• North Albuquerque • 4801 Lang Ave NE #110, Albuquerque, NM 87109
  • Midtown Albuquerque • 120 Menaul Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
  • Westside Albuquerque • 6300 Riverside Plaza Lane NW #100, Albuquerque, NM 87120

How Long Does Window Tint Last?

You’ve been thinking about tinting your car/home/office windows for a while now, but you’ve got questions:

Does window tinting provide enough protection and heat reduction?
Perhaps more important—will the window tinting the film last long enough to make the investment worth it? (more…)

How Does Window Tint Reduce Heat Inside My Car?

Albuquerque summers are hot! The sun beats down unrelentingly, and that heat gets trapped inside your car, making it even hotter when you get inside. But, you can reduce heat buildup inside your car with a simple, one-time fix—window tinting from Astro Auto Glass.

How Does it Work?

The purpose of window tinting is to protect the interior of the car from the solar radiation—that includes UV rays that deteriorate your upholstery and damage (more…)

The True Benefits of Tinting Your Vehicle Windows

Sure, tinted windows look good on a car. But is tinting your car’s windows really worth it? At Astro Auto Glass, we know it is!

 

 

The Short-Term Benefits of Tinting the Windows of Your Vehicle

There are many benefits to tinting your windows, some of which you can realize immediately:

Privacy
One of the most noticeable and immediate results you get from window tinting is freedom from intrusive ogling. Tinted windows make it difficult, if not impossible, for other drivers to (more…)

5 Easy Ways to Keep Your Vehicle’s Paint Looking New During Winter

Admittedly, it is nearly impossible to keep your vehicle looking brand-new during the winter. There are times when it will be coated with frost, ice and/or snow, the mineral deposits left behind when it melts and road grime. And there will be times when it’s just not advisable to get your car washed (when you know temperatures are going to be consistently below freezing).

However, despite the sometimes dull and dirty exterior, you can still keep your paint in good condition so that when winter’s all over, your paint still looks as good as new.

#1: Prepare Your Paint for Winter Weather and Road Conditions

By far, the best way to ensure your paint looks like new after winter is to add extra protection—i.e., carnuba wax—before winter.

If you missed the opportunity while weather was still mild after Thanksgiving, you still have a chance to mitigate future paint damage. Whenever the weather is warm enough (we recommend 40°), treat your car to a thorough wash and wax. With New Mexico’s unpredictable late winter/early spring weather, there very well may be more snow and ice—and the corrosive substances that melt it—from which your paint needs protection.

For car owners who want to take paint protection one step farther, you can also get clear bra paint protection film applied at Astro Auto Glass. Contact us for a quote and appointment.

#2: Remove Grime Sooner Rather Than Later

If you do drive through winter road conditions, you may see a buildup of snow, ice and slush in your wheel wells and splatters along your front bumper and up your hood. As soon as it’s warm enough, get that gunk off.

Allowing water deposits (in any form) containing salt or ice melt sit on your car gives these substances time to eat through your clear coat, making the paint and metal beneath vulnerable to deterioration.

#3: Remove Hard-to-See Embedded Grit

A lot of what sprays up from the road and sticks to your car may actually get stuck in the clear coat. You can remove it without damaging your paint by using a clay bar.

#4: Reapply Wax

Every time you wash your car to remove winter grime, you need to reapply wax. Again, wax creates an additional layer of protection between the elements and your vehicle’s clear coat…and your clear coat is vital to keeping your paint intact and fade-resistant.

#5: Touch-Up

All the debris that may collect on the road beneath the ice and snow may scratch your paint, penetrating the clear coat, even down to the paint. That exposure invites corrosion, so it is crucial to cover it up ASAP.

Touch-up paints are available in a wide array of manufacturer-original colors for a perfect match. Most car owners can DIY touch-ups and achieve a seamless finish. However, for large areas, you are more likely to restore your good-as-new paint look with the help of professionals. Do you have any other tips to keep your paint looking like new despite winter weather? Share them on our Facebook page.

3 Types of Wintertime Glass Damage to Avoid

Winter is the season of auto glass abuse as people try to minimize the time they spend in the cold restoring visibility through their windows. Unfortunately, many time-saving tricks damage your auto glass, making it more susceptible to chips and cracks you have to pay to get repaired.

To ensure the integrity of your auto glass stays intact throughout the cold, avoid these types of damage: (more…)

Shedding Light on the Truth: Busting 3 Common Window Tinting Myths

If you’re reading this blog, then you’ve probably at least thought about getting your windows tinted. What’s stopping you? Some of the common objections to window tinting are myths, and Astro Auto Glass would like to clear them up. (more…)

Is Paint Protecting Film on a New Car Worth it?

You have a brand-new car. It sparkles, it shines, it has that new car smell. Everything is perfect, and there’s not a scratch on it—and you want to keep it that way! So, what’s the best way to do that? Does paint protecting film really work? Is it worth the investment?

What is Paint Protecting Film?

Paint protecting film, or PPF, is an (more…)

What You Need to Know before You Choose OEM or Aftermarket Auto Glass

When you need a windshield replacement, you always have options—OEM or aftermarket glass. If you look just at the price tag, it may seem like an easy choice because aftermarket glass is typically less expensive. But, sometimes, cost savings come at the cost of safety. Before you choose your replacement auto glass, you need to know how to carefully evaluate your alternatives. (more…)

Your Windshield Wipers May Be Damaging Your Windshield

For optimal visibility, you need to keep your windshield clear of water, dirt, bugs and anything else that flies at or gets stuck on your windscreen. That makes your windshield wipers extremely important to your safety. But did you know that the very fixtures you depend on to clean your windshield can damage it?

Dirty, worn and/or improperly installed windshield wipers can damage your windshield, sometimes to the extent that it can’t be repaired, only replaced. (more…)

How Tinted Windows Can Protect Your Child

Most people think tinted windows are just for looks. But, tinted windows provide capabilities beyond cosmetic appearance. In fact, tinted windows can provide your children a number of protections when riding in your car.

Tinted Windows Can Protect Your Child’s Privacy

Tinted windows can (lawfully) block up to (more…)

4 Easy Steps to Fixing a Squeaky or Slow Car Window

There is no reason to put up with a slow-moving or squeaky car window. Fixing it is easy. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Clean

Wipe the body—door frame and area around the window seal—to remove any contaminants that could be causing friction and/or impeding the movement of your car window. (more…)

Is a Crack in the Windshield Really Going to Turn into a Big Problem?

Likely you know or have been told that if you have a chipped or cracked windshield, you need to get it repaired before it becomes a big problem. And that’s sound advice. There are a number of environmental conditions that can turn a small chip or crack in a car window into a safety threat and/or expensive repair job. (more…)

Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Home Windows Tinted

Summer is right around the corner. There’s no question that residents of Albuquerque, NM should start preparing their homes now to protect against the scorching summer temperatures. One of the best ways to beat the heat, add value to your home and reduce cooling costs is to get your home windows tinted. Here’s why: (more…)

How Much Will It Cost to Get Tinted Windows for My Business?

It comes as a surprise to many people that the same window films that can shade your vehicle for a cooler, more comfortable interior can be applied to commercial windows, too. Astro Auto Glass provides quality, affordable commercial window tinting.

Benefits of Commercial Window Tinting

Commercial window tinting offers a wide range of benefits for property owners/managers and building patrons. When you invest in top-quality film, you can:

Improve energy efficiency.

    • Window tinting film reflects significant amounts of visible light and invisible UV radiation to reduce heat build-up inside your commercial building. As a result, it is easier to maintain consistent indoor temperatures, so your HVAC system does not have to work so hard. Some companies can save more than 10% on energy costs per year.

Enhance privacy. Window tinting reduces the extent to which outsiders can peer in. Limited visibility helps keep your business operations and patrons safe.

Boost safety and security. The adhesive of window tinting film enhances the integrity and strength of window glass, increasing its shatter-resistance and minimizing spall.

Cost Considerations

Budget is always one of the top concerns of any business owner (more…)

Patricia M. Albuquerque, NM

The team at Astro Auto Glass are the best!  They are all very friendly, professional and aim to do the best job possible. I love the tint they added to my windows.  They did a PERFECT job!
I am a very satisfied customer!

Tony R. Albuquerque, NM

I had a wonderful experience with Astro Auto glass. Margarita the office manager was very kind and friendly. It only took 45 minutes to complete the installation of my windshield on my Chevy Malibu.  They did a great job at a great price and I would highly recommend them.

Heath A. Albuquerque, NM

My car got broken into over night and these guys took me in right away and were cheaper than anywhere else i called.  They also tinted my window back to where it was and it took maybe an hour.  Excellent, fast service.  Would come back again (but hopefully never have to!).

Sarah M. Seattle, WA

I called Astro after calling a national brand mobile glass repair place that told me they couldn’t schedule me for 4 days. Astro scheduled me that day and were great! They had the window, they came to me, the person told me would take 30 to 40 minutes, I went got some lunch and came back and he was done. It was cheaper than the other national brand, he cleaned up all the broken all the broken glass and was a pleasure to work with. Given all the things that weren’t working great for me this week, this is one thing that went really well!

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