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base coupe window tint

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Old Sep 6, 2015 | 04:59 PM
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Default base coupe window tint

I recently had the back window and door windows tinted. I'm noticing that on the back window toward the top section where all the small dots are, the tint is not adhered to the window like the plain glass area. Is this normal? I know the rear window is very difficult to tint. From in the car you don't see anything as bubbles, etc. but from the outside, if you look closely you'll see it. Should I take it back to the tint guy? Any advice? I know the pic is hard to see but if you look at the middle lower portion of the pic, you can get an idea was I'm talking about.
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Old Sep 6, 2015 | 05:12 PM
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Default tint

I do not know if this is right, my 2001 coupe looks just like it and the tint has been on for over 2 years. Hope this helps.
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Old Sep 6, 2015 | 05:20 PM
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I would say "Common" vs "Normal".

Some tint shops will sand the dot-matrix down to lessen the effect of air bubbles forming, but in my case after two tint jobs, I went ahead and painted that area on the inside with black Krylon Glass Paint and that got rid of my problem.
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Old Sep 6, 2015 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Choreo
I would say "Common" vs "Normal".

Some tint shops will sand the dot-matrix down to lessen the effect of air bubbles forming, but in my case after two tint jobs, I went ahead and painted that area on the inside with black Krylon Glass Paint and that got rid of my problem.
I've got the same issue. My tint job looks like crap on the dot matrix area.

I've heard about the paint fix. Did you take the tint off first? If so, did you take it off yourself? I'm thinking that it would be hard to make a nice clean cut around that domed window just in the dot matrix area.
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Old Sep 6, 2015 | 10:17 PM
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mine looks the same way and so does everyone i look at.
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Old Sep 6, 2015 | 10:23 PM
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there is an adhesive they can use that will help the tint stick to the dot matrix but the best solution in my opinion is to get some vinyl and have them cover the matrix... it will be completely black so you won't see the dots anymore and it will blend in with the edge of the window
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Old Sep 6, 2015 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Choreo
I would say "Common" vs "Normal".

Some tint shops will sand the dot-matrix down to lessen the effect of air bubbles forming, but in my case after two tint jobs, I went ahead and painted that area on the inside with black Krylon Glass Paint and that got rid of my problem.
Originally Posted by neutron82
there is an adhesive they can use that will help the tint stick to the dot matrix but the best solution in my opinion is to get some vinyl and have them cover the matrix... it will be completely black so you won't see the dots anymore and it will blend in with the edge of the window
Two good solutions to the dot matrix problem when tinting the rear window.
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 12:48 AM
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Originally Posted by jjaaam
I've got the same issue. My tint job looks like crap on the dot matrix area.

I've heard about the paint fix. Did you take the tint off first? If so, did you take it off yourself? I'm thinking that it would be hard to make a nice clean cut around that domed window just in the dot matrix area.
No, I did not need to remove the dot-matrix first. I just used alcohol on it and then used blue painter's masking tape to follow the contour - actually looks like it could have come from the factory that way to me. If you get REALLY close in the right light you can see the texture of the dots if you are really looking for them from the underside, but I never notice them on the outside since both the dots and the paint are opaque black.

I have not taken a great photo of the back window to show the effect up close, but it basically looks just like the blacked-out areas of the window around the sides and bottom perimeter...



Last edited by Choreo; Sep 7, 2015 at 01:02 AM.
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 01:14 AM
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Someone mentioned sanding the matrix dots? Don't they have something to do with the rear window defroster?
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Choreo
No, I did not need to remove the dot-matrix first. I just used alcohol on it and then used blue painter's masking tape to follow the contour - actually looks like it could have come from the factory that way to me. If you get REALLY close in the right light you can see the texture of the dots if you are really looking for them from the underside, but I never notice them on the outside since both the dots and the paint are opaque black.

I have not taken a great photo of the back window to show the effect up close, but it basically looks just like the blacked-out areas of the window around the sides and bottom perimeter...


I didn't mean remove the dot matrix itself...I meant the tinting. Did you cut out the tinting that wasn't sticking, then directly paint the glass?

If you DIDN'T remove the tinting, I'm assuming you painted the outside of the glass, not from the interior?
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 08:46 AM
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Unrelated to the problem question.....What is the term "base" coupe supposed to mean? Base tends to mean the lowest model with no options, is that the intent?
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
Unrelated to the problem question.....What is the term "base" coupe supposed to mean? Base tends to mean the lowest model with no options, is that the intent?
Base coupe refers to the model and has nothing to do with options. There are 3 models, Base Coupe, Convertible and Z06. Each model has a different rear window. The base coupe has the long rear window similar to a fastback and is more difficult to window tint than the other models.
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by neutron82
.. the best solution in my opinion is to get some vinyl and have them cover the matrix... it will be completely black so you won't see the dots anymore and it will blend in with the edge of the window
That's how mine was done. With the hatch open it looks like a huge area blacked out, but with it closed looking back I never even notice it.
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by jjaaam
I didn't mean remove the dot matrix itself...I meant the tinting. Did you cut out the tinting that wasn't sticking, then directly paint the glass?

If you DIDN'T remove the tinting, I'm assuming you painted the outside of the glass, not from the interior?
Originally I had the Limo (5%) tint done on the entire rear window and it had the same result of air gaps around the for matrix, but not that noticeable. However, the Limo tint was too dark for backing up at night, so I removed it.

I the masked off the area on the "inside" of the glass and painted the inside. I then had the tint shop re-tint using a less-dark shade.
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by imlowr2
Base coupe refers to the model and has nothing to do with options. There are 3 models, Base Coupe, Convertible and Z06. Each model has a different rear window. The base coupe has the long rear window similar to a fastback and is more difficult to window tint than the other models.
Yeah, I know the models, I've owned several. But, I never called the coupe a "base" coupe.
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Old Sep 7, 2015 | 06:55 PM
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Default base coupe window tint

I bought magoops for the dot matrix. Still have not tinted mine so have not used it. Your supposed to put a bead on the edge then squeegee it similar to what you do when tinting. It removes the air between the dots so it looks like the rest of the window. Otherwise I've been told that vinyl is the way to go.
Chris
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Old Sep 15, 2015 | 09:03 PM
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This photo gives you some idea of what mine looks like painted from the inside with Krylon black glass paint...


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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 12:11 AM
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I will paint mine when the bibles start getting too bad. Google some images. Paint dot matrix c5 should get you where you want.
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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 12:17 AM
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When looking up parts you see base coupe alot. Its better than hatch back.
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Old Sep 16, 2015 | 09:57 AM
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Has anyone here done the paint trick by cutting and removing the existing tint themselves?

If I can do it myself then great. My concern is cutting a clean, even line across the existing tint (especially on that curved window) and then trying to get the tint off.

Seems like the painting step would be the easiest part!
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