Window Tint Disaster

[RLE55]

FYI.
Those little black dots on your windshield (and around the edges) are called frits. They are made of a baked-on ceramic paint that serves practical purposes, including shielding the adhesive from UV rays, distributing heat evenly to prevent the glass from warping or shattering, and covering up the glue for a cleaner look.
I mentiion this because it took 3 tries from my tint shop to do front windshield of my Ranger. It became evident that the little black dots were preventing the tint from adhering properly, which the shop said can, sometimes, be an issue (didn't have this issue on the mustang). So shop decided to cut tint sheet short, just above the dots, came out just fine.

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[MachNroll]

I took my car in for tint. Was on the fence about getting the windshield done but was sold on the benefits. Long story short it was a disaster after 3 attempts it came out decent and then I see my dashboard. I don’t know if this was intentional or not but either way sucks and I’m trying to figure out how to replace this part. See the pics. It’s the defrost vent guard which seems to be in a tricky spot and I don’t know how to remove the damaged one? Any tips are appreciated.


UPDATE: Tint shop is refunding price of tint and install and covering the cost of replacing the damaged part at a Ford shop. Ford thinks they might have to pull the dash to replace this but I'm hoping it's just a snap off, snap on part.

If it were me, (and this is just how I would do it) I would document in DETAIL every step of the way.... "On this date and time I took my car to shop X for window tint. Upon job completion, I saw _________ on my dash. I brought it to the attention of _____ at the tint shop and they said ________ ." I then spoke to ________ at the Ford dealership and they said ____. "

You get the picture and I would do this because after the dash is replaced if it rattles, squeaks, doesn't quite fit right you most likely will need it fixed again at an expense. Just to cover one's bases, I might also ask the dealership if this repair would appear on Carfax and if yes, could it possibly impact trade-in value down the road. If yes, find out how much (diminished value) and address it with the tint shop. Unfortunately, with these types of things with shops, one really needs to get the issue(s) addressed correctly and thoroughly because once time passes, the window closes for future resolution.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

WOW! What a horrible job! Best of luck getting it right "on their dime"!

 

[AZ_Ryan]

If you attempt to fix the tint shops mistake, you will negate any liabitlity the shop may have and can claim YOU caused the scratches trying a DIY. Take back to shop, speak to manager or owner, have them make it right. Worst case, find out from dealer what it would cost to fix, replace dash, then let shop know you sue them in Small Claims Court for cost of

Yeah it’s sad. I wanted this car since I was a teenager. Makes me want to learn how to do all of the mods myself so I don’t have to worry about clowns intentionally damaging my car. I wasn’t sure if I was being dramatic but the more and more I look I don’t see how something like that happens without knowledge of it happening. I have Borla exhaust in my trunk that I’m spooked to let a shop install now…. But I’m still going to get it installed (different shop)

A competent installer would have covered the dash. Im sorry that happened to you. But they need to make that right. Let us know what happens.

 

[ohnoauto]

A competent installer would have covered the dash. Im sorry that happened to you. But they need to make that right. Let us know what happens.

Agreed! They refunded the tint price and covered cost of part at Ford. Service scheduled for next week but Ford thinks they might need to take the dash off to replace it so fingers crossed.

 

[DehTangter]

Looks like the installer used an old regular window squeegee for that and the metal part of it is what gouged your dash. They should have used small plastic spatulas. That is some bush league nonsense for sure.

 

[hal26]

You absolutely would not believe what went on at a Mercedes dealership I used to work at.......

 

[Racer57]

I can’t believe your State allows windshield tint !

I took my car in for tint.

 

[ohnoauto]

I can’t believe your State allows windshield tint !

They don’t but it’s practically transparent.

 

[ZXMustang]

Yeah looks like it was a hard plastic flat tool that they jam down in the crack to finish laying down the edge at the bottom. I watched my guy do it and he wrapped the tool in a microfiber and had a plastic dash pad covering my dash. Then slid it down there and across the base of the windshield to get the water out and seal down the bottom.

Sorry to see this OP.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I can’t believe your State allows windshield tint !

Some states let you do a 70% (which is nearly clear) to block heat and UV. Arizona is one.

 

[Skye]

I can’t believe your State allows windshield tint !

I have tint completely across mine. 70% ceramic, common but illegal in my state. I believe every state allows you to install whatever you want above the ASI line. Below that, you'll need to check.

Tint can display (key word) different from one car to another, one color interior to another. With the other windows and back tinted 30% and 70% up-front, the only way you'll know is with a meter.

Some states are harder on tint than others. LEOs in my area let quite a bit slide. They will pull over people with like 30% or uber-dark windshield tint. These examples are one-offs. Most drivers do 70% up front, 30 on the others. Those with SUVs and kids will go way dark on the glass further back.

You could consider even 80% ceramic across the windshield. While that light of hue will give little-to-no shade, the properties of the ceramic material will block UV rays. I've felt a difference with mine. Driving into the Sun, the heating effect is much reduced.

Laws vary from state-to-state, so it's good to read up on what windows have what limits in your area. Businesses often set that aside and install whatever the client asks for.

Edit,

If you have a medical condition, like with eye sensitivity or skin cancer, your state might allow for a waiver.

 

[Neggytive]

and this is why tinting the windshield below the AS1 line is not only a bad idea but illegal

 

[AZ_Ryan]

and this is why tinting the windshield below the AS1 line is not only a bad idea but illegal

How so? Have you read the above posts? Not only is 70% almost clear, but its legal in most states and gives the benefit of heat and UV reduction.

 

[Neggytive]

The plastic film between the 2 layers of glass that make up a windshield as mandated by FMVSS 205 absorb 100 percent of UVB rays (which cause sunburn), and around 98 percent of UVA rays. That built-in protection gives windshields a sun protection factor - or SPF - of 50 or more, the equivalent of some of the strongest sunscreens.

Factory tint is already very close to the 70% transmission level in most applications so adding anything to it unless it is perfectly clear puts you over the 70% level.

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