Any Tinting Issues?

[pmdbruin]

Hey Guys,

I'm planning on getting my car windows tinted in preparation for the summer heat. I read on the forum that some people had problems with tinting the rear windows due to the dot matrix. Do we still have that in the 8.5 gen? Anyone have problems with tinting because of that?

I'm thinking about 35% rear and 50% sides since I'm in CA and mainly just want protection from UV/IR.

Thanks in advance!

[Traaapt]

The 2011's still have the dot matrix, the best way to minimize the visibility of the dots would be for your tint shop to put black vinyl just on the dot matrix, and then whatever tint you want for the rest of it.

[pmdbruin]

If I just have them tint over the dot matrix regularly, would it be okay?

[Artema]

Originally Posted by pmdbruin

If I just have them tint over the dot matrix regularly, would it be okay?

I don't know, but sounds like it would not seal properly because of the bumps.

[Bway08Coupe]

Originally Posted by Artema

I don't know, but sounds like it would not seal properly because of the bumps.

It doesn't but it also doesn't look bad.

[Traaapt]

It doesn't look awful, but I've seen pictures with the vinyl and it looks so much better.

Check out this topic:

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/sh...ighlight=vinyl

[pmdbruin]

Ahh yeah I saw that thread. Have people gotten tints done w/o the vinyl and had good results? Is it that noticeable?

[DFigueroa619]

Had my sedan tinted without vinyl, the guys did a great job even over the dot matrix. No issues here.

[Andylam122]

I got my tint job over the matrix too. no problem.

[sheltbt]

Originally Posted by DFigueroa619

Had my sedan tinted without vinyl, the guys did a great job even over the dot matrix. No issues here.

Same here.

[krazyfiend]

Just bring up the subj of 'tinting dot-matrix' w/ any potential shop you might go to for tint...if they sound clueless, move on to the next place.

Shops that know how to tint it, it will be apparent when you bring it up...we're not the only cars w/ the dot-matrix, however, the section on ours is quite massive.

Applying tint w/ what is called, dry tinting (they don't use the soapy water solution-- or very little) is one method to tinting over the dot-matrix area effectively. It takes some experience/skill to apply tint in a dry method.

Other methods include, sanding down those dots very lightly with a fine grit sandpaper (most don't, in fear of messing up defroster).

Or using an adhesion promoter than helps bond the tint to the glass in the areas around the dot matrix 'dots'. There are professional type products for this and even light blue elmer's glue has been found to work in some instances.

Personally, my buddy who tints for a living swears by the dry tint method and it worked great for my car.

[pmdbruin]

Oo good to hear that you guys had a good experience w/ the dot matrix.

There's two places that I'm considering in SoCal to get my windows tinted:

California Tint in Rosemead:

• $120 for Sun-Tek Tint
• Razor cut the tint by laying the tint on the car windows
• Wasn't very reassuring about the dot matrix situation. Just said that it may leave a white strip.
• Had a friend who went there w/ dot matrix on windshield and said they did a good job.
• I believe around $40-45 to take off and retint if you get a ticket.

Signature Glass Tinting in Costa Mesa:

• $245 for Llumar ATX
• Computerized laser cut tints
• Said they'll spend extra time on the dot matrix, but no guarantees on the dot matrix results.
• $75 to take off and retint if you get a ticket.

Both places have high reviews on Yelp w/ over 120 reviews. The California Tint generally produces good results, but they do have some incidents involving carelessness. The Signature Glass Tinting seems to be more careful. Is it worth the price difference? What do you guys think?

[pmdbruin]

Originally Posted by krazyfiend

Just bring up the subj of 'tinting dot-matrix' w/ any potential shop you might go to for tint...if they sound clueless, move on to the next place.

Shops that know how to tint it, it will be apparent when you bring it up...we're not the only cars w/ the dot-matrix, however, the section on ours is quite massive.

Applying tint w/ what is called, dry tinting (they don't use the soapy water solution-- or very little) is one method to tinting over the dot-matrix area effectively. It takes some experience/skill to apply tint in a dry method.

Other methods include, sanding down those dots very lightly with a fine grit sandpaper (most don't, in fear of messing up defroster).

Or using an adhesion promoter than helps bond the tint to the glass in the areas around the dot matrix 'dots'. There are professional type products for this and even light blue elmer's glue has been found to work in some instances.

Personally, my buddy who tints for a living swears by the dry tint method and it worked great for my car.

Oo that's pretty good. The Signature Glass Tinting place that I listed actually brought up that the Honda Accords are the most difficult to tint, that's why it's on the higher end of the $245 since they let the tint sit a little before completing the dot matrix section. Just wondering if it's worth the 2x price difference haha.

[DFigueroa619]

Originally Posted by pmdbruin

Oo that's pretty good. The Signature Glass Tinting place that I listed actually brought up that the Honda Accords are the most difficult to tint, that's why it's on the higher end of the $245 since they let the tint sit a little before completing the dot matrix section. Just wondering if it's worth the 2x price difference haha.

I payed 450 for my tint to get done. they did a "wet" tinting application. Also every single piece of glass is tinted all the way to the top edge and even past the gaskets. Also the areas that most tint places just cut away from, they get in there too. Like the rear corner glass on our sedan doors. Most places leave that tiny little top corner un-tinted, not in my case. They did a good job.

Place is in San Diego called: Alvin O's

[Donnyb748]

Originally Posted by DFigueroa619

I payed 450 for my tint to get done. they did a "wet" tinting application. Also every single piece of glass is tinted all the way to the top edge and even past the gaskets. Also the areas that most tint places just cut away from, they get in there too. Like the rear corner glass on our sedan doors. Most places leave that tiny little top corner un-tinted, not in my case. They did a good job.

Place is in San Diego called: Alvin O's

Om god... Did u say $450? Like pesos? Lol... I guess california is just more expensive
I paid $180 (even tho mines a coupe, they charge the same for a sedan) for 3m hp 20%. My,matrix looks amazing, and they also tinted mine all the way to the very,edge. The glass itself looks like tinted glass.