How to Tell If You Really Got Ceramic Window Tint Installed — Or If It’s a Fake By The Tint Academy – USA & Canada

With the rise in popularity of ceramic window tint, many car owners are opting for this premium upgrade to reduce heat, block UV rays, and improve comfort. But here’s the problem:

❗ Not all shops deliver what they promise.
❗ Some customers are told they’re getting ceramic film… but leave with cheap dyed tint that barely performs.

At The Tint Academy, we train professional installers across the USA and Canada to use , high-performance ceramic films. But if you’ve already had a tint installed and you're not sure what you got, here's how you can tell if you actually have ceramic tint—or if you’ve been ripped off.

We get the text and email everyday - customers not sure if they actually received ceramic film they paid for. And with installers, there is a rise of Chinese film claiming to be ceramic, which may not be the real deal. Our goal at the tit academy, is not to sell film, but create an educational platform where installers can grow their skill, income, and a better life and we only recommend brands. 

---

✅ What Is Ceramic Window Tint—Really?

Ceramic window tint contains nano-ceramic particles that block infrared heat, UV rays, and glare without interfering with cell signals or GPS. It’s more expensive because it performs far better than dyed or metallic films.

---

🔍 How to Check If You Have Real Ceramic Tint

1. Heat Rejection Test (Easy DIY Method)

Stand outside your car in the sun and place your hand inside the car:

• Compare tinted vs. untinted glass (e.g., windshield vs. side window).

• Ceramic tint should drastically reduce the heat felt through the glass.

Pro Tip: Bring an infrared thermometer (available online or in auto stores) and compare the temperature inside and outside your window. A good ceramic tint can block up to 85% of IR heat.

---

2. Check for Signal Interference

Older metallic tints may interfere with cell, GPS, and radio signals. Ceramic tints do not. If you experience no interference in a fully tinted car, it could be ceramic—or at least not metallic.

---

3. Visual Appearance

Ceramic films usually have:

• A neutral tone (not overly dark or shiny)

• Low reflectivity (no mirror effect like metallic films)

• A clean, crisp look from the inside

Cheap dyed tints often fade to purple over time and may look blotchy or uneven when viewed closely.

---

4. Ask for the Brand and Warranty

Reputable shops using real ceramic film will:

• Tell you the brand name (e.g., XPEL, SunTek, 3M, Llumar, Global)

• Provide a manufacturer-backed warranty card (often lifetime warranty)

• Let you verify the film by scanning a QR code or contacting the brand

If your shop can't provide any of this information, that's a major red flag.

---

5. Professional Meter Testing

Visit a professional tint shop (like a Tint Academy certified location) and ask them to use a solar transmission meter. These devices measure:

• Visible Light Transmission (VLT)

• Infrared Rejection

• UV Rejection

A genuine ceramic tint should block 99% of UV rays and a high percentage of IR heat—anything less may indicate a cheaper film.

---

🚨 What to Do If You Got Scammed

If your test results suggest you didn’t get the ceramic film you paid for:

• Contact the installer and request clarification or a refund

• Share the brand and invoice with the film manufacturer for verification

• Consider removing and replacing the film with a trusted installer

---

💡 Final Thoughts from The Tint Academy

Ceramic window tint is a fantastic investment—but only when you actually get what you paid for. Always work with a certified, transparent shop that uses verified film brands and shows you exactly what’s going on your car.

Want to learn how to properly identify, sell, and install real ceramic tint? Join one of our hands-on training courses across the USA and Canada—we’ll show you everything the pros know.

---