Scratching tint

Which hard card wont scratch the tint?? I know they all probably can but whats the best one

they will all scratch film at some point or other. Most of the time it is wear that is the culprit on the scratches. Keep the edge buffed on jeans, carpet, fine sand paper, a card sharpener, or even tape the edge like the TOTW. All will make the card last longest....

I use the White Cards myself. I use them very sparingly on the actual film surface. Mostly on the edges if I need. A white Chisler by Lidco products for those pesky little spots or slight pinches....

all of them scratch wrap it in masking tape or wrap it in a paper towel

some good ideas for looking after your hard cards at Tint Dude dot com forums.....
http://www.tintdude.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49159

I think the point is, don't use a hard card to squeegee. I use em for shrinking and bumping the edges of a roll up. Occasionally I will have a finger on a roll up on the bottom and I will used one to push it down, but I always rub the card on some type of fabric to smooth the edge before putting it to the film.

A lil chizler is a must have as well, and it will most certainly scratch film b/c they are so hard and we use them for small creases and such, so we push hard with them. I never use one where you would see a scratch. Always on the side of a roll up.

the blue 4" teflon scratches the least in my opinion .

I have used the white teflon/bondo card. Keep it smooth by rubbing it across your jeans and they won't scratch.

That's all I have ever used.

i personally like a black card wrap by a paper towel

wow...you and i actually have something in common? who'da thunk it?

I use a little red foot wrapped around a towel or an ez reach!

I use the black hard card on the outside stage ie; against the liner, and the blue card wrapped in towel for anything on the inside

Black Teflon card is my favorite but I have almost every card that is offered. The softer cards are much more gentle on the SR coating.

My personal favorite is the 4" blue teflon card, I keep it smooth with my tool pouch since it's made of a thick jean material and a hard card sharpener when it gets bad.
After 18yrs I have pretty much used every squeegee & hard card there is. I remember I started with a 3m black ruber squeegee and a razor and no heat gun

i use-
2 teflon black cards one is a full square(how it comes) and then one cut at a forty-five angle and red foot wrapped in a paper towel mainly for bg's sanded (mainly after each dirty ride i tint) with 2000 paper and i had purchased the edge straightner and its worth the $ "for sure"

i have notice that the clear coat of johnson film's(sp) are alot softer than Llumar and doesnt scratch near as often. i think the film it self plays a bigger part in scratches than the tool you use? well the clear coat and tools, i personal think?

Same here, worked like a dream!

I like the 3m gold card but you do have to run it through a card sharpener pretty regular and a white hard card for the extra tight areas

black teflon

i use gold or black only

Grey or Orange

not only but mostly

notice how every has a diffrent reply? I think it all comes down to the installer...but the trick I've seen the most is hard cards with papertowel...Hard Card sharpeners are alright but I think they sharpen un-evenly.

Personally, I don't care what kind of card I use, just whatever I grab first. I always wrap them in a paper towel, and really can't tell a difference between them once they are wrapped. I guess its all personal preference. Never use a hard card bare on the glass though, as it will always scratch it. Only use a squeegee with a rubber edge.

wow guys thanks.i was having the same dang problem...love this forum

so far I like the black teflon for heat shrinking the ends
and
I found out the white ones will melt if you use them to heat shrink... HAHA

Will any kind of paper towel work or is there is better kinds than others i use blue and gold card

i love this forum.really do.i was having major scratch problems until this post.and just started taking my time and thinking smart.and like i always say."dont be a fool wrap your tool"

I prefer the blue bondo card made by mmm( P.A._1) cut it in the center at a 45 degree angle then you will have two cards’ it will have a point at one end. This will allow you to get in the corners. Only use them on the sides and behind the gaskets of windows. To set the film and push out weeps. And also as a final step with heat to make the film lay down. To keep it smooth. you can use the real towel not a paper towel that I hope you use to cover door and window switches .lay it on a flat surface and move the card backwards and forward and side to side as you do this all at the same time this way you will Be able to smooth all sides of the edges at the same time. It takes awhile to get how fast to move the card .when you find the right speed to get it smooth. For example if you go to fast it will get ruff .you may want to keep feeling it after each use. To insure it has no nicks in it. After awhile this will become natural for you to do so. Hope this helps

I find that the blue cards stick like crazy to the film all the time unless its wrapped. Shrinking it sticks horribly, and installing when the film is dry it sticks a lot. I much prefer the orange ones myself cut like you said at a 45. They don't melt during shrinking, and they glide effortlessly over the film wet or dry, but it still soft enough that it doesn't scratch.

One thing to keep in mind Scotty. it will depend on the type of film you may use.for what card is most approperate for that type.as with all films they will feel and react differently as you move a card over them. the blue one is only for the sides and bottom gasket to push them out. maybe 1” or so.wy you would drag one over a hole window .I do not under stand.thats what a squeegee is for.i can give you many tips on how I can solve that for you . but it sounds like you know it all. Since you have so much experience in the tinting field.

White or pink card. Both feel pretty much the same. I do the same thing wiping them on jeans or apron to keep smooth. I have never wrapped with a paper towel and never scratch. I use them to tack the top edge and then heat up sides and stuff. I also use the gold card for shrinking. They are great. I think I have had the same one for 3 years.

Dragging it over the whole window as in when shrinking. You said you used it as the final step when using heat to lay the film down, as in shrinking the film. Whenever I try and use a blue card for that it always sticks really bad.

And I used a hard card wrapped in a blue shop towel as a final squeegee over every window to get as much water as possible out.

lovin the info guys thanks alot...i cut a couple of the cards in half and it helps the back small windows alot

I just use my Library card!

I like the little blue foot.