Just like the technology in your car has changed, so has the reason we tint windows. It used to be that tint was mostly about looks and privacy. Now we do it for comfort and to protect the inside of the car.
That's why one of the most common things I hear at our Coeur d'Alene shop is, "My back windows are already tinted." Fair point, and it leads to a good question: is factory tint real tint, and do you still need window tint on glass that's already dark? Here's the honest answer.
Is factory tint real tint?
Not really. What most people call "factory tint" is factory privacy glass. The color is built into the glass itself during manufacturing. It's dyed dark so people can't see into your back seat or cargo area as easily, and it gives the vehicle that finished look.
Window tint is different. It's a film applied to the inside of the glass, and a good ceramic film is designed to reject heat, not just darken the view.
Factory privacy glass vs window tint: what's the difference you feel?
Factory privacy glass does its job well: privacy and looks. It usually blocks some UV, too. What it isn't built to do is stop much of the heat you feel coming through the glass.
On a July afternoon, the back seat and cargo area can bake even with dark rear glass, and the AC works overtime to catch up. Dark glass and heat-rejecting glass aren't the same thing.
Do I need to tint factory tinted windows?
You don't need to. But if comfort in the back seat matters to you, it's worth considering, and that's where clear ceramic tint comes in.
What is clear ceramic tint?
Clear ceramic tint is a ceramic film with very little shade to it. On factory privacy glass, it barely changes how the windows look. Your car looks the same from the outside, but the glass works a lot harder.
With our ceramic film, clear ceramic included, you'll feel about 70% less heat coming through the glass. It also cuts down UV, which helps protect your seats, trim, and anything you haul in the back from fading over time.
On these windows, it's not about making the car darker. It's about making the back seat a better place to be.
Who it makes sense for
- Families with kids riding in the back
- Anyone with pets in the back seat or cargo area
- People who want to protect their interior from UV fading
Will clear tint change how dark my windows are?
Not by much in how it looks. Clear ceramic film adds very little shade. Washington's law measures the glass and the film together, though, so on some vehicles even clear film over factory privacy glass can matter for the legal reading there. We'll check your glass before we install, and rules vary by state and by window, so check the current law for the state your vehicle is registered in. For the details, read our post on Idaho vs Washington tint laws.
What about old aftermarket tint?
If your back windows have aftermarket tint that's purple, peeling, or bubbled, that's a different situation from factory glass. We offer tint removal, billed hourly. Removing old film from rear glass carries some risk to the defroster lines, so we'll talk it through with you before we start.
How it's installed
We tint in a clean shop with air filtration and surgical-grade water, which keeps dust and debris out from under the film. We install ceramic film, and our tint comes with a lifetime manufacturer warranty against defects and fading.
What it costs
Tint on the sides and rear is generally $450 to $650, depending on the vehicle, and the front two windows are around $220. For the full breakdown, read our post on how much it is to tint your vehicle.
Clear ceramic tint around CDA and Spokane
Our shop is at 710 W Dalton Ave, Unit C, in Coeur d'Alene. If you're here in CDA or coming over from Liberty Lake for window tint that won't change your car's look, we start with one question: what do you want the glass to do for you?
FAQ
Is factory tint real tint?
Not really. Factory "tint" is usually privacy glass that's dyed dark during manufacturing. It's great for privacy and looks, and it usually blocks some UV, but it isn't built to reject much of the heat you feel. Window tint is a film added to the glass, and ceramic film is designed to reject heat.
Do I need to tint factory tinted windows?
You don't have to, but if the back seat or cargo area gets hot, clear ceramic tint over factory privacy glass can make a real difference. You'll feel about 70% less heat through the glass with our ceramic film, clear ceramic included.
Will clear ceramic tint make my windows darker?
Barely. Clear ceramic adds very little shade, so factory privacy glass looks about the same afterward. You get the heat and UV reduction without changing the look.
How much does it cost to tint the back windows?
At Glänzen, tint on the sides and rear is generally $450 to $650, depending on the vehicle. Idaho sales tax (6%) is added, and we confirm the final price with your year, make, and model.
Get a quote
The easiest way to find out what clear ceramic tint would cost for your vehicle is to send us your year, make, and model. Call us at (208) 244-6961, or use the quote form on our auto window tint page.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at the shop.
Matt
Glänzen PPF + Ceramic Coatings, Coeur d'Alene, ID
