Your Car Window Tinting Shop Info / FAQ's
COOL Window Tinting 3911 Steilacoom Blvd SW Lakewood, WA 98499 Call 253-588-9193
Owner Mike Garcia has been in the automotive window tinting business since 1979. He has personally tinted over 28,000 vehicles. When you walk into Cool Window Tinting, you will find a super clean, well-lighted tint shop. The walls are plastered with photographs of some of the vehicles that Mike has personally tinted over the years.
Our Window Tinting Process
We take special care to ensure that your new tinted windows will look like new for as long as possible. We maintain a “clean room” environment in our shop because it is absolutely essential for a quality window tinting job. Dust and debris in the shop environment will get between the glass and the window tinting film, causing visible defects and high likelihood that the tint will separate and peel off the glass prematurely.
Door panels and other obstacles are carefully removed. Windows are cleaned and scraped to remove all dirt, debris and dust. Window film templates are individually cut and trimmed for an exact fit. Rear window films are shaped using a heat process to ensure that they conform to the curved surface. Films are applied, all air pockets carefully removed and edges trimmed as needed. All trim is carefully reinstalled. Your vehicle is ready for the street!
If you are considering having your windows tinted elsewhere, we strongly encourage you to personally inspect their shop first. Then tour our shop online or in-person. We are sure you will appreciate the difference!
We take special care to ensure that your new tinted windows will look like new for as long as possible. We maintain a “clean room” environment in our shop because it is absolutely essential for a quality window tinting job. Dust and debris in the shop environment will get between the glass and the window tinting film, causing visible defects and high likelihood that the tint will separate and peel off the glass prematurely.
Door panels and other obstacles are carefully removed. Windows are cleaned and scraped to remove all dirt, debris and dust. Window film templates are individually cut and trimmed for an exact fit. Rear window films are shaped using a heat process to ensure that they conform to the curved surface. Films are applied, all air pockets carefully removed and edges trimmed as needed. All trim is carefully reinstalled. Your vehicle is ready for the street!
If you are considering having your windows tinted elsewhere, we strongly encourage you to personally inspect their shop first. Then tour our shop online or in-person. We are sure you will appreciate the difference!
Frequently Asked Window Tinting Questions
1. Does the window tint go on the outside?
The template is cut using the outside of the window as a guide, then installed inside of the glass.
2. How many days do I have to wait before I can roll my car windows down?
It usually takes anywhere from 3-5 days for the tint to dry completely, depending on the weather.
3. How strong is the window tinting film? Does it scratch easily?
Window film has some resistance to scratching, however animal claws, seatbelt buckles, toys,
and other hard, sharp objects can nick and scratch the film.
4. What is the stuff you use to make the window film stick to my windows?
We use a gentle solution of baby shampoo and water.
5. Can I use a window cleaning solution like Windex on the film?
Yes, but please wait several days for the film to cure before cleaning.
6. Can I wash the car?
Yes, as long as the inside of the glass is not touched. Close all windows before washing!
7. Does a clean auto window tinting shop make a difference in the installation of my tint?
Yes. IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
1. Does the window tint go on the outside?
The template is cut using the outside of the window as a guide, then installed inside of the glass.
2. How many days do I have to wait before I can roll my car windows down?
It usually takes anywhere from 3-5 days for the tint to dry completely, depending on the weather.
3. How strong is the window tinting film? Does it scratch easily?
Window film has some resistance to scratching, however animal claws, seatbelt buckles, toys,
and other hard, sharp objects can nick and scratch the film.
4. What is the stuff you use to make the window film stick to my windows?
We use a gentle solution of baby shampoo and water.
5. Can I use a window cleaning solution like Windex on the film?
Yes, but please wait several days for the film to cure before cleaning.
6. Can I wash the car?
Yes, as long as the inside of the glass is not touched. Close all windows before washing!
7. Does a clean auto window tinting shop make a difference in the installation of my tint?
Yes. IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!
Proudly serving the Pierce County, Puget Sound, Washington Area with first class car window tinting.
Tacoma • Lakewood • Spanaway • University Place • Fircrest • Lacey • Olympia • Puyallup • Gig Harbor • Dupont • Fife
Window Tint Care
Drying time:
Your new window film will take about 3 to 5 days to fully dry, sometimes a lot longer depending on film brand, type, and weather conditions. Until this time your tinted windows may appear hazy or lumpy, and it may seem to have water bubbles. Do not roll your tinted windows down until dry!
Cleaning:
Window film may be cleaned with a soft clean cloth and alcohol based cleaner or plain water. Ammonia products should not be used.
Black dotted edges:
Most cars have a black ceramic ‘frit’ edge on the rear window. Sometimes this ceramic edge is straight and flat, sometimes it will have a dotted edge. These black ceramic dots are quite thick on most cars and prevent the window film from sticking to the area between the dots. This results in a whitish looking strip trimming the glass. Typically this isn’t very noticeable, however some cars have a wide band of dots trimming the top of the rear window. This area is so wide that the whitish looking area created is more pronounced. Unfortunately, the effect is unavoidable.
Imperfections:
Though we strive for perfection in our installation, due to the nature of the product, some degree of dust contamination and or minor imperfections are present in every window film application, also pre-existing flaws or scratches and metal deposits on the glass are often much more noticeable after windows are tinted.
Small silvery looking spots or ‘metal rubs’ on some windows are usually found in station wagons or other utility vehicles, and are cause by a metallic object ( such as baby stroller handle) rubbing against the inner surface of the glass during travel. This rubbing deposits metal onto the glass creating a silver or grey stain. Usually these metal rubs aren’t noticeable and often aren’t noticed until the windows become tinted.
Drying time:
Your new window film will take about 3 to 5 days to fully dry, sometimes a lot longer depending on film brand, type, and weather conditions. Until this time your tinted windows may appear hazy or lumpy, and it may seem to have water bubbles. Do not roll your tinted windows down until dry!
Cleaning:
Window film may be cleaned with a soft clean cloth and alcohol based cleaner or plain water. Ammonia products should not be used.
Black dotted edges:
Most cars have a black ceramic ‘frit’ edge on the rear window. Sometimes this ceramic edge is straight and flat, sometimes it will have a dotted edge. These black ceramic dots are quite thick on most cars and prevent the window film from sticking to the area between the dots. This results in a whitish looking strip trimming the glass. Typically this isn’t very noticeable, however some cars have a wide band of dots trimming the top of the rear window. This area is so wide that the whitish looking area created is more pronounced. Unfortunately, the effect is unavoidable.
Imperfections:
Though we strive for perfection in our installation, due to the nature of the product, some degree of dust contamination and or minor imperfections are present in every window film application, also pre-existing flaws or scratches and metal deposits on the glass are often much more noticeable after windows are tinted.
Small silvery looking spots or ‘metal rubs’ on some windows are usually found in station wagons or other utility vehicles, and are cause by a metallic object ( such as baby stroller handle) rubbing against the inner surface of the glass during travel. This rubbing deposits metal onto the glass creating a silver or grey stain. Usually these metal rubs aren’t noticeable and often aren’t noticed until the windows become tinted.