I posted this question over at the "Best window Tint in Tustin" thread but I think this warrants a new one.

I've been calling around talking to tint shops. This one guy wasn't recommending felt at all. He said he's done tons of TLs and has never had an issue of people coming back with scratches. He says that most places put the felt on too tight when putting the door panels on which wears out the window motor everytime you roll the window up and down. That would also not be covered under warranty. Is this all true?

 

I do not know about the motor wearing out, but I do know that if you keep your interior and interior window glass clean that you do not need to use felt to prevent scratches. As a matter af fact the felt can lead people into a false sense of security and they will not keep the glass clean and let debris accumulate in the track and it will scratch even with the felt.

 

Sounds like a bs response to avoid having to put the felt on.

 

This is typical for tint shops which are hit and run attitudes. The many threads here on tinting speak to this. Many will say they've done a thousand TL's and never had a problem.

The two shops I know best, the owners have TLs and have put moleskin on their own cars. What does that tell you? (One in Palm Beach and one in Reno, NV)

They will also tell you that you don't need non-metallic tint on a navi. The Acura owner's manual says otherwise.

They are out to make an easy buck. And, if they tell you the tint is guaranteed anyway, ask them to point out in the written contract where the guarantee covers scratches. If they want to just "give you their word", then it shouldn't be a problem for them to put it in writing on the contract.

The guarantee does not cover scratches. Never has and never will. My

And, as pohljm said, the moleskin will not remove all risk of scratching but it will greatly reduce it. The OEM wiper blades are hard rubber. There are two on the inside of the window. If they get a particle of hard debris, they are tight and unforgiving- similar to those on a Mercedes-Benz. The moleskin has a suede-like softness and depth that can absorb some sharp particles better than rubber.

There is less friction on the window glass from the moleskin than the rubber. It is unlikely it would be harder on the window motor. Thus, I am sure it would not affect the new car warranty. I suppose the dealer could quibble about it but not if he didn't believe it. He gets paid by Acura for replacing the motor. And the dealers recognize the issue... many install or arrange the install of moleskin.

 

not to be hijacking the thread, but does anyone know of any good tint shops in central florida (daytona area?) because the acura tint is already scratched up.

 

PS: There is only one way to put the moleskin on. You can't make it looser or tighter. The rubber wiper assembly is one part that straddles a metal ridge. You would have to bend that metal ridge to move the wiper and no one in their right mind would do that.

 

Not unless you want to drive down to West Palm Beach for Tint King.

I would take it back to the Acura dealer who installed it and make them replace it.

Also, most tint shops don't know about the moleskin. I would rather do it myself than provide a vehicle for their experimentation.