Tint over Dot Matrix
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 91
From: Indiana
Tint over Dot Matrix
I dont remember my last vette looking bad on over the dot matrix. I just got this one tinted and it doesnt look good. Anyone had much luck fixing it themselves. Most tint places just say thats normal. Im going to try to push it down better myself and hope for the best. It was tinted 2 days ago.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: TX
St. Jude Donor '13
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,744
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I might get brave one of these rainy weekends and tackle this project to fix my own tint.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
Had my windows tinted recently and had the same problem with my rear window on my FRC. I let 2 weeks go by and let the car sit in the sun for most of the day to let dry and set. Didn't do any good. SOoooooo.... I cut the tint off just below the dot matrix area and I have no problems with the way it looks !!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oviedo Florida
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The other day I had my rear window tinted and it came out
bad in the matrix area. Went to another guy . He cut out the
bad spot and replaced the tint with a transparent piece of
vynal (sp). It worked great and he didn't even charge me. All
he wanted was a ride around the block. I gave him one he
won't soon forget.
bad in the matrix area. Went to another guy . He cut out the
bad spot and replaced the tint with a transparent piece of
vynal (sp). It worked great and he didn't even charge me. All
he wanted was a ride around the block. I gave him one he
won't soon forget.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Monroe NC
I've had two C5s and the issue was the same on both. The '97 was worse than my current '99. I sent this thread and the attached thread to the guy who did my most recent tint. He said he's tried the glue trick, sanding the dots and just about everything else....according to him some times these tricks work and sometimes they don't. He keeps a corvette back window in his shop to show customers what the potential problem might look like.
I knew going in this could be an issue. Sometimes it simply is what it is.
I knew going in this could be an issue. Sometimes it simply is what it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
Really all it takes is patience and some elbow grease on your part, just keep pushing the tint down over the dot matrix with your thumb wraped in a soft cloth.
I used a smoothing motion and eventully it laid down very nice and even.
It works best after it sets in the sun and gets warm.
I used a smoothing motion and eventully it laid down very nice and even.
It works best after it sets in the sun and gets warm.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,479
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From: Devil's Island CA
Really comes down to the tinter and the tint used. My cousin has been tintinng windows for over 20 years and never has a problem with the dots. It's all about how it's applied and again if good tint is used.
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I have heard of some owners having the area where the dot matrix is painted so there is no worry about the tint laying down properly. Guess that could always be an option.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,977
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From: St. Louis Missouri
A reputable show in St. Louis did just that. They airbrushed the upper portion of my 4th gen Camaro. This might be a place where I'd consider Plasti-dip.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
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From: Winfield IN
The only problem with painting the dot matrix or using a vinyl overlay is that you will severely hinder your vision in your rearview mirror. Take it back and have it repaired or find a competent tinter. The dot matrix can be done correctly by any good tinter with glue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,867
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Really all it takes is patience and some elbow grease on your part, just keep pushing the tint down over the dot matrix with your thumb wraped in a soft cloth.
I used a smoothing motion and eventully it laid down very nice and even.
It works best after it sets in the sun and gets warm.
I used a smoothing motion and eventully it laid down very nice and even.
It works best after it sets in the sun and gets warm.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,290
Likes: 1,523
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
The only problem with painting the dot matrix or using a vinyl overlay is that you will severely hinder your vision in your rearview mirror. Take it back and have it repaired or find a competent tinter. The dot matrix can be done correctly by any good tinter with glue.
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 692
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From: Lithia Springs Georgia
Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 601
Likes: 40
Had the same issues with the tint on the black dots. Could never get it right. Finally cut the tint just below the black dots and painted the black dots with flat black paint. Looks great. No more "white spots" where the tint was lifting away from the dots. Tape everything up and a few light coats of paint and your done.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
From: Pembroke, MA
I had my tint done a couple of months agao and after he was done I looked at the back window and said "what it this". Then he proceded to tell me that "the dot matrix is hard to do blaha blaha blah" I was irritated because had he told me this BEFORE he did the tint I wouldnt have gone to him. So I cut out the area with a razor taped off the tint with blue masking tape and plasti dipped the cut out area! Looks stock=)
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 2
From: Bellingham WA
I too got pissed at my tint guy for not warning me in advance. He ended up cutting out the bad bit and adding black vinyl. The car is black so it looks good. Lost maybe an inch of viewable area out the rear view mirror. Not a big deal.