Exclusive Paint Protection installs XPEL PRIME XR PLUS ceramic window tint at our Huntersville studio at 13266 Reese Blvd E, Unit 400, and at our Charlotte studio on Chastain Ave. A full-vehicle tint is usually done the same day, in about 4 to 6 hours. We’re an Authorized XPEL Dealer with more than 20 years of experience and nearly 2,000 vehicles protected, and every car is tinted by our own XPEL-certified installers. If you’ve booked tint and want to know what the day looks like, this is how it works at our studios.
How long does window tint take?
Plan on 4 to 6 hours for a full-vehicle tint, finished the same day. We recommend dropping the car off. Waiting isn’t encouraged, but we can accommodate it if you need to, and most of our clients arrange their own ride for the day.
Tinting only the two front windows takes less time. We don’t usually recommend it, because you don’t get the full heat and UV benefit with the rest of the glass untinted. If you have a different setup in mind, contact us and we’ll talk it through.
Both studios are open Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, by appointment. You can text either studio at (704) 208-9000.
What happens while your car is in the studio?
Window tint always goes on the inside of the glass. Our installers cut the film for your car’s windows, then shape it so it lies flat against curved glass. Rear windows usually take the most care, because they curve in more than one direction and the film has to be heat-formed to match.
Some cars take more skill. A few models have very large rear glass, such as the Tesla Model 3. Fitting that window with a single piece of film is harder than doing it in sections, and a one-piece rear window is our in-house standard. A Tesla Model Y L has rear door glass, quarter glass and a rear window that are all a different size from a standard Model Y, so the film is cut for that car specifically.
How do we check the work before you pick up?
No tint install is flawless under a microscope, so we inspect against an industry standard. We hold every install to the IWFA’s Automotive Visual Inspection Guideline for Applied Window Film, and to what you expect from us.
Each car is inspected before you’re called. If a piece of film needs to be redone, we replace it with a new piece, usually before you pick the car up, so you don’t have to come back. Most tint problems people run into come from the installation, not from a defect in the film, which is why we keep installs in-house.
What should you do in the first week after tint?
New film needs time to dry and bond to the glass. Two simple habits protect it while it does.
- Keep the windows rolled up for 3 days in the summer months and 5 days in colder months. Rolling a window down too early can catch the edge of the film.
- The outside of the glass can be washed any time, because the tint is on the inside. We clean the inside of the windows during and after the install, so you don’t need to clean them again right away. When you do, a damp microfiber cloth without chemicals is enough for a well-kept cabin. Use a cloth with no stitched border or exposed thread, since those can scratch the film. If you prefer a glass cleaner, choose one that’s ammonia-free.
Is haze or a little water under new tint normal?
Yes. We apply the film with a water-based solution, then press most of it out from under the film. Some of that solution is meant to stay behind and evaporate on its own, so a light haze or small moisture pockets in the first days are part of the process, not a defect.
Don’t press on, puncture or try to push out moisture pockets. That can crease the film. If something concerns you, call or text the studio that did your tint, with a photo if you can, and we’ll tell you whether it’s normal.
Over the first 3 to 5 days you’ll see the haze and any moisture pockets reduce significantly. By industry standards, window film is fully cured within 21 days. If something still looks abnormal once the 21 days have passed, bring the car back to the studio that did the work and we’ll take care of it.
How is XPEL’s tint warranty registered?
XPEL PRIME films are backed by XPEL’s limited warranty for the life of your vehicle, honored nationwide and transferable. It covers discoloration, fading, bubbling, peeling, cracking and delamination. The warranty requires professional installation.
Some shops still hand out a paper warranty card, but XPEL now issues tint warranties digitally, straight to the customer. Before you pick up, we register your film with XPEL, and XPEL emails you the warranty details. Watch for that email and keep it. The registration records your VIN, your purchase details, our dealer information and the exact film used, down to the roll ID. If you sell the car, the coverage transfers to the new owner, who will need proof of that original registration.
The warranty doesn’t cover scratches, stains, chips, damage from automatic car washes or improper washing, or collision and other physical damage. The coverage comes from XPEL, the manufacturer, not just a local shop, and we handle the registration so it’s done right.
What doesn’t window tint do?
Tint is about the cabin. XPEL PRIME ceramic film cuts heat and glare and blocks up to 99% of UV rays, which keeps you, your passengers and your interior more comfortable.
Because tint goes on the inside of the glass, it won’t stop rock chips on the windshield or the paint. That’s what XPEL windshield protection film and paint protection film are for, and both go on the outside. If you’re protecting the paint too, see our paint protection film in Huntersville page. For more on why tint goes inside, read is car window tint applied on the interior or exterior glass?
Does tint day work differently for a Tesla?
The day itself is the same. Both our Huntersville and Charlotte studios are participating installers in Tesla’s at-purchase XPEL tint program, so if you added XPEL tint when you ordered your Tesla, you can have it installed with us. We’ve tinted the Model Y L at both studios, and the same-day, 4 to 6 hour timing applies. Model-by-model options are on our Tesla window tinting page.
Where can you get XPEL window tint near Huntersville?
Our Huntersville studio at 13266 Reese Blvd E, Unit 400, serves drivers across Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville and Concord. Call the Huntersville studio at (704) 525-6062. Films, shades and pricing are on our Huntersville window tinting page.
If you’re closer to the city, our Charlotte studio at 4913 Chastain Ave, Suite 32, does the same work. See window tinting in Charlotte, call (704) 525-5225, or read what to ask a tint shop before you book.
When you’re ready, book a consultation and we’ll help you pick the film and shade and set a drop-off time.
FAQ
Can I wait while my car is tinted?
A full-vehicle tint takes 4 to 6 hours, so we recommend dropping the car off. Waiting isn’t encouraged, but we can accommodate it. Most clients arrange their own ride.
How long does new window tint take to cure?
Most of the haze and moisture fades over the first 3 to 5 days. By industry standards the film is fully cured within 21 days. Keep the windows up for the first 3 days (5 in colder months).
Do I get a warranty card?
Not a paper one. We register your film with XPEL, and XPEL emails the warranty details to you. Keep that email, since a future buyer will need proof of the original registration to transfer the coverage.
Can I get my Tesla’s XPEL tint installed at your Huntersville studio?
Yes. Both our Huntersville and Charlotte studios are participating installers in Tesla’s at-purchase XPEL tint program. If you added XPEL tint when you ordered your Tesla, we can install it at either studio, usually the same day in 4 to 6 hours.
Can I get XPEL tint on my Rivian R2 at your Huntersville studio?
Yes. Both our Huntersville and Charlotte studios are participating installers in Rivian’s XPEL protection program, and the new R2 is included. If you added XPEL tint when you ordered your R2, R1T or R1S, we can install it at either studio. R2 tint is usually done the same day. If you didn’t add tint at purchase, you can book it with us directly.
Will ceramic tint affect my phone or my Tesla’s electronics?
No. XPEL ceramic tint doesn’t interfere with GPS, Bluetooth, cellular or vehicle systems.
