Let's Talk about Window Tint

[chillax]

if you go to a good shop there shouldnt be any bubbles

Are you sure about that? I went to a good shop with my previous car and there were a few bubbles that took 2-3 days in summer heat to go away.

 

[StorableComa]

Are you sure about that? I went to a good shop with my previous car and there were a few bubbles that took 2-3 days in summer heat to go away.

In my opinion, unless you somehow found a shop with with some sort of clean room enviroment, you're always going to have the odd speck of dust or small bubble here and there. Hell, my windshield has a human hair in the layers that would require replacing the whole glass piece to get rid of, came like that from the factory.

Most decent shops though, offer their own warranty on their work and not just the manufacturers warranty on the film. So if you do end up with lot of dust, bubbles or what have you, they'll take care of it to keep the customer happy.

 

[jimlloyd40]

In my opinion, unless you somehow found a shop with with some sort of clean room enviroment, you're always going to have the odd speck of dust or small bubble here and there. Hell, my windshield has a human hair in the layers that would require replacing the whole glass piece to get rid of, came like that from the factory.

Most decent shops though, offer their own warranty on their work and not just the manufacturers warranty on the film. So if you do end up with lot of dust, bubbles or what have you, they'll take care of it to keep the customer happy.

Every company I've had apply tint has warranted it for life including bubbles.

 

[sterkrazzy]

Is it true that ceramic tint doesn't bubble? I bought my car used and I have no idea what the previous owner did for tint, but in the last couple months the rear window has started to bubble and it gets worse every day. It looked perfectly fine until that first bubble showed up. I mentioned that to a local tinting guy and he told me it's not ceramic if it's bubbling. I'm going to have all my windows redone with ceramic anyway, so I'm just wondering.

 

[StorableComa]

Is it true that ceramic tint doesn't bubble? I bought my car used and I have no idea what the previous owner did for tint, but in the last couple months the rear window has started to bubble and it gets worse every day. It looked perfectly fine until that first bubble showed up. I mentioned that to a local tinting guy and he told me it's not ceramic if it's bubbling. I'm going to have all my windows redone with ceramic anyway, so I'm just wondering.

Depends. Llumar and 3M both have a non ceramic line that I believe is a dyed tint, both have a lifetime warranty against fading, bubbling, ect. So maybe it was just cheap film or a bad install? If the bubbles are near the dot matrix area (depending on window) it may just be a bad install where you have a weak area that's finally lifting.

 

[jimlloyd40]

Is it true that ceramic tint doesn't bubble? I bought my car used and I have no idea what the previous owner did for tint, but in the last couple months the rear window has started to bubble and it gets worse every day. It looked perfectly fine until that first bubble showed up. I mentioned that to a local tinting guy and he told me it's not ceramic if it's bubbling. I'm going to have all my windows redone with ceramic anyway, so I'm just wondering.

I haven't had ceramic tint but I would assume it would bubble also if not applied properly.

 

[IanCH]

Are you sure about that? I went to a good shop with my previous car and there were a few bubbles that took 2-3 days in summer heat to go away.

All I know is I saw my car and the dozen or so others at the shop I used (unique car care, @uniquecacare insta) and there wasn't a bubble in sight.

 

[DiscusInferno]

Is it true that ceramic tint doesn't bubble? I bought my car used and I have no idea what the previous owner did for tint, but in the last couple months the rear window has started to bubble and it gets worse every day. It looked perfectly fine until that first bubble showed up. I mentioned that to a local tinting guy and he told me it's not ceramic if it's bubbling. I'm going to have all my windows redone with ceramic anyway, so I'm just wondering.

Cheap film that uses weak adhesive tends to bubble. That's what makes it cheap in price, and it makes it very attractive to people.

 

[sterkrazzy]

Depends. Llumar and 3M both have a non ceramic line that I believe is a dyed tint, both have a lifetime warranty against fading, bubbling, ect. So maybe it was just cheap film or a bad install? If the bubbles are near the dot matrix area (depending on window) it may just be a bad install where you have a weak area that's finally lifting.

It's not near the dot matrix, but it is kinda interesting how nearly every bubble is right next to the heating element. My defrosters never get used either.

 

[chillax]

It's not near the dot matrix, but it is kinda interesting how nearly every bubble is right next to the heating element. My defrosters never get used either.

View attachment 189498

Wow that looks like crap. It sucks the hatch is the most expensive window to retint by far.

 

[Golfs everyday]

I tried several different brands/ceramic films and none have bubbled. The one I like best is Llumar FormulaOne Pinnacle. It’s been around for a long time and very good. That is what my tint guy installed on my various cars including my Golf-R.

 

[EpicTech]

I have Llumar tint, and after 3 years, is now starting to bubble. It was on the car when I bought it new at the dealer, so I don't know who they used.

 

[Golfs everyday]

That's too bad, which Llumar was it? Probably a botched install. I've had over 10 cars maybe over 15? cars with Pinnacle and none exhibited bubbling. Some were parked outdoors 24/7 for 5+yrs. No issue.

 

[seanmcd1]

It's not near the dot matrix, but it is kinda interesting how nearly every bubble is right next to the heating element. My defrosters never get used either.

View attachment 189498

If that's how it looks after 2 or 3 days of being installed - fire your installer. Should never look like that.

 

[Golfer883]

I tried several different brands/ceramic films and none have bubbled. The one I like best is Llumar FormulaOne Pinnacle. It’s been around for a long time and very good. That is what my tint guy installed on my various cars including my Golf-R.

what other brands have you tried?