Took my car in for tint a couple days ago. Acutint in Bellevue is suppose to be the best tint spot in the Seattle area. Is adjacent to Porsche dealership and is used by Barrier motors for most tints as well as the local Ferrari dealer uses them.

Two questions. One, has anyone had issues with tinting around the outer edges of the windows? The ceramic dots around the back window and small side windows? It is much lighter around these areas and was wondering if that is common.

Second and more importantly, I opened up the hatch and found uncleaned spray on the silver plastic strip on the engine bay. As I was cleaning it off, I found this little dent in the plastic. Very small, but there nonetheless. I know it is picky, but I am about to call the dealer and bring up the issue. Also curious as to what a new plastic strip would cost. I am being too picky? I am trying to attach a picture.

Thanks,

Brad

/Users/bradwalker/Pictures/iPhoto Library/2008/10/04/IMG_0174.JPG

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I'm pretty sure this is aluminium, not plastic. I don't know how it comes off, but if you can get it off, I'll bet a paintless dent removal tech could fix this easily.

brad

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I called the dealer and they said that piece cost $356 for a replacement. The tint is only 3 days old so it hasn't fully settled in. Is that look similar to three days out on other peoples tint job?

The dots are a pain to work with. Fortunately for me, because I have a lighter tint, the "flaws" are less obvious. The best you can do is use a squeegee work the tint around the dots. Other than that, I don't think there's much you can do.

I'm just curious though. Not sure if it is in the picture or not but in the first tint picture, I see a white line in the corner of the tint. In the last picture I see a white line between the defroster lines. You might want to get the tint shop to look at that.

If you have to pay for the dented piece yourself, you might want to call Suncoast for cheaper pricing.

-Moto

Tinter on the rear did a perfect job in my instance--it looks like it came that way from the factory. I don't think you are being too picky.

Each job comes down to the craftsmanship of the person doing the work. The dent and the bubbles would bug me--so too picky, no, not in my book.

Not to doubt JimSouCal but I think it is almost impossible to get a 'perfect' tint job on a window (especially the back window) unless the person is working in a vaccuum (ie no dirt particles in the air etc).

With that said, I took a look at the pics some more and I would have to say, unless the camera is playing tricks, the back window is unacceptable. I can see a lot of problems with it. I would definitely take it back within the next week or so and have them redo it.

Also, you should also check out TintDude.com - Window Tinting. There are some really good info and the forum members would gladly give their opinion on your situation.

Good luck and let us know how it ends up!
-Moto

Hello Pdesign1,

I was considering replacing the same interior trim piece on my CS. Mine is 100% plastic with some type of an aluminum-ized coating or finish on the top side (not an actual aluminum skin or laminate).

I found my best price of $209 for that same piece at a dealership named Sunset Porsche in Oregon. I've purchase other Porsche parts from them (always at their cost plus 15%) saving substantial dollars and receiving great service.

If your local dealer won't take the responsibility for the dent, I would ask them for the part at cost, $182, or show them your pricing from Sunset and ask them to at least meet it (and you'll save shipping cost).

Regards,
Joe

Well it looks like you have couple of issues that should be addressed. If the dealer referred you to the tinting shop then the dealer should help you to rectify the problems. Otherwise all of your concerns will have to be focused towards the tinting shop.
I had my car tinted and I watched them as they did it. In order to do the back window they have to crawl into the back and move around. If the person doing your tint had any of their tool with them it would have been very easy to put a dent into that piece. The only problem will be that they will most likely deny that this dent was cause by them. If you have any pictures of that area prior to their work, you may have a chance.
Your stronger fight will be with the tint. Usually there are some air bubbles that will go away in a week or two (depending on the weather). I'm not sure if the issues I see in the pictures are truly there or not, but if they are then you need to get them to address them. I have circled the areas that I see in the pictures. The outer edge of the window is a little tricky and it will depend on the skill level of the person doing the job. It will never be perfect but I've seen better jobs than the one on your car. Now some of this may go away over time but there just not way of telling just yet. They should offer some type of guarantee and you should not have a problem getting them to correct this issue or any other future issue with the tint.
Good luck on getting this taken care of.

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i would go back and get their best tinter to do it...

After reading your post, I went out and checked out the job. Yes, the dots on the edge and the Porsche lettering do have some tiny tiny bubbles that I never noticed before--but it's pretty darn good. Not a bubble in the main at all. It really looks like the dark glass was original.

I would have thought the glass was removed and put back in (with the insight of others here, now I know it likely wasn't...).

Back on topic, the dealer might help convince the tinter to make it right--as MaleNurse suggests, the best hands in the shop might prove better on a second try.

My son's BMW was tinted and looked just like yours. The tinter very respected in the area said it would go away after awhile. It never did. I think it looks bad (sorry) and should be corrected. As for the dent, get in the dealers face about it. I would. Best of luck.

Thanks for the responses, and advice. I am going to go back in and tell them I was a bit upset that there was all of the spray product on the trim piece, which means that they didn't lay down a sheet, therefore the spray was also dripping into the carpet. Then I will show them the dent and see what they say.

Joe thanks for the tip from Sunset, as well as the cost of the product. That should help. I will run into the dealer while I am there and let them know about it to see if they have any advice.

The accutint guy told me to come in with any bubble issues so I will take him up on that and let you guys know the outcome.

Thanks again,

Brad