
• Do not use harsh products such as paper towels, newsprint, or a hard sponge, as these can damage the tint.

What do you need

Cleaning tinted glass

• Liquid ammonia-free cleaning agent
• Bucket (if needed)
• Two microfiber cloths
• Distilled water (if needed)

Preparing your own safe cleaning solution for tinted glass

• Baby soap (any brand)
• Distilled water
• Isopropyl alcohol (91% is better, although a lower concentration will work)
• Spray bottle