Tinting the Dot Matrix - Page 1
Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 Most cars have a black ceramic 'frit' edge on the rear window. Sometimes this ceramic edge is straight and flat, sometimes it will have a dotted matrix edge. These black ceramic dots are quite thick on most cars and prevent the film from sticking to the area between the dots. This results in a whitish looking strip trimming the glass. Typically this isn't very noticeable, however some cars have a wide band of dots trimming the top of the rear window. This area is so wide that the whitish looking area created is more pronounced.
Not much can be done about the narrow strip of dots going around the edges, other than letting the film dry for a few days and then pressing the film down onto the dots with your finger or a hard card wrapped in a paper towel. usually this will greatly reduce the whitish appearance. This usually doesn't work well for the wide band of dots.
Paint ThemThe dots can be left untinted, the film allowed to dry for a couple of days, then painted. The best way to paint the dots is to use a flat black enamel spray paint. Mask off the tinted area and upholstery trim with plenty of plastic and masking tape. Make sure to get a good straight edge where the paint will meet the tint.Glue Them ***my favorite way***Another way is to use a clear stationery glue such as "O' Glue" available at Kinko's or Thrifty's or RightAid or any stationery store or Elmer's blue gel (dries clear and stays pliable) . It is a little tricky and can be messy. It gets a little easier with practice. First tint the window as normal, covering the dots with tint. squeegee as much water as possible from under the dotted area. Carefully peel the film down from the dots and squeeze a bead of O' glue onto the exposed film where it meets the bottom edge of the dot area, lay the film back into position, and carefully, slowly squeegee the glue upwards with a bondo card wrapped in a paper towel, stopping short of the top to keep the glue from glopping out. When all of the glue has been moved to nearly the top, squeegee the rest out with a horizontal pass of the bondo card, holding a paper towel under the squeegee card as you go to catch the excess glue. If you spill the glue on the upholstery, just wipe the excess up, and blot with a wet paper towel. If you smear some onto the surface of the tint, just wipe it away with a paper towel. As the glue dries, it will look lumpy for awhile , if the lumps are huge squeegee a little more out. Most of the area will appear a bit lumpy even after its dry, but it looks MUCH better than having that whitened look from the outside. More on gluing (pics included) HERE
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. © 1999 - 2010 Ric Wellman All Rights Reserved. Contact: tintdude[a]gmail.com | |||||
