Window tint question

jonnyz16 · Feb 14, 2004

I've finally got down to the tint shop to " look around " and decided on the Huper Optik 35% all the way around and at a pretty penny I might add. When I picked it up I immediately noticed something wrong with the back window . The tint wasn't adhering to the glass . The guy noticed my face cringe and piped up . He said because of the window surface with the black dots around the edges wasn't sticking good , in 2 weeks come back when the tint is dryer and the film will be tackier and might stick better ..If not than he'll cut the top inch off.

I'm sure you guys have run into this right ?

The side windows are great , no prob. its just the top of the back window for about and inch , those black dots on the window are bigger there and then get smaller . I haven't really noticed the black parts on the factory windows much ..

If the tint doesn't adhere in 2 weeks , then what ? should i cut the top inch off. That 'll look gay for sure. Can I cut the black dots off to get a smooth surface??

Thanks in advance for any help..Its a reputable shop and they do luxury cars and seem straight up guys..

http://community.webshots.com/album/111182217rQqwdl

edited to add link.

salvo · Feb 14, 2004

Make them redo it!

jonnyz16 · Feb 14, 2004

He said to at least give it 2 wks and come back . salvo do you have your back window tinted ?

MyHarley · Feb 14, 2004

You need to wait two weeks before making a decision. The film does take 5-7 days to adhere correctly (it also depends on the weather). If there is still a problem, have the shop redo the whole back window, not cut off an inch. Yes, the dots are the most difficult, but an experienced tinter will get it right........

RuflessPhilly · Feb 14, 2004

The dots on the back shouldn't be a problem if they know what they are doing. I went thru the same thing 2x. The last shop I went too, they explained the whole process to me. I would definitly go somewhere else where they have more knowledge on this issue.

bmwrocks · Feb 14, 2004

IMO, adhering isn't as much of an issue as the looks. The film will adhere to the dots, but it will always look different at the top edge, (and bottom, there are dots there too) as the film cannot "lay down" around the dots and against the glass. It will always be on the surface of the dots.

Cutting it off is an option, but then the top edge won't be tinted. I don't know what that looks like as I opted to leave mine on the dots.

I am not so sure that cutting it off where the dots are wouldn't look just fine and it wouldn't affect the tint as the dots block a lot of light on their own.

There are other options I have read about, like sanding the dots down. Do a web search and you will find lots of info on the dot issue.

outpost22 · Feb 14, 2004

We're looking at tinting too. The shop says that since we already have a stock tint that is 85%, the next available tints would take it to 45% or 28%. The 45% is too light and the 28% is illegal except with a medical prescription. Anybody else run into this???

Grey Coupe · Feb 14, 2004

Tint percentages

Different manufacturers make films of different tint densities. If your installer only has those three and they don't suit you, you should look at having it done elsewhere. Also, some are outwardly reflective and others just darken the glass. Care must be taken as some of the semi-reflective tints really change the look of your car.

MyHarley · Feb 14, 2004

IMO, ask your dealership who they use for tinting......usually your Service Advisor will tell you on the side...........and these tinting places are the best to use........most dealerships have a place on contract, therefore they are very familiar with your type car.

MrElussive · Feb 14, 2004

jonnyz16, can you take a pic of how this looks dude? Many BMW's have tinted windows, I can't imagine all these tinted BMW's running around with dots all along the top edge of their rear windows. I also want to ask you...I have 15% tint on my rear windshield and I want to have my side windows tinted 15%. Now as you know, when you get tints, you're not allowed to roll your windows up/down for like 2-3 days, but on many coupes, when you open/close the door, the window automatically slides like 1/2" down/up to keep the car air tight. How did the tint shop have you deal with this?? And by the way, when I had my back window tinted 15% several months ago, I did not have that adhesion issue...I know we don't have the same car, but I hope it helps anyways.

outpost22, 45% is a super light tint...I would do the 28% if I were you (which I still think is kind of light). Even though it is illegal, you shouldn't have a problem with the cops as 28% is still decently light and it would be hard to tell the difference between 28%/45%, and if a cop can tell the difference, he will probably just let it go because you can still see the driver and passengers through the windows.

codex57 · Feb 14, 2004

Look at my webpage in my sig. When I had mine done, the dot matrix wasn't really a problem except for one small bubble. My tint guy also said to come back in a couple of weeks for touch up, but that's cuz there was very little to fix. If it looks bad already, it's not gonna get too much better. My guy said when they install it, they have to slowly lay it on inch by inch to get as much moisture out as possible. If you just quickly lay on the tint like most shops, too much moisture gets trapped under there and can't escape, leaving the bubbles. It's really bad on the dot matrix areas.

Here's a tip. Wait a couple weeks, and before going back, take a plastic paint scraper, cover it with soft paper towels, and then use it to push down on the areas with dot matrix. It'll help with the bubbling some.

snowcrash · Feb 14, 2004

Johhny get some pics of the huper optik. I'm going to go get mine next week. How much did you pay? Btw, I used to live in Kailua, HI. =)

jonnyz16 · Feb 14, 2004

http://community.webshots.com/album/111182217rQqwdl

thanks guys I've just addedsome pics . It looks pretty bad codex ! So with what you said in your post it won't get that better ..The guy even had the nerve to say that some people just accept it and don't come back ..yeah right !! I paid $340 so believe me I WILL BE BACK BUDDY..all other windows are great so if worst comes to worst I'll have them redo the back window..but what if it dries and is hard to get off . what then ..

I think I'll go back today and let them now how I feel ..

bmwrocks · Feb 14, 2004

OK that looks really BAD (not good bad, but bad bad) jonny!!!!!

Mine has no bubbles or unevenness like that.

And like MyHarley says, ask your dealer who does their tinting for them and go to them. That's what I did, and the guy had been doing BMW, Mercedes, Porsches, etc. for years and knew how to deal with the dots......

MrE, the slight rolldown does not go far enough to cause any problem. The window does not go past the inside seal when it rolls down the auto 1/2" so it's not an issue. This comes from the tinting expert........not me but the guy who had 30 yrs experience who did mine......

MyHarley · Feb 14, 2004

Bad, bad and more bad..................for that price have the back window redone.......there is no problem getting the tint off even after two weeks.........since the other windows are good, have them redo the one window and if it looks like that again, go to your dealership's tinter.......wait the 5-7 days tho for this one window to finish adhering before going back.......is it real humid there right now?

codex57 · Feb 14, 2004

Holy crap that's bad. Make them redo it for sure. I paid $275 or so just for the back 3 windows and you can be sure I made sure they didn't leave any bubbles on my car.

bmwrocks: actually, I've seen pictures of where the idiot installer didn't use enough tint on the side windows so the weatherseal actually rubbed enough to peel the tint. Most installers aren't so cheap as to skimp out on an extra inch of tint though.

bmwrocks · Feb 14, 2004

codex57 said:

$275 for 2 back windows and the back windshield? Is the stuff coated with 24K gold?

I paid $165 for 5 windows of Solargard on my 330Ci from an expert installer.......

aNoodle · Feb 14, 2004

That looks simply horrid. Demand your money back…and find another shop that knows what they're doing. (Save those pics for small claims court!)

Personally, I like the lighter shade though, like you chose…if I'm seeing the pics right. Really really dark runs the risk of GHETTO.

Why isn't tint a factory option!?!? (I know our glass already has a certain tint they say…but I mean…we should be able to order real tint built in the glass…and not have to go with this film crap.)

Chakueem · Feb 14, 2004

wow, that is a really poor job by the installer. If they cant do a better job than that, demand your money back and find a reputable installer who can do a good job for you.

codex57 · Feb 15, 2004

bmwrocks said:

Huper Optik and V-Kool aren't the same as regular tint. They have amazing heat rejection properties. If you're in any of the Southern states, I'm a little surprised you haven't heard of it. Yeah, they're extremely expensive, but totally worth it IMO. I dunno about you, but here, I get 100+ degree temps and with a black interior, that's not fun. I had limo tint on my old car and it was still super uncomfortable after a day in the sun. I can't imagine how it woulda been with a black leather or vinyl interior. Now, if I put the sunshade up on the windshield, I can get in with shorts and it'll only be mildly warm in the car. The stuff is just amazing.

Window tint question

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