Dot Matrix - Again, One new thing I have been shown Options

[Spesh]

Hey all,

A guy that I am now working with has been in the Auto Glass replacement industry for about 17 years and showed me this trick that works on dot matrix

I am only writing this down in case no-one else has heard of it, cause I haven't and it worked great, not fantastic, but better than not using anything at all.

The product is called Laddaw (auto glass company) Glass Activator

Guy told me to wet some lint free paper with it, and wipe with reasonable pressure around the dot matrix, leave for approx 2 minutes then wipe with clean lint free paper to take it off. It is clear and dries clear, so just wipe reasonably hard to ensure that you have got it all off.

It can go over the demister bars, but when wiping over them and wiping the stuff off them, use less pressure.

Tint should stick quite well to the dot matrix

Dunno how much the stuff costs, but it is good.

He advised that it primes the dot matrix for the black sticky stuff they use to adhere the glass to the car. Basically makes the black stuff stick better to the black dot matrix.

[Spesh]

BTW, it is in a 100ml bottle with a yellow lid

[fastlanedesigns]

now that you mention that, I remember back in the day using some sort of primer for the urethane to stick to the black area around the windshield, wonder is it the same or similar? Maybe some of you auto glass replacement guys would know?

[oldtinter]

I've used it, it does help the film to stick, but doesn't change the way it looks, still need to sand.

[Sprinter]

agree with ot, if it does'nt help the look forget it!

[*metint *]

OT said it...

No improvement in looks, the film will stick better to each dot, but still remains suspended over the adjacent glass area.

The stuff is made by many who supply goods to the auto glass industry. It comes clear and in black.

I first saw the black being used by a tinter a few years ago in Vancouver BC to black out the entire matrix area. Serious stuff... don't drip it on anything and it's a health hazard to inhale on a regular basis.

This has been edited by metint4u2: Sep 11 2003, 09:54 AM

[blackglass]

I thought the problem was that it wasn't a flat surface... by sanding it makes the surface "more flat" by using glue it helps to level it to a "more flat" surface. bolth of the above make sence to me do you have to work at them real hard to make the shinyness go away... and while I'm on the subject am I even right? is the bad look from air? is sanding or glue leveling the surface to clean out the air? just wondering.

[Zrok]

the problem is that the film is too 'stiff' to conform around each and every little dot and stick to the glass between them. by sanding, this reduces the height of the dots from the glass thereby allowing the film an easier 'stretch' to the surface of the glass...by using glue, this is a 'makeshift' way of gettin the 'air' out from between the film and the glass in-between the dots. hope this helps explain why they look crappy.

[Exact-Oh]

Just to elaborate on Zrok's reply: Except on the Fords, where the film doesn't even stick to the matrix. Good example of a job that definitely needs sanding.

[Mdog]

sounds kinda like probond

[*thetintshop *]

this is glass primer for urethane. we use it to wipe the frit before putting the glass in. it will help the tint stick, but like OT said, it does nothing for the way it looks.

[Mdog]

i use a fece laden tubesock, i knock it arount the matrix like a rosin bag on a baseballbat

[fastlanedesigns]

what color are the stripes on the tubesock? or are they just white? I could do that because every time clothes are washed at my house I end up with an odd one, the dryer eats the other I guess!

[autoreflections]

Matter of time and opinion I gues but we recently tried the glue stick method and it works fine. You can't tell that there's even matrix there.. The method before you bring the tint in glue down your dot nice,even and thick enough. Apply your tint Lightly squeegee the bottom part without touching the glue. Using your olfa blade pull the tint away from the window at the top middle and using your spray bottle spray down the middle top of the dot and lightly sqeegee the water across the glue. Then just squeegee the dot matrix starting from the bottom all the way across the widow.(Use paper towel because it can get meesy)Without the water it still looks nice but when we tried with the water it makes a nicer more even finish that is probably better than any other way and less time consuming.

[tintman Pa]

can you still buy tube sock with the colored rings around them....we were watching vh-1 love the 70's and showed them to my son who is 13 he said they were cool and has to get some.....

[tintman Pa]

oh the dots is the subject..I say f'em and just use vinyl cover the bastages right up and it looks good...