Dot Matrix Sanding

cameba5 · 08-06-2007, 10:04 PM

Forgive me if this has already been covered but i did try to search and got no results.

Ok, well my dealer recommended to use HotSpot Tinting here in Atlanta where I live. From what I have heard they are pretty good (if anyone knows first hand, let me know). Well, I asked them about what they do when tinting over the dot matrix. They said that they sanded the dots in order to make the adhesion. Now, it seems to me that sanding would not only make removing the tint (if need be) nearly impossible. Also, wouldn't light sanding still leave a chalky white appearance on the outside? Any advice is appreciated.

jasonn · 08-07-2007, 02:43 AM

no, glass is really hard to scratch. Most likely they use a really fine grit so all it takes off is the matrix. Also, it won't be impossible to remove as tint is held on by glue. Most of the time, they take off old tint by using a steamer and a box cutter anyways.

bartman32 · 08-07-2007, 02:07 PM

I was told that when they did mine all they needed to do was heat them up. Looks great! Check out my garage.

Ph0zenstone · 08-07-2007, 02:30 PM

i got mine done at The Art of Tint which also does celebrity cars like Derek Jeter, 50 Cent, etc...he used some sort of glue on the dots first and let it dry for a little bit before applying the HO tints....it came out perfect, today is day 4 and its still perfect.....here are some pics....

jasonn · 08-07-2007, 04:07 PM

The real trick to dot matrix is the rear where the bubbles are close together and small and a little higher than on the side fronts. However if they use glue then that'll work too.

cameba5 · 08-07-2007, 07:45 PM

great thanks so much guys

Quisp · 08-08-2007, 12:23 AM

There is also a product called Dotrix. It is similar to vinyl but when heated it gets softer so it fills in more between the dots. Another plus is that the stuff was made for window tinting so it will not dry out or peel with time. It is however solid so you cannot see through it but I don't even notice when i look in the mirror.

Ph0zenstone · 08-08-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quisp

There is also a product called Dotrix. It is similar to vinyl but when heated it gets softer so it fills in more between the dots. Another plus is that the stuff was made for window tinting so it will not dry out or peel with time. It is however solid so you cannot see through it but I don't even notice when i look in the mirror.

any pics?

Bimmer335i07 · 08-08-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phozenstone

i got mine done at The Art of Tint which also does celebrity cars like Derek Jeter, 50 Cent, etc...he used some sort of glue on the dots first and let it dry for a little bit before applying the HO tints....it came out perfect, today is day 4 and its still perfect.....here are some pics....

How much did you pay for it?

Ph0zenstone · 08-08-2007, 09:21 AM

$450

Quisp · 08-08-2007, 09:24 AM

Here are some pics. This is how it looks without having gone back for a touch up yet. I am happy with how it came out.

AlB · 08-08-2007, 05:35 PM

a decent tinter will use quality film which will minimize or eliminate the dot effect. Mine did not sand just used madico ceramic film and absolutely no discernable issues

Ph0zenstone · 08-08-2007, 05:45 PM

quisp....from the looks of it you used vinyl correct? the only problem with that is that you can clearly see a lining of vinyl there and its not pretty

2007_E93 · 08-08-2007, 09:35 PM

Dont sand it!! It will expose the metal underneath and then you are prone to rust! Recommended ways to deal with it are glue or live with some whitish areas around dots or try to reheat it after a few days and press it again with a cloth wrapped around a credit card. I think it is more of an issue on E90 and E92 as my E93 only has a small lip of about 1-1.5 cm of dots on all edges. Barely discernible. My tint guy did a nice job and said he didnt recommend glue as it would void the F1 Pinnacle lifetime warranty. Dont know if that was a line of BS or true but thats what he said. I happy with my tint but may try the reheat and credit card thing soon. Not a big deal on my car at least.

Quisp · 08-13-2007, 08:30 PM

Actually They used dotrix and the only way the that you can see the edge of it as in the photos is if you use a flash in the back seat or if you are sitting in the back seat and looking up to the sky. Fro the outside of the car the transition is not noticeable. It may not appeal to everyone but it works for me.

08-06-2007, 10:04 PM	#1
cameba5 Private 9 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 335i E92 & E92 M3 - En Route! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southeast US iTrader: (0)	Dot Matrix Sanding Forgive me if this has already been covered but i did try to search and got no results. Ok, well my dealer recommended to use HotSpot Tinting here in Atlanta where I live. From what I have heard they are pretty good (if anyone knows first hand, let me know). Well, I asked them about what they do when tinting over the dot matrix. They said that they sanded the dots in order to make the adhesion. Now, it seems to me that sanding would not only make removing the tint (if need be) nearly impossible. Also, wouldn't light sanding still leave a chalky white appearance on the outside? Any advice is appreciated.
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08-07-2007, 02:43 AM	#2
jasonn JDM Slut 143 Rep 4,233 Posts Drives: v Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (12) Garage List 2014 PORSCHE CAYMAN [10.00] 2013 BMW X1 [9.00] 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00] 2013 PORSCHE 991 [10.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.08]	no, glass is really hard to scratch. Most likely they use a really fine grit so all it takes off is the matrix. Also, it won't be impossible to remove as tint is held on by glue. Most of the time, they take off old tint by using a steamer and a box cutter anyways.
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08-07-2007, 02:07 PM	#3
bartman32 Colonel 108 Rep 2,317 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The OC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 M2 [0.00]	I was told that when they did mine all they needed to do was heat them up. Looks great! Check out my garage.
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08-07-2007, 02:30 PM	#4
Ph0zenstone Major General 335 Rep 5,370 Posts Drives: 2018 530e X-Drive Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (74)	i got mine done at The Art of Tint which also does celebrity cars like Derek Jeter, 50 Cent, etc...he used some sort of glue on the dots first and let it dry for a little bit before applying the HO tints....it came out perfect, today is day 4 and its still perfect.....here are some pics....
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08-07-2007, 04:07 PM	#5
jasonn JDM Slut 143 Rep 4,233 Posts Drives: v Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (12) Garage List 2014 PORSCHE CAYMAN [10.00] 2013 BMW X1 [9.00] 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00] 2013 PORSCHE 991 [10.00] 2007 BMW 335i [9.08]	The real trick to dot matrix is the rear where the bubbles are close together and small and a little higher than on the side fronts. However if they use glue then that'll work too.
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08-07-2007, 07:45 PM	#6
cameba5 Private 9 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 335i E92 & E92 M3 - En Route! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southeast US iTrader: (0)	great thanks so much guys
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08-08-2007, 12:23 AM	#7
Quisp Does not play well with others 81 Rep 1,787 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arizona iTrader: (4)	There is also a product called Dotrix. It is similar to vinyl but when heated it gets softer so it fills in more between the dots. Another plus is that the stuff was made for window tinting so it will not dry out or peel with time. It is however solid so you cannot see through it but I don't even notice when i look in the mirror.
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08-08-2007, 09:21 AM	#10
Ph0zenstone Major General 335 Rep 5,370 Posts Drives: 2018 530e X-Drive Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (74)	$450
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08-08-2007, 09:24 AM	#11
Quisp Does not play well with others 81 Rep 1,787 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arizona iTrader: (4)	Here are some pics. This is how it looks without having gone back for a touch up yet. I am happy with how it came out. Attached Images
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08-08-2007, 05:35 PM	#12
AlB Private First Class 11 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 2006 330i MT gry/blk Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SF iTrader: (1)	a decent tinter will use quality film which will minimize or eliminate the dot effect. Mine did not sand just used madico ceramic film and absolutely no discernable issues __________________ 06 330i gry/blk everything but iWreck, nav & pdc carbon splitters, door trim, grill, roof spoiler CDV delete, B&M Short shifter, cyba scoops
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08-08-2007, 05:45 PM	#13
Ph0zenstone Major General 335 Rep 5,370 Posts Drives: 2018 530e X-Drive Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (74)	quisp....from the looks of it you used vinyl correct? the only problem with that is that you can clearly see a lining of vinyl there and its not pretty
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08-08-2007, 09:35 PM	#14
2007_E93 Captain 20 Rep 604 Posts Drives: ? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: ? iTrader: (0)	Dont sand it!! It will expose the metal underneath and then you are prone to rust! Recommended ways to deal with it are glue or live with some whitish areas around dots or try to reheat it after a few days and press it again with a cloth wrapped around a credit card. I think it is more of an issue on E90 and E92 as my E93 only has a small lip of about 1-1.5 cm of dots on all edges. Barely discernible. My tint guy did a nice job and said he didnt recommend glue as it would void the F1 Pinnacle lifetime warranty. Dont know if that was a line of BS or true but thats what he said. I happy with my tint but may try the reheat and credit card thing soon. Not a big deal on my car at least.
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08-13-2007, 08:30 PM	#15
Quisp Does not play well with others 81 Rep 1,787 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arizona iTrader: (4)	Actually They used dotrix and the only way the that you can see the edge of it as in the photos is if you use a flash in the back seat or if you are sitting in the back seat and looking up to the sky. Fro the outside of the car the transition is not noticeable. It may not appeal to everyone but it works for me.
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