How to Clean Tinted Windows

Once you have invested in quality window tinting for your vehicle, you should commit to a proper care and maintenance routine. Cleaning tinted windows will improve visibility and reduce wear and tear on the tinted film so it lasts longer. Removing dirt, dust, fingerprints, and other grime will also improve the appearance and value of your vehicle. Here is your ultimate guide for how to clean tinted windows.

Benefits of Cleaning Your Tinted Windows

Once your window film is applied, it doesn’t require much maintenance. However, a periodic cleaning schedule offers some great benefits:

Extends the Film’s Lifespan – Cleaning debris off your windows will reduce the risk of scratching, tearing, and general wear and tear on the window film.
Improves Appearance – Keeping your tinted windows clean will improve the appearance of your windows and your vehicle.
Enhance Visibility – Debris and dust on your windows can affect your visibility and safety while driving.

Dos & Don’ts of Cleaning Car Window Tinting

Before you begin, you should review the dos and don’ts of cleaning car window tinting:

Don’t clean your windows any earlier than a week after the tint was applied.
Don’t use any glass cleaners that contain ammonia.
Don’t use any abrasive cleaners or cleaning tools like stiff brushes or squeegees.
Don’t apply excessive pressure.
Don’t let the windows air-dry.
Do use soft, clean cloths to clean windows.
Do dry your windows thoroughly to prevent streaks and spots.
Do maintain a regular window cleaning routine to prevent buildup.

Step-by-Step Guide for How to Clean Tinted Car Windows

So how do you clean tinted car windows? Here is a step-by-step guide that will make the process simple, straightforward, and easy to understand:

First, remember that your window film is applied to the interiorsurface of your car’s windows. Everything you are reading here applies to cleaning the inside, where the film is.
3M Automotive Window Films all feature a durable, scratch-resistant coating. However, it is important to remember that this coating is not indestructible. If you attempt to use a dirty cloth impregnated with abrasive grit, it is possible to permanently scratch the film surface. Damage of this type is the one thing that is not coveredby the manufacturer’s warranty, so make sure you always use a clean, soft cloth.
Another important thing about this scratch-resistant coating: The chemical components in ammonia are corrosive to this coating. For this reason, it is crucial that you never use ammonia-based glass cleaners on 3M Automotive Window Films. Many popular glass cleaners on the market today contain ammonia, but not all do, so read the label carefully. If you have ammonia-based glass cleaners that you don’t want to go to waste, use them strictly on the exterior of your car’s windows where it will have no effect on your tint.
Assess the Level of Dirt – If you have just a light buildup of dust, you can simply use a soft cloth to wipe it away. If there are more stubborn things like fingerprints, dog nose smudges, hairspray, toddler gummy bear residue and the like, then you will need an ammonia-free, liquid cleaner of some type.
Decide on a Solution – Any ammonia-free glass cleaner will work fine. If you’ve already got a preferred glass cleaner in your cleaning supplies, just check the label to make sure there’s no ammonia, and you can use that without worry. But there’s no need for anything fancy. In fact, you can make your own! A few drops of mild dish detergent in a spray bottle filled with warm water will work great. You can also put a few teaspoons of vinegar or isopropyl alcohol (or both) into the bottle. Many people swear by just plain water. The important thing is that there is no ammonia involved.
Spray That Bad Boy! — Once you’ve decided on your cleaner of choice, lightly mist the interior window surface. With gentle to moderate pressure, wipe a soft cloth across the entire surface until all dirt and smudges are gone.
Use the “Two Rag” Method – Use one cloth or soft rag to wipe the dirty window. Then use another clean, dry cloth to wipe off any remaining residue to achieve a streak-free shine. Keep these two cloths assigned to their respective roles as you move from window to window throughout the vehicle.
Cleaning the Weatherstripping – If you reallywant to clean your car windows like a pro (and you obviously do, since you are consulting this expert source) then you will take these two extra steps:

Partially lower the door windows so you can properly clean the topmost portion of the glass that goes up into the window frame. This small strip at the very top can get quite dirty simply because it is usually neglected. Sure, this is extra work, but isn’t your vehicle worth it?
You should also clean the channel / rubber seal around your car window. Keeping it clean will help prevent scratches and damage to your window and ensure the window always glides up and down easily. Lower the window all the way down, spray your cleaning solution directly into the channel of the window frame on the sides and the top. Then use a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush to remove dirt, dust, and debris from the weatherstripping rubber. Make sure not to use this same cloth to clean window film! It may have picked up some abrasive debris from the weatherstripping that could scratch your tint. Have a dedicated cloth just for cleaning out the window tracks, and separate ones for cleaning the tinted window surfaces.

That’s all there is to it! Soft cloths, ammonia-free cleaners, and gentle pressure. Clean your windows regularly so nothing can build up over time, and the task is a breeze.

Cleaning The Exterior of Tinted Windows

Now you know that care must be taken when cleaning the inside of your tinted windows (where the film is) to be mindful of their vulnerabilities (destruction from the corrosive effects of ammonia, and accidental scratching from hidden abrasive debris in a cleaning cloth).

But once you’ve got all your cleaning supplies out, you’re likely going to want to tackle cleaning the outside of your windows too. Is there anything special you need to know?

The short answer is no, not really. You can clean the exterior of a tinted car window the same way you might clean any other window in your home. You can use ammonia-based cleaners all you like, as well as all the pressure you want – there’s no film to scratch by being too aggressive.

However, every car owner who cleans their windows (particularly the windshield) has encountered situations where a rag and a spray bottle aren’t enough. Insects, road tar, tree sap and unwanted stickers can create some unique cleaning challenges that are seldom seen when cleaning the interior glass. Here are a few pointers for dealing with these things.

First, you should know that auto glass in general is quite strong. It is engineered to withstand various types of stress and road vibrations and is therefore not easily damaged. It is certainly possibleto scratch the surface of auto glass with something extremely hard and sharp, but it takes a concerted effort. It is generally almost impossible to accidentally scratch auto glass in the process of cleaning it using basic common sense.
So, don’t be afraid to get yourself a new, stainless-steel, one-inch razor blade and use it to gently and carefully scrape off any stubborn dried insect parts, hardened tree sap, or leftover sticker residue that won’t come off with just regular glass cleaner. Place the blade flat against the glass surface and “bulldoze” off the offending matter. It is also very helpful to use glass cleaner to lubricate the surface area being scraped and to help loosen the material.
“But wait!”, you say. “Didn’t you just say you could scratch the glass with something hard and sharp? A razorblade is hard and sharp!” As long as you have the blade flat against the surface of the glass, and you aren’t using a dull, chipped and rusty blade you found in the corner of the garage, this technique will work fine. We have used this technique on thousands of windows. Remember, I said a new (as in, fresh out of the package), stainless-steel blade. A dull, nicked blade might scratch glass but a sharp one won’t.
Another technique I have used with terrific results is using 00 grade (or finer) steel wool to scrub the exterior glass surface. Like with the razor blade technique above, you would first soak down the window surface with a glass cleaner of some sort, not just scrub it bare and dry. After a good scrub with the steel wool, the window can be cleaned normally. Take care when scrubbing the areas at the outermost edges of the glass where there may be painted surfaces. Fine 00 steel wool won’t damage your glass, but definitely keep it away from your car’s paint.

Learn More About Window Tinting and Paint Protection

At Elite Solar Control, we have over 30 years of experience in vehicle window tinting and paint protection services. We can help you enhance your vehicle’s beauty, comfort, privacy, and lifespan. Window tinting and paint protection can reduce wear and tear on your vehicle and improve its safety and performance. Call us today or contact us online to request an estimate.