Can a window tint scratch be repaired?

steely · 01-12-2010, 03:22 PM

I initially started to clean the power window regulator, and decided I needed to address the door latch and window track seals while I was in there. Two holidays and a sore back later, I succeeded in putting a 3 inch vertical scratch in the window tint while removing the window.

Can this be patched somehow without being too cheesy looking? I was wondering if maybe there was some magic solvent I could apply with a Q-tip or toothpick.

By the way, the good ol' Bentley (570-5) says to remove the window and then remove the frame. I think this contributed to my mistake.

magnuskgc · 04:16 PM

Is it aftermarket tint? If so.. not it can not be repaired. At least not it anyway that would look good. The tint is a thin film that goes on the window wet and your squeege the moisture out. Any solvent would melt the film.

A paint pen is used to cover spots near the edges and around window "buttons" but it never looks good.
My advised... if you have the window out... retint it then.... but be gentle when you re-install it. Use a good film... not pep boys crap or it will delaminate or turn purple in 6 months. LLumar is good but hard to come by now a days

steely · 01-12-2010, 04:28 PM

Thanks magnuskgc...I had looked on another site (not finding anything here after a search) and was afraid I'd have to re-do it.

Yeah, it's after market, that is, the glass isn't tinted, but I don't know when it was applied. With the glass out, you can clearly feel the laminate. 2 steps forward, one step back - live n learn I guess.

All I have to do now is match the tint.

Oh Haha · 01-12-2010, 04:57 PM

Just a thought........

Try a black marker on the scratch. It may be good enough to make it less noticeable.

You would probably need to do a few "coats", allowing each to dry.

Otherwise, call a glass/mirror shop and see what they can do. I would bet they have had some experience with this problem.

magnuskgc · 01-13-2010, 05:07 AM

For all of that effort I would just take it to a tint shop... with the glass out I can not see them charging more then $30 to re-tint the window.

If you want to take the old tint off... use an amonia and water solution and a single edge razor blade... you can clean all of the tint and glue off in about 5 minutes

I used to tint windows at a shop in a past career. If you were closer I would do it for you, but I am in NJ

steely · 01-13-2010, 01:27 PM

I like the magic marker idea, but I'd have to use a fine point, and then the knowledge that it was there would bug me. The scratch is jagged and has frayed edges - I might be convinced to do this if it was a discrete straight line - maybe I'll test it anyway.

Thanks for the offer magnus - but I'll check around here for a tint shop I reckon - see if they can match it too. I'm just nw of philly btw.

magnuskgc · 01-13-2010, 03:26 PM

The marker will only keep the light from coming in... remember you can see through the film.. a black magic marker or paint pen would not be able to be seen through.

All tint fades over time so it may be a little darker when you get it redone.
Tint comes in many shades and types.. smoke,charcoal, bronze... 5% 15% 20% 30%
5% is considered LIMO tint... 35% would be like on the back of an SUV from factory. It has to do with the amount of light it allows to pass through the film