Window Tinting
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Window Tinting
I'm a bit upset at myself for not thoroughly researching window tinting for vettes. I see that a discussion was held years ago, but didn't think to check the forum before getting it tinted.
Nevertheless, I took it to a shop, and the manager explains to me that tinting the rear window can be tricky due to the dot matrix, but rest assured that he can do it with no problem. After I took it home and washed it, I did not like what I saw. I took it back to the shop, and he tells me that he can clean it up and get the bubbles out using the heater. He did it, and it still did not fix the problem, so I have to go back for a third time.
The rear window looks tacky to me with the dot matrix being so clear and the rest tinted. I read the forum, and other posters recommended using vinyl?
I know a lot of you have tint on your vettes, so what do you recommend?
Nevertheless, I took it to a shop, and the manager explains to me that tinting the rear window can be tricky due to the dot matrix, but rest assured that he can do it with no problem. After I took it home and washed it, I did not like what I saw. I took it back to the shop, and he tells me that he can clean it up and get the bubbles out using the heater. He did it, and it still did not fix the problem, so I have to go back for a third time.
The rear window looks tacky to me with the dot matrix being so clear and the rest tinted. I read the forum, and other posters recommended using vinyl?
I know a lot of you have tint on your vettes, so what do you recommend?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: NJ: the garbage state
same thing happened to me. i told the window tinter that i didnt like how the top came out. he told me he would get back to me and then just never did. he never even charged me... but i was told that once the tint is applied it cant be removed without damaging the defogging element in the window...so its been this way for a few years now..
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 44
From: Richmond TX
The dot matrix is difficult to cover. You can have them or someone else put a piece of vinyl over the dots and then re tint. I drove across town to a guy the specializes in Corvettes because of the rear window. It came out nice. Not perfect though. He doesn't use vinyl. He tinted the window, then lets it dry in the sun, then squeegees it back down. Something he came across on accident.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
same thing happened to me. i told the window tinter that i didnt like how the top came out. he told me he would get back to me and then just never did. he never even charged me... but i was told that once the tint is applied it cant be removed without damaging the defogging element in the window...so its been this way for a few years now..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
The dot matrix is difficult to cover. You can have them or someone else put a piece of vinyl over the dots and then re tint. I drove across town to a guy the specializes in Corvettes because of the rear window. It came out nice. Not perfect though. He doesn't use vinyl. He tinted the window, then lets it dry in the sun, then squeegees it back down. Something he came across on accident.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Another thing about a poor job on the back glass due to the dot matrix ... it distorts headlights at night to the point of possibly being dangerous. Mine was like that on the C5, but my C6 is not tinted.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 44
From: Richmond TX
A lot of places will say up front: I can't do it. You didn't post where you live, but maybe someone here can refer you to someone close?? On his behalf, it is tough to make it look nice.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 317
Likes: 5
The dot matrix is on a lot of other cars so if he did a bad job near the dot matrix area then its because he isn't good, and not because of the car.
I just had mine tinted and the dot matrix area is actually good, it seems the PITA part of our cars is the fact that the back window is so large and curved.
I just had mine tinted and the dot matrix area is actually good, it seems the PITA part of our cars is the fact that the back window is so large and curved.
Life Starts at 120 mph
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 190
From: Upstate New York
NCM Lifetime Member
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I was a Ziebart having Xpel installed yesterday. Thought while I'm here, lets tint the windows. They told me straight out, we do NOT do Corvette rear windows. It is to time consuming and labor intensive. So, I just had the side windows done.
Then I spoke to the installer, James, who said he has done them, they are difficult and time consuming. That he did do them on the side. We exchanged phone numbers and off I went.
Our plan is he will drive up (70 miles) come to my home and install the window tint, where time and labor costs are not a factor. Yes, there will be monitory rewards. I told him I'd barbeque, cold beer on tab and some cash.
I believe I too will attempt to remove/knock down the dot matrix before he arrives. I think I will go to the junk yard close by and practice a couple of techniques first. I will also have a piece of vinyl standing by.
More to follow
Then I spoke to the installer, James, who said he has done them, they are difficult and time consuming. That he did do them on the side. We exchanged phone numbers and off I went.
Our plan is he will drive up (70 miles) come to my home and install the window tint, where time and labor costs are not a factor. Yes, there will be monitory rewards. I told him I'd barbeque, cold beer on tab and some cash.
I believe I too will attempt to remove/knock down the dot matrix before he arrives. I think I will go to the junk yard close by and practice a couple of techniques first. I will also have a piece of vinyl standing by.
More to follow
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I live in Maryland. I'm upset, because he should have told me flat out that he couldn't do it perfectly. Instead, he convinced me that he's tinted plenty of vettes, as well as other vehicles that have dot matrix, and received no complaints. Maybe he figured that since I am a woman, I'd be fine with the end results 
.
I read on another post that once the vette is tinted, it's hard to remove the tint without damaging the glass. Has anyone experience or heard of this?
.I read on another post that once the vette is tinted, it's hard to remove the tint without damaging the glass. Has anyone experience or heard of this?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 955
Likes: 68
From: Monroe Michigan
St. Jude Donor '14
same thing happened to me. i told the window tinter that i didnt like how the top came out. he told me he would get back to me and then just never did. he never even charged me... but i was told that once the tint is applied it cant be removed without damaging the defogging element in the window...so its been this way for a few years now..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I'm glad I decided to get the legal 35% tint, because if I went darker, I'd probably have the same problem you had when backing up at night.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 955
Likes: 68
From: Monroe Michigan
St. Jude Donor '14
I don't know how much truth there is to this, but I recall it was to help transition from the black edging around the glass. So instead of a stark black edge on the perimeter, the dots serve as a transistion to make it more appealing to the eye.