Skip to content

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Same-day shipping before 12:30PM CST*

Get rewarded for every purchase

Free shipping at $750*

Training classes available

Find an installer near you

Search
Flexfilm
  • Find An Installer
  • Rewards
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Login
  • Cart
    0 items 0
  • Home
  • Why Flexfilm?
  • Blog
  • Clearance
  • Find An Installer
  • Rewards
  • Contact Us
Account
  • Shop All
  • Retroflex (Premium Dyed)
  • Terraflex (Carbon)
  • Panaflex (Ceramic)
  • Nanoflex (Premium Ceramic)
  • Samples
  • Shop All
  • Samples
  • Shop All
  • FlexGuard (PPF)
  • Shop All
  • Shop All
  • Heat Boxes & Demos
  • Knives & Blades
  • Scrapers & Blades
  • Handled Squeegees
  • Squeegee Essentials
  • Hard Cards
  • Tube Squeegees
  • Installation Accessories
  • Measure/Mark & Trim
  • Sprayers & Accessories
  • Cleaning/Prep & Chemicals
  • Slitters & Accessories
  • Meters
  • PPF/Wraps/Vinyl & Graphics
  • Window Tint Installation Training
  • PPF Installation Training
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Video Resources
  • Slip Solution Mixture Guide
  • Automotive Film Warranty Registration
  • Warranty Information
  • About Us
  • Shop All
  • Side + Rear Windows
  • Front Side Windows
  • Rear Side Windows
  • Back Window
  • Windshield
  • Visor Strip
  • Sunroof
  • Shop All
  • Dualflex (Dual Reflective)
  • Chromoflex (Silver Reflective)
  • Sputterflex (Sputtered)
  • Panashield (Ceramic)
  • Nanoshield (Ceramic)
  • Safetyflex (Security)
  • Specialty (Decorative)
  • Shop All
  • Partial Front Coverage
  • Full Front Coverage
  • Complete Coverage
  • Shop All
  • Alpha Prep (Panel Prep)
  • Alpha Base Coat (Primer)
  • Alpha Fallout Direct (Iron & Limescale Remover)
  • Alpha Foam (Snow Foam)
  • Alpha Swab (Interior Cleaner)
  • Shop All
  • Alpha Prime Graphene (9+ yr)
  • Aqua Coat Prime (5+ yr)
  • Ceramic King (2+ yr)
  • Quartz Pro Graphene (1 yr)
  • Alpha PPF Coat (PPF, 5 yr)
  • Alpha Glass (Windows)
  • Shop All
  • Alpha Febreco (Fabrics, 3-12 mo)
  • Alpha Leather Guard (Leather, 15-45 days)
  • Leather Wrap Pro Coating (Leather, 1-3 yr)
  • Shop All
  • Habit Guard Spray (3-4 mo)
  • Alpha Guard Graphene (2-3 mo)
  • Alpha Febreco (Fabrics/Soft Tops, 3-12 mo)
  • Shop All
  • 53" SC2 Film Cutter
  • 53" Titan 2 Film Cutter
  • 68" Titan 3 Film Cutter
  • FlexCut Starter Kit
  • FlexCut Subscription Renewal
  • DIY Architectural Window Tinting Tool Kit
  • DIY Automotive Window Tinting Tool Kit
  • Professional Architectural Window Tinting Tool Kit
  • Professional Automotive Window Tinting Tool Kit
  • PPF Tool Kit
  • Shop All
  • Tint-Tac Slip Solution
  • SlipX Film Mounting Solution
  • Pre-Tac Prep Solution
  • Shop All
  • Flexfilm POS Kit
  • Trifold Brochures
  • Automotive Spec Sheets
  • Tape Measure
  • Pen
  • Automotive Sample Booklet
  • Architectural Sample Page
  • Shop All
  • Automotive Product Banner
  • Flexfilm Window Tinting Banner
  • Shades of Tint Banner
  • Shop All
  • Posters
  • Premium Display Boards
  • Shop All
  • Flexfilm T-Shirt
  • Polo Shirt
0

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping
  • Home
  • Automotive
  • Architectural
  • Tools
  • Merchandise
  • Training
  • More
Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts
Automotive

A Quick Guide to Shrinking Window Film on Your Vehicle

A Quick Guide to Shrinking Window Film on Your Vehicle - Flexfilm

Ever wondered how window film fits so perfectly on those curved car windows? The secret is shrinking! If you're thinking about tinting your car windows or just curious about how it all works, this post will give you the lowdown on what shrinking window film is, why it matters, and how to tell if you need to do it.

What’s Shrinking All About?

Shrinking window film is all about getting that perfect fit on your car’s windows, especially the ones that aren’t flat. Many vehicle windows, like the rear window or some side windows, have curves. Without shrinking, the film would wrinkle or bubble up when applied, and no one wants that! Shrinking allows the film to stretch and mold to the glass, making it look smooth and seamless.

Why Do Some Windows Need Shrinking?

Not all windows are created equal. If your car has windows with curves—think about those rear windows that curve in two directions—then you’ll likely need to shrink the film. This process makes sure the film fits snugly against the glass without any creases or bubbles, giving you that clean, professional look.

How Can You Tell If Shrinking Is Needed?

Here’s how you can figure out if the film needs to be shrunk before installation:

  • Check the Curves: The more curved the glass, the more likely you’ll need to shrink the film. Rear windows are usually the main culprits.

  • Test the Fit: Lay the film on the outside of the window with the liner side facing you. If it doesn’t naturally lay flat and you see those pesky lines or bubbles, it’s a good sign that shrinking is needed.

  • Trust the Pros: If you’re not sure, experienced installers can usually tell right away if shrinking is necessary. They’ve got the eye for it!

How Does Shrinking Work?

Shrinking might sound complicated, but here’s the basic idea:

  1. Position the Film: The installer will place the film on the outside of the window to see how it fits, cutting it to size but leaving some extra.

  2. Heat It Up: Using a heat gun, they’ll carefully warm up the film, making it stretchy so it can mold to the glass’s shape.

  3. Smooth It Out: As the film shrinks, they’ll smooth it out against the glass, getting rid of any wrinkles or bubbles.

  4. Final Touches: Once the film fits just right, it’s trimmed to the exact size and installed on the inside of the window.

Should You DIY or Go Pro?

While it might be tempting to try shrinking and installing window film yourself, it’s a bit of an art. Small mistakes can lead to a less-than-perfect finish, so if you want that flawless look, it’s a good idea to hire a pro. They have the experience and tools to get the job done right.

Wrapping It Up

Shrinking window film is key to getting that smooth, professional look on your car’s windows. Knowing whether your windows need shrinking can help you make better decisions when tinting your vehicle. And whether you’re thinking about doing it yourself or hiring someone, remember that a well-installed film not only looks great but also works better in the long run.

Got questions or thinking about tinting your car? We’re here to help! Drop us a line, and we’ll make sure you get the perfect tint for your ride.

Video Playlist

And to make things even easier, we’re including a playlist along with this blog article with some really helpful videos on the topic of shrinking. Whether you’re a DIYer or just curious, these videos will walk you through the process and give you some pro tips along the way. Happy tinting!

Share

Reading next

Why offer paint protection film in your shop? - Flexfilm

Why offer paint protection film in your shop?

Identifying Flat Glass Types - Flexfilm

Identifying Flat Glass Types

Shop our products

Automotive Window Film | Flexfilm

Automotive Window Tint

Architectural Window Tint

Architectural Window Tint

Paint Protection Film | Flexfilm

Paint Protection Film

Coating Farm USA - Flexfilm

Surface Coatings

Installation Tools | Flexfilm

Tools

Pre-Cut Patterns | Flexfilm

Pre-cut Patterns

Plotters | Flexfilm

Plotters

Training - Flexfilm

Training

Merchandise | Flexfilm

Merchandise

Window Film Deals | Flexfilm

Clearance Deals

Invalid password
Enter

Dealer Rewards

Start earning points that can be applied as store credit on your next online purchase.

Check Rewards

Order Online 24/7

Shop our products online and check out anytime, 24/7, from anywhere!

Shop Online

Call To Order

Call us directly to place your order during business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST.

Call Us

Shipping

Same-day Shipping: Same-day shipping with orders placed before 12:30PM CST.*

Free Shipping: Free shipping on orders over $750.*

Weekend Orders: Orders placed after the cut off time on Friday on the weekend will ship out the following Monday.

Shipping Estimation Map: View UPS Map

*See shipping policy for exclusions and details.

Customer Support

  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Dealer Rewards
  • Find An Installer
  • Slip Solution Mixture Guide
  • Automotive Warranty Registration
  • Warranty Information

Tools & Resources

  • Video Resources
  • Training
  • Authorized Installer Application
  • YouTube Channel
  • Branding Assets
  • Blog

Account

  • My Account
  • Login
  • Register
  • Shop Pay

Company

  • About Us
  • Why Flexfilm
  • Refund Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Shipping Policy

Country

  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • JCB
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • PayPal
  • Shop Pay
  • Union Pay
  • Venmo
  • Visa

© 2025, Flexfilm. Powered by Shopify