Which Type of Window Tint Is Right for You?
Which Type of Window Tint Is Right for You? A Buyer’s Guide to Film Types So you're thinking about tinting your car — but not sure which kind to choose? It’s not just about making
Which Type of Window Tint Is Right for You? A Buyer’s Guide to Film Types So you're thinking about tinting your car — but not sure which kind to choose? It’s not just about making
How Window Tint Is Installed: Tools, Techniques & the Evolution of the Trade Updated June 2025 by APS Fairfax It might look simple from the outside — a sleek, shaded window, a clean edge, a
Virginia Window Tint Laws (2026 Guide) Virginia window tint laws determine how dark your tint can legally be, including exact VLT limits for cars, trucks, and SUVs. If you're planning to tint your windows in
How Window Tint Works: The Science Behind the Shade What window tint does goes far beyond darkening your glass—it blocks UV, rejects infrared heat, and controls how much visible light enters your vehicle. Let’s break
From Factory Film to Nano-Ceramic: The Evolution of Window Tinting Window tinting has come a long way from its humble beginnings. What started as a luxury add-on for high-end vehicles has now become an essential
Ceramic Coating Durability in Motorsport, Industry & Everyday Driving Introduction Throughout this series, we’ve explored how ceramic coatings work, how they bond to your paint, and why professional coatings outperform DIY kits. But ceramic coating
Pro vs. Consumer-Grade Ceramic Coatings: What’s the Real Difference? Spend five minutes online researching ceramic coatings and you’ll find an overwhelming range of options — from $50 DIY kits on Amazon to $2,000 professional-grade installations.
How Ceramic Coatings Bond to Your Car’s Clearcoat (And Why Prep Is Critical) When customers hear about ceramic coatings, they often imagine a magic shield that repels dirt and makes water dance off the surface.
Ceramic Coating Chemistry Explained: What’s Really Inside That Little Bottle When people hear "ceramic coating," most imagine a shield or shell protecting their car’s paint. But what exactly gives these coatings their power? The answer
From Lab to Garage — The Birth of Ceramic Coatings How cutting-edge industrial tech became your car’s ultimate shield Born in the Lab: Industrial Roots Ceramic coatings didn’t start as a luxury detailing product. In
Before Ceramic Coatings: The Surprisingly Long History of Paint Protection By APS Rust & Tint | May 30, 2025 Infographic showing the evolution of paint protection: Wax, Sealants, Ceramic Coatings, Nano Coatings Infographic: Evolution of
Top-Rated Service Award Based on Verified Customer Ratings FAIRFAX, Va., March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Automotive Protection Services has earned the distinction of being named a 2024 CARFAX Top-Rated Service Center. This is the fifth
Living in Fairfax, VA, where the summer months are sunny, hot, and humid, paying attention to the state of your car's window tint is crucial. Like any other vehicle feature, auto tint requires maintenance and
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of driving a clean car. Whether it’s the satisfaction of a gleaming exterior or the freshness of a spotless interior, maintaining a clean vehicle is a source of happiness.
You’ve worked hard for hours washing your car, and as you step back to admire its clean lines and polished shine, you feel a sense of achievement. But are you sure you got all those
Do you want to protect your vehicle’s interior from the sun’s damaging rays? Maybe you just want a little extra privacy when your car is parked, or while you’re on the road? No matter the reason, window tint is a great investment your vehicle. For the highest quality, most affordable window tinting in Fairfax, VA, call on Automotive Protection Services. We offer a wide variety of vehicle window tinting services, including sunroof tint, using state-of-the-art materials from 3M™ and SunTek, arguably the world’s leading expert in tint film. Our exceptional service and expert installation will help protect the investment you’ve made in your vehicle while providing maximum comfort, safety, and style. When you want the best automotive protection services in Fairfax, contact us to schedule service or request an estimate.

When you want the big three – performance, durability and value – this is the option for you. Designed with patented 3M™ technology, this material blocks solar rays up to 44%, keeping you cool and protected. The Obsidian Series also blocks up to 99% of UV light – about the equivalent of SPF 1000 – and up to 91% of glare. You’ll be more comfortable and have a clearer view of the world. We have a range of Obsidian Series tint level options that block up to 92% of visible light. This film is non-metalized, too, so it won’t interfere with your electronics. These films require virtually no maintenance and come with a limited lifetime warranty.


The SunTek CXP™ Series of non-reflective, rich black window films were engineered to meet today’s performance demands with non-metal, nano-hybrid carbon tint technology. Scientifically formulated to provide a non-reflective attractive appearance, the CXP™ Series is equipped with advanced protection from glare, solar heat, 99% of ultraviolet (UV) rays, and infrared rays. This metal-free film won’t interfere with GPS navigation, satellite radio, cell phones, or other electronic devices inside the vehicle. Like all of our SunTek Automotive Window Films, the CXP™ Series is backed by lifetime limited warranty against change in color, peeling, cracking, adhesive failure, and delamination.




The SunTek CeramicIR (CIR™) Series of glare-reducing window tint film is scientifically formulated to provide a non-reflective, attractive appearance with protection against change in color. The addition of ceramic technology enhances solar performance and infrared rejection with a 59% infrared radiation energy rejection (IRER). This metal-free film won’t interfere with GPS navigation, satellite radio, cell phones, or other electronic devices inside the vehicle. Available in a range of 9 darkness levels, passengers and interiors are protected from 99% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Like all of our SunTek Automotive Window Films, the CIR™ Series is backed by lifetime limited warranty against change in color, peeling, cracking, adhesive failure, and delamination.


SunkTek’s Evolve Series is their highest performing ceramic window tint. Featuring their proprietary HeatResist™ ceramic technology, Evolve blocks over 99% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays protecting your car’s interior from fading, cracking and discoloration. By blocking up to 94% of infrared rays, your vehicle’s cabin will be significantly cooler while reducing the need for A/C, helping improve fuel efficiency or electric car range. As an added bonus, the Evolve Series window film provides an added layer of safety by reducing glare, increasing privacy, and protection from shattered glass. This metal-free film won’t interfere with GPS navigation, satellite radio, cell phones, or other electronic devices inside the vehicle. Like all of our SunTek Automotive Window Films, the Evolve Series is backed by lifetime limited warranty against change in color, peeling, cracking, adhesive failure, and delamination.



You love your sunroof and the light, open feeling it provides. Unfortunately, the sun’s rays can cause your vehicle to heat up inside, causing you to become uncomfortable or even have to run the AC. Our high-quality 3M™ sunroof tint options are the ideal solution, filtering out the heat while still allowing you to enjoy the natural light. No matter how hot it may be outside, you’ll be cruising in cool comfort!

This car tint application places a horizontal strip of film across the top of your vehicle’s windshield – the eyebrow. Many vehicle makes and models come from the factory with eyebrow tint installed. However, factory installations are usually very light, if they exist at all. We can install any of our exceptional quality 3M™) tint films, to make your eyebrow tint as light or as dark as you’d like it.
Contact us for all of your automotive window tinting and paint protection needs. We provide comprehensive window tinting services to individual and commercial customers throughout the Fairfax, Virginia, area.
Our applicator has been applying film for over 15 years. We do all of our application inside a paint booth to ensure that no dust or pollen is trapped between the window and the film. For a standard (All windows except the windshield) it takes him about 2 hours to install the film.
Our recommendation is to stay legal, that's 50% VLT in the front and 35% VLT in the rear(Commonwealth of Virginia). Call us for details about other localities.
Military and First Responders Discount: 10% (all initial services)
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Window tint film is applied on the inside of the window, the film itself is fragile, weather and road conditions would destroy it over time, but on the interior of your vehicle, it is safe.
It should not happen to your window tint. bubbles are an indication that the film was installed improperly. Purple window tint is an indication that the film is of poor quality, and has been broken down by the sun's rays. A high-quality window film will stand the test of time - it will not change color or fade.
There is not a single national standard for window tint - in our area, for example, Virginia, Maryland, and the District all have laws that vary a bit from one another. The best advice is to look up the laws where you anticipate your vehicle will be, where it will be registered, and choose the level tint based on that locality. If you need window tint for a medical condition, such as eyesight, or skin conditions, apply for a waiver through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. This will afford you more flexibility when choosing your film percentage.
It depends where you're having your vehicle inspected - it also depends where the film was applied - let me explain. In Virginia for example, a safety inspector will not inspect for the side windows but will inspect the windshield - if you've installed an "eyebrow" below the AS-1 line then you could fail. Same with the rear window, if you've covered the third brake light. Other states, like New York, are more strict and do meter the side window to ensure compliance with tint values.
You don't need dark window tint to reduce the heat - ceramic window tint, that blocks infrared rays from the sun will accomplish that goal. In fact, if your only objective is to reduce how hot your car feels in the summertime then a ceramic window tint that is nearly clear will do the trick without changing the overall appearance of your vehicle.
Your neighbor is right some of the time - there are ways to install window tint on a windshield without breaking the law - let me explain. There are two ways folks install film on their windshield. First, they install film on the whole windshield - in order to be legal, it must be a very light film, nearly clear, depending on locality 70% - 80% VLT the reason for this is that a dark film would reflect light into oncoming traffic and cause a road hazard. The other way folks install window film on their windshields is an 'Eye-Brow" or strip across the top of the windshield. So long as that strip is not below the
AS-1 line (marks found on the edges of your windshield) then it's legal - and that strip can be as dark as you like, even 5% VLT - the purpose is to block the sun in your eyes during either a late afternoon or early morning drive.
You can try, we don't recommend it. Usually what will happen is the adhesive will remain stuck to the window, which is then hard to remove. We recommend allowing us to use our tools, like our steamer, to relax the film and properly the film along with all the adhesive.
Cost for the application of window tint film depends on several factors, the type of film you choose, how many windows you're applying it to, and type of vehicle (some vehicles have more windows). To get an accurate quote for your make and model please call our shop or fill out our quote request form