Tint provides an aesthetic and a stylish look to your car, but one needs to be careful about the tint percentage allowed in their state.
If you have recently got your car windows tinted, you might think it looks a bit light compared to the VLT percentage, or someone might have told you that it will get dark after some days. Does tint get dark as it cures? Let’s find out!
Does Tint Get Dark As It Cures?
Yes, the tint does get dark as it cures. But there is no percentage change in the tint VLT percentage. You might have noticed a slight change in the shade of your newly tinted window and would be wondering how can it change.
Also Read: Do Tints Go To The Inside or Outside?
Well, don’t worry, it does not cause a change in tint percentage, but in some way, there is a slight change in the colour of the tint.
It might be noticeable to some people, but it might not be a visible change. If you notice the shade of the tinted window regularly, it might change after a few days of getting tinted.
You might be wondering why there is a change in the shade of tint or why tint gets dark as it cures. Don’t worry, and we have got the answer to this question covered here. Let’s find out!
Why Does Tint Get Dark As It Cures?
The change in the shade of the tint is due to curing, not drying. People often get confused between curing and drying. Let’s first see what both means. Curing means dissolving solvent or solution present in the adhesive when it starts to stick with the window. On the other hand, drying is simply drying of adhesive over time.
Also Read: Why Can’t I Roll Down Windows After Tint?
So, here tint gets dark as it cures. Darkening of the tint starts as the adhesive begins curing, and chemical reactions start between the window and the tint. It is not the tint that gets darker; it is the adhesive that gets cured and sets itself with a window to hold the tint.
Your windows will cease darkening after the curing process is finished and will begin to lighten over time, especially if your automobile is frequently exposed to bright sunlight.
Now you might be worried about the change in the percentage of tint. Let’s find out an answer to this question as well.
How Much Percentage Change In Tint Will Be There As It Cures?
There is no change in the tint percentage even after it is completely cured. As mentioned above, the adhesive cures, not the tint. So you don’t need to worry about getting a ticket. Once the tint is cured, there won’t be any change after the tint gets cured.
Suppose if your tint is 35% dark, then at the time of installation, it will be 35% dark only but might look 2-3% light if you notice it very deeply, but as the curing process starts, you will note a slight change in the colour of the tint.
It is to be noted here that no matter which kind of tint you are using, there will be no change in the tint percentage once it is cured.
How Long Will It Take For Tint To Get Completely Cured?
It usually takes around 5-7 days for the tint to get completely cured. The time majorly depends on the weather when you get your car windows tinted. If there are summers, the tint will get completely cured within 5-6 days, whereas during winters or rainy days, it might take more time to get cured.
Water or any solution takes time to cure during the rainy season as more moisture gets in. This is why there is a time factor if you should wash your windows or not after a tint.
So the best time to get your car windows tinted is during the summer season or on sunny days so that the tint receives enough time to cure and set.
Another factor that is related to this is the size of the window. Cars having broad or huge-sized windows will require more tint, which means more adhesive, so it will take a bit more time for the tint to cure as compared to normal car windows.
Conclusion
To sum up, it may seem that tint gets dark as it cures or after some weeks or days of installation. But it is mandatory to focus that it only “seems so” in reality, the tint percentage stays the same no matter what type of tint you are using. The chemicals or adhesives hold the tint that changes, not the tint itself.
