4 series window tint and dot matrix

bobbydigital · 08-29-2015, 09:53 AM

I recently had my 435 GC windows tinted with formulaOne Pinnacle 35%. Loved the look.

However, I had to get it all removed because the tint on the 4 side windows wasn't fully adhering to the dot matrix on the back part of the windows.

The shop said it's impossible to get it to adhere without (a) grinding the dots down or (b) cutting the tint so it ends right before the dot matrix strip.

Neither of those options sounded right so I got them to remove and refund my money.

Is it not possible to tint these windows properly without the two options given me?

AxialGC · 08-29-2015, 09:59 AM

I tinted my windows all around on my 428GC and its perfect no bubbles whatsoever on any of the windows. The dot matrix is a challenge for installers and it took them an extra hour or so. They did get it installed perfectly without grinding the dots or cutting the tint short.

Glad they refunded the money I would Yelp a more reputable installer who works with higher end vehicles.

Good luck

tturedraider · 08-29-2015, 09:59 AM

They told you true. It's been the case for many, many years. They must have really loved you.

bobbydigital · 08-29-2015, 10:00 AM

I keep reading conflicting things. Even your two replies contradict each other

tturedraider · 08-29-2015, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxialGC

I tinted my windows all around on my 428GC and its perfect no bubbles whatsoever on any of the windows. The dot matrix is a challenge for installers and it took them an extra hour or so. They did get it installed perfectly without grinding the dots or cutting the tint short.

Glad they refunded the money I would Yelp a more reputable installer who works with higher end vehicles.

Good luck

He didn't say he had bubbles. Please post a pic of your tint.

claykin · 08-29-2015, 10:10 AM

Did you allow the tint to dry for a few days? Dot matrix is a challenge for tinters. in my experience once the tint dries, the majority of the dot matrix issues disappear.

I have used 3M color stable on my last few cars.

bobbydigital · 08-29-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claykin

Did you allow the tint to dry for a few days? Dot matrix is a challenge for tinters. in my experience once the tint dries, the majority of the dot matrix issues disappear.

I have used 3M color stable on my last few cars.

It was on the car for a month.

shadowchief · 08-29-2015, 10:46 AM

Used this very same tint and percentage on my last two Bimmers. No issues may want to seek another shop and prior to doing the work getting a straight answer. Good Luck

Billfitz · 08-29-2015, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

Is it not possible to tint these windows properly without the two options given me?

A good installer will use a transparent glue on the matrix. The glue fills the spaces between the dots.

bobbydigital · 08-29-2015, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

Is it not possible to tint these windows properly without the two options given me?

A good installer will use a transparent glue on the matrix. The glue fills the spaces between the dots.

Does that impact ability to remove it in the future?

shadowchief · 08-29-2015, 11:22 AM

Hope this helps you out LLumar formula one 35% 3 cars now

D-DUBB-99 · 08-29-2015, 11:41 AM

I have the same pinnacle 35% tint on my 435i GC. No issues installing over the dot matrix, so it can definitely be done by a seasoned installer. Only issue I had was the auto indexing of one of the windows. They just didn't tint low enough (on the part of the window that sits below the door) the first time around. I had to bring it back and they did it over with no issues.

chiefneil · 08-29-2015, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowchief

Hope this helps you out LLumar formula one 35% 3 cars now

Your installer did a great job. Which shop did you use? I might want to use them for my next car.

shadowchief · 08-29-2015, 01:22 PM

Hey A better tint in gilbert did my 528, and the specialist out of S.V/Tucson did the 428 and x1. good luck

jtmann · 08-29-2015, 11:44 PM

A good installer will have no problem with the dots. If you ask and they say they might have a problem I would try to go elsewhere.

RM7 · 08-30-2015, 12:29 AM

Something to think about is that the dealer may contract their tint out on new cars. They'll offer things like tint, at "their" prices, but then run around to a local shop they have an agreement with and get it done. I used the same shop my dealer uses for my clear armor and tint and saved a ton of money, getting it done by the exact same people (dealer guys were running around bringing cars to and fro). Those shops will likely have the experience necessary to deal with the specific brand of car or issue.

AxialGC · 08-30-2015, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturedraider

He didn't say he had bubbles. Please post a pic of your tint.

Here is the best pic I could take with my phone. Just as good on the rest of the car. Good installers can make it happen.

rolltidef32 · 08-30-2015, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowchief

Hope this helps you out LLumar formula one 35% 3 cars now

Wow, we have the same car and color combo. That side profile pic is excellent; nice background also.

How is having a black car in Arizona though? Summers are very difficult with the humidity of the deep South with my Sapphire black BMWs.

shadowchief · 08-30-2015, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

Wow, we have the same car and color combo. That side profile pic is excellent; nice background also.

How is having a black car in Arizona though? Summers are very difficult with the humidity of the deep South with my Sapphire black BMWs.

Hey well congrats on your choice first off LOL. As for the heat i live in the mountains about 5000 asl so were about 10 degrees cooler then most and zero humidity. Its actually not bad. Thanks for the compliment would love to see a picture of yours.

flags · 08-30-2015, 07:04 PM

Got tint on my GC as well. Installer did a great job on the dots, so issues or bubbles at all. He did not say he had to anything special in that area. I'm sure he has come across it before and just knew what to do. It's been 3 months and still all good.

Paladucky · 08-30-2015, 07:31 PM

I have some white dots in my dot matrix when viewed from the outside. It's not too noticeable and a common problem so I'm not that worried about it.

EBIINYC · 09-01-2015, 03:24 PM

I went to a well known installer (wont name names), had a bad experience with the windows peeling. Had to redo 3 of the windows. Still bubbles in between the matrix but at this point i really dont care. Its likely not going to be something fixable. Too much work/time to get those things to adhere.

08-29-2015, 09:53 AM	#1
bobbydigital Lieutenant 136 Rep 498 Posts Drives: 2015 BWM 435GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	4 series window tint and dot matrix I recently had my 435 GC windows tinted with formulaOne Pinnacle 35%. Loved the look. However, I had to get it all removed because the tint on the 4 side windows wasn't fully adhering to the dot matrix on the back part of the windows. The shop said it's impossible to get it to adhere without (a) grinding the dots down or (b) cutting the tint so it ends right before the dot matrix strip. Neither of those options sounded right so I got them to remove and refund my money. Is it not possible to tint these windows properly without the two options given me?
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08-29-2015, 09:59 AM	#2
AxialGC Enlisted Member 6 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 428i GC Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	I tinted my windows all around on my 428GC and its perfect no bubbles whatsoever on any of the windows. The dot matrix is a challenge for installers and it took them an extra hour or so. They did get it installed perfectly without grinding the dots or cutting the tint short. Glad they refunded the money I would Yelp a more reputable installer who works with higher end vehicles. Good luck
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08-29-2015, 09:59 AM	#3
tturedraider Major General 5117 Rep 6,326 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.58] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [9.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [7.38] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [5.83] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.13] 2000 BMW 328i [6.17]	They told you true. It's been the case for many, many years. They must have really loved you. __________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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08-29-2015, 10:00 AM	#4
bobbydigital Lieutenant 136 Rep 498 Posts Drives: 2015 BWM 435GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	I keep reading conflicting things. Even your two replies contradict each other
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08-29-2015, 10:10 AM	#6
claykin Brigadier General 1592 Rep 4,553 Posts Drives: various BMW Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Did you allow the tint to dry for a few days? Dot matrix is a challenge for tinters. in my experience once the tint dries, the majority of the dot matrix issues disappear. I have used 3M color stable on my last few cars. __________________ 2023 840GC \| 2021 740i \| 2019 X3
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08-29-2015, 10:46 AM	#8
shadowchief Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 428I Blk Sapphire Red Coral Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: PHX, AZ iTrader: (0)	Tint Used this very same tint and percentage on my last two Bimmers. No issues may want to seek another shop and prior to doing the work getting a straight answer. Good Luck
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08-29-2015, 11:22 AM	#11
shadowchief Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 428I Blk Sapphire Red Coral Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: PHX, AZ iTrader: (0)	tint photos Hope this helps you out LLumar formula one 35% 3 cars now Attached Images
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08-29-2015, 11:41 AM	#12
D-DUBB-99 New Member 9 Rep 17 Posts Drives: X5 xDrive 50e Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Northern Virginia iTrader: (0)	I have the same pinnacle 35% tint on my 435i GC. No issues installing over the dot matrix, so it can definitely be done by a seasoned installer. Only issue I had was the auto indexing of one of the windows. They just didn't tint low enough (on the part of the window that sits below the door) the first time around. I had to bring it back and they did it over with no issues. Attached Images
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08-29-2015, 01:22 PM	#14
shadowchief Enlisted Member 14 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 428I Blk Sapphire Red Coral Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: PHX, AZ iTrader: (0)	Hey A better tint in gilbert did my 528, and the specialist out of S.V/Tucson did the 428 and x1. good luck
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08-29-2015, 11:44 PM	#15
jtmann Enlisted Member 13 Rep 47 Posts Drives: 2015 428i Gran Coupe Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	A good installer will have no problem with the dots. If you ask and they say they might have a problem I would try to go elsewhere.
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08-30-2015, 12:29 AM	#16
RM7 Brigadier General 2899 Rep 3,483 Posts Drives: Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Something to think about is that the dealer may contract their tint out on new cars. They'll offer things like tint, at "their" prices, but then run around to a local shop they have an agreement with and get it done. I used the same shop my dealer uses for my clear armor and tint and saved a ton of money, getting it done by the exact same people (dealer guys were running around bringing cars to and fro). Those shops will likely have the experience necessary to deal with the specific brand of car or issue.
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08-30-2015, 07:04 PM	#20
flags Private 24 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2021 X5 45e Join Date: May 2012 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	Got tint on my GC as well. Installer did a great job on the dots, so issues or bubbles at all. He did not say he had to anything special in that area. I'm sure he has come across it before and just knew what to do. It's been 3 months and still all good.
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08-30-2015, 07:31 PM	#21
Paladucky Private 46 Rep 79 Posts Drives: BMW 435i Gran Coupe Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I have some white dots in my dot matrix when viewed from the outside. It's not too noticeable and a common problem so I'm not that worried about it.
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09-01-2015, 03:24 PM	#22
EBIINYC Private First Class 55 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 4GC Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	I went to a well known installer (wont name names), had a bad experience with the windows peeling. Had to redo 3 of the windows. Still bubbles in between the matrix but at this point i really dont care. Its likely not going to be something fixable. Too much work/time to get those things to adhere.
	Appreciate 0 Quote