Window Tinting
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 571
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From: Kansas City. U.S.A.
2000 E320 Sedan
Window Tinting
Hello,
Yesterday I had my windows tinted on my E320 2000 model. The tint was 35% which the legal tint in Kansas City and actually looks great since my car is black on Black making even darker than 35%. I had them install the High perfromace tint. I nboticed after I took it the glass when driving is fuzzy and and somewhat has a glare. I called them, they told me becuase it is High Perfromace, the fuzziness will go away after 30 days when the tint fully cures, is this true? Thank you.
Yesterday I had my windows tinted on my E320 2000 model. The tint was 35% which the legal tint in Kansas City and actually looks great since my car is black on Black making even darker than 35%. I had them install the High perfromace tint. I nboticed after I took it the glass when driving is fuzzy and and somewhat has a glare. I called them, they told me becuase it is High Perfromace, the fuzziness will go away after 30 days when the tint fully cures, is this true? Thank you.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 279
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From: NY
BMW
in the first 18 hours after i had my tints done, there were bubbles about 1/2 inch wide all over on every window that was tinted. this is somewhat normal as it will cure after acouple of days. parking it in direct sunlight helps too.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 37
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From: Houston
'01 E430 Sport
It's normal. If you still have any bubbles after a few days bring the car back to them and they'll smooth them out for you.
Also, the inner window gasket on the 210s is VERY snug for sound proofing purposes. It is also bare rubber which can lead to scratched tint if dirt, dust, etc gets trapped in between the tint and the gasket.
I'd recommend adding a lining of felt or other soft material like moleskin to the rubber gasket in order to prevent scratching. It's a common problem on these cars --- do a search for scratched tint or moleskin and you'll find a wealth of information.
Good Luck
Also, the inner window gasket on the 210s is VERY snug for sound proofing purposes. It is also bare rubber which can lead to scratched tint if dirt, dust, etc gets trapped in between the tint and the gasket.
I'd recommend adding a lining of felt or other soft material like moleskin to the rubber gasket in order to prevent scratching. It's a common problem on these cars --- do a search for scratched tint or moleskin and you'll find a wealth of information.
Good Luck
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
I've never heard of high performance tint, but it and your color combination sound nice.
I also experienced some bubbling in the tint for a couple of days. I was told that this is normal and to expect it; and also to not open the windows for 48 hours.
I also experienced some bubbling in the tint for a couple of days. I was told that this is normal and to expect it; and also to not open the windows for 48 hours.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Kansas City. U.S.A.
2000 E320 Sedan
Thank you all. Sure thing all issues went away after i parked in the sun. Now day three. Looks a lot better than day1. Looks like I will have to take it back tomorrow to redo the front driver side. There is a scratch. They will have to re-do it for free.
However, I am concerned about the problem with rolling down the window may cause a scratch !! how true is that? anyone experienced this issue?
Note: High performance Tinting (HP) is thicker and somewhat hard to install due to it's thickness. It takes about 30 to 60 days to fully cure. Not suppose to roll down the window for 4-5 days. It lasts longer and scratch resistant after it fully cures. The best thing about it, is that it has life time warrantee. It costs $40 extra. Total job so far + tax + HP tint = 185+40(hp)+tax=$240.
Thanks
However, I am concerned about the problem with rolling down the window may cause a scratch !! how true is that? anyone experienced this issue?
Note: High performance Tinting (HP) is thicker and somewhat hard to install due to it's thickness. It takes about 30 to 60 days to fully cure. Not suppose to roll down the window for 4-5 days. It lasts longer and scratch resistant after it fully cures. The best thing about it, is that it has life time warrantee. It costs $40 extra. Total job so far + tax + HP tint = 185+40(hp)+tax=$240.
Thanks
Last edited by E320Star; Jun 11, 2006 at 11:25 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14
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From: O.C. California
2000 E320
You guys are lucky you can tint your windows on your benz, here in California it's illegal to tint the two front driver and passenger side windows. If I'm going to tint my car I would like to tint all the windows (except the windshield), tinting just the back windows just doesn't look right, so I don't even bother getting my windows tinted, wish I could. I already got a fix it ticket for my other car because my front side windows were tinted. 
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,627
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
Scratches
Originally Posted by E320Star
However, I am concerned about the problem with rolling down the window may cause a scratch !! how true is that? anyone experienced this issue?
One thing you might be cautious of: Something about the window regulators(?) in the W210 E-class are prone to break. I've seen one guy advise that you should NEVER open the windows
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: West Virginia
2001 E320 RWD - Brilliant Silver/Ash: 100,000+
High Performance Tint
Originally Posted by E320Star
Note: High performance Tinting (HP) is thicker and somewhat hard to install due to it's thickness. It takes about 30 to 60 days to fully cure. Not suppose to roll down the window for 4-5 days. It lasts longer and scratch resistant after it fully cures. The best thing about it, is that it has life time warrantee. It costs $40 extra. Total job so far + tax + HP tint = 185+40(hp)+tax=$240.
I'm going to stop by there and I'll ask them about the HP this week. Partly because I just traded my tinted MB for one without, and might do it again.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
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The window regulators go bad when tinting water (usualy soapy water) gets in there and make them wet. Water and electric current cant go together. Once fully dry you can roll windows down however way you please.
High Performance tint????? Thats new. Tint is measured by how much light and heat penetrates through and also the scratch resistance of the tint. The higher the percentage, the more light penetrates. HP is just to make it sound foreign. Also true about those rubber seals. Over time they will scratch your tint.
High Performance tint????? Thats new. Tint is measured by how much light and heat penetrates through and also the scratch resistance of the tint. The higher the percentage, the more light penetrates. HP is just to make it sound foreign. Also true about those rubber seals. Over time they will scratch your tint.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Kansas City. U.S.A.
2000 E320 Sedan
Tinting does not damage anything in the window regulators !! They do break easily becuase they are made out of plastic AND IT tends to crack after 5-6 yrs of use. i HAD BOTH rear windows replaced under warrantee right after i bought the car and it was not tinted at that time.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 37
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From: Houston
'01 E430 Sport
Rolled down my windows, no issues. If rolling down the windo causes scrathcs, then u got something wrong in your window to begin with.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210...w-tinting.html
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 987
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MB puts those window seals tight to prevent vibration and help kill noise. Over time that tight fit rubs on that film and you'll start seeing signs of scratches. If your seals are not scratching withing a year, you need to get your seals checked coz they would be loose. Time will tell.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Kansas City. U.S.A.
2000 E320 Sedan
Naaah I doubt thsi will happen... The tint once it completely dries, there is no way it will scratch unless u use nails !!! Besides, I do have a life time warrantte on th tint job written on the receipt... Worry free is the key to enjoy your MB ..
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: California
1997 E420, 1983 300D
unless your seals already have felt - it will happen. check your warranty for coverage on scratches.
what happens is you get little tiny pebbles or sand between the seal and your tint - and it draws a cute little line all the way up your tint job until it gets dislodged. i was fine for a couple months, until i was on a dusty road - then the next time i openend and closed the windows i had lines. the sad thing is i was aware of the problem, and even had the felt strips sitting in my garage waiting to be installed. i have since put them in, and have no more lines. it's about a 15-20 minute job to install on each window. - so the whole job is about 1.25 hours and 3 beers.
what happens is you get little tiny pebbles or sand between the seal and your tint - and it draws a cute little line all the way up your tint job until it gets dislodged. i was fine for a couple months, until i was on a dusty road - then the next time i openend and closed the windows i had lines. the sad thing is i was aware of the problem, and even had the felt strips sitting in my garage waiting to be installed. i have since put them in, and have no more lines. it's about a 15-20 minute job to install on each window. - so the whole job is about 1.25 hours and 3 beers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,939
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
this issue with moleskin is one of those gospel things in MB land in which I remain
unconvinced one way or the other. it is as if one argues correlation as cause
when in fact, there are other factors such as environmental, cleaning habits, etc which enter into the picture.
fact is that the factory window seal/wipes are not just hard, they are rubber
hard and it's tight...making it difficult for grit to really get between the tint and
the seal. eventually, it may...and when it does, your tint pays the price.
on the flip side, say one puts moleskin on their window seal. if you've looked at
moleskin, it is a fabric with a pile...or weave. its texture makes it even more
susceptable to grit holding, though it is softer and kinder to the tint film if it is
clean.
so I've not seen emperical testing of moleskin vs factory seal performed in
such a way that is compelling other than our parroting previous beliefs and
opinions. both conditions are argueably correct and both have merit. but
in real life conditions....i'm not swayed one way or the other.
fortunately, moleskin roll can be had cheap at my local REI and the mod takes
less than one CD worth of music to pass the time if one were to undertake
this chore.
I can tell you that 3 yrs and no moleskin in the 99....the tint looks brand new.
but hey...guess what? on the 00 E320 *with* moleskin, the tint looks brand
new. both were installed within a week of each other. both share equal
commute hours and driving conditions. but (!)......both also get nice, careful
TLC during cleaning. grit isn't likely to build up as much. hmmm, maybe
there's something to this thing called 'cleaning' eh?
unconvinced one way or the other. it is as if one argues correlation as cause
when in fact, there are other factors such as environmental, cleaning habits, etc which enter into the picture.
fact is that the factory window seal/wipes are not just hard, they are rubber
hard and it's tight...making it difficult for grit to really get between the tint and
the seal. eventually, it may...and when it does, your tint pays the price.
on the flip side, say one puts moleskin on their window seal. if you've looked at
moleskin, it is a fabric with a pile...or weave. its texture makes it even more
susceptable to grit holding, though it is softer and kinder to the tint film if it is
clean.
so I've not seen emperical testing of moleskin vs factory seal performed in
such a way that is compelling other than our parroting previous beliefs and
opinions. both conditions are argueably correct and both have merit. but
in real life conditions....i'm not swayed one way or the other.
fortunately, moleskin roll can be had cheap at my local REI and the mod takes
less than one CD worth of music to pass the time if one were to undertake
this chore.
I can tell you that 3 yrs and no moleskin in the 99....the tint looks brand new.
but hey...guess what? on the 00 E320 *with* moleskin, the tint looks brand
new. both were installed within a week of each other. both share equal
commute hours and driving conditions. but (!)......both also get nice, careful
TLC during cleaning. grit isn't likely to build up as much. hmmm, maybe
there's something to this thing called 'cleaning' eh?
Last edited by raymond g-; Nov 22, 2006 at 12:47 AM.
