ABOUT TINT ACADEMY
The Tint Academy is a Canadian Based Tint school. Our experienced team of instructors have tinted over 10,000 collectively vehicles tinted and defined an easy way to apply window film to cars, trucks, SUV and home/commercial. Our team is committed to helping students learn the exact system we use on a daily basis and take on customers within a week of taking the course. Lean on our experience and dedication to learn a new skill to grow your income and take control of your schedule!

We support our members every step of the way and are always just a text away - 289-201-2070
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Learn Window Tinting in Buffalo, New York with Tint Academy USA

Written by Adam on January 29th, 2023
email: adam@tint.academy
phone: 289-201-2070

What is Window Shrink and Why Do We Do it?

Written by Adam on January 24th 2023
email: adam@tint.academy
phone: 289-201-2070
What is Window Shrink and Why Do We Do it?

Window shrinking is a step in the installation of window film that involves a heat source such as a heat gun or torch {need about 1000'F} applied to the film to "shape it". Most window tinters will say shrinking only helps prevent "fingers" {bunched up film on the glass}, but there is 1 more major reason to make sure you shrink your window film.

If you visit online pages and forums with window tint, this is an often debatable topic - whether to shrink the film or not. 

In our courses, we teach to ALWAYS shrink the film, for multiple reasons:

1) It creates a better an easier installation of the film as we have the shape of the glass

and 2...

2) When you shrink film, it allows the product to react and redistribute forces so it will last longer on the glass, wont fad, peel or crack long term. 

Essentially, it will give the window film product better fluctuation with movement, temperatures and wear/tear.

But what happens if I forget to shrink film?

It is not the end of the world, if you are doing a bottom load installation, you can shrink the film on the glass. 

There is also a squeegee pattern to help prevent fingers from popping up during or after installation. 

We always suggest to shrink your window film. It only takes a few minutes, helps with a smoother installation, and will allow for a longer lasting product on your customers windows where it wont crack or peel

What are the Window Tint Laws in British Columbia?

Written by Adam on January 5th 2023
email: adam@tint.academy
In British Columbia window tint for cars, trucks, and SUVs can help keep your vehicle cooler, better protected from sun damage, safer against potential break-ins, and it can make your driving experience safer and more pleasant. All that good stuff noted, many types of auto window tint in British Columbia are illegal. And the penalties and fines for illegal tint in BC can be quite severe.
 
As long as you are careful to get legal window tint for cars in British Columbia, you can and by all means should have window film applied on all legal windows if your car does not already have factory tint in place. In BC, there is no need to worry about the VLT (or visible light transmission) rating of tints, because on some windows no tint is allowed, while on others the tint darkness is not regulated and any darkness of tint can be used.
 
We will look at each window of vehicles in turn in order to make it clear what tint is legal in British Columbia and what tint is prohibited.
 

Windshield Window Tint in British Columbia
 
You are allowed to apply windshield tint to a thin strip at the top of the windshield of a vehicle registered in British Columbia. BC tint laws allow for a 7.5-centimeter strip (three inches) of window film applied onto the glass, and this strip of tinting can help keep the sun out of your eyes as you drive. It is a great safety feature and should by all means be applied, but it’s also readily visible from the exterior of the vehicle, so police will see if you get illegal windshield tinting.
 

Front Side Window Tint in British Columbia
 
Window tint is completely illegal on the front side windows of all privately owned vehicles in British Columbia. That means the windows beside the driver and shotgun seat must be completely free of window film. While this is a frustration for many vehicle owners, there are logical reasons to ban tint on these windows. First, the clear windows allow police and other authorities to see into the cabin and ensure their own safety during a traffic stop.
 
And second, because window film greatly reinforces auto glass, tinting can make it hard to break a window and allow easy escape from the vehicle (or allow rescue personnel to get into the automobile) if the doors are damaged during an accident.
 
That said, you are allowed to install optically clear but UV-blocking window film on these front side windows.
 

Back Side Window Tint in British Columbia
 
The windows on the side of a car behind the driver’s row may be tinted to any darkness, including complete blackout privacy tinting. This is true for the back seat row in a sedan or for multiple rows in vans or larger SUVs. This rear side window tint can completely block the view into the vehicle, which can help keep occupants private and keep possessions stored in the vehicle protected from the sight of potential thieves while the car is parked.
 

Rear Window Tint in British Columbia
 
As with the rear side windows, the rear window (also known as the rear windshield) of a vehicle in BC may be tinted down to any darkness. Rear windows can be completely dark from the outside, blocking all view into the vehicle.
 
If any window tint is present on the rear window, even if it is not dark privacy tint, then the vehicle must have exterior rear view windows (AKA side view windows) in place.
 

Other British Columbia Car Tint Laws
 
The rules are clear cut when it comes to which windows of cars can be tinted in BC, but there is more to know in terms of details. For example, all reflective tint is banned in British Columbia, and thus many colors of tint are effectively prohibited, like metallic and mirrored window films.
 
No medical exemptions are allowed for darker tint, so don’t bother seeking work arounds for the tint laws in BC. Certificates and stickers that prove your tint is legal are not required, so at least that common frustration is avoided.

What are the Window Tint Laws in Ontario?

Written by Adam on January 2nd, 2023
email: adam@tint.academy
Earlier window tints on the windshield were allowed. However, Ontario Window Tint Laws of 2017 changed that. Aftermarket cars since January 1st 2017 cannot have tinted windshields. 

This is a part of section 73(3) of Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

The VLT rate or Visible Light Transmission rate of the vehicle’s front and side windows should be 70% or higher. 

This means that the darkness of the tint cannot be more than 30%.

For the windows at the back, any tint is allowed by the Ontario Window Tint enforcements.

For the rear screen, any tint is allowed as long as the vehicle has rear view mirrors on each of its sides.

Should Window Tint Installers Accept Tips?

Written by Adam on October 26th, 2022
email: adam@tint.academy
Are accepting "tips" acceptable as a window tinter?

At the Tint Academy our team is asked from our registrants if it is recommended, normal, or even frowned upon to get a tip from a customer after a Tint Service. 

In short, the answer is yes and recommended. But first, let's call it a Gratuity and not a Tip.

Gratuities are things of value given “for or because of an official act performed or to be performed". When you tint a vehicle, house or boat - you a performing or servicing. 

So, how can you ask or gain more tips? 

In past week of service, I tinted 18 vehicles and included $480 in additional revenue via asking for gratuity after completion of the service. 

Here are a few easy ways to ask for a gratuity: 

1) When the customer paid with credit or debit card. 

When I let them know the final amount of their installation, I simply stated, it is $440, would you like to add a gratuity on todays service?

7 Customers paid with a credit card, 6 included an additional amount for gratuity.

2) When they customer paid via etransfer or "EFT" payment

Just like with method number 1, state the amount after the service is completed.

Ask for the customers email address to "request" an etransfer. {Most will ask for your email to send funds, most banks will allow for an etransfer request}

Ask you customers if they would like to add a gratuity onto their service. 

But what if your customer pays cash?

The secret. ASK. 

We want to hear from you, email us at adam@tint.academy today and let us know our strategy outlined above works!


Can You Tint In The Winter Time? 

Written by Adam on October 20th, 2022
email: adam@tint.academy
This is the number 1 question I receive running an Window Tint Education Company in Canada

"Can I have my windows tinted in the winter time?"

and number 2....

"Does business slow down?"

In short, The cold weather doesn’t inhibit Window Tinting services in the Winter. If you haven't done our courses yet, we use a slip solution that consist of baby and dish soap and distilled water. We use this solution called 'slip' to clean and instal window film.

In the Winter, this moisture does not receive the same amount of heat and Sun that it would normally get in warmer months. With that in mind, we ask our customers to give the windows 3-5 days before rolling down their windows. After that amount of time, moisture should not be present between the window and film.

It is also best to use warmer water, and if the car comes to your shop, to get it warm before applying window tint.

All-in-all, it does not effect the cure time or installation tinting windows in the winter time. 

But does it slow down?

No. December and January tend to be the busiest month with Window Tinting due to dealerships getting rid of more inventory before the new season. 

As well, we see Window Tint being gifted. If you take our course, we give you the exact Gift Certificate Template to use during the season {if you have taken our course, now is a good time to be getting those ready ;) }

If you have not taken our course, we still have 4 locations before the 2022 year comes to an end

Are you a detailer, wrapper or PPF Installer? Now is an even better time to take this course to add additional services to your customers. Historically, Detailing and Wrapping does slow down. Most consumers have the mind set where they will have their vehicles cleaned after the winter season.

Learn Window Tinting in Hamilton - Mirtek Hamilton

Written by Adam on September 23th, 2022
email: adam@tint.academy
The next Tint Academy Course in Ontario will take place on October 1st and 2nd, 2022 at Mirtek Hamilton. This course is limited space and registration. Click the link below to join this small group course

Learn Window Tinting in Hamilton - Mirtek Hamilton

Written by Adam on September 23th, 2022
email: adam@tint.academy
The next Tint Academy Course in Ontario will take place on October 1st and 2nd, 2022 at Mirtek Hamilton. This course is limited space and registration. Click the link below to join this small group course

Having a hard time shrinking rear window? Watch this video!

Written by Adam on September 21th, 2022
email: adam@tint.academy

Tint Academy Reviews: What Do People Say?

Written by Adam on February 26th, 2021

New Store for Tinting Tools & Ceramic Window Film

Written by Adam on February 20th, 2021
The Tint Academy offers elite courses for those wanting to learn the art of automotive window tinting. 

We have certified installers in 5 provinces, 12 states and 3 countries and continue to run courses on a monthly basis with a small group size for optimal learning. 

Our team is excited to announce the opening of our new store which offers tint supplies, tinter tools, and ceramic window film. 

Take a look at the link below and browse or selection and some of best prices in Canada

Watching Video's Online VS. Hands On Learning

Written by Adam on October 20th, 2021
If you look on the internet under online training, you will find a large number of online or classroom courses. Marketing materials for one online training company claim their courses will “help boost the productivity, decrease employee turnover and possibly solve the talent gap” and “research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time.”

Online courses may be less expensive than bringing an instructor on site and take less time, but are they adequate to create the highly skilled workers needed? 

Some of the promotional messages on the internet make it sound like online and classroom training are all you need for all skilled jobs.

When it comes to learning how to tint, hands on skills are what matter most. The core fundamentals can watched from videos, but learning the hand on skills with a certified instructor is the best route to be successful as a window tinter.

Window tinting is a process, and we can excellerate that process working in our small group settings on real vehicles.

Being a window tinter is more than applying film to a vehicle, it is about the touch, feel, reading scenarios, and customer services to create an overall positive experience for your customers and shop. 

With hands on training in our shop, we take you step by step and correct any mistakes immediately so you can be successful within the week

Watch our behind the scenes of how this course can take your career to the next level.

Tint Academy and Niagara Customz
Written by Adam on September 18th, 2021
The Tint Academy is proud to be partner with Niagara Customz in St. Catharines, Ontario. 

Our team runs courses across 12 countries, but with our new partnership with Niagara Customz we will be running monthly, hands on training at this state of the art facility. 

Niagara Customz is a 4000 sq ft facility that allows our members to learn in a spacious environment close to amenities, hotels, food and a quick drive to the Falls!

We offer our private {1-on-1} training at this facility. 

Check out the link below to learn more!
Im not available during course dates - what are my learning options?
Written by Adam on Oct. 12th 2021
At Tint Academy Canada we run monthly group training courses. 

We also offer a private training - where registrants can learn 1-on-1 with our instructor. 

Schedule is based on the availability of the registrant and is a great learning option for someone that learns better in a small setting or has a tight schedule and wants to get starting tinting. 

Contact us below to schedule your private training session
learn window tinting in canada