Bad Pinnacle tint on my Prius rear window? Need advice

I recently had Pinnacle 35 tint applied to the side and rear windows of my 2010 Prius 2. The sides look great, however if you focus on the rear window tint film you can see an orange-peel texture. This causes blurry vision out the back, especially for headlights behind me. The rear window also has several specks which appear to be trapped bits of lint. I don't know how this could happen since it's the same film and the same installer all the way around the vehicle and the other windows are fine.

Is this normal, perhaps due to the shallow angle of the rear window? Or does it indicate a bad tint job? I'd get it re-done but I'd hate to waste the money if it's not likely to get any better next time around. I just can't believe that a high-end film like Pinnacle would be blurry and fuzzy and textured like this.

Sounds like you should take the car back to the installer and have them look at it..

my thoughts exactly.

it might still be drying

a lot of films will have that "orange peel" look when looking out of the prius due to the extremely low angle of the film.

Give it a good 2 weeks to dry.

you are correct the angle of the window, and the fact that the tint has to wrap around every defroster line can cause it to look distorted. but yes take it back and ask the tinter if he can resolve the problem. most likely the back window came off a different roll than the sides. and maybe it is a bad roll. but only he can answer your questions.

just so you know pinnacle is a very good film.

It's been nearly two weeks (12 days), with the vehicle parked outside in the hot central texas summer. I had thought the tint would be fully dry by this point.

I'm aware that Pinnacle is high end stuff - in fact that's why I chose it. Thus my disappointment with the rear window. I'm aware of the problems of light diffracting around the defroster lines, but that's not the issue here. The issue is that lights are surrounded by a cloud of haze, like looking through frosted glass. Normal visibility through the back is a bit blurry too. Upon inspecting the rear window there is a definite orange peel texture. When I inspect the other windows I can see a similar effect but it is much more subtle, and I'd never notice it without focusing very closely on the film.

I've heard from a few other prius owners and none of them seem to be having this problem. I'm just trying to fully understand the effect of the shallow angle of the rear window before I raise too much of a fuss with my installer.

Yea, sounds like a bad roll. Never fear, this happens sometimes and the installer will most likely fix it. If he doesn't and you have your receipt (they will need the roll number to track the batch), you can find another factory installer to do the warranty on it (http://formulaone.findlocation.com/) ~Tintdawg~

Where are you located? I am in DFW. Just take it back to the installer and it will be taken care of.

I don't think you need to 'raise a fuss' ... But if you have a concern go ask your installer !

Sometimes stuff just slips through the cracks.. but most places are more than happy to right any wrongs.....

I personally know both shops in Central Texas and both will take care of your issue.