Vertical lines on window tint

[marlalee]

My car has some bad vertical lines in the tint on all 4 windows. I assume this is caused by dirt or something in the door scratching the tint.

I am planning to get the tint redone in a week but I want to know if I can prevent this from happening again. Any advice?

Also can anyone guess what the % is on the old tint? I want to keep the same level of darkness but not sure if it's legal.


Lines: i.imgur.com/FIkQU.jpg

Tint: i.imgur.com/1jSy6.jpg


Thanks!

[smc850ci]

You may have to replace the interior window seals. Usually not a big deal. The ones you have may be hard/brittle. Or, maybe it's just got dirt in them. Give then a good cleaning and see if that helps before you get new tint.

If you have to replace them, maybe the tint shop can do that while they have it. It would make it easier for them to install the tint with those pieces out.

Hard to tell what tint % you're at, and many counties/cities have different rules. Lord knows what the law is on Jupiter!

[marlalee]

^ Thanks. Hopefully the tint shop will know what to look for cause I don't. :/

It's Jupiter, FL actually :P. I think the limit is 28% in the front and 15% in the back. The tint shop only offers 20% and 35% and I'm afraid 35% will be way too light in the FL sun.

[smc850ci]

For mine, it's parts 7 & 8 here (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=VT13&mospid=48840&btnr=51_5898&hg=51&fg=20). Your part #'s may be different, cuz I have the wagon.

I have the 35% for the front and 20% on all the rear windows. But I'm in Washington, so there ya go.

[marlalee]

Maybe something like this would help?

tintprotector.com/bmw/bmw_tint_scratchs.htm

Has anyone used this product?

[N0OS3]

you can also rub some lubricant (like a RTV silicone base - something that dries) along the edge of the window seal and it helps... in severe cases this does nothing, but i've seen it work dozens of times personally.

[sparko]

Some bmw models ( don't know exactly which ones) do not have a felt lining on the inner blade. Unless you use something like tintprotect, you will continue to develop unsightly vertical scratches on you film. I went through this a year ago, when I brought home a new 2011 328xi. I ended up removing the tint and not replacing it. I wasn't in the mood to remove interior door panels, even partially, on a brand new car, to install tint protect on the inner blade. So unless you deal with the cause, don't just replace the tint because you will be right back to where you are right now.

[marlalee]

Some bmw models ( don't know exactly which ones) do not have a felt lining on the inner blade. Unless you use something like tintprotect, you will continue to develop unsightly vertical scratches on you film. I went through this a year ago, when I brought home a new 2011 328xi. I ended up removing the tint and not replacing it. I wasn't in the mood to remove interior door panels, even partially, on a brand new car, to install tint protect on the inner blade. So unless you deal with the cause, don't just replace the tint because you will be right back to where you are right now.

Right, that is my thought exactly. I ordered Tint Protector yesterday, now I just need to find somebody who can install it for me. The tint guy didn't want to because it involves removing the door panel, and I don't know what I'm doing to even try.

Anyone able to take a guess at the tint percent on my car now? i.imgur.com/1jSy6.jpg

[marlalee]

FYI, I got the tint redone a few days ago at Superior Tint in Boca Raton. I highly recommend this shop. They installed the Tint Protector for me at a low cost, and the new tint looks fantastic. I did 20% all over. Will post pics soon.

[k1ng]

FYI, I got the tint redone a few days ago at Superior Tint in Boca Raton. I highly recommend this shop. They installed the Tint Protector for me at a low cost, and the new tint looks fantastic. I did 20% all over. Will post pics soon.

Where did you get the tint protector? Link pls