I am looking at a 2020 GLE450 with Acoustic Package. Unfortunately, the prior owner (it's used) tinted the front side windows darker than legally allowed, and installed a tint band at the top of the windshield. I don't like either.
I have heard that M-B windows have a film on the interior (maybe just the acoustic glass) that will be damaged when removing the tint.
Does anybody have experience or knowledge about this?

 

As far as I'm aware acoustic glass does indeed have a 'film'....but it is inside the glass as opposed to on the interior and shouldn't therefore be susceptible to damage.
Don't quote me on this! !!!

 

This is what my dealer told me, the film is in between the double pane glass. Removal of tint should be a non issue.

 

Yes, this is correct, and if you wind down one of the windows you can very clearly see the sandwich arrangement ... glass/film/glass

 

You're right - I have seen that sandwich on insulated glass for decades. Funny, though, on our 2020, I can't see the sandwich.
I probably should have said "coating," since that's what might be on the interior surfaces of the side window insulated glass.

<follow-up> I thought our car had insulated glass, but unless it's part of a package and not identified on the Monroney, we don't have it! Sure is a quiet car, though.
But I still wonder about a coating....

 

Insulated glass is double pane, not available on the GLE. Acoustic glass is laminated glass with a PVB interlayer and, as you note, part of that option package.

 

Pardon me for inappropriate verbiage. I'm product certified in too many Euro makes. But I think everybody else knew what I meant.
Now, back to the original question about removing the tint film from the inside of my "windows." Is there something to be cautious about?

At least I think they are called windows, but let me know if that's not "clear" enough for you. Thanks!

 

Why not get some professional advice from a quality Business that does window coatings. They should have experience removing films since many older products bubbled and required removal to get back to an OEM look. They can probably tell if there is a coating and if it’s removable.
Or try to get the Dealer to contact the original owner to see what was done. I really don’t think anyone can give advice over the Internet on an unknown product.

 

I did not mean to come off as critical of your message. Since both types are used in automotive applications I just wanted to clarify the difference. Hazard of being an architect!

 

Good thoughts. Since my original post, I have met with a tinting shop. They said that my tint is @ 17% transmissivity, and legal reguires 30% transmissivity. Primarily for Law Enforcement safety, so they can see the driver's actions inside. BTW the tinter is former LEO.
He also said that since the installation was recent, there is less chance of damaging whatever coatings might be on the windows, since there has been less time for the adhesive to bake into the glass.
BUT he said the Industry takes up to two years to get the latest specs for new car models, so he has no information on M-B's 2020 glass. (He charges $20/window to remove, and he uses a steamer.)

I was asking to see if anybody on the Forum has had experience here, before I approached the Dealer or tint shop, but it doesn't sound like it.
Whatever the case, it's back at the Dealer for some unrelated issues, and I have asked them to remove the tint film and "make me legal" again. We'll see what they do, or can do.
I hope everything is trouble free, since this deep tint severely affects our aspen viewing.

As an aside, when investigating windshield coverage when weighing the M-B coverage (like their Wheel & Tire coverage), I found that my insurance (USAA) only uses OEM glass for the first two years after a new model intro, since it takes a while for aftermarket suppliers to engineer windshields that are compatible. As a general policy, I won't use non-OEM windshield glass.

 

Follow-up on my OP. Our M-B shop removed the front door window tint and the windshield tint. I can see clearly now....

 

You just need to buy yourself a good pair of sunglasses now!

 

For sure. And a visor.
It's a lot nicer out looking at the fall colors now, and I can see at night!