Addressing blemishes after installing tints

[xtlwulf]

Had XPEL tints recently installed for my car and unfortunately the place I had them installed at was a very mediocre experience. I had to have the tints reinstalled multiple times within the span of the last 4 weeks as there were scratches and bubbles after each installation/correction

Each time, I would receive the car with overspray, and streaks all over the interior of my car doors.

While not being the end of the world, I recently noticed that there was a small piece of adhesive that stuck to my front leather seats and am having a hard time removing it.

I also noticed that on one of the windows, the interior plastic window trim molding has started to fade from black to white.

Any recommendations or advices to address these 2 problems?

[xtlwulf]

Pictures

[John in VA]

I'd bring it up with the shop doing the work, but with multiple shops involved, how can you attribute any damage to the particular shop? I'd think it would be difficult to have "them" address the issue if not sure it was "them."

- a carpet cleaner like Folex
- trim cleaner/conditioner/restorer - https://www.autogeek.net/solution-fi...orer-12oz.html
- leather cleaner/conditioner to soften the foreign material. unless it's a scratch

[xtlwulf]

Originally Posted by John in VA

I'd bring it up with the shop doing the work, but with multiple shops involved, how can you attribute any damage to the particular shop? I'd think it would be difficult to have "them" address the issue if not sure it was "them."

- a carpet cleaner like Folex
- trim cleaner/conditioner/restorer - https://www.autogeek.net/solution-fi...orer-12oz.html
- leather cleaner/conditioner to soften the foreign material. unless it's a scratch

Thanks for the response, but it was only ever from one shop.

First time getting tints ever, and when I had the tints installed initially, there were bubbles/lint dust so had to have them corrected within warranty.. 3x times… each time I had the windows corrected, one of the windows would have an issue with it so I would have to go back. And now I have to go again for my passenger side window

[John in VA]

Warm weather is the best time for tint installation as the heat can help minimize/dry any bubbles.
Sounds like a lot of hassle you're dealing with - hope they came highly recommended & will do something to make you happy!

[bk_mike]

Originally Posted by xtlwulf

Thanks for the response, but it was only ever from one shop.

First time getting tints ever, and when I had the tints installed initially, there were bubbles/lint dust so had to have them corrected within warranty.. 3x times… each time I had the windows corrected, one of the windows would have an issue with it so I would have to go back. And now I have to go again for my passenger side window

That is one of the worst tint jobs I have seen in a while. The tint should go up to the edge of the glass.

I have gotten several cars done here and they are excellent.

[christianb5s4]

Professionally tell them that you will have it redone and to get them to compensate you. It's impossible to have a 100% perfect job, but the above is beyond unacceptable.

[spammysammich]

Originally Posted by bk_mike

That is one of the worst tint jobs I have seen in a while. The tint should go up to the edge of the glass.

I have gotten several cars done here and they are excellent.

Agreed, that tint job is hot garbage. I haven't seen tint done like that by a professional installer in 20 years.

[chefwong]

Not sure what the definition of multiple is....but it's past the 2nd redo, you need to move on, either compensated or not...

In order for tint to be removed or installed, the guys are using a slip solution or glue adhesive remove and or blade cleaning your glass to remove the glue. The stains you are on your door card and such....could be slip solution but imagine adhesive remove potentially left on the surfaces of the door card or adjacent surface. Improperly handled knife edge glue removal can result in linear scratches in your glass. Most tint remover easily with a bit of steam but even -fresh installed tint- tends to leave some glue behind that will need removal

What is the tint shop you are using ?

Have you spoken to the shop owner, manager, etc.
You may potentially - probably getting the tint redone by the same -worker- who did the originally install as some of the installers are not paid by hr but paid by -job-. so it's rinse and repeat from the same botched installer from the 1st to the current

[icj_45e]

I'd suggest you cut your losses and go somewhere else. They obviously are incompetent and have no pride in their workmanship. I'd imagine you'll continue to see damage to your car and poor quality work.

[xtlwulf]

Thanks for the responses

Yea I’ve had 3 redos and need to go back for the 4th for the window I shared a pic of

I went in based on the reviews I saw online and price seemed the best around me

Unfortunately I don’t have a choice but to continue to go back there since it’s covered by warranty. Dropped $1100 on these tints and don’t want to spend more.

[cbpip]

Should be micro edging the upper tint edge, 1/2" gap at the top is a hack job. You should ask for compensation and/or full refund. Crap job leaving your car in the condition they did. Tell them you will post your dissatisfaction on social media.

[chefwong]

[QUOTE=xtlwulf;31511410]
Unfortunately I don’t have a choice but to continue to go back there since it’s covered by warranty./QUOTE]


Who is going the re-dos. Same installer or different installer.
It's your car but having multiple times where the door card or seats or whatever either getting wet, etc is your thing, so be it.

Sometimes you just need to take your losses and move on to -somewhere else-

[DocL]

After the second time I would have asked for my money back and gone somehwere else. This isn't a warranty issue, it's bad work. And to pay $1100 is insane. This is a $450 job at the most by a competent installer.

[chefwong]

Originally Posted by DocL

After the second time I would have asked for my money back and gone somehwere else. This isn't a warranty issue, it's bad work. And to pay $1100 is insane. This is a $450 job at the most by a competent installer.

Pricing is regional. It's about $550-$700 for 4 doors and a windshield out here
Maybe the 1K included on the original install removal/cleanup of of prior tint.

IME, xpel is somewhat price locked (regional installers are -generally- all in the same ballpark).

[DocL]

Originally Posted by chefwong

Pricing is regional. It's about $550-$700 for 4 doors and a windshield out here
Maybe the 1K included on the original install removal/cleanup of of prior tint.

IME, xpel is somewhat price locked (regional installers are -generally- all in the same ballpark).

YEah, NY is always more expensive and the installers don't do as many cars like they do down here in Florida. I've had over thirty cars tinted and not once did I need a redo.

It would have been cheaper for the OP to drive to Florida and had it done right the first time without any of these issues. And it would be applied within 1mm of th eedge of the window.

[chefwong]

My preferred tint guy is great, but one of his installers 17 years back was the best installer in the craft. He -shaved- it to the edge.

OP, which shop did you use ?
Is it the same installer - tech doing the redo's each and every time ?

[xtlwulf]

Originally Posted by chefwong

My preferred tint guy is great, but one of his installers 17 years back was the best installer in the craft. He -shaved- it to the edge.

OP, which shop did you use ?
Is it the same installer - tech doing the redo's each and every time ?

Used a local shop near me in NJ, Tintworld.

Not sure if it was the same installer/tech each time it was redone. I don’t think so?

[chefwong]

Originally Posted by xtlwulf

Used a local shop near me in NJ, Tintworld.

Not sure if it was the same installer/tech each time it was redone. I don’t think so?

Not familiar with the shop.

I was only asking since you have received poor results each time. If the installer/tech is paid per job and not hourly......he may be getting the callback job each and every time...Have you discussed the redo:redo's with the shop manager as a 1st pass. Yes, it possible the shop in it's entirety sucks...

Looks like the tint job is hand cut and not plot cut
Have you checked your exterior glass, rubber seals, etc, just to confirm there are zero cuts in those as well......given the shoddy work pic posted.
.......again, if the redo was marginal work already, you should have just moved on from the shop as such.

It's not a bad tint job you are risking with each redo. Interior damage, potential glass or seal damage, etc.

[xtlwulf]

Originally Posted by chefwong

Not familiar with the shop.

I was only asking since you have received poor results each time. If the installer/tech is paid per job and not hourly......he may be getting the callback job each and every time...Have you discussed the redo:redo's with the shop manager as a 1st pass. Yes, it possible the shop in it's entirety sucks...

Looks like the tint job is hand cut and not plot cut
Have you checked your exterior glass, rubber seals, etc, just to confirm there are zero cuts in those as well......given the shoddy work pic posted.
.......again, if the redo was marginal work already, you should have just moved on from the shop as such.

It's not a bad tint job you are risking with each redo. Interior damage, potential glass or seal damage, etc.

Yea, I’m not sure if the tech is paid hourly or per job. I’m also not sure if it’s the same tech but I do recall for the 1st redo, that it was contracted out.

The contractor did correct 3 out of 4 windows from the first install but unfortunately on the 4th window, it developed a decent size bubble.
The picture I shared was the result of the 3rd redo.

The tints are supposedly all computerized machine cut so it was extremely odd to me when I saw the cut for this window. All my other windows that I’ve had redone are fine so don’t know what happen here.

I added a picture of my driver side window.

Either way, at this point, I’ve invested too much money and time to correct these tints and expect the quality of work for the amount I paid. But I will have to call it if they manage to mess up this redo.

I’m mainly just concern on how to address the faded trim and adhesive that’s stuck to my leather seat. I did bring this up to the tint shop and they were willing to fix it so we’ll see how that goes.

[icj_45e]

You have a lot of faith in this crew. If they can't do tint correctly after 3 or 4 tries, you're going to let them work on your leather and trim? Good luck, hope they come through for you without more damage.

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by xtlwulf

Used a local shop near me in NJ, Tintworld.

Not sure if it was the same installer/tech each time it was redone. I don’t think so?

Tiny World is a franchise operation and has locations allover the US.

https://www.tintworld.com/franchise-opportunities/

When I did my research of PPF shops in my area I visited one of their Florida locations and wasn’t overly impressed with the cars I saw in their shop.

When I visited the installer that finally worked on my car I was overwhelmed with the sight of a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, a McLaren and two BMW’s all being worked on.

IMHO, the OP should have disputed the charge with his credit card company and found another installer.