Get scratches on your tinted F30? - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

CKau · 01-07-2013, 03:26 AM

I know there has been a previous post on the topic, but it was not specifically dedicated to talk about scratching of the tint.

Background: Today I phoned a few tinting shops to ask for quotes. One of them said that there's a problem on all BMW's since 2010. Behind the door panels there is a foam blade underneath which sits another rubber blade. Apparently the foam wears and dirt gets trapped in the rubber blade which can scratch the tint.

So this one tinter said they would cut away the rubber blade since it's a known issue.

I was both glad and irritated at the same time!

Supposedly the 5 series is even worse with a double rubber blade.

My immediate reaction is there is a design reason for the blade's existence. It may be for water protection of components such as speakers, central locking... or even for accoustic reasons.

Couple of questions:-
1. has anyone with an F30 experienced scratching of the tint yet? If so, was it aftermarket or factory?
2. has anyone agreed to have the blade cut away?

I've done a search and it is a known issue in the E90 forums.

Thanks!

Lakers0824 · 01-07-2013, 03:49 AM

Mines been tinted for about a month now, no scratches at all. Are they charging u to take the rubber blade out? And is it lifetime warranty? If so then just give it a try first before u let someone mess with the car. I for one have no issues with scratching.

pkim1079 · 01-07-2013, 04:23 AM

I have tint. And do not get scratching but more streaking of dust(it wipes off). You can get moleskin (felt liner) that go on the rubber blades. I just couldnt find a way to take off the door panel. Someone said the clips need to be electronically opened at the dealer.

CKau · 01-07-2013, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers0824

Mines been tinted for about a month now, no scratches at all. Are they charging u to take the rubber blade out? And is it lifetime warranty? If so then just give it a try first before u let someone mess with the car. I for one have no issues with scratching.

Hard to tell if they are charging me as they asked me up front which car i am enquiring for. So they may have already added the german marque premium on top. They did not specifically state that they were charging extra, but imagine with the extra labour they would have to. They wanted the car for 24 hrs.

They said it was lifetime but may change their tune if i do not follow their recommendation to remove the rubber blade.

I am thinking of "risking it" and keeping the blade. If i do get scratches, i csan remove the blade down the track and retint. Is it easy to retint?

Orient330iNYC · 01-07-2013, 08:51 AM

just had my car tinted with formula 1 pinnacle. my tinter pulled the gasket to double check, and i saw the gasket, at least on my 2013, it is already felted on both wipers, no need to cut or apply moleskin.

bnekic · 01-07-2013, 10:02 AM

I recently had my car tinted and the installer told me he needed to install the felt/moleskin liners to prevent scratches.

He said only certain BMW's need to have this done and the new 3-series is one of them.

rconti · 01-07-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orient330iNYC

just had my car tinted with formula 1 pinnacle. my tinter pulled the gasket to double check, and i saw the gasket, at least on my 2013, it is already felted on both wipers, no need to cut or apply moleskin.

I don't see why a soft material wouldn't still trap dirt and scratch over time.

buildbright · 01-07-2013, 11:47 PM

I think some of your tint guys took you for some extra money. They have a felt pad from the factory. Don't believe me check for yourself.

claykin · 01-07-2013, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildbright

I think some of your tint guys took you for some extra money. They have a felt pad from the factory. Don't believe me check for yourself.

+1. I checked with some tint contacts here, including those doing BMW dealer cars and was told so far the F30 has not had scratching issues.

Now if I could only find someone in Southeast FL with a plotter (tint cutting machine) and 3M Color Stable tint. Every authorized 3M shop I contacted in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach hand cuts. And they all try very hard to tell me why hand cutting is better. Argh!

buildbright · 01-07-2013, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claykin

+1. I checked with some tint contacts here, including those doing BMW dealer cars and was told so far the F30 has not had scratching issues.

Now if I could only find someone in Southeast FL with a plotter (tint cutting machine) and 3M Color Stable tint. Every authorized 3M shop I contacted in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach hand cuts. And they all try very hard to tell me why hand cutting is better. Argh!

Good tint installers are hard to find. Either the guy is a great installer and uses crap product or uses great product and is a crap installer.

claykin · 01-08-2013, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildbright

Good tint installers are hard to find. Either the guy is a great installer and uses crap product or uses great product and is a crap installer.

Well, you've got a shop in Tampa that uses good products and has good installers.

http://www.maximumhometheater.com/tint.html

If I had a reason to drive to Tampa I would do it and get my car tinted there.

SwampCat84 · 01-08-2013, 12:23 AM

I just made my appt to have my windows tinted next weekend and I asked my guy about this issue.. he said on older models it was an issue but not on the newer ones.. Ive known this guy for a few years and hes done other work for me, there is a 100% $$ back guarantee.. so if anything happens he will re-do it for free.. great guy, great tint, and does great work... Im not too worried..

I wouldnt trust a place not to just tell you the extra steps have to be taken just to get more $$ out of you...

We will see how it goes...

e92miami · 01-08-2013, 05:55 PM

I have a 2010 e90 and I had it tinted back when I got the car in March of 2010. For the last year I have noticed 1-2 perfect scatch lines on all 4 windows all in the same spot. Keep in mind I live in south FL so I never roll down my windows. Only when going through a ATM or Starbucks drive through. I I would have known I would have had them remove the foam.

tdizzle · 01-08-2013, 08:00 PM

No issues on mine (2012 335i). The installer did a great job and didn't mention or have any issues. The tint was installed in August, so it's been about 5 months. I got a lifetime warranty and installed for around $200.

I think you may be getting fed some BS so they can charge more. Perks of going to a reputable shop in a smallish market, get good work done at a fair price. As a reference, for the same tint done in the 'city' was at least double. Guess their installers are twice as good...

CKau · 01-08-2013, 08:22 PM

Maybe the best option is to install an aftermarket felt on the edge of the aperture where the window goes in so it is easy to wipe/vacuum clean to ensure it is dirt free.

Best thing to minimise risk of dirt is wipe the top edge of the windows periodically.

Good to know that no f30 owners have had issues so far

01-07-2013, 03:26 AM	#1
CKau Second Lieutenant Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: sydney, australia Posts: 256 iTrader: (0)	Get scratches on your tinted F30? I know there has been a previous post on the topic, but it was not specifically dedicated to talk about scratching of the tint. Background: Today I phoned a few tinting shops to ask for quotes. One of them said that there's a problem on all BMW's since 2010. Behind the door panels there is a foam blade underneath which sits another rubber blade. Apparently the foam wears and dirt gets trapped in the rubber blade which can scratch the tint. So this one tinter said they would cut away the rubber blade since it's a known issue. I was both glad and irritated at the same time! Supposedly the 5 series is even worse with a double rubber blade. My immediate reaction is there is a design reason for the blade's existence. It may be for water protection of components such as speakers, central locking... or even for accoustic reasons. Couple of questions:- 1. has anyone with an F30 experienced scratching of the tint yet? If so, was it aftermarket or factory? 2. has anyone agreed to have the blade cut away? I've done a search and it is a known issue in the E90 forums. Thanks! __________________ 328i aus spec \|M adaptive suspension\|sunroof\|sport seats\|self parking\|extended display
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01-07-2013, 04:23 AM	#3
pkim1079 Major Drives: e90 ///M3 ZCP + e82 135i DCT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lost angeles Posts: 1,471 iTrader: (0)	I have tint. And do not get scratching but more streaking of dust(it wipes off). You can get moleskin (felt liner) that go on the rubber blades. I just couldnt find a way to take off the door panel. Someone said the clips need to be electronically opened at the dealer. __________________ 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.3 shift! (repeat!!) who needs software when you can tune the DRIVER?

01-07-2013, 08:51 AM	#5
Orient330iNYC Major Drives: 2013 335i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St Posts: 1,336 iTrader: (2)	just had my car tinted with formula 1 pinnacle. my tinter pulled the gasket to double check, and i saw the gasket, at least on my 2013, it is already felted on both wipers, no need to cut or apply moleskin. __________________ Past: 2001 Orientblue E46 330i Past: 2004 S60R 6MT Past: 2007 E90 335i 6MT Past: 2010 335xi ZMP, BMW Performance Kit, BMW Performance Exhaust Present: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508

01-08-2013, 12:23 AM	#12
SwampCat84 Private Drives: 2012 328i Sedan Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 83 iTrader: (0)	I just made my appt to have my windows tinted next weekend and I asked my guy about this issue.. he said on older models it was an issue but not on the newer ones.. Ive known this guy for a few years and hes done other work for me, there is a 100% $$ back guarantee.. so if anything happens he will re-do it for free.. great guy, great tint, and does great work... Im not too worried.. I wouldnt trust a place not to just tell you the extra steps have to be taken just to get more $$ out of you... We will see how it goes... __________________ 2012 328i F30/ Window Tint, M-Performance Kidney Grilles, Sport Front Trim Pieces with Whiskers, VMR V721s 19x8.5 F/19x9.5 R, (Coilovers Coming Soon!)

01-08-2013, 08:22 PM	#15
CKau Second Lieutenant Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: sydney, australia Posts: 256 iTrader: (0)	Maybe the best option is to install an aftermarket felt on the edge of the aperture where the window goes in so it is easy to wipe/vacuum clean to ensure it is dirt free. Best thing to minimise risk of dirt is wipe the top edge of the windows periodically. Good to know that no f30 owners have had issues so far __________________ 328i aus spec \|M adaptive suspension\|sunroof\|sport seats\|self parking\|extended display

01-07-2013, 03:49 AM	#2
Lakers0824 New Member Drives: 2013 AW 328i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orange county Posts: 26 iTrader: (0)	Mines been tinted for about a month now, no scratches at all. Are they charging u to take the rubber blade out? And is it lifetime warranty? If so then just give it a try first before u let someone mess with the car. I for one have no issues with scratching.

01-07-2013, 10:02 AM	#6
bnekic First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 359 iTrader: (0)	I recently had my car tinted and the installer told me he needed to install the felt/moleskin liners to prevent scratches. He said only certain BMW's need to have this done and the new 3-series is one of them.

01-07-2013, 11:47 PM	#8
buildbright Lieutenant Drives: 335i BMW F30 Sedan Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 496 iTrader: (0)	I think some of your tint guys took you for some extra money. They have a felt pad from the factory. Don't believe me check for yourself.

01-08-2013, 05:55 PM	#13
e92miami Second Lieutenant Drives: E90 Blk/Blk Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Miami Beach Posts: 210 iTrader: (0)	I have a 2010 e90 and I had it tinted back when I got the car in March of 2010. For the last year I have noticed 1-2 perfect scatch lines on all 4 windows all in the same spot. Keep in mind I live in south FL so I never roll down my windows. Only when going through a ATM or Starbucks drive through. I I would have known I would have had them remove the foam.

01-08-2013, 08:00 PM	#14
tdizzle Captain Drives: 2012 335i Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Memphis Posts: 622 iTrader: (0)	No issues on mine (2012 335i). The installer did a great job and didn't mention or have any issues. The tint was installed in August, so it's been about 5 months. I got a lifetime warranty and installed for around $200. I think you may be getting fed some BS so they can charge more. Perks of going to a reputable shop in a smallish market, get good work done at a fair price. As a reference, for the same tint done in the 'city' was at least double. Guess their installers are twice as good...

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