Window tinting - advice on reapplication

voteoften on 10/01/2013 - 18:25

Hey all,

My car is now about 12 years old and still going great. It has window tinting that has started to bubble, possibly due to that week or so of 40 degree temps. At this point it's just in one spot but I get the feeling it'll extend to other areas. As it is on my drivers side window, it is also a bit embarrassing. I'd like to think about replacing it.

My question is whether the prices that these window tint places put out there include removal of the old material? If not, about what is a fair price for removal?

TIA

General Discussion

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 10/01/2013 - 21:50

    I remember paying $250 for a tint on my car, but i didn't have any pre existing. If you do they will charge more to take it off but i'm not exactly sure how much more. But lets say one window i'm thinking $70 at the high end or somewhere there abouts.

    • voteoften on 10/01/2013 - 23:01

      Yeah, maybe I'll just get the one window done, proving they can match the rest of the car. Thanks

      • m0nkeycheese on 10/01/2013 - 23:17

        They won't be able to, it's faded

    • voteoften on 11/01/2013 - 01:58

      That's a pretty interesting video. I watched it with the sound off. It is more or less how I thought it would be done, but looks easier than I thought it would. Obviously in this heat, it would almost be doable with no heat application.

  • Binchicken22 on 11/01/2013 - 00:37

    Should only be looking at about $50 to remove tint from the whole car I believe, basically labour for 1 hour. My inlaws own a tint store.

    • voteoften on 11/01/2013 - 01:18

      A tinting place would be able to do it more efficiently and better than I could, so that is good to know. Thanks

  • WT on 11/01/2013 - 11:16

    you can get just the one window done, you will need to ring around.

    I wouldnt bother removing it, you need a steam gun and will need to go over with a blade anyways.

    Wouldnt worry about the fade too much, it wont match 100% but you wont really notice it unless you look for it.

    • voteoften on 11/01/2013 - 21:06

      I was thinking I could possibly get both windows done on that side if there looked like there would be a difference.

      Thanks

      • WT on 12/01/2013 - 11:12

        The main thing is getting it done by the same chain/company and getting the same type of tint. Fade will mostly be minimal on metal tints, they seem to hold up better.

        You should also be able to compare to a car they have just done.

        If you have a dark interior, any fade will be even less noticable.

  • voteoften on 14/01/2013 - 03:44

    Thanks everyone. I thought I'd update this.

    The window film had been damaged when the guys replaced the motor that winds the window up and down. That is where the bubble started - at this scratch.

    Mysteriously, the bubbles disappeared. I don't know why. Perhaps from winding the window up and down. There was one small bubble left some distance from the scratch in the film. I pushed it with my finger over to the scratch and the bubble disappeared.

    I'm sure it isn't fixed forever, but it is okay for now.

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