Whether you’re trying to cut down the summer heat in your car, add a little privacy, or simply keep your interior looking new, tinting your windows can be a smart move. But if you’re just starting to look into it, there’s a good chance you’ve got questions and a lot of them.
This page is built to help you cut through the confusion. We have gathered the most common window tinting FAQs and answered them in one place.
How much does car window tinting cost?
Pricing for window tinting can vary depending on your vehicle and the type of film you choose. In Australia, car window tinting typically starts from $300.
Basic films cost less, while high-performance options like ceramic IR window tint or hybrid-matrix films are priced higher. Cheaper tints do exist, but after years in the industry, we’ve seen firsthand that lower-cost films don’t hold up well, especially in Queensland’s sunny climate. Quality tint is a one-time investment that protects both your car and your comfort in the long run.
What are the benefits of tinting my car windows?
Window tinting offers more than just good looks. The most common reasons people choose to tint their windows include:
- UV protection: Blocks up to 99% of harmful UV rays, which helps reduce skin damage and protect your interior
- Reduced glare: Makes daytime driving safer and easier on the eyes
- Heat reduction: Acts as an insulator to keep your car cooler, especially in the summer
- Interior protection: Prevents fading, cracking, and damage to upholstery
- Privacy and security: Deters prying eyes and adds protection in case of shattered glass
- Safety: Helps hold glass together in an accident to reduce injury
Think of it like sunscreen and sunglasses for your car and everyone in it.
Why should I choose a professional workshop over DIY or mobile services?
We get it. DIY kits seem cheap and mobile services sound convenient, but both options often fall short when it comes to quality.
Professional workshops provide a dust-free, wind-free, temperature-controlled environment that ensures a clean install with no air bubbles or contamination. Add to that years of experience, legal knowledge, and access to premium products backed by warranties, and it quickly becomes clear why expert installation is worth it.
Mobile services simply can’t guarantee the same conditions or control. And if things go wrong? Fixing a DIY or poor mobile tint job can cost you more in the long run.
What are the legal limits for car window tinting in Queensland?
Legal limits can vary slightly by state, but in Queensland, here is what you need to know:
- Front side windows must allow at least 35% of visible light transmission (VLT).
- Rear side and rear windows can go as dark as 20% VLT.
- Windscreens must remain untinted, except for a top visor strip no larger than 10% of the windscreen height or above the wiper sweep, whichever is greater.
Staying within these limits ensures legal compliance and avoids visibility or insurance issues.
What tint percentage should I choose?
For most drivers, a 20% tint strikes the right balance. It’s dark enough to deter snoopers and keep your car cool, but still light enough to see out of comfortably even at night.
Factory tints are usually between 15% and 20%, so if you’re trying to match an SUV or ute’s rear windows, this is the range to look at. Learn more about ute window tinting.
If you prioritise visibility or want to stay closer to the legal minimum on all sides, 35% is a good choice for your front windows.
It’s also worth considering how your tint affects visibility at night. While legal tints won’t affect your ability to drive at night, extremely dark or illegal shades can make night driving more difficult. Always choose a reputable provider who follows regulations.
What is the difference between factory tint and aftermarket tint?
It’s easy to assume that a car that comes with tinted windows has film applied, but in most cases, factory tint is actually pigment embedded in the glass itself. While it does provide some shading, it offers little to no protection against heat or UV rays.
Aftermarket tint (the kind applied in a tint shop) is a separate film layer that gives you all the benefits: heat rejection, UV protection, glare reduction, and privacy.
What are the different types of car tint?
Car window tint is available in a few different material types, each with its own features:
- Nano-ceramic film offers high UV and heat protection without interfering with signals (e.g. 3M Ceramic IR or Spectre).
- Hybrid-matrix film is a blend of metal and dyed layers for enhanced performance and durability (e.g. Black Panther).
- The darkest legal film is designed to give the maximum allowable shade while staying within the legal limit (e.g. Octane).
How is car window tint installed?
Here’s a quick look at the car window tinting process:
- Windows are thoroughly cleaned to remove dust and debris.
- Film is heat-shrunk to match the shape of curved glass.
- An adhesive solution is sprayed on.
- The film is applied to the inside of the glass.
- Moisture is squeegeed out for a smooth finish.
- Edges are trimmed precisely for a clean result.
It’s not as simple as applying a sticker. It’s a careful, multi-step process that ensures the tint lasts and looks great.
At Express Tinting, we also specialise in luxury car tinting. That means when you bring us your prestige vehicle, you can expect every detail to be handled to the highest standard.
How long does it take to tint a car?
Most cars take between 2 and 4 hours, depending on:
- The size and shape of the vehicle
- The number of windows
- The type of tint being applied
- Whether the old tint needs to be removed
It’s best to drop your car off and allow enough time for the team to get the job done right.
Can you tint a car with auto-dropping windows?
Absolutely. These are common on modern cars, and professional installers are used to working with them. Tint is applied while the window is fully closed, so when the door opens and the window drops slightly, it still sits perfectly within the seals.
What should I expect after installation?
Right after your tint is applied, you might notice a few water bubbles or light haziness. This is moisture trapped during installation, and it’s totally normal. It usually clears up within 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the weather.
To get the best result, here are a few do’s and don’ts after installation:
- Keep your windows up for at least 48 to 72 hours to let the film fully cure.
- Avoid cleaning the inside windows for about a week.
- Washing your car from the outside is fine, but avoid pressure washing around the window edges during the curing period.
Does tint affect navigation or radio signals?
Only in rare cases. Some metallic tints may interfere slightly with GPS, mobile, or radio signals, but most modern tint films have non-metallic options available that avoid this issue entirely. If you’re concerned, ask your installer which films are the safest for your vehicle.
For electric vehicles (EVs), this choice matters even more because of the extra cameras, sensors, and wireless tech on board. At Express Tinting, we specialise in electric vehicle window tinting and only use films that are 100% safe for those systems.
Our go-to options include Solargard VTX Pro, which delivers excellent heat rejection and UV protection without affecting sat nav, Bluetooth, or mobile reception, and 3M IR Ceramic, which helps reduce heat build-up to ease the load on your air con and battery while remaining signal-friendly and durable.
How durable is window tint?
Good-quality tint, like 3M films, is scratch-resistant and made to last. When properly maintained, quality film can last up to 10 years. That includes:
- Cleaning with a soft cloth or microfibre towel
- Avoiding harsh cleaning chemicals
- Not using sharp or abrasive tools on the film
If needed, tint can be removed and replaced, but it’s a delicate job that’s best left to professionals.
Are there common myths about window tinting?
Yes, there are quite a few. Here are some of the most common:
Myth: Tinted windows make the glass shatterproof.
Fact: Tint helps hold glass together in an accident but does not make it unbreakable.
Myth: Tint doesn’t need maintenance.
Fact: Proper care extends the life of your tint.
Myth: The darker, the better.
Fact: Extremely dark tints can reduce visibility and may be illegal in your state.
If in doubt, speak to a professional before believing what you hear.
Still have questions about window tinting?
Window tinting is one of the most affordable upgrades you can make to your car, and when it’s done right, the difference is instant. From temperature control to UV protection and privacy, it offers comfort and style that lasts.
If you still have questions that weren’t covered here, or you’re ready to book in, reach out to our team. We’ll walk you through your options and help you choose the best solution based on your needs, budget, and car model.