kaps

i want to get tints on my 01 silver clk55, is there anything i should know about before getting it done? i.e. any factory benz parts that should be looked at or taken care of before i get tints put on? any help would be great, thanks

Mach430

YES!!!! If you do not change your window moldings to mole skin, your tint will become scratched up within 6 months. It will also often make noise when you raise/lower your windows. I spent $70 to get my window moldings converted, and have not had any new problems.

In addition, if you choose any tint with metallic compounds in them (ask), you'll lose your AM channels because your antenna is located on your rear window.

Newbie

My tint shop removed + sanded the inner rubber strips, and applied stick-on velcro (the soft side) to protect the windows. No problems with scratching. The only advantage is that it's cheaper than moleskin, it seems.

The first time I got it tinted (went to a different shop), they didn't fix the gaskets and the tint got scratched.

karl k

Hmmm.

I wonder, where those mole farms are?

Had a tint problem with the 2001 SL500. MB sub installed it and a fight ensued with him & MB service, because I did not want the squeaks when raising/lowering of windows. Service blamed tint man; tint sub blamed service for not making window rail adjustment.

MB tint sub maintains that he never had the problem with an SL before (Idoubt it). He reluctantly removed tint. (MB tint sub said that he had problems with the E-class.)

He also applied tint on the 2002 CLK55. Thank you, no squeaky noise, - and no mole's skin on the rub rails.

PS: I called MB - 1-800-FOR-MERC. They say NO tints on any vehicle. MB said it caused problems with the electronics in the door.

Mach430

Call Vision Tint in the 714 area code, they'll tell you that they've been replacing the moldings since 1996 when MB changed to a more abrasive compound. Karl, you're probably going to have trouble in a few months if nothing was changed, hopefully not.

karl k

Thanks Mach430.

As mentioned, this MB tint sub has has worked for the dealership for years. He works right on the premises.

He claims that the only problem he had was w/E-class. I've got a lifetime warranty.

Only time can tell!

Mach430

Just feel your window moldings, if they are rough or appear grainy... you're in for it! Warranty probably wouldn't cover it since it's the car causing it, not a tint defect.

Newbie

They also tell you not to use ANY cell phone in the vehicle except the Motorola MB phone because it causes "interference." I'm sure we're all adhering to that rule.

karl k

Mach430 wrote:

"Warranty probably wouldn't cover it since it's the car causing it, not a tint defect."
_______________________________________________

It's the tint man, who works on the MB dealership premises and is a subcontractor to the MB dealership, who warrants the tint. He does ALL of the tints at the dealership without "moleskin" on the rub-rails.

Only time can tell.

QUESTION for Mach430:

Do you have more details on "moleskin"? i.e.
How made?
Animal/organic based?
How to get a sample?

tnx
Karl K

Mach430

OK, all do my best, but if you really want to know, just call Vision Tint in the 714 area code.
It's about a 30 minute process consisting of removing your present window moldings, sanding off the junk that MB manufactures them out of, cutting a piece of moleskin (equal length), sticking it on, and putting it back in place. I doubt you could get a sample, but I felt a 540's moldings, and they felt the same as my new ones. I don't think that moleskin is really made of moles. Perhaps rats? As for a sample, it feels like felt, or any soft material. For $70, in comparison to what we all paid for our cars, forget the sample and just buy it. You're moldings will not last the 17 years that the mb ones would, you'll probably be limited to only 11 (who cares).

If you can't get this done in your area, I'm sure you could just measure your window molding and they'd send it to you. It's not a hard process, but you could probably pay any local shop $50 to have it done.

karl k

...but I felt a 540's moldings, and they felt the same as my new ones. I don't think that moleskin is really made of moles. Perhaps rats?
___________________________________________Mach430

I do give a rats...

Do the doors have to be taken apart to treat/cover the horizontal rubrails with moleskin?

Do additional moldings/rubber parts also need this treatment?

tnx

911Jose

I had my CLK tinted. No problems with them at all. I didnt get any moleskin inserts or anything. I dont see any scratches or any peeling on them. Cell phones work fine. Radio works fine. Had them for over a year now.

karl k

911Jose

Thanks for sharing. What a great photo to make your point.

The wheels look like monoblock from the CLK 55 AMG. Correct?

sorlo

911Jose,

Can you tell me where you got the tint? Thanks!

Mach430

You can't see them from the outside, they are faint scratches that occur on the inside of the window only (where the rough molding is). It's great that you haven't had problems, but I can vouch that they do exist.