I think I got hosed on a window tint job

[TRBON8R]

I got the windows tinted on the GN last Saturday. This was done by a pretty high end shop here in town. It's always busy, lots of Benzes and other expensive cars getting detailed there. Only problem is on my windows that were tinted there are TONS of bubbles on them. Lots of bubbles around 1/4" in diameter, some smaller, some slightly bigger. When I asked about the bubbles when I went to pick up the car I was told the "cure" time for the job was 3 days and all would be good after that. Well it's been 3 days and it sure isn't getting any better. I find it hard to believe that what I'm seeing is normal "curing". What say you??

 

[1badTTA]

Take it back.

You have to understand that they aren't gonna give a dam about an 87 Regal when they have $50,000+ cars in there all the time. They think you will just be fine with whatever is given to you and don't really care about your car.

As for those bubbles, they will be huge in a couple years and you will be replacing the tint. Take care of it now.

If they just blow you off, I think a nice smokey burnout around a couple of expensive cars might be in order. They are responsible for them while they are working on them

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Should be perfect from the get go. Sounds like they need to do it over.

 

[TRBON8R]

CRAP!!!! Now I get to go through the whole thing again. If they mess up my rear window defroster when they pull the tint off I'm going to crap a Miata.

Thanks for the info though. Not what I wanted to hear, but at least now I know.

 

[turbojimmy]

Yeah, you got hosed. I went thru the same thing with my Typhoon. They said to let it cure. It didn't get better. They destroyed my rear window defogger when they re-did the tint. They weren't really interested in reimbursing me for breaking it either. When it came time to do the GN I did it myself. It came out pretty good - and the defogger works. At least when someone points out my f-ups I can say that I did it myself and I didn't PAY some one to f-it up.

Jim

 

[inkcushion]

I've worked with tinters for most of my career,sometimes it does take a little longer to dry,what % of tint did you put on? What is the temp. like there? give it a little time to cure ,he wasn't bs you on the cure time it really does exist. And by the way I'm not trying to make excuses for them ,some times if you take it back thethey can push the bubbles out,now that some of the moisture is gone out from between the film and the glass. Let me know what they say, You never know they could fix it without having to redo it. Just my .02 Alan

 

[TRBON8R]

Alan,

I'm not sure what % it is. I went with kind of a medium tint. The tint material the guy used he referred to as "platinum" for whatever that is worth? I'll take it back and see what they say, but I really would be surprised if this could be fixed without redoing the whole job. 3 days later and looks every bit as bubbly as when it was done. The temp here is in the 60s during the day going down to the mid-high 30s at night.

If the rear defroster gets ruined what are my options? Can it be fixed or heaven forbid is it time for a new window?

Thanks for your help.

 

[inkcushion]

Hey dude if he put platinum on it its going to take about 1week or two too dry. platinum holds moisture for whatever reason for the longest time alot longer than normal dyed film? Especially if its that cool there I live in orlandoand even with the heat we get here,platinum still takes longer to dry than normal dyed film. So definetly check back with them,but don't be suprised if they tell you the same thing. Also if they do have to take it offagain tell them you would like them to "sweat " the film off the rear window,thus saving the defroster, but this will only work when its hot outside or a good amount of sun to work with ....... Hth Alan, Also make sure what your seeing is moistureand not trash in the film, because platinum shows alot more imperfections than normal film..........hth..........

 

[TRBON8R]

Hey Alan. Thanks man, you gave me some hope that maybe things will turn out alright. If I don't see some improvement in the next couple days I'll see if I can post some pictures so you can see what it looks like. I'm not sure though if pictures will really show off the problem too well though. This car is a garage queen and hasn't been out in the sun since the job was done. That might be part of the problem as well. Like I said this isn't a fly by night joint. They have been around as long as I can remember. I hope they know what they are doing. Thanks again.

 

[inkcushion]

Ya just give it some time I think everything will work out fine. like you said they are not a fly by night shop,I think they would take pride in their work whether or not it was ford pinto or a 2003 s55 mercedes. Just keep me posted as to the outcome........ Alan

 

[ghall]

I have tinted many cars that took a week(4-6 days)---to fully get rid of the bubbles---don't be worried yet--after that--it may require some small repairs.That is very normal---trust me

Geoff

 

[99Formula]

I got my car tinted at Silver State here in Vegas. They do the tinting on a lot of very high dollar cars. They told me the time for all the bubbles to disappear can be as much as 30 days, and that's here where it's usually pretty hot and dry. Sounds like mine started out a little better than yours, though. There were definitely still some bubbles there at 3 days that weren't at a month.

Peter

 

[Buick From Hell]

Nice warm days also help the 'curing' process, and right now, even in Long Beach, it ain't all that warm! I agree with the masses, give it another few days...

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Hmm, I have tinted windows myself and didn't have bubbles when I was done. This was years ago when I had my Chevelle. Maybe I was doing something wrong?

I ended up taking it off the Chevelle a few years later when I pro streeted the car.

I also took a perfectly good tint job off my GN after I bought it. Us older guys have a hard time driving at night as it is and window tint doesn't help.

 

[turbojimmy]

Originally posted by BuickGn Boosted
Hmm, I have tinted windows myself and didn't have bubbles when I was done. This was years ago when I had my Chevelle. Maybe I was doing something wrong?

I didn't have many bubbles or imperfections when I was done with my GN either - and I used the platinum tint. The bubbles that were there are still there. Not saying that they won't go away, but you shouldn't have many to begin with. Keeping it in the garage doesn't help. You should leave it out in the sun.

Jim

 

[NUTTSGT]

If they don't fix it report them to the better business beareau, also i think 3m makes a repair kit for rear defrost, it's like a bottle of white out(but a copper like paint)

 

[wiked87gn]

hey ben, sorry to hear about ur bubbles, this is my experience with window tints, i had my honda done down the street from here , and there should be no bubbles from the get go, i repeat no bubbles from the get go, if there are bubbles the size of dimes., they did something wrong, take the car back and have them Redo-it. but just like everyone says give it a few days, if they dont go away take it back and ask for your money back.

 

[tim87tr]

Originally posted by TRBON8R
CRAP!!!! Now I get to go through the whole thing again. If they mess up my rear window defroster when they pull the tint off I'm going to crap a Miata.

Thanks for the info though. Not what I wanted to hear, but at least now I know.

I had my GN windows tinted and they said don't roll down the windows for a few days, and keep it out in the sun. The small bubbles dissapeared in a couple days, and it turned out fine.

 

[TRBON8R]

I just called the tint shop. The owner told me 4 to 6 weeks for everything to dry totally. I'm not convinced, but we will see. Hey I could be wrong, I know jack about tinting windows. Sometime next week I'll take the car by and have a talk with the owner if things haven't improved by then. Have a Merry X-Mas all and thanks again for your input!!