Window tint questions (Updated, now turned nightmare)

[OutofNowhere]

@roadpilot
@24grabbergt
@Sf22giants

Since y'all were so helpful, I now have another quandary I'd like opinions about:

Took it to shop #2, and I had to take it back the very next day so that they could get air bubbles out of the edges of the back and front window in spots. Also, over a week later there are still a bunch of small bubbles in the tint (they said these might disappear, but they didn't), more than a dozen on one side on the strip on the top of the windshield as well as some on the other side, but also a scattered few on other windows.

I didn't have any of these issues years ago when I had my other car done at shop #1; I took the car in, they did the job, and I left and never had to return, because it was perfect. It wasn't ceramic tint in that car though; would that make a difference?

They'll redo it, but I'm wondering now how picky to be? I'm a pretty picky person (and I notice everything!), but what's an acceptable level of "perfection" look like? No bubbles anywhere at all? A couple pinhead-size here and there acceptable? What's the "accepted normal" for a $650 job (all windows with Lumar IRX 30%, the full windshield with AIR 80, and also a strip across the top)?

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[24grabbergt]

@roadpilot
@24grabbergt
@Sf22giants

Since y'all were so helpful, I now have another quandary I'd like opinions about:

Took it to shop #2, and I had to take it back the very next day so that they could get air bubbles out of the edges of the back and front window in spots. Also, over a week later there are still a bunch of small bubbles in the tint (they said these might disappear, but they didn't), more than a dozen on one side on the strip on the top of the windshield as well as some on the other side, but also a scattered few on other windows.

I didn't have any of these issues years ago when I had my other car done at shop #1; I took the car in, they did the job, and I left and never had to return, because it was perfect. It wasn't ceramic tint in that car though; would that make a difference?

They'll redo it, but I'm wondering now how picky to be? I'm a pretty picky person (and I notice everything!), but what's an acceptable level of "perfection" look like? No bubbles anywhere at all? A couple pinhead-size here and there acceptable? What's the "accepted normal" for a $650 job (all windows with Lumar IRX 30%, the full windshield with AIR 80, and also a strip across the top)?

IMO….. im not a super picky guy, but i also dont pay $650 for tint. My car front to back was $350 and i have a couple small bubbles (by a couple i mean 3 or 4). For $650 i would not be okay with seeing a SINGLE bubble

 

[Will2]

I was quoted $225 for ceramic on just the 2 frameless windows on the doors (not even including the small triangular rear windows). Sacramento. California prices I guess...

 

[OutofNowhere]

IMO….. im not a super picky guy, but i also dont pay $650 for tint. My car front to back was $350 and i have a couple small bubbles (by a couple i mean 3 or 4). For $650 i would not be okay with seeing a SINGLE bubble

Well... maybe I should have shopped around even more than I did... Too late for that now.

Thanks for the feedback. This is all doubly irritating because of how many trips to this place I've made, and will still have to make, to get this done right, especially considering that it's 25+ miles from my house.

 

[24grabbergt]

Well... maybe I should have shopped around even more than I did... Too late for that now.

Thanks for the feedback. This is all doubly irritating because of how many trips to this place I've made, and will still have to make, to get this done right, especially considering that it's 25+ miles from my house.

To be fair, I have brought him alot of business and have been going to him since he was tinting out of his garage… No matter how annoying it may be you spent your hard earned money and they should make it right without a peep

 

[OutofNowhere]

I was quoted $225 for ceramic on just the 2 frameless windows on the doors (not even including the small triangular rear windows). Sacramento. California prices I guess...

That makes my $650 sound not so out of whack, so thanks for that! I'm in Georgia (though not Atlanta, thankfully).

 

[Rocket Man]

sounds like you picked the wrong shop. for that price it should be flawless. keep taking it back until it is right.

 

[OutofNowhere]

One more question for everyone:

Is it normal or expected that the installers will leave drips of whatever glass cleaner or solutions they use all over the interior? There were drips all down below the inserts on the door panels, so obviously liquids were not wiped up fast enough and got in and around the inserts, and then ran around and down to the bottom of the door. There were also splatters on the dash and steering wheel area, and I don't even know about the back because I haven't crawled back there yet to see.

THAT mess just makes me want to ignore the bubbles on the side windows so they don't have the opportunity to get even more liquids inside my door trim and everywhere else.

 

[Zig]

One more question for everyone:

Is it normal or expected that the installers will leave drips of whatever glass cleaner or solutions they use all over the interior? There were drips all down below the inserts on the door panels, so obviously liquids were not wiped up fast enough and got in and around the inserts, and then ran around and down to the bottom of the door. There were also splatters on the dash and steering wheel area, and I don't even know about the back because I haven't crawled back there yet to see.

THAT mess just makes me want to ignore the bubbles on the side windows so they don't have the opportunity to get even more liquids inside my door trim and everywhere else.

You may find more comfort in a refund

 

[Sf22giants]

@roadpilot
@24grabbergt
@Sf22giants

Since y'all were so helpful, I now have another quandary I'd like opinions about:

Took it to shop #2, and I had to take it back the very next day so that they could get air bubbles out of the edges of the back and front window in spots. Also, over a week later there are still a bunch of small bubbles in the tint (they said these might disappear, but they didn't), more than a dozen on one side on the strip on the top of the windshield as well as some on the other side, but also a scattered few on other windows.

I didn't have any of these issues years ago when I had my other car done at shop #1; I took the car in, they did the job, and I left and never had to return, because it was perfect. It wasn't ceramic tint in that car though; would that make a difference?

They'll redo it, but I'm wondering now how picky to be? I'm a pretty picky person (and I notice everything!), but what's an acceptable level of "perfection" look like? No bubbles anywhere at all? A couple pinhead-size here and there acceptable? What's the "accepted normal" for a $650 job (all windows with Lumar IRX 30%, the full windshield with AIR 80, and also a strip across the top)?

I paid $300 for all windows (not the windshield) for ceramic tint. 5% all around was my choice. The rear windows, in particular, had some small swirls and tiny bubbles on day 1. I followed the tint shop recommendations and didn't play music in the car, kept the windows up, and parked it in the sun. Between day 3-5, every little swirl and bubble disappeared. I should caveat: my windows were tinted in the winter. I assume the bubbles will disappear significantly faster in the summer.

A few pinhead bubbles here and there will dissipate after two weeks. If the moisture and air pockets aren't evaporating at all, make sure you specifically park in direct sunlight for a few days. I would pull the car in the garage at night (personal preference) but then put her back outside in the daylight. The heat from sunlight is magical for window tint; kind of like rain on your lawn instead of sprinklers.

It's ok to be picky. If you don't like the quality of the work, you don't have to live with it. You are spending quite a bit of money so be as picky as you want. I only recommend a little patience to ensure all of the moisture has evaporated (or not evaporated) before kicking in the door of your tint shop and demanding a refund.

 

[OutofNowhere]

I paid $300 for all windows (not the windshield) for ceramic tint. 5% all around was my choice. The rear windows, in particular, had some small swirls and tiny bubbles on day 1. I followed the tint shop recommendations and didn't play music in the car, kept the windows up, and parked it in the sun. Between day 3-5, every little swirl and bubble disappeared. I should caveat: my windows were tinted in the winter. I assume the bubbles will disappear significantly faster in the summer.

A few pinhead bubbles here and there will dissipate after two weeks. If the moisture and air pockets aren't evaporating at all, make sure you specifically park in direct sunlight for a few days. I would pull the car in the garage at night (personal preference) but then put her back outside in the daylight. The heat from sunlight is magical for window tint; kind of like rain on your lawn instead of sprinklers.

It's ok to be picky. If you don't like the quality of the work, you don't have to live with it. You are spending quite a bit of money so be as picky as you want. I only recommend a little patience to ensure all of the moisture has evaporated (or not evaporated) before kicking in the door of your tint shop and demanding a refund.

Interesting; the tint shop specifically said NOT to leave it in the sun, and didn't say a thing about music, though maybe it's different in summer? It may be too late at this point to put it out in the sun during the day until Tuesday, when I'm dropping the car off in the evening for them to work on it on Wednesday, but perhaps I'll try that.

 

[Sf22giants]

Interesting; the tint shop specifically said NOT to leave it in the sun, and didn't say a thing about music, though maybe it's different in summer? It may be too late at this point to put it out in the sun during the day until Tuesday, when I'm dropping the car off in the evening for them to work on it on Wednesday, but perhaps I'll try that.

The rationale with the direct sunlight is heating the exterior of the glass, heating the film, and increasing the temperature on the back side of the film evenly, all at the same time. The music recommendation is to avoid vibrating the film while it’s still curing to the glass.

 

[Rocket Man]

the liquid is just soapy water. Clean it with a damp rag and done.

 

[OutofNowhere]

the liquid is just soapy water. Clean it with a damp rag and done.

I get that, but the point is, they shouldn't leave it such a mess inside. At least, IMO they shouldn't. And sure, the water that's in the trim will evaporate, but soap? Eh, just seems like more attention to detail should be the goal.

The rationale with the direct sunlight is heating the exterior of the glass, heating the film, and increasing the temperature on the back side of the film evenly, all at the same time. The music recommendation is to avoid vibrating the film while it’s still curing to the glass.

Makes sense. I've sat the car on the driveway for part of the day today, and will do the same tomorrow and Tuesday, though as I said, it's probably too late at this point.

 

[Zig]

I get that, but the point is, they shouldn't leave it such a mess inside. At least, IMO they shouldn't. And sure, the water that's in the trim will evaporate, but soap? Eh, just seems like more attention to detail should be the goal.

Agreed, should be better than when dropped off not worse. Shouldn’t be able to tell they were even in there, only evidence should obviously be external.

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