Getting window tint or rain guards installed on your car windows is a common vehicle customization. Many drivers wonder whether it’s better to get the tint or guards first. This article provides some guidance on making this decision.
Should I get tint before I do rain guards? is a question drivers looking to accessorize their car often ask themselves. The order you choose can impact the final look and effectiveness of these add-ons. Carefully considering the pros and cons of each option can ensure you make the right choice for your needs.
Both window tint and rain guards serve useful functions for a vehicle. Tinting films block sunlight from entering the car interior, helping keep it cooler and protecting interior surfaces from UV damage. Rain guards deflect water away from open windows, allowing you to crack them for ventilation without letting rain come inside. Getting them installed in the optimal sequence enhances their performance and appearance.
Should You Get Car Tint Before Installing Rain Guards?
You can install car window tint either before or after rain guards. Rain guards are installed on the outside of the window using clips and adhesive, while tint is applied to the inside surface. So the order does not affect the tint installation. However, some recommend getting the tint done first in case the shop needs full window access. Overall the order does not matter as long as you use a quality tint shop.
What Are Rain Guards And How Do They Work?
Rain guards, also called window deflectors or window visors, are accessories installed on the upper edges of car windows. They redirect water away from open windows during rain or car washes.
Rain guards use an adhesive tape on the window edge combined with small plastic clips. This allows pre-cut tints for car windows fresh air to flow in through cracked windows without letting rain enter the car interior. They provide ventilation while keeping the vehicle dry.
What Types Of Car Tint Are Available?
There are several types of tint including dyed, carbon, ceramic, and metallic films. Dyed films are inexpensive but fade over time. Carbon films block more heat and UV rays. Ceramic tints are the newest technology with the best heat rejection. Metallic films have a mirrored look for style over function. Within these categories, tint darkness ranges from very light to limo blackout. Legal limits on tint darkness vary by state.
Does The Order Of Installing Car Tint Vs Rain Guards Matter?
The order of installing tint versus rain guards does not technically matter. Tint goes on the inside window surface while guards mount to the exterior frame. An experienced tint shop can work around installed visors. However, some advise getting the tint done first to allow full window access. Either order can work fine, but you may want to consult your chosen tint shop on their preference.
What Factors Should You Consider When Deciding The Install Order?
| Factor | Description |
| Compatibility | Install dependencies and requirements first so later programs function properly |
| Priority | Install most important or core programs first |
| Drivers | Install hardware drivers early so devices work correctly |
| Base Software | Get essential base software set up before add-ons |
| Stability | Build a stable foundation before less reliable software |
| Functionality | Confirm key features work at each step |
The main goal is to methodically build a solid base, with everything installed in the optimal sequence to avoid issues. Consider compatibility, priority, drivers, base platforms, stability and functionality at each step.
What Purpose Does Car Tint Serve On A Vehicle With Rain Guards?
Car tint and rain guards serve complementary purposes on a vehicle. Car tint blocks UV rays to protect vehicle occupants from skin damage and cancer risk, while also preventing interior fading. Rain guards allow windows to be cracked open in rain or hot weather while keeping water and wind out. So car tint protects people and interiors, while rain guards provide ventilation and cooling. Having both enhances comfort and safety.
How Does Car Tint Complement Rain Guards On Functionality?
Car tint and rain guards work very well together. Tint blocks UV rays coming through cracked windows with guards, enhancing protection. Guards allow windows to be cracked without letting rain in, maintaining privacy and security from tint.
Tint also conceals the open crack allowed by guards, preventing easy break-ins. And tint keeps interiors cooler when windows are open with guards, while blocking UV rays. So tint and guards unify to optimize ventilation, cooling, UV blocking, and security.
Does Getting Car Tint First Impact Rain Guard Installation?
The search results did not indicate any impact on installation. Rain guards can be installed on vehicles with or without existing tint. Guards attach to the exterior of windows with adhesive or clips, so tint does not interfere. The only consideration is matching tint darkness if guards impact visibility, but install order does not matter.
Should You Get Rain Guards If You Already Have Car Tint Installed?
Yes, adding rain guards to a car with tint provides significant extra benefits. Guards allow windows to be cracked for ventilation without letting in rain, providing cooling that nicely complements tint’s heat protection. Tint maintains privacy when windows are open with guards. And guards optimize air flow to clear smoke that could build up and stain tint. So rain guards meaningfully augment the functionality of existing tint.
What Benefits Do Car Tint And Rain Guards Offer Together?
5 benefits of having both car tint and rain guards
- Cooler interior
Tint blocks heat and sun, while guards allow air circulation
- UV ray protection
Tint screens UV rays to protect skin and interior
- Glare reduction
Tint reduces glare and eye strain for driver safety
- Ventilation
Guards enable window cracking for airflow without letting rain inside
- Privacy and security
Together they obscure sight lines into the vehicle interior.
The combination of tinting and rain guards work synergistically, amplifying the advantages of each. Tint shades the interior while guards permit fresh airflow. Both enhance comfort and security. Installed properly, they are fully compatible and complementary upgrades.
Can Car Tint Installation Damage Existing Rain Guards?
The installation of car window tint should not damage properly installed rain guards. Rain guards are exterior attachments that sit above the window openings to divert water. Window tint is an interior film layer applied directly to the inside glass surface.
A professional tint shop uses precision computer cutters that contour the tint film to the exact window dimensions without contacting or interfering with exterior rain guards. However, an inexperienced installer working freehand could potentially cut into the tint film when working around rain guard mounts.
How Is Car Tint Applied On Vehicle Windows?
Professional installers use advanced digital plotter machines to precision pre-cut tint films to perfectly fit each unique window shape. The computerized cutters contour the films around any curved edges, angles, or irregular sections of the window glass. These precisely sized tint films are then carefully centered on the interior window surfaces and secured at the edges using soapy application fluid and a squeegee.
The installers work systematically from the center outward, using the squeegee to smooth the film and adhere it evenly across the entire interior glass surface. High quality tint films provide a uniform appearance and reliable adhesion when applied properly.
Do Rain Guard Mounts Get In The Way Of Tint Application?
The mounts used to secure rain guards to the exterior of the window frame should not interfere with professional tint application on the interior glass surface. Since the mounts are external fixtures that do not protrude far into the window opening, they remain completely separate from the tint film layer adhered on the inside of the glass.
An experienced tinter accounts for any mount hardware during the precision cutting process to avoid any issues applying the contoured film around these attachments. With computer plotted patterns, the tint films should install smoothly without contacting external mounts.
Should You Remove Rain Guards Before Adding Car Tint?
There is generally no need to detach properly installed rain guards prior to having tint films applied. As long as the tint installer uses a digital plotter machine to precision pre-cut the window films, the rain guards will not obstruct the process or affect the results.
The key is ensuring the tint shop has the technical capabilities, skill and experience to cut and apply the films appropriately around existing mounts. However, removing the guards does provide the installer full access and visibility for maximum precision.
What Precautions Help Avoid Damage During Car Tint Installation?
It is wise to verify that the tint shop uses advanced digital cutting equipment capable of contouring the films to complex shapes and irregular edges. Seeking an experienced professional installer also helps minimize risks.
Letting the tint shop know about any existing rain guards or other attachments enables them to account for these fixtures when plotting the film templates. Providing photos of the current window configuration further assists the precision cutting process. Avoiding freehand cutting helps prevent over-trimming or contact with exterior hardware. Monitoring the work and inspecting afterwards checks for any unlikely issues.
Which Provides Better Value Tint Or Rain Guards First?
Based on the search results, it does not seem to matter which you get first in terms of value or pricing. Most comments indicate you can install rain guards either before or after tinting with no issues. The tint shop would use a plotter to precisely cut the film on the inside, so exterior accessories like guards do not get in the way. Overall there is no clear better value order between tinting and rain guards.
How Much Does Car Tinting Typically Cost?
The search results did not provide much detail on typical pricing for car tinting. However, based on context clues a basic tint job likely ranges from a few hundred to a thousand dollars depending on factors like film type, number of windows, vehicle make and model, and local labor rates. More advanced ceramic tinting with heat rejection properties tends to cost more given the improved performance and materials.
What Is The Average Price Range For Rain Guards?
Unfortunately the search results did not contain pricing details for rain guards. But as relatively simple exterior accessories, rain guards likely range from $50-200 for a typical 4-piece set based on anecdotal experience. Higher-end brands or OEM factory guards would sit at the higher end of that range.
Does Install Order Impact The Pricing Or Value You Get?
As covered previously, install order does not seem to impact pricing or value between tinting and rain guards based on the search results. Both modifications stand alone in terms of pricing and function. The only consideration would be any potential need to temporarily remove rain guards if required for tint installation, adding minor labor costs3.
What Order Saves The Most Money On Both Car Mods?
Given there is no clear pricing advantage or disadvantage to the install order based on available information, the best approach is whichever is more convenient or fits your schedule. Performing both modifications at once could potentially save on labor charges if done by the same shop. But the search results do not provide enough pricing details to determine if one order specifically saves more money.
What Legal Regulations Apply To Car Tint And Rain Guards?
There are legal limits on how dark of a tint you can have on your car windows in most states. For example, in Texas the front side windows must allow over 25% of light to come through. Rain guards, also called wind deflectors, are legal accessories that attach above the windows to divert airflow. They allow you to crack the windows open while keeping rain out. There are no specific legal regulations restricting or limiting the use of rain guards. As long as they do not obstruct your view or interfere with opening the windows, rain guards are a legal modification.
Are There Car Window Tinting Laws To Be Aware Of?
Most states have legal limits on window tint darkness, particularly for the front driver and passenger windows. Common regulations are having at least 35-50% light transmittance on the front side windows in many states.
Going darker than legal limits risks getting a fine. Medical exemptions allowing darker tint do exist in some states if you have a doctor’s note explaining the medical need. But in general it’s wise to research your state’s specific laws before getting an overly dark window tint. Professional installers are usually aware of legal restrictions.
Do Certain Rain Guards Violate Any Vehicle Codes?
No, rain guards themselves do not violate vehicle codes if installed properly. They function as add-on wind deflectors and do not alter the existing windows. As long as rain guards don’t obstruct the driver’s vision or interfere with fully opening windows, they are a legal accessory.
Some poorly designed or fitted guards could potentially violate regulations if they blocked visibility or window operation. But reputable brands that correctly attach above the window opening are compliant and legal.
How Can You Ensure Legal Compliance With Both Mods?
For window tints, check your state’s specific legal limits on allowable tint darkness for the front and rear windows. Only use tint darkness levels permitted in your state to avoid fines. For rain guards, choose guards that correctly fit your vehicle without blocking visibility or restricting window movement.
Purchase quality guards from reputable manufacturers that comply with regulations in all states3. Professional installation also helps ensure proper fitting for legal use.
What Are The Risks Of Non-Compliant Window Tints Or Rain Guards?
The risks of overly dark tint is getting a fix-it ticket if pulled over, which requires removing the non-compliant film within a set time period to avoid fines. Excessively dark tint can also increase crash risks in low light conditions due to reduced visibility.
For rain guards, poorly designed guards that obstruct vision or window operation could contribute to accident risks. They could also potentially violate codes if blocking the driver’s view of mirrors or traffic. But compliant, properly fitted guards from reputable brands pose no risks when used as directed.
Frequently Asked Question
Will rain guards affect tint installation?
No, tint film is applied to the interior glass so exterior accessories like guards will not interfere.
Do I need to remove rain guards for tinting?
Not typically, the tint shop can work around exterior accessories like rain guards.
Should I get OEM or aftermarket rain guards?
OEM factory guards tend to fit better with less gaps compared to aftermarket versions.
What tint level matches rain guard appearance?
Darker tint shades complement and blend better with black rain guards visually.
Does install order impact pricing of tint and guards?
No, pricing seems consistent regardless if tint or guards are installed first.
Conclusion
Getting window tint before rain guards does not matter. The tint goes on the inside of the window. The rain guards attach to the outside with clips and tape.
The window tinting shop can still easily apply the film on the inside. They use a special machine to cut the tint film. So the rain guards will not be in the way at all.
You can install rain guards either before or after getting window tint. The order does not affect anything. Check if your tint shop uses a plotter machine to cut the film. If they do, the rain guards will not get in the way later when applying the tint. The clips and tape make the guards easy to install anytime.
