Tint question

[jumpthewire]

I'm interested in getting tint and was advised by a local shop about the "matrix" issue. Can anyone share their experience with this?

[pelerojo]

I think i know what they are talking about, maybe. I had my DD tinted (not my Z) and in the corners and edges there is a black pattern that is part of the glass. It is pretty common on some makes and is used sort of as a tint. When the tinting is applied on top it does not adhere to the black patterns and looks like a matrix with a slightly different color. It is not very noticable and can not be avoided apparently. Sorry if this is not it.

[jumpthewire]

thanks pelerojo. that makes sense. (if that is what they were talking about)

i'm wagering the results can be ok since i see alot of members with tint.
just wanted some piece of mind

[santov]

I think it could also be the wierd rainbow patterns you get when you wear polarized sunglasses. I had my old Mazda windows tinted and it drove me crazy. Supposedly there are better tint films. If you have a roadster I'm not sure how good the rear window will come out with the plastic border and difficult/limited accessability.

[Diokaef]

You can sand the matrix a bit with a wet sand paper 1000 grid, it needs a ton of patience and you will not remove the matrix but will make it possible to remove the air behind it and get a way better finish specially on the doors, on the trunk tho you will need that plus it may require some spray paint black over it, first you have to make sure to tape everything and cover all you can of the areas you don't want paint in, then you spray it all very light every 15 minutes with satin black but don't forget to send it all before you tape the surrounds, also try to not spray over the taped area to much. Then after is dry for two or three days sand a bit again over the new paint and clean all with neutral soap (do not windex) and let it dry for one more day and take to get it tinted. You will not regret the extra work.

[Diokaef]

I really don't know in the roadster tho. And don't worry if you sand it will not make your glass ugly or damage you can go back to clear glass with no much problems plus the paint can be cleaned off too.

[r4gs]

^tt sounds like a great deal of work dio. the dot matrix thing causes tint applied over them to 'bubble', because of different adhesive properties etc. under capable hands, tint can be applied and the 'dot matrix effect' minimized to the point that u really won't notice unless u're looking specifically at it at a close distance.

i'll take a few photos of my tint professionally applied to show this over the weekend.

[jumpthewire]

r4gs would love to see how your tint came out over the matrix

[Diokaef]

I know, I'm just extreme detail oriented.

[r4gs]

alright, updating this thread with photos of my ceramic tint application, 35% all around sans front windshield. it's worth noting that the dot matrix effect is not noticeable unless u're seriously upclose and inspecting those areas specifically. u can tell tt the tint applied over the dot matrices as well as bmw logo etc have tiny 'rings' of air around them.

[dekaliber]

r4gs -- that looks like a job well done. My ZHP came with a tint but it's definitely an inferior tint job. It's peeling in a few places so I'll probably get it retinted at some point by a local shop. If the shop I take it too does a nice job with it I might get the M tinted as well. Still kind of on the fence. Black + tint is a little too murdered out for my taste, but we'll see.

[r4gs]

^thanks. $199 out-the-door and it was done in about 3 hours. lifetime guarantee against fading/peeling/cracking as well. pays off to do one's research

[jumpthewire]

Thanks for the pics. Looks pretty damn good to me!