Hello gentlemen,

I came across the earlier posts on the TL tint scratching problem, mainly because of a BIG problem we have. I own a tint shop and we probably tint 15-10 TL's a month, and yep, you guessed it, scratched tint. Not all cars, but seems like most are affected. It is most definitely the inside main scraper that is causing the problems, like you may have surmised. I have also seen several cars come in with some kind of white plastic baggy looking material sticking out from the front door gasket, near the mirror. Possibly this is some kind of factory protection material, removed during PDI, or detail, but I need more info on this.

But this may also be a much, much bigger problem for Acura because not only are the cars that are tinted going to be affected, but if Acura does not get it together, they will be warranting a HUGE amount of glass!

You see, any imperfection in the window system like this will scratch tint, because it is basically a polyester plastic, but it WILL eventually etch the glass also. Ever seen the side windows on pretty much ANY camaro over 3-4 years old? Almost always it's on the outside, where sand, rocks, etc get into the scraper gasket. Any car is susceptible to this, but some more than others. But with the TL's, it may happen sooner than that, we just don't know yet for sure. Also, the scratching is on the INSIDE, this is very disturbing.

You can't imagine how much hell this little "design problem" has caused me over the last few weeks. Fortunately, most Acura owners are pretty smart and have computers, so they hit this site or others discussing the problem. But quite frankly, it's a bit difficult to tell someone who just spent $35 grand on a car that it's defective. Acura says there is no problem. No problem?? Funny, the little $7000 Kias and Huyndai's we tint all day long have never had this issue, nor has ANY Honda or come to think of it, ANY car at any price in the past.

Bottom line is this: Acura can fix it now or later. It's not your responsibility to take the damn door panels off the car and put dead animals on the scrapers. If they don't fix the problem, they could probably be hit with hundreds of thousands of $$ in warranty glass claims. So call (800) 382-2238 and tell them that you are NOT happy with this situation and kindly remind them that this IS their problem, and it will get worse!

I plan on doing much more research on this problem over the next few weeks, dissassembly, investigation, etc. Let's work together to find a solution, or should I say, force Acura to fix their mistake....Thanks!

Mike

 

Well, welcome to the forum. You should be able to find lots of tints/felts/moleskin threads talking about this problems.

I have heard a few of on-site solutions so far. Not sure if this is the permanent fix though.

1. put half inch wide of moleskin/felts on the lower rubber wiper/blade... but this seems to make it tighter. (So far, I haven't seen anyone getting scratch yet with this add-in.)

2. cut off one of rubber wiper/blade and reduce the pressure directly on tint films... not sure if this cut will cause any future issues yet.

Most of ppl have done #1 method. Some of ppl haven't put any felt/moleskin yet. Only a few of ppl do #2.

Doesn't some models of MB or BMW X5 have the similar issues?


If you like, here are some references...

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90532

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90396

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90443

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90162

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88561

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88957

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86067

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86487

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86458

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82681

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79682

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65819

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79618

http://www.acura-tl.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77028

 

Hey guys I just got my 15% tint today. It looks sweeet. ok heres the deal, I went in to extreme windows here in Edmond OK w/ a print out of the info about moleskin etc from the site to the tinters. I asked them if theyve ever heard about it and they told me no but there should be no problem. They said they dont "tuck the rubbers in"? and that there shouldnt be a problem. They have a lifetime guarantee but it isnt covered if it is scratched by something. I asked them if they were 100% positive it wouldnt scratch and they said yes. They said they do accords all day long and its the same thing baiscally? I wasnt able to get a guarantee from them that it wouldnt scratch w/o paying a full coverage warranty fee of an extra $40. I didnt want to pay that since I was already being overpriced. I paid a total of $126 and the job looks great. The windows are up right now and im not supposed to roll them down for 3-5 days. However im now scared to roll them down in fear of the scratching. Wha should I do?! I asked the employee if he was sure it wouldnt scratch and he said yes, but then again hes just an employee. The boss/manager was not there so I wasnt able to talk to him about it. But someone tell me if its safe to roll down my windows! Thanks!

 

Well Retz,

Thanks for the reply. As of right now, I'm not aware of the BMW cars having this problem at my shop, but we see a small number of them here. As for #1, Again, putting moleskin on the gaskets is undoubtedly a "rig", and if you sit back for a second a just listen to how that sounds, it does kind of sound ridiculous. But I also have serious doubts about its ability to withstand the extreme pressure, moisture, etc. It's going to all come out of there, probably when your date rolls up the window on your $35k car......oops!

As for #2, this might be possible, but then you risk serious injury to the door electronics, airbag modules, window modules, etc. due to water leakage. This is a double bladed, high pressure seal for a reason, and should NOT be modified. As a tint shop owner, I would never do something like cutting the gaskets, it's the automotive equivalent of a chain saw massacre!

Step one would be for Acura to realize they have a design problem. There is WAY too much pressure on the gaskets, and possibly mfg. defects in the scraper itself. Step two would be for Acura to create new gaskets that relieve the pressure, while still channeling water away from top edge of the door.

As for the other poster, it would be impossible to "tuck" or "roll" the gaskets on this car, because they are ridiculously tight. So, that wasn't the issue at all. Sounds like they have only done a couple of these cars at best, let alone 100 or more, they are just not aware of the problem....yet. We'll see how they can handle eating their words if you get scratches, which most likely you will, if you use the windows a lot. I would just leave the windows up, and keep following these boards, calling (800) 382-2238, etc. until they (Acura) do something about it..

Thanks again,

Mike

 

Mike,

Have u joined this too? http://www.tintdude.com/forum/index.php?act=idx

What did those tints guru say about this?

I haven't added any "insurance" into my tints yet. Still thinking the better way to go. So far, I hardly roll down my window unless necessary. I'm the queer one here... although I did help my friend get moleskin kit. (who isn't putting them on yet)

 

Before this car I have a Benz and yes they do scratch horribly. I had 5% on that car as well, and the darker the tint, the worse the sratches look. FUnny thing is, my friend had an 03 Accord also with 5% and it has scratched as well, so it's not just our car. I am going to call the tint place today and talk to them about it, will update after.

 

Just buy the kit below and everything will be OK.

 

Just buy my kit. It comes with two different set of directions. You can chose which one to follow.

 

or get moleskin for free, just search the forum for "free moleskin".

 

I don't think thats enough... more more!

 

What is this? I also have this clear baggie looking thing sticking out on my driver side near the mirror. I was just planning just to pull on it and cut it off. Just want to make sure what im doing. You mentioning this kinda made me a little worried like an bigger problem my exisit.

 

omg you revived a very old topic.

 

sorry, just when I was poking around I came across this and its was like the very thing that was bugging me ever since I notice it a month ago

 

If its clear stuff just pull it out. I had a few on mine in areas and it came right off.

 

I find an interesting statement in the beginning of this string that mentions the possibilty of ALL glass, whether tinted or not, may become a warranty issue for Acura. I choose to leave my windows stock on my '05 TL with 42,000 miles, and my '01 CL, that had 144,000. Have had NO issues with glass scratching.
As many find out, Acura built a really fine machine from the factory, and don't
F____ with it! I realize that many want to add their own "identity" to their TL, and that's great.....just don't expect things to always go smoothly.
Sounds like the moleskin is the answer for those that choose to tint. For the rest of us, leave issues of lack of quality from Acura out of it!

 

My windows have scratches. I put them down almost daily, but I wouldn't expect to have scratches from that. I can only imagine what it would look like with tint.

 

Holy thread resurrection.

Now that it is well over 2 years since this thread: It's probably important to specify which year 3G TL it is... could it be that Acura has addressed the problem after the '04's?

 

geez....i thought this was some new info...i hate my scratched tint

the moleskin is a workaround, not a solution- though I guess I'll have to use it if I have my windows re-tinted.

 

The problem was not fixed after 04's. I have an 06, and my tint is scratched also.

 

Is there any evidence that moleskins do prevent or significantly reduce the risk of scratching?

 

Ha! even tho is an thread resurrection alot of peeps still post so this information is still good. I guess it proves to check out the grarage every once in a while =P

 

http://www.automoleskin.com produces our own moleskin to withstand heat and humidity. It’s made to keep tint film from scratching.

It's not the generic one that you can buy and will glue up your windows and come off in a month or two.