Paint Protection Film - Frequently Asked Questions

Can the film be removed?
Yes. The film is designed as a semi-permanent application, but can easily be removed if desired from any OEM painted surface. For removal of the film, simply heat the surface to approximately 150°F and begin by working a corner of the film with your fingernail. After you have enough film to hold onto, pull the film slowly away from the surface. If any adhesive remains, simply use any adhesive cleaner that is safe for the surface and wipe clean with a soft cloth. If any sections are known to have been repainted, extreme caution should be taken on those areas during removal.

Can I see a line where the film stops?
A slight line is barely visible at certain angles where the film stops.

How hard is it to see after it is applied?
The film is over 99.5% clear. On any color darker than bright white, you can’t see the film. On a stark white car, you can see less than 0.5% of color, which is from the adhesive.

How long will it last, when will I have to replace it?
The topcoat product has a 7-year warranty and the non-topcoat has 5 years. Proper care will only help to prolong the life of the material. Frequent washing and waxing is recommended similar to the care of your car's painted surface. Applications of high quality automotive wax after installation and at frequent intervals will help retain the luster and performance of the product. (Waxing the material cleans the surface and adds moisture to the film similar to the painted surface.)

Will the paint fade differently under the film than the rest of the car?
No. The material contains UV inhibitors to prevent the film from reacting to the sun's rays, but still allows a certain amount to filter through the material and onto the surface to let the paint “age” with the rest of the vehicle.

What if I go through a car wash, or have the car waxed?
You can do anything to the material that you normally do to a car's finish. Frequent washing and waxing will only prolong and enhance the beauty of the product. Yes, the material will accept wax and polishes just as the paint does and will last longer with regular applications.

What if I encounter wax build-up around the edges?
Use a soft, damp cloth, Q-tip, or soft brush to remove any wax build-up that may occur.

Will it really stop rocks from chipping the car?
Yes. The material was originally designed to stop chips on rotor blades and airplane propellers. It is much easier for the product to protect your vehicle's paint than a propeller moving at nearly the speed of sound.

What does the warranty cover?
The premium StoneShield product is warranted to be free of defects in manufacturing and workmanship, and will resist yellowing and cracking resulting from UV exposure for up to 7 years. Limitation of remedies and liabilities are solely restricted to replacement of the defective film.

Window Tinting - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I clean my windows to ensure it lasts as long as possible?
We recommend a non-ammonia cleaner and a microfiber cloth. It you use a professional detailer let them know the windows are tinted.

Can you have window tinting applied to your windows in wet or cold weather?Yes! With the modern adhesive systems found on today's window tinting products, it is possible to have your car windows tinted even in freezing weather. However, the curing time may be extended in adverse conditions. Professional installers take the weather into consideration during installation, allowing more time to apply heat to the edges of the tint to activate the drying process. Be sure to purchase name brand high performance or metal window tinting products to insure high quality adhesives.

I just had my windows tinted and now it's all hazy. It's been several days and it hasn't gone away.
You must have had a metalized film applied to your windows. Metalized film has a much slower drying time. Under normal drying conditions, such as hot summer days, it will take 1 - 2 weeks; wintertime the drying time usually takes 30 days. Also, drying time depends on how much sun exposure the windows receive during the day. The more sun, the faster the drying.

What causes window tinting to bubble?
V rays from the sun that are responsible for damaging your cars interior and excessive heat build-up are usually the cause of bubbles forming in the window tint. The bubbles are a result of a failure in the adhesive system. Protect yourself from this potential problem by purchasing a major brand name window tint material. The major window tint manufacturers, in their high performance and metal window tints, have a high temperature adhesive system and 99% of UV protection capabilities, which along with the metalizing technology, allows them to give a manufacture backed guarantee against bubbling of window tinting. These films are available from most reputable installers.

How durable is tinting?
One question asked thousands of times about durability is, "Will my kids tear it up?" We are glad to report this is not a problem. Pets are also a concern but damage is usually confined to smudges that just need to be cleaned. The hard scratch-resistant coating found on quality window tint products do an excellent job protecting window tint from everyday use as well as kids and pets. A word of caution is to remember window tinting is installed on the inside of the glass and is usually coated with a high quality scratch resistant layer for protection. However, the key word is **resistant**. Take care when loading and unloading objects with sharp or hard edges, boxes, sporting equipment, etc. It is possible to tear even the best window tinting material with a sharp or hard object hitting against the tint. Glass without tinting, or with factory window tint; can be damaged in this fashion also. Remember if you accidentally damage a window, the cost of replacing the window tinting material on one window is not that expensive.

How do black dots and lines at the edge of a window on newer cars affect window tinting?
The black dots, or matrix patters, as well as the lines at the top of some windows are made of a Teflon type of material that is applied at the factory. Purely cosmetic, they hide trim lines and edges on different styles of autos. The thickness of these Teflon type areas make them a nightmare when applying window tint. Window tint is designed to adhere directly to the glass. The black lines across the top of some windows can prevent window tint from sticking and cannot be covered. When black dots are encountered, the window tint sticks to the slightly raised dot. This can give, depending on the thickness of the material, a lighter or different look in the area of the black matrix dots. This poses no risk of peeling. In some cases, the dot pattern or lines usually put at the top of some windows are so thick that it makes it impossible for the tint to stick at all.

How will window-tinting affect my defroster performance?
Window tinting actually helps to insulate the window and helps the defroster clear the glass of frost and fog quicker.

After the window is tinted...I see little tiny bubbles scattered on the glass. Will they go away?
The answer is yes. Unfortunately, most tint shops are not work areas that are sealed in a vacuum (vacuum-sealed: a space relatively empty of matter) so one will have tiny air particles caught onto the film. However, as the film cures, usually after a hot summer, it will tighten up around these sports and they will become even smaller and less noticeable.