Window Tint
In Phoenix, tint is about heat.
Darkness is secondary.
A dark film and a film that actually rejects infrared are two different products. We will show you the difference on a heat lamp before you pick, so you are buying performance instead of a shade.
Film types
What you are actually paying for.
Every film blocks some light. What separates them is how much heat they stop, whether they interfere with your electronics, and how they hold up under a decade of Arizona sun.
01
Dyed
The entry option. Cuts glare and gives you the look. Least heat rejection, and the cheaper versions are the ones you see turning purple on old cars.
02
Carbon
Better heat rejection than dyed, no metal so it will not interfere with signal, and a flat black appearance that holds its color.
03
Ceramic
The most infrared rejection for a given darkness. This is what makes a lighter, legal front window still feel meaningfully cooler. Highest cost.
What tint actually does
Four reasons people in the Valley tint.
- Heat. A good ceramic film takes a real bite out of cabin temperature, which is the whole point here.
- Interior protection. Quality films block the large majority of UV, which is what fades and cracks a dash and dries out leather.
- Glare. Low winter sun on the 101 and the reflection off every light-colored surface in this valley.
- Privacy. Real, but it is the reason people give, not the reason the car is more comfortable.
Arizona law
We install legal, and we tell you where the line is.
Arizona’s tint limits are set in state statute. The general shape of the law is below. We confirm the current limits before every install, and we will not knowingly put you outside them.
- Front side windowsMust let a minimum percentage of light through. This is the window with a real limit, and it is where most tickets come from.
- Back side & rear glassArizona is permissive here. Darker film is generally allowed, subject to the mirror requirement.
- WindshieldA transparent strip along the top only. Red and amber are not permitted.
- ReflectivityHighly mirrored and metallic-look films are capped, regardless of how much light they let through.
- Medical exemptionArizona provides an exemption process through ADOT for documented medical need.
Tint questions
Before you book.
How long does the install take?
Most cars are a few hours. Odd rear glass, steep windshields, and full builds take longer. We will give you a time when we quote it. If tint is going on at the same time as paint protection film or a colour change, tell us up front so we can sequence the work in one visit.
Why does it look hazy or bubbly at first?
That is moisture behind the film and it is normal. It clears as the film cures. Do not roll the windows down for the period we tell you, and give it time before you judge it.
Can you remove old tint?
Yes. Old, failing, purple film comes off before new film goes on. There are examples of finished glass in the gallery. Rear defroster lines make that job slower and more delicate, and it is priced separately.
Will ceramic film block my phone or GPS?
No. Signal interference comes from metallized films. Carbon and ceramic are not metallic.
Do you tint a windshield?
We will discuss what is legal in Arizona and what makes sense. Clear or near-clear heat-rejection windshield film is a real product and it is a bigger comfort upgrade than most people expect.
Next step
Come see it on a heat lamp.
Ten minutes in the shop tells you more than any percentage on a website.