Dirt under window tints.... Far out!!

[llbjt]

Hi all,

Just got my Lib's front windows tinted in Sydney by one of the well known chains. Their first attempt was poor, probably had 20 spots of dirt/grit/dust under each window which bubbled up (each bubble maybe about 1-2mm in diameter). Went back and had a go at them, had them re-done. Now on the second attempt the tints have just dried and I can still see about 5-10 spots on each window now that have bubbled up. The workmanship is really shitting me.

They keep trying to tell me you have to expect a bit of contaminant under there, but to me its just lazy, shitty work. Anyone had problems like this and have you ever settled on an acceptable amount of contaminant?


Cheers!

[blacknwhite]

When you say "just dried" how long do you mean?
If just dried means an hour or 2 that is normal, dont judge the finish for a good 48 hrs, probably more in cold damp weather and if garaged , if after that it IS a crap job and is NOT acceptable

[Arith]

Sometimes milky hazing, even the occassional air bubble, can be expected from new tint installs. Most go away after about 2 weeks (sometimes sooner when left out on the sun). But at no point should there dirt or dust contamination under the film. Just leave it for 2 weeks and see how it settles in. I'm sure the guarantee on their work should still be in effect

[loweart]

Sometimes milky hazing, even the occassional air bubble, can be expected from new tint installs. Most go away after about 2 weeks (sometimes sooner when left out on the sun). But at no point should there dirt or dust contamination under the film. Just leave it for 2 weeks and see how it settles in. I'm sure the guarantee on their work should still be in effect

+1

[chik_25]

I have numerous spots on my back window, but my car is always dirty, so i don't notice them...

[Digital]

same, i had a few that i noticed on the back window and i just noticed one on my passenger side window, but mine's been too long now.... its irritating having it there, like a blemish u cant clean!

i think if you have heaps of bubbles after it settles like everyone says, i'd def be making some noise! mine are bearable and most are on the back window..

[senator]

take it back.....

my car was tinted in my drive way on a windy day, the whole car was tinted in about 40 mintues, till this day i am yet to find any issues

[llbjt]

The tints were done about 6 days ago. The product information does state the tints need 3 weeks to dry to eliminate all hazing. But I dont have a problem with hazing atm, there is definatly dirt under there causing some spots to bubble up, so it doesnt matter how long i give it to dry just like the first time around. I will give it the full 3 weeks before i go back so they dont come up with any excuses. Its a shame because I paid extra for a retail film, but its not worth much in this state.

My next challenge is trying to get my money back so i can find someone that will at least take some pride in their work, and not require 3 attempts to get it right.

[senator]

my tinter told me to try and park my car in the sun for a day or 2 to help the curing, but 3 weeks is b.s if you ask me.

if your in sydney,let me know i will send through details of the guy i used,

[loweart]

Shame to hear of these issues, if you were in Brisbane I'd happily recommend Corey who does the tinting for me and I've used 3M film on every car I've owned.

Corey also told me to park the car in full sun for at least a day or two to help cure, but certainly no more than that is needed.

[llbjt]

Thanks gents, PM sent.

[Q]

Our window tint was done when we bought the car new 4 years ago and we just got it replaced under warranty last week. The new job is so much better than the original and there isn't a speck of dust under the film. Took about 2 weeks for the milky residue to disappear. Now its flawless. So don't settle for anything less imo.

[Arith]

Libjt, it may be time to stop wasting time and cut your losses. Just consider paying a good place to do it right. Most of the Sydney-siders on this forum (myself included) go to Option Tinting in Fairfield (http://www.optiontint.com.au/). The guy who works there owns the place, so he's putting his reputation on the line for every job. And he does a great job at that. Very careful and meticulous. I've been sending family and friends there for years.

[hamish_023]

before biting the bullet and getting somone else to do it try to get ya money back.

Had two windows redone one the old car, from the same issue but was fixed on 2nd time round

[llbjt]

Thanks for the advice, i thought i was paying a good place when i went to Tint-a-car. Anyway, took them three attempts to get it closer to right, still not perfect, but I can live with it. They didnt give me greif about replacing the tints which was good, but the most annoying thing was when they kept trying to push "you have to expect some dirt to get under there". It was this type of attitude that made me cut my losses and accept the 3rd attempt. Maybe I am being too picky...

The three trips to those guys would have warranted a trip to Fairfield, lesson learnt.