MattyL147

I just got my car tinted today...looks great, however, they cut around the brake light instead of sliding it over it, which looks fine. But when I am driving, I can see that there is untinted glass right above the brake light from the angle that I look out of the back window. Its about the length of the light and about a 1/5 of an inch tall. My question is should I go back and have them retint it to cover the brake light or learn to live with it? Also, its not really a "mess up" on their part because cosmetically it looks fine except for when I'm in the driver's seat...so do you think they will charge me to redo it?

akkord

If you're not happy with it, bring it back...I had my tint over my 3rd brake light...so I didn't have your problem...

sab504

iTrader: (1)

Bring it back. You paid the money and should get what you want.

GOBUCS

That could be a legal thing tinters are supposed to do. I have had several cars tinted by the same installer, and he always has a cut out for the rear brake light, which is fine with me if it helps prevent people from from rear-ending me.

akkord

True, it could be a legal thing, but he is saying there is a 1/5inch that is not tinted that he can see when looking back from the driver's seat...that would warrant them to fix it/retint the rear glass...I definitely would not be happy every time I looked back and see a little bit of untinted glass...

Ichigo

I just got my car tinted today as well. I recently had a post asking how to remove the brake light to make sure the tinter tinted the whole back window and not cut around it. Go back and see what you can get them to do. It is really easy to remove that brake light.

dana_daen

I couldn't have said it better. If it is a legal issue on the other hand, then let them tell you but it doesn't hurt to ask.

15951

I agree that they should do it right, but keep in mind that they'll be removing tint from the rear window. There are plenty of things they can screw up back there with a knife (e.g. NAV antenna), so make sure everything works before you drive it off the lot when they finish.

TAMR_GUS98

Yes indeed, When removing the rear tint, there is a chance that the grid for the defroster can come off with the tint. Might need a new rear glass if it can't be fixed. So make sure they check the grid with an ohm meter to be sure it will work.

-Will

Mike_TX

Some tint shops use pre-cut film. I had that on my Infiniti M, and since it had a light interior, it looked like crap from the back.

Tinters who cut their own usually cover the brake light, because they can't accurately make a cutout that will evenly frame it.

I personally prefer it covered. Unless you're using ultra-dark film, it won't keep other people from seeing the light. OTOH, if you have a black interior it probably isn't a big issue and you'll get used to the little gap.

Payam

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think covering the 3rd brake light should be a legal problem because not all cars have the 3rd light....

sanwong

I own a Formula One tint shop and we remove all brake lights and tint the whole window......never had any legal issues. I think the shops that don't tint the whole glass are just plain lazy!!!!!!

islandsnow

i don't think its illegal unless you are using illegal tint. both my tinters tinted over the break light ( had to redo my tint )

but i agree, those tinters that don't do it were being lazy.