Tainted Tint

[chuyler1]

I did my 87 cougar myself years ago. The defroster never worked and the window was so small I just took a razor to the defroster lines before I applied the tint. It took everything right off and the tint went on perfect So if you don't care about your defroster, that is always an option.

But realistically, if they gaurantee the install for life and you are not happy with it, tell them to do it over, and if they say it will just happen again, propose putting down more money for better tint, or tell them you want all your money back. You shouldn't pay big bucks for tint and end up with bubbles. That's just not right.

 

[mazdadan]

Llumar Centaur isn't thin cheap tint, and I still dont have this problem.. I really think it comes down to instalation

Exactly. The installer makes ALL of the difference in the world. If they do lousy prep work, the tint job is going to look like crap. The rear window is one of the toughest ones to tint for most installers. Sometimes you can take a green scrubber pad to the defroster lines to smooth them out a bit. This allows the tint to adhere better.....most good tinters know about this. Also, if the tint was not properly shrunk with the heat gun you will have problems too. So in a nutshell, if you get the cheapest tint job in town, it will usually be a hack job. The rear window on a Protege is no worse than most other modern sedans. If you want a tough window, try doing a VW Beetle rear window in one piece. Or a 90s Saturn SL2 or an Olds Cutlass...those are some tricky windows.

 

[MP5Girl]

OK so not to change the subject but water bubbles in fresh tint are normal? And looks like those who've had them had a 3-4 wk lapse before they finally went away... Damn.

Back to the subject... If it's REALLY that annoying and the dealer is uncooperative you COULD always tint the outside of the window. Yes it'll be exposed to the elements but Lifetime Warranties are just that... If anything happens just take it in and have it redone... From what I understand this isn't uncommon. Good luck though!

 

[mazdadan]

OK so not to change the subject but water bubbles in fresh tint are normal? And looks like those who've had them had a 3-4 wk lapse before they finally went away... Damn.

Back to the subject... If it's REALLY that annoying and the dealer is uncooperative you COULD always tint the outside of the window. Yes it'll be exposed to the elements but Lifetime Warranties are just that... If anything happens just take it in and have it redone... From what I understand this isn't uncommon. Good luck though!

Yes, a fresh tint install will sometimes have small water bubbles that will evaporate over time. Depending on the type of window film and the temperature outside, this will make a difference.

Windows are NEVER tinted on the outside. Anybody that has worked in the industry would be laughing their head off right about now. If that were the case, you wouldn't be able to see out your windows. The reason you see tint out the outside of the window is because the installer is trimming it for proper fit with the liner facing up. Then after it is trimmed to size, the liner is removed from the tint and it is installed INSIDE the vehicle. If you need more info on window tint, go to www.tintdude.com as there is plenty of information to be learned.

 

[MP5Girl]

OK. PLEASE do NOT undermind me. It's insulting. I KNOW HOW TINT IS CUT AND INSTALLED. Now yes I have seen this done for one of two reasons. The person wanted their windows double tinted with the tint being done at the same time. Being there is no time for the first coat to dry the installer puts one coat on the INSIDE and one on the OUTSIDE. The other reason being for this exact thing. The rear window is tinted on the outside because of defroster issues etc. For obvious reasons this is not favored but it is a possibility!

 

[mazdadan]

OK. PLEASE do NOT undermind me. It's insulting. I KNOW HOW TINT IS CUT AND INSTALLED. Now yes I have seen this done for one of two reasons. The person wanted their windows double tinted with the tint being done at the same time. Being there is no time for the first coat to dry the installer puts one coat on the INSIDE and one on the OUTSIDE. The other reason being for this exact thing. The rear window is tinted on the outside because of defroster issues etc. For obvious reasons this is not favored but it is a possibility!

My post was in no way meant to "undermind" you or anyone for that matter. It was meant to inform. People post too much information that is not correct on these forums. Window tint CAN NOT be installed on the outside of glass. It wouldn't work correctly for one thing....think about it....tint blocks light on the from entering on the opposite side it is applied to. Not even the fly by night hack job shops do this. The tint for rear windows is heat shrunk on the outside of the glass for the correct curvature and then installed on the INSIDE of the window. Visit a local tint shop and ask questions/watch how things are none. A good friend of mine used to own a tint shop, and I know quite a few people in the industry.

 

[Morgan]

My post was in no way meant to "undermind" you or anyone for that matter. It was meant to inform. People post too much information that is not correct on these forums. Window tint CAN NOT be installed on the outside of glass. It wouldn't work correctly for one thing....think about it....tint blocks light on the from entering on the opposite side it is applied to. Not even the fly by night hack job shops do this. The tint for rear windows is heat shrunk on the outside of the glass for the correct curvature and then installed on the INSIDE of the window. Visit a local tint shop and ask questions/watch how things are none. A good friend of mine used to own a tint shop, and I know quite a few people in the industry.

^^^
He is right.. No good tint shop would even think about doing such a thing.

 

[MP5Girl]

Maybe it's just my area... Or a Florida thing... We don't exactly have as many elements to worry about so... I don't know. I have seen it done though... at reputable shops. And like I said it's not exactly favored but is an option.

 

[MP5Girl]

Actually now that I think about it... the cars were show cars, garage kept mostly. OK sorry! Nevermind!

 

[Dr.Sound]

i had my dealer tint my windows.....they have a special shop for that across the strteet that belongs to them.
no bubbles yet, at all. not even along the defroster.

and if i ever get bubbles, all i have to do is bring it to the service dep and they will fix it.

 

[Mxyzptlk]

Is this normal? I have the problem below and am curious if this statement is fact?



Drying time
Your new window film will take about 3 to 5 days to fully dry, sometimes a lot longer depending on film brand, type, and weather conditions. Until this time your tinted windows may appear hazy or lumpy, and it may seem to have water bubbles. Do not roll your tinted windows down until dry!

 

[Dr.Sound]

yeah, when i tinted my mom's car there were water bubbles......
it took almost a month for them to dry completely......
windows looked hasy, bubbly, and wavy if looked at an angle.....
all went away

oh yeah, and dont worry about rolling your windows down.....all u have to wait is 2 days

 

[t3ase]

Moved. I know it's "MSP specific" due to the larger lines and all but this is info ANY protege owner could use.

 

[Dr.Sound]

cool tease

 

[jfuller]

YOu just have to go back to your guy a couple days later, before the solution completely dries so he can redo it just before it is completely dry. or push on it yourself a couple of days later. I had a problem with the tint not adhering well around the defog lines as well, but just pushed them with my fingers a few days later now its fine.

 

[Mxyzptlk]

Apparently it is normal to look like crap. Its been like a week or so now and its looking just about perfect.

 

[sgryzko]

Moved. I know it's "MSP specific" due to the larger lines and all but this is info ANY protege owner could use.

Thx T3ase, I always want more info about window tint because I'm doing it some time in the near future. If this was in the MSP forum, I wouldnt have come across this thread.

 

[t3ase]

Thx T3ase, I always want more info about window tint because I'm doing it some time in the near future. If this was in the MSP forum, I wouldnt have come across this thread.

Thank you. (yippy)