Dot Matrix Tint Solutions... Post Pics Here

[dking99]

I thought since there were so many people asking about the Dot Matrix when tinting their windows that I would start a thread where we can all post images and give a brief description of how we worked around th issue.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m24/dking99/DSC_0025web.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m24/dking99/DSC_0024web.jpg

I chose to apply the black vinyl to the outside of the rear windshield. I know so many others have applied it on the inside, but I really like the way mine turned out.

Tint shop charged my $10...and no, I did not get hooked up on that.

[GoBears]

Is the vinyl opaque, and how many inches does it extend along the side of the windshield? Seems like it would reduce visibility since it cuts off so much of the rear windshield.

[BenjiBoy650]

Is that a C-class in the background

[KablaaaM]

What's good with the dot matrix? I got mine tinted when I bought my car 6 months ago, but wasn't too concerned with the dot matrix. Is that a big factor?

[dking99]

The vinyl is about 8 inches tall...it may reduce visability by about 2 inches MAX...you have to consider the angle it is at. Take an 8 inch piece of paper and tilt it at about a 30 degree angle....now the total height is only minimal.

C280---girlfriend's car!

[dking99]

What's good with the dot matrix?

There is nothing good about it. It sucks when tinted over.

[j-ro]

Two months ago I had my coupe windows tinted with 35%. Shortly thereafter the dreaded "milky white" substance appered on the dot matrix. I could not take it any longer. I went back to the tint shop. The installer cut the tint right below the matrix. We "dry fitted" black vinyl over the matrix. I did not like the look so I left the matrix area as is. With 35% and the fact that the matrix area in darker than the rest of the window it looked fine.

[krazyfiend]

The installer cut the tint right below the matrix.

that's sweet...but just so I understand you correctly, the installer was able to cut your existing tint (guessing with a surgical like scalpel and steady hand) and remove/peel off the piece from the dot matrix?

or

did he completely re-cut a new piece so the dot matrix wouldnt be covered...removed the entire original rear piece with sun/heat/amonia like liquid and re-applied the new piece ?


im hoping for the first situation to be true :D or im headed down dking's method from his OP

[dking99]

On my 08 Coupe, I have had 35%, 20%, and now 5% on my rear window. Too many details to get into, but the tint shop wanted my business and did what I asked them to.

With 35% tint, the vinyl is not required. Just as J-ro says, it looks prottey good if the tint is cut just below/at the dot matrix start point.

With 20%....ummmm, you kind of need it. It looks much better with the vinyl.

with 5%, you absolutly need it. Tint is way too dark and the contrast is too great with the dot matrix. 35% looks best only because there is not much contrast and therefor, it doesnt stand out.

As for the vinyl on the inside or outside, lots of people are going with the inside, but in my opinion, it may look sloppy if not done properly. If on the inside, you WILL see the tint line, you WILL see the dot matrix, and you WILL see the vinyl behind....With the vinyl on the outside, you WONT see dot matrix, you WONT see tint line, you will only see the vinyl line...just make sure that line is cut well.

Can someone post images of the vinyl applied on the inside???

[j-ro]

Krazyfriend. The installer used a utility knife and cut a line directly below the matrix. I could not believe how straught the cut was. Nerves of steel. You could not tell it was cut. After he cut it the portion "attached" to the matrix just peeled off without any problem. I guess it never adhered well to the matrix in the first place. I am very satisified.

[leggysoe]

Krazyfriend. The installer used a utility knife and cut a line directly below the matrix. I could not believe how straught the cut was. Nerves of steel. You could not tell it was cut. After he cut it the portion "attached" to the matrix just peeled off without any problem. I guess it never adhered well to the matrix in the first place. I am very satisified.

did he make any scratches on glass while cutting?

[spacejamz]

did he make any scratches on glass while cutting?

when the tint guy cuts the tint to fit your window, they take the sheet of tint, spray it down so it sticks to the window and then cut/trim it with an exacto knife. If this process doesn't scratch your glass, I doubt trimming the piece covering the dot matrix will either...

[KunalPatel87]

I have the same outdoor vinyl on my car (just trying to help 8th gen owners):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/KunalPatel87/DSC00402.jpg
(Old picture of my car.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/KunalPatel87/DSC00585.jpg
(Present.)

From the inside, you can't even tell it's there because of the sloped rear windshield. Most people won't even notice it unless you tell them about it or if your car is really dirty (oops...). It blends into the tint.

I haven't found anyone instate that does the vinyl on the inside (properly).

[LateNites]

Noob question:
I haven't ever had one of my cars tinted, so how long would it take for them to tint the coupe and put vinyl strip on?

[spacejamz]

Noob question:
I haven't ever had one of my cars tinted, so how long would it take for them to tint the coupe and put vinyl strip on?

tint job/vinyl should take a few hours...find a quality tinter (get recommendations, etc) and then call to make an appointment instead of just showing up at the tint shop.

[dking99]

I am thinking that the inside vinyl will not look as clean. It will last forwever, and you wont have to worry about it getting dirty, but I think you will still see dot matrix and tint lines when in the right light (the sun / daylight).

outside vinyl can be redone without messing up the tint. It may pull tint off if you ever decided to remove it from the inside.

[Chaski]

my guy cut the tint film right before the dots....and then painted right on top of those little f-ers...it looks really clean and im extremely happy with the job...i'll take some pics and post them later...

[dking99]

Tint - 2 hours, I dont know... $100 - $200

Vinyl - 20 minutes tops. $free - $20

[LateNites]

tint job/vinyl should take a few hours...find a quality tinter (get recommendations, etc) and then call to make an appointment instead of just showing up at the tint shop.

Tint - 2 hours, I dont know... $100 - $200

Vinyl - 20 minutes tops. $free - $20

Thanks guys

[saersxlr8]

The vinyl is about 8 inches tall...it may reduce visability by about 2 inches MAX...you have to consider the angle it is at. Take an 8 inch piece of paper and tilt it at about a 30 degree angle....now the total height is only minimal.

C280---girlfriend's car!

good idea man, i was thinkin it would look bad on the outside but it doesn't. thanks cause i was going to try to do the inside but was scared cause i thought it may look sloppy but yeah i'm probably gonna do it the same way you did.

whats the point of the huge dot matrix anyways?? not all cars are like that:dunno:

[rsnsx]

Two months ago I had my coupe windows tinted with 35%. Shortly thereafter the dreaded "milky white" substance appered on the dot matrix. I could not take it any longer. I went back to the tint shop. The installer cut the tint right below the matrix. We "dry fitted" black vinyl over the matrix. I did not like the look so I left the matrix area as is. With 35% and the fact that the matrix area in darker than the rest of the window it looked fine.

I had EXACTLY the same experience with my Quantum HP 19 tint. It looks fine with nothing over the dot matrix. IMHO the black vinyl on the outside looks :thumbsdow

[leggysoe]

I have 15% so it looks weird without anything on the dot matrix.
It's definitely better than milky white bubbles but it bothers me everytime I see it. I guess the vinyl is the best option we have. or paint over maybe?

[dking99]

Showed a guy my car yesterday (another Coupe owner) and he commented on the tint job looking so great. It was a bright sunny day out so all imperfections would have been visible. About 10 minutes later I had to point out the black vinyl strip on the back...he didn't even notice it.

AND...nobody has posted a pic of the vinyl strip applied to the interior of the car yet. I want to see a good closeup from the outside...right on the dot m atrix portion. I have a feeling it will look like POOOOOHHHH!

[bruceleroy]

i already got my back windows tinted from the dealer. do if you guys know if they are able to put the vinyl without removing my current tint?

[dking99]

Yes...vinyl on the inside will slightly overlap the tint...if it is applied on the outside, you wont have any interference with the tint at all.

It's now up to you to decide which way to go....

I intended this post to promote people to display the different ways they have dealt with the dot matrix...unfortunately there are not too many pics!!

[osidepunker]

my guy cut the tint film right before the dots....and then painted right on top of those little f-ers...it looks really clean and im extremely happy with the job...i'll take some pics and post them later...

I set up an appointment for this Sat. Tint dude said the same thing. He wants to tint right to the dot matrix, make me wait 2 weeks for it to dry, and then paint over the dots. He thinks vinyl looks like booty and won't last very long on the outside. I haven't seen either method in person, but I'm going with paint. Will post pix when done. Total cost: $180 (150 for tint, 30 for paint)

[saersxlr8]

The vinyl I bought is "performace" grade and is supposed to last 8 years minumum. There's also a lower "intermediate" grade which is supposed to last 5 years. :dunno:

About it looking like booty, it's personal opinions I guess. I have mine done with vinyl on the outside and it looks okay but will probably have it painted later down the line.

[Jakerx]

Honestly, I'm at a loss in this thread.

I don't seem to have any sticky white substance showing, and I think that the rear window looks completely fine tinted normally without any vinyl additions.

Am I missing something?

[treacherous]

The tint shop I go to, Sun Tint in Austin, glues the tint to the area with the dot matrix.

I had this done on my 2001 Accord coupe, and the 2008 Accord sedan I had before this current coupe I have, and I'm going back because of how pleased I was. Gluing seems to really work well.

[leggysoe]

The tint shop I go to, Sun Tint in Austin, glues the tint to the area with the dot matrix.

I had this done on my 2001 Accord coupe, and the 2008 Accord sedan I had before this current coupe I have, and I'm going back because of how pleased I was. Gluing seems to really work well.

hey i went to Sun Tint also but they couldn't do it successfully. They told me they had this "special glue" but it didn't work.

[dgoff07]

haha Leggysoe, the "special glue" is just clear elmers glue.... I have seen it work out a couple times, and other times not at all.

I'll try to find the link that explains the whole "gluing" thing

[dgoff07]

http://www.tintdude.com/dot-matrix.html

[thesteve151]

http://www.tintdude.com/dot-matrix.html

wow that glue method looks like the best thing i have seen yet:yes:

[dking99]

http://www.tintdude.com/dot-matrix.html

The pics in this link SUCK!

[Chaski]

here's how mine looks after painted

.http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/3005000-3005999/3005367_21_full.jpg

[dking99]

And we finally get some more images!!! Thanks!

That looks great from the inside...do you have any shots from the outside? I would imagine it is all blacked out but can you see any trace of the dots? And how does the tint/paint line appear from the outside?

[Chaski]

And we finally get some more images!!! Thanks!

That looks great from the inside...do you have any shots from the outside? I would imagine it is all blacked out but can you see any trace of the dots? And how does the tint/paint line appear from the outside?

yeah man..my procastination skills are on point...:) but i took some pics from the outside but you cant tell the difference...if you look at the rear window...there is already a black border...the paint blends in perfectly...and yes, you dont even notice the dots, and even better, you dont have that 'milky' effect that people talk about...i'll try to snap some pics again...

[dking99]

Well, if you cant see the black dots at all, I guess taking a pic wont show much. I was assuming that there would be some trace of the dots...like the paint would be a little reflective and the dots would be more of a flat non-reflective surface.

Can you truly state that you cant see them at all? That would be amazing and also the best way to go if it were the case.

[Chaski]

i see what you're saying...but yes i can truly say that the the dots DO NOT show up at all...actually the only way you can tell is from the inside...the paint is a flat, black paint (no reflection)...like i said, it blends perfectly with the existing border...i woulndt go any other way...in my opinion..

[dking99]

That sounds great. How much did you pay and where did you go to have that done? And are there any dos or donts associated with painting that you know of?

I think this is a major topic here and others will be interested in seeing more pics and hearing any other details you have to offer.

[Chaski]

i got them done at UNDERGROUND TINT SHOPPE in Springfield, VA...Ask for GUS, there are other there but he is the dude i dealt with, i would deal directly with him...he is on those type of guys who really cares about how the car looks and will stress to make it just right..he wont just put whatever tint to make a profit...he even showed me how it would look with tint over the dots...with vynil...but he really recommend getting painted...i went with his advice...really cool cat. Tell him about my car, white honda etc...he'll remember simply because we did a lot of chatting, etc.

The key thing is to find a guy who really know what he's doing and cares about his work quality...i was just lucky i guess...he took his time making sure all the parts that needed to be covered, were covered...he was worried about keeping the car intact as he worked, no paint driping...smudges, etc..you know; just worried that it wouldnt look stupid...I certainly appreciated that...

i payed $200 + tax...he didnt charge me extra for the paint...(or the vynil, if i opted that way...) Pm and i can forward his contact info...

That's about it...

[saersxlr8]

Here's mine:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b194/saersxlr8/P4270372.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b194/saersxlr8/P4270373.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b194/saersxlr8/P4270374.jpg

I like how the painted looks, most likely will be getting mine done that way but here's the temporary fix

[fsquared]

On my '03 coupe there are 2 rear window defroster lines that are in the middle of the large dot matrix, so I don't think I'd want to get that area painted.

On the vinyl topic, a graphics and vinyl shop let me have a small sample piece of black vinyl, and when it was on the inside of the window it basically did the same thing tint does: Some black came through on the lower part of the matrix but was cloudy and milky on the upper part of the matrix where the dots get bigger and closer together. It was splotchy, just like when tint is on there. So, since I don't want to paint on the inside because of the 2 window defroster lines, I think I'll look into the vinyl on the outside. I got another sample to try on the outside today, and the small piece they gave me looked pretty good when I put it on (and will look better when it's professional placed) and actually matched a lot of the shiny black trim that's already on my car. They said it'll cost about $50 including installation, and they said if I don't like it that it pulls right off if it hasn't been on very long.

[fsquared]

By the way, saersxlr8, what do you mean in saying that those pics are a temporary fix? Aren't those pics of the window painted from the inside?

[krazyfiend]

By the way, saersxlr8, what do you mean in saying that those pics are a temporary fix? Aren't those pics of the window painted from the inside?

I believe he's mentioned in another thread and you can tell he has the vinyl strip on the outside, but he's fond of Chaski's paint from the inside solution.

[saersxlr8]

I believe he's mentioned in another thread and you can tell he has the vinyl strip on the outside, but he's fond of Chaski's paint from the inside solution.

EXACTLY...

[morcheez]

so how long does it take for these bubbles to show...its been a week here and my tint looks fine

[oneclu]

i think you guys are making it more serious then its made out to be lol

[krazyfiend]

i think you guys are making it more serious then its made out to be lol

not really, the milky dot matrix where the tint does not attach looks like utter shit (compared to the rest of the tint) and has made me very keen on noticing it on other cars (of course, they don't have near the amt of space at the top of their rear glass that is prone to this issue as the 08 accord coupe...


if it's not happening/happened to your fresh tint that has no vinyl, elmers glue trick or some other tinting secret for success w/ this issue, I reckon we'll see many folks talking about it during the heat of this summer when the high temps really test the strength of the tints glue on the dot matrix area

[fsquared]

I got the vinyl and it looks really good! Well, to be honest, from many angles you can't even really notice it to even SEE that it looks good. The back glass is so angled and is so reflective, plus the vinyl just looks like the regular black border from most angles, but just wider. There's only one line showing because they did it just like the pictures that are in this post on page 1 or 2.

[LRP_Accord]

vinyl inside
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/slvzippo/DSCN2237.jpg

from outside
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/slvzippo/Honda%20Accord%20Coupe/DSCN2239.jpg

[bruceleroy]

dude thats a big piece of vinyl

[dking99]

vinyl inside
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/slvzippo/DSCN2237.jpg

from outside
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g263/slvzippo/Honda%20Accord%20Coupe/DSCN2239.jpg

When I get mine re-done, I will probably try it on the inside now. I like the looks of it on the outised, but the egges do collect pollen and debris right where it meets the glass.

[fsquared]

How were you (or the people who installed the inside vinyl) able to stick it to the glass with no milkyness like tint does when it's on the large dot matrix? Or is there some milkyness that we just can't see?

[dking99]

How were you (or the people who installed the inside vinyl) able to stick it to the glass with no milkyness like tint does when it's on the large dot matrix? Or is there some milkyness that we just can't see?

They vinyl is just a better adhesive to the glass. The tint is not.

[fsquared]

Well, a local graphics store let me stick a sample piece of vinyl on the inside and it looked the same way as tint -- some of it covered the dots totally, some of it didn't. I'm sure I could've pushed it down a little harder, but it was totally flush to the glass and still looked milkier toward the top where the dots are closer together and really hard to get tint to look good. Maybe my 2003 coupe has dots that are a little different than 2008 models. Could that be?

[Dadshouse08]

Just got tint this morning:yes:35/15% on rear:biggrin:loving it and they did vinyl on the rear...

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/5493/picture020ay9.jpg
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/5633/picture021ob5.jpg
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8133/picture023uw5.jpg

[fsquared]

Is that vinyl on the inside or outside? I don't think vinyl can look as good on the inside of my '03 coupe as on the outside -- too milky on the inside, sort of like tint.

[dking99]

Well, a local graphics store let me stick a sample piece of vinyl on the inside and it looked the same way as tint -- some of it covered the dots totally, some of it didn't. I'm sure I could've pushed it down a little harder, but it was totally flush to the glass and still looked milkier toward the top where the dots are closer together and really hard to get tint to look good. Maybe my 2003 coupe has dots that are a little different than 2008 models. Could that be?

Did you simply hold the vinyl up to the window or did you apply it? I am pretty sure you have to actually apply it to the wondow to remove the dot matrix look.

[Dadshouse08]

They tinted the inside then applied vinyl to the outside across the dot matrix...;)

[fsquared]

Did you simply hold the vinyl up to the window or did you apply it? I am pretty sure you have to actually apply it to the wondow to remove the dot matrix look.


I took the backing off a sample piece of vinyl and pushed the sticky side against the glass from the inside. Some of the black covered up the matrix, some didn't. But here's something I just learned: I just went by my local Honda dealer and looked at the dot matrix of an '08 accord coupe and it's different than my '03. The '08 dots start big at the top of the glass, then get a little smaller as they go down (which is just like mine), but you really can't tell the dots get any smaller on the '08 because they don't get farther apart, so it looks like a consistent dot pattern from a few feet away. My '03 has dots that not only get smaller from the top of the matrix down but they also get significantly farther apart and less noticeable like they're almost filtering down until they almost disappear into the clear part of the pre-tinted window. And my tint shop said the smaller dots actually sit up off the glass farther than the bigger ones, so it's impossible to get tint to lie down consistently on the matrix. I would guess (but maybe I'm wrong) that the '08 matrix looks better tinted and less milky than mine because the matrix of the '08 is a lot more consistent and darker all the way down than mine is.

[saersxlr8]

They tinted the inside then applied vinyl to the outside across the dot matrix...;)

you have any closer pics?? I used matte black on mine and it stands out a lil more than regular glossy vinyl... i might redo mine if thats the case...

[fsquared]

The first page has two great pics of glossy vinyl on the outside.

[saersxlr8]

The first page has two great pics of glossy vinyl on the outside.

i've seen those but it's too retouched or photo shopped, or maybe its just too close... maybe if it was taken with a regular point and shoot instead of a high end cam that he used then i'd be able to judge it better...

[Dadshouse08]

you have any closer pics?? I used matte black on mine and it stands out a lil more than regular glossy vinyl... i might redo mine if thats the case...

I will post some today :):yes:

[Dadshouse08]

In the pic its dirty and looks noticeable but, it is not unless you look close
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6031/picture024rq6.jpg:thmsup:

[saersxlr8]

ehh, i 'm not so sure if i like that... compared to mine, i like the way i did mine more. it's all covered to the top of the glass...

[fsquared]

Honestly, the two pics on the front page, especially the one that's close-up, is not touched up or unrealistic at all. I had mine done like that (all the way to the edge on three sides), and you honestly can only notice one edge (the bottom one that goes across the glass). The other three sides are completely flush to the top edge of the glass and the left and right edges of the glass. I, too, don't like how doghouse89 or whatever his name is (the guy who posted a pic about two posts above this one) did his. It can be done better if the outside edges would go all the way to the edge of the glass and if the top edge went all the way to the top of the glass too.

[Dadshouse08]

Honestly, the two pics on the front page, especially the one that's close-up, is not touched up or unrealistic at all. I had mine done like that (all the way to the edge on three sides), and you honestly can only notice one edge (the bottom one that goes across the glass). The other three sides are completely flush to the top edge of the glass and the left and right edges of the glass. I, too, don't like how doghouse89 or whatever his name is (the guy who posted a pic about two posts above this one) did his. It can be done better if the outside edges would go all the way to the edge of the glass and if the top edge went all the way to the top of the glass too.

Was that supposed to be an Insult lol I got you dog house bro.:blah:

[ryan mcgrogan]

In the pic its dirty and looks noticeable but, it is not unless you look close
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6031/picture024rq6.jpg:thmsup:

I think you should get that redone.
cover all the glass from left to right and make sure it reaches the top. I'm not sure how many inches in height it is.

[Dadshouse08]

I think you should get that redone.
cover all the glass from left to right and make sure it reaches the top. I'm not sure how many inches in height it is.
Yeah they said I could come and get it re-done but, it really does not bother me at all. It is not noticeable unless your trying to look in my window and no need for that:)

[Demonik]

for those that did the vinyl...is it applied between the window and the tint or on top of the tint?

and to the person who actually painted it...what exact paint did you use and did you paint on top of the tint or have the tint go up to the DM and just paint that...also can you post up more pics...

I ask these ?'s because I am having a problem with my tint right now....I have gotten it redone and each time there has been about a 2 inch area on the DM where it wont adhere and looks black compared to the silver/milky? look of everything else...tint guy says he cant do much about it....suggestions on course of action?

[krazyfiend]

When I get mine re-done, I will probably try it on the inside now. I like the looks of it on the outised, but the egges do collect pollen and debris right where it meets the glass.

but , I do like your vinyl ... it reminds me of the DTM aero kits for BMWs and and MB's in the late 80's...

the rear window 'low profile' spoilers where used in conjunction with multi adjustable spoilers to shift air ... the EVO I and EVO II 190e's had them , as did the EVO Sport e30 M3....

..I know, it's just a piece of vinyl..but on your pics...it sorta looks like a low lying spoiler piece and not like it couldnt have come from the factory that way.

granted, proper adhering vinyl first then tint over is best way ..but if you are finding this thread after the fact, want a cheap(er) option.... I think what you've done is probably the best route...:thmsup:

[fsquared]

Sorry, Dadshouse08, no insult was intended. I just forgot your name once I clicked on reply.

[Dadshouse08]

Sorry, Dadshouse08, no insult was intended. I just forgot your name once I clicked on reply.

lol It's all good:thmsup:

[_JuztaJ_]

i had mine done awhile ago i have it all the way up and out all the way to the sides like in the pics on the first page but i have a black coupe and my vinyl was glossy black i dont know if its me but i think do to sun/road dirt the vinyl is fading and is now matte black not TOO much of a diff to redo or complain just noticable when your bored and starring at my back window lol btw i have 35% in the front 15% on sides 5% on back and just letting everyone know with a dark back, vinyl should be a must

[SDWideBodyBeast]

I was thinking of going 35% all around (CA has strict tint laws), does anyone have any pics of someone who did not get the vinyl for the dot matrix and had the tint company cut right before the dot matrix? thanks in advance

[crivo3]

Well I talked to my tint guy regarding the dot matrix and he told me not to worry. He just tints directly over it. The area around the dot matrix will take longer, approximately 2 weeks to fully dry but the milky gunk will completely disapear. He told me to run the rear defrost for a while and that should accelerate the drying process. The dots are just a temporary problem. A quality tint applied by a professional shop seems to be the solution to this problem. **of course I recieved a 1 year guarantee**

Yesterday I had him do 20% all around and I'm satisfied with the results so far. Surprisingly, the milky gunk is already gone, except for one small area. I have been running the defrost as he suggested and the weather has been in the 70s the past 2 days which probably helps.

When I get a chance I'll post a picture of my dot matrix but for the time being this is what I have

[fsquared]

I was thinking of going 35% all around (CA has strict tint laws), does anyone have any pics of someone who did not get the vinyl for the dot matrix and had the tint company cut right before the dot matrix? thanks in advance

I'll see if I can take a picture or two in the next couple of days, because I had to reschedule my vinyl appointment and haven't had it applied just yet. Anyway, especially if you have a black interior like I do, which makes the tint look even darker, even with the 35 percent tint you're gonna see a fairly noticeable difference between the tint and the think black border at the very top of the glass, but only in certain light and mostly from the sides and very close up. I had the tint guys tint only up to the first line of the matrix because I knew it wouldn't look good tinted over the matrix; I had seen a lot of other '03 coupes in my city to know it'd be pretty milky and inconsistent. (Side note: The '03 matrix and '08 matrix are a little different, with the '08 being more consistent as it goes down the glass, whereas my dots sort of filter down gradually, so there may be more of a difference between my tint and matrix than those with the new model.) Anyway, I knew the tint wouldn't look very good over the matrix, but I thought it had a chance to not be very noticeable if the tinters didn't cover the matrix, so that's how I had them do it. I was skeptical about the shiny vinyl on the outside but thought it was worth a try for $50, and it looked very good, almost not even noticeable, but the guy cut it a little close and some slivers of light were creeping in to the inside, which was gonna bother me when I was driving. So I had them peel it off, which was a piece of cake because the adhesive hadn't been on there more than five minutes, and I'm gonna go back this week and have them do it right.

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oops, I meant "thick" black border.

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Sorry, I lost my train of thought toward the end of my other post. So anyway, I was torn on having vinyl put on or not because there's not much of a difference with the matrix naked as it is, but there's enough of a difference to me (again, I have the '03 matrix which is a little more transparent than the '08s because it's not as consistently black) that I wanted to look into the vinyl. When I saw the two pics at the very beginning of this topic on the first page I was pretty convinced that that was the way to go for me, and the installer made it look just like that; he just cut it a little too close and will have to re-do it this week.