[RobVe]

I just had my car tinted and the guy did a great job, even with the dot matrix. There IS a big problem however... Every time I put the windows down and up, I'm getting scratches. After just 5 days I've already taken the car back to get a window re-done (no charge), and the installer cleaned the rubber guides again. He even waxed the windows to make them slicker. But after just one day of putting the window down and up, the drivers window has hairline scratches all over it. And the back window has a top-to-bottom scratch so deep you can feel it with your nail. At this rate I'll have to have the car re-tinted every couple months or it's gonna look like sh*t. Could it be the tint I had installed? I went with the Suntek HP - part dye/part metallic (which causes no interference BTW) Or am I expecting too much from a tint job? I can't believe these scratches are normal. Now I did do a search on here and read a few posts about the window guides causing scratches, but the scratches seem too inconsistent for it to be that. Also, the tint tech said the guides ARE felt and was sure these scratches were caused by dirt in the channel. The car is only 4 months old so I find it hard to believe it's that dirty. So I'm back to thinking the tint is crap. But of course I'm now really afraid to spend $500 on ceramic and wind up with scratches there too. Any feedback would be appreciated.

[just4kickz]

the rear windows only have plastic and felt on the exterior lining but not the interior lining (no felt interior), so when you roll them down and small sharp particles get caught inbetween, your going to get your tint scratched and thus the small lines on your tint. for the front windows, there is felt inbetween the plastic lining which means its less susceptible to scratching. if you do get scratching, it's probably because the small particles were already there.

don't think its necessarily your tinter's fault in not cleaning it properly... may be just where you live or where you park your car. i rarely put down my windows all the way down, which does help in preventing dirt from getting trapped down there.

oh & no it's not the film's fault.

[Sea2Ski]

My tinter took out that inner lining. I have no vertical lines at all.

[RobVe]

Yeah, I don't think it's the tinter's fault either. I'm just really disappointed that I'm gonna have to either take the tint off, or accept getting more and more scratches and get it re-done regularly. I'm not gonna drive around being afraid to lower my windows. Just curious Sea2Ski, exactly what "inner lining" are you talking about removing?

[simp0man]

Hmm I wonder if this will be my issue also when I tint my windows. Each time I wash my car even after it dries once I lower the windows, there is some smeering. Anyone know how I can get rid of that without taking apart my panels?

[RobVe]

That's a good question. I would definitely do more research or at least broach the subject with your prospective tinters. I was just looking again in better light and there are multiple scratches on EVERY window. And this is after just a few days; and on the back windows which I've only put up and down a few times... So disappointing. I guess my only solution is to find a place that will felt the wipers. Or I just live with the scratches till they become more and more numerous and I re-tint.

[just4kickz]

i have felt on the insides of the rear windows. only problem is that i frequently live in areas where temps go over 90-100...which makes the glue that adheres the felt strip to the plastic kinda gooey. i don't have a garage either... but i'm pretty sure you don't have the same problems i do.

[RobVe]

Originally Posted by just4kickz

i have felt on the insides of the rear windows. only problem is that i frequently live in areas where temps go over 90-100...which makes the glue that adheres the felt strip to the plastic kinda gooey. i don't have a garage either... but i'm pretty sure you don't have the same problems i do.

Well, the Colorado sun does get pretty intense too. That's actually why I wanted tint in the first place, not really for the aesthetics. Although it does look pretty nice. Except for the freakin scratches.

You have NO problems with the front windows? Did you have them felted? My rear window wipers seem to have the same stock "felt" as the fronts.

[jmangel1]

Its possibel the film they are using is thicker (lesser quality believe it or not). I have had my last 3 BMW's done and never a problem. You want SolarGard Tint. Its great material, never a problem. Its thin, harder to install, but if your installer does this all the time, he will have no problem. Any questions message me back. i used to tint windows too..

[jmangel1]

There is no need to alter the door trim or lining!!!! This is in place for a reason. Try Solar Gard and I guarantee you the problem is gone

[RobVe]

Originally Posted by jmangel1

There is no need to alter the door trim or lining!!!! This is in place for a reason. Try Solar Gard and I guarantee you the problem is gone

thanks! I'll have to see if someone out here carries that. Really appreciate the help.. everyone.

[jmangel1]

vist solargard.com for a local installer

[just4kickz]

Originally Posted by RobVe

Well, the Colorado sun does get pretty intense too. That's actually why I wanted tint in the first place, not really for the aesthetics. Although it does look pretty nice. Except for the freakin scratches.

You have NO problems with the front windows? Did you have them felted? My rear window wipers seem to have the same stock "felt" as the fronts.

no problems with the front windows... but yeah like others have said... perhaps try a new tint brand? i don't know. if it gives you the same result well then i guess it's not really tint brand that matters.

ceramic tints are pretty thick... and i've never seen one scratched--more so because more people have some half metal constructed films since they're just cheaper--but perhaps the thicker film might not be as easily scathed...

[RobVe]

yeah, I gotta try something different. As long as my installer refunds me for the job he just did of course. I guess he's better off doing that than having me there every day to replace scratched tint.

[Minipuck V 2.0]

scratches? do you roll down the windows right away? i think you are suppose to wait a week or so before you should operate the window ...

[RobVe]

Originally Posted by Minipuck V 2.0

scratches? do you roll down the windows right away? i think you are suppose to wait a week or so before you should operate the window ...

I was told I could use the windows after two days. Even says so in the written instructions they gave me. You think that's part of the problem?

[Minipuck V 2.0]

the last three times i have gotten my windows tinted ... i didn't roll down the window for at least a week to two weeks ... i dunno ... it might be .... it sounds like its messing up the window tint when you roll it down ...

[monacoblue335i]

I was warned by my tinter that the rear windows might have some scratches.

There is a company selling something called Tint Protector. I am wondering if anyone has it.

http://www.tintprotector.com

[mitch_e90]

Originally Posted by simp0man

Hmm I wonder if this will be my issue also when I tint my windows. Each time I wash my car even after it dries once I lower the windows, there is some smeering. Anyone know how I can get rid of that without taking apart my panels?

yep, I also have that as well.

[Enjoiyourlife]

My tinter said they had to put a layer of felt on the window before the tinting.... No problems here

[Sea2Ski]

Originally Posted by RobVe

.... Just curious Sea2Ski, exactly what "inner lining" are you talking about removing?

If you pull the rubber liner that is up against the window, away from it, and you look down the space where the window goes (You need really good light), you will see a second rubber liner. That is the one that I am referring to. Dirt, sand, etc gets caught in there, and collects. Then when you put the window down, it scratches the tint. My tinter just cut that one out. Was it right to do that? Wrong?

All I know is that I get no vertical scratches.

[RobVe]

Originally Posted by Sea2Ski

If you pull the rubber liner that is up against the window, away from it, and you look down the space where the window goes (You need really good light), you will see a second rubber liner. That is the one that I am referring to. Dirt, sand, etc gets caught in there, and collects. Then when you put the window down, it scratches the tint. My tinter just cut that one out. Was it right to do that? Wrong?

All I know is that I get no vertical scratches.

Yes!... I finally closed the case. I spoke to the BMW dealer and NOW they tell me they have a preferred installer for tint. Spoke to the installer and he said that second lower wiper needs to be felted. He said they even sand it smooth before applying the felt to insure a solid bond and no glue smearing. Or if I wanted I can have the strip removed. but said they've had no problems with the glue EVER smearing. Whew! this whole thing was exhausting. Thanks everyone for your help.