Glossary

Tint & PPF Install Glossary

Plain-English definitions for every term that comes up on a tint or PPF install — for new installers and customers who want to understand the work.

Slip solution: The lubricating spray applied to the adhesive side of window film or PPF that lets the installer position the film before it locks down. Usually water + a small amount of surfactant or install gel concentrate.
Tack solution: A second spray applied after positioning that breaks down the slip layer and lets the adhesive grab the glass or paint. Typically water + isopropyl alcohol + a trace of install gel.
Install gel: A concentrated surfactant designed specifically for window tint and PPF installs. Mixes into both slip and tack solutions at documented ratios. Cleaner than baby shampoo and free of dye, fragrance, and conditioner.
Fingers: Long thin water trails trapped under PPF after install. Caused by too-rich slip solution or insufficient squeegee pressure. See the troubleshooting guide on the blog.
Fish-eyes: Small circular voids in the adhesive bond where contamination or surfactant residue prevented contact. Usually a cleaning problem, sometimes a soap residue problem.
Silvering: A hazy reflective patch under cured film where the adhesive didn't make contact with the glass. Caused by slip solution that didn't break down — too rich a mix or too weak a tack pass.
Squeegee: The hard or soft blade used to displace slip solution from under the film. Bulb squeegees, hard cards, and turbo squeegees each have a role in the install sequence.
Shrinking: Heat-forming flat film to match curved rear glass before install. Uses a heat gun and a squeegee to remove fingers from the dry side of the film.
Hard card: A rigid plastic card wrapped in microfiber used for final squeegee passes on PPF, especially around edges and contours.
PPF: Paint Protection Film. A clear urethane film applied to vehicle paint to prevent rock chips, scratches, and stains.
Ceramic tint: Window film using ceramic particles for heat rejection. Stiffer carrier than dyed film, requires longer working time and a cleaner slip solution.
Edge lift: Film pulling away from the gasket or panel edge after install. Caused by insufficient heat during shrink, weak tack solution, or contaminated edges.
Contamination: Any particle (dust, fiber, paint overspray) trapped between the film and the substrate. Shows as a dark speck under the film. Largely a cleaning and environment problem.
Concentrate: A high-strength formulation diluted on site. PUSH ships as a concentrate so installers mix fresh slip and tack solutions per shift instead of buying pre-mixed gallons.
Cure time: The period after install during which the adhesive fully bonds and residual slip solution gasses out through the film. 5-7 days for tint, 14-30 for PPF depending on temp and humidity.