Removal of old window film is not an easy task, when you have to do it on a rear window it is one of the most difficult to achieve. All rear windows in modern cars have very fragile defroster lines, it is imperative that these lines are not damaged when removing the old tint.
There are multiple chemicals that are marketed exclusively for the removal of window film. While they may assist with the breaking down of the adhesive they all have the same basic instructions; spray on the window film, apply a plastic covering to the window and let sit for a set amount of time in the sun.
Whether you choose to use these chemicals or choose to use the basic ammonia and water that has been the industry standard forever. The same basic techniques must be used to ensure that you do not damage the rear window or defroster lines.
Below you will find a few tricks of the trade for you to study, before you attempt to remove any film from a rear window make sure you have these tricks memorized.
Tools Needed: Spray Bottle (containing your cleaning solution), White Scrub Pad, 000 Steel Wool, Black (thin) Trash Bag, Ammonia, Water and Paper Towels
10-25-2012, 09:32 PM | #1 |
Private Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SC | tint along defroster lines... Got my windows tinted about a week ago. My initial reaction was not pleasant.. Found air bubbles/pockets throughout the car which I understand is normal. However, the rear window had to be the worst as you can see from the pics below. I took the car back after a few days to have the manager (who was one of two guys who tinted it) take a look. He said he'd redo the small side panel window behind the drivers seat, but did not really seem to care about the rear window which was even worse. Anyways, i thought i'd give it at least a week under the sun to see if it helped and it really hasn't changed. Sucks more because I found another streak about 1.5 inches long on the front windshield, in clear view from the passengers seat. Bottom line, I'd like to have the front windshield and rear window re-tinted. Has anybody else have the same issue with the tints not sticking to the defroster lines? If so, how did you deal with the issue. Thanks.
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10-25-2012, 09:40 PM | #2 |
Banned Drives: e92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Here and there | Thats a terrible job...had mine done and it had some imperfections but not that bad Check this out..Post #5 |
10-26-2012, 01:01 PM | #3 |
Captain Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA | Sorry, but somebody goofed up that job. __________________ | 2011 M3 Sedan | Le Mans Blue | M-DCT | ZC2 | ZCP | ZP3 | Moonroof | Enhanced Premium Sound | Dinan exhaust | Dinan software | Dinan pulley | Dinan intake | Dinan pedals | Bimmian LED interior | Lux H8 V3 | WeissLicht PY24W LED | 20% tint | IND reflectors | IND front grills | IND key hole cover | IND hood vents | IND M5 mirror covers | Reus Systems audio | Verstraβe shifter paddles | BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 | Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 | Red BBS Racing lug nut kit | H&R Sport springs | |
10-26-2012, 02:42 PM | #4 |
Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC | My tint sticks fine to the defroster lines. Your dot matrix looks really bad also. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3| BBS | KW | Arkym | Platte Forme A.G. | Active Autowerke | K&N | Fabspeed | Dinan | Evolve-R |
10-26-2012, 03:44 PM | #5 |
Banned Drives: when at all possible Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tx | Quote: Originally Posted by lorinzo Sorry, but somebody goofed up that job. This. What kind of film? Might want to let other people know about that shop so it can be avoided. |
10-26-2012, 06:18 PM | #6 |
Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NJ | Everything on mine is perfect except the dot matrix also... Is there anyway to fix this without having to remove and retint? __________________ Current: ///M2C |
10-26-2012, 06:35 PM | #8 |
Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC | Quote: Originally Posted by Nicname Everything on mine is perfect except the dot matrix also... Is there anyway to fix this without having to remove and retint? Vinyl is an option for you I think. The tinter can remove the upper dot matrix portion of your current tint and replace it with vinyl. I think your other option (sanding) includes removing the current tint. You could try using a heat gun or a hair dryer and pressing it yourself to see if you can make it adhere around the dots any better. That might help but not completely eliminate the problem. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3| BBS | KW | Arkym | Platte Forme A.G. | Active Autowerke | K&N | Fabspeed | Dinan | Evolve-R |
10-27-2012, 09:17 AM | #9 |
Private Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SC | Quote: Originally Posted by whats77inaname This. What kind of film? Might want to let other people know about that shop so it can be avoided. Suntek CXP 35 all around. and CXP 55 for the windshield. The place is pretty reputable around here. I drove by their other location across town and had the manager look at it. He told me to come by sometime next week and they'll see if they can smooth it out, if not replace it. I'm hoping they just replace the whole thing.. As for the dot matrix, he suggested painting it. Dunno how i feel about that either. |
10-27-2012, 12:39 PM | #10 |
You got my money? Drives: Ice Cream Truck Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: ///OC iTrader: (14) Garage List | Quote: Originally Posted by Yolkster Thats a terrible job...had mine done and it had some imperfections but not that bad Check this out..Post #5 You should take it back and have them tint the 3rd brake light area. It looks funny with it clear like that. Even with tint, the 3rd brake light can still be seen just fine. __________________ 2022 G80 M3 Competition X / 2020 Range Rover Sport P525 / 2021 Tacoma 4x4 OR |
10-27-2012, 04:39 PM | #11 |
Private Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SC | Quote: Originally Posted by M3PO Vinyl is an option for you I think. The tinter can remove the upper dot matrix portion of your current tint and replace it with vinyl. I think your other option (sanding) includes removing the current tint. You could try using a heat gun or a hair dryer and pressing it yourself to see if you can make it adhere around the dots any better. That might help but not completely eliminate the problem. are you sure Vinyl is an option afterwards? if thats the case, i should find a place that does vinyl because this one offers to paint it. and i'm not feeling that.. |
10-28-2012, 01:22 PM | #12 |
Warrant Officer Drives: 2011 E92 335is Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alabama | Same thing happened to me. I took it to a guy in NJ who knows EXACTLY how to deal with dot matrix and defroster lines and he took the garbage tint off and installed new tint PERFECTLY. No bubbles anywhere on the entire car, including the dot matrix on the door windows (I have a coupe). I would tell them to either re-do it or get your money back and find someone that knows what they're doing. |
10-28-2012, 03:43 PM | #13 |
Major Drives: SG X6 35i; MW e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Germany | horrible job...get them to either re-do or refund. __________________ |
10-29-2012, 02:18 PM | #14 |
Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC | Quote: Originally Posted by doree610 are you sure Vinyl is an option afterwards? if thats the case, i should find a place that does vinyl because this one offers to paint it. and i'm not feeling that.. I don't see why not. Call around and see what they can do for you. This place that did it for you already is probably gonna do a shitty job again so I think you'll have to take it somewhere else. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3| BBS | KW | Arkym | Platte Forme A.G. | Active Autowerke | K&N | Fabspeed | Dinan | Evolve-R |
10-29-2012, 03:18 PM | #15 |
Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: One of the coasts... | The vinyl will work just fine. It'll look 100% better. The dot-matrix, I mean. As for the rest of it, that's just a bad job. Better try your luck somewhere else __________________ '11 BMW E92 ///M3 - ZCP and DCT |
10-29-2012, 09:44 PM | #16 |
Private Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SC | **update** things went from bad, to worse... tint seems to be the least of my troubles now. Attachment 773458 showed the manager what one of his guys did. he made a call to the BMW dealership and left a message for his guy/contact to take care of me. i went straight to the dealership and got a quote for the damaged piece. Attachment 773460 i'm sure these guys have no idea how expensive this damage is going to cost them.. to make matters worse, i noticed after i left the dealership my head lights along with all the interior lighting of the car was flickering (around 10secs) when the engine started. happened 2 more times tonight after the car had been turned off for awhile and restarted. hopefully this electrical issue has nothing to due with all the water that was sprayed and go onto the dash while they were installing the front windshield... anyways... i don't know what i'm going to do from here. cause in the end, even giving the tint some time to cure i think its still gonna turn out bad. but like i said in the beginning of this post, it seems after all this tint my be the least of my worries. sorry for the long post... Last edited by doree610; 10-29-2012 at 10:06 PM.. |
10-30-2012, 06:58 AM | #17 |
Warrant Officer Drives: 2011 E92 335is Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Alabama | Well, at least they're willing to fix their mistakes.. Could be a LOT worse, trust me. |
10-30-2012, 04:01 PM | #18 |
Lieutenant General Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA | |
10-30-2012, 04:33 PM | #19 |
Colonel Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC | Oh man, good luck. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3| BBS | KW | Arkym | Platte Forme A.G. | Active Autowerke | K&N | Fabspeed | Dinan | Evolve-R |
10-31-2012, 11:46 AM | #20 |
vvvvvvvvvvvvvv Drives: ^^^^^ Join Date: May 2012 Location: Bay Area, CA | good luck. If you're patient in your search, you can find an installer who can install properly without the use of vinyl or paint. |
11-04-2012, 07:47 AM | #21 |
Captain Drives: 2012 M3 CPE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SF Bay Area | Damn dude, you have some baboons working on your car. So much for a reputable place. Damaging the car on top of that is unbelievable. Good luck and I hope everything gets fixed. __________________ |