Windshield tint gone wrong?

[Guest redneckhippy]

Hello everyone. I'm hoping to get opinions from tint professionals. We recently had our windshield tinted with Xpel ceramic, on a brand new 2021 truck. We just noticed these scratches going near the cowl line across the entire windshield on the outside. It will catch your nail in many places. It seems to track the shape of the bottom of the windshield and we can't think of anything else that would do this the entire length (maybe factory defect?) We know they form windshield tint on the outside before transferring to install on the inside..

 

Do y'all think these scratches are from the tint application and cutting?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

https://imgur.com/a/cfamFEw

[Guest guest]

any opinions welcomed and appreciated

[Guest guest]

it kind of looks like this?

 

 

[florida tinter]

that's from cutting the film on the outside ...either wrong , or dull blade on knife......I had to replace a windshield or two from this....

[WearTheFoxHat]

Looks like the installer has not learned the "Button Trick" . ( see link below) .There are many variations but in short, cutting "soft" auto glass can be avoided by using a button ,bread tie or other cheap but thin piece of plastic that will slide on the glass under the film. The knife blade  is inserted though the film into the plastic and cutting proceeds as normal.

 

Some say its better , but adds more steps is shrinking then marking the film with a marker then cutting it off the vehicle on a designated cutting board.

 

Also better is using plotter to cut the film so for the most part a knife never touches the glass.

 

 

[Guest Guest]

Thanks very much for the replies. We paid top dollar too and picked the highest end shop in our area. It's tough out there to find good work. 

[Guest guest]

any thoughts on the appropriate recourse when this happens? should there be a refund? replacement and refund? replacement and, wince, retint from same shop? There are not many shops around where we live and most dont do windshield to our knowledge. also since the car is brand new, getting a replacement windshield isnt ideal with how cars are treated in most body shops and dealerships (for recalibration).

thanks.

[Cooltimes]

Just ask for a refund and keep the film. Tell them your being cool. Or they can buy you a new windshield and refund the money back and you have it tinted somewhere else. If the marks bug you enough then ask for new glass.

[Guest gues]

thank you!

[drtint]

Shop needs to make it right.

brand new truck. That sucks.

They need to replace windshield and have one of their other installers reinstall and you can be sure they will pay attention next time.

Cheers