[slammiam]

I need some advice. I have a 2011 335d. Had the windows tinted a couple of weeks ago, and now there are vertical scratches on every one. After some research, it appears the windows have two gaskets/squeegee's. One upper, one lower. Supposedly, the lower one ( inside the door ) has no felt and causes the scratches. I've been advised to install moleskin/felt, but was also told that it will eventually wear out. According to a couple of tint shops, they recommended completely removing the bottom gasket/squeegee. This seems like the best solution, however I'd like to know if there are any adverse effects related to the bottom gasket removal. Thanks for your input.

[chirp-1]

Mine is removed. Nothing adverse noted.

[Sidney]

I brought up this specific issue/concern with the guy who did my tint. He said "don't worry about it, you won't have a problem, and if you do, bring it back". I even had (have) the moleskin ready to go, just in case.

3 months later, he was right. Not a single scratch. Knock on wood.

[amarth1972]

My tint guy said the lower gasket needs to be removed or eventually (like when windows are dusty) you will get scratching, when I bought my CPO the previous owner had tint put on which had vertical scratches, dealer tried to pass it off as dirt, I made them remove the tint on the whole car or no deal, they did !!! Don't install felt, I did that on my old Mustang GT and it still got scratches...find a reputable shop that deals in BMWs alot.

[Dark_Knight_335]

This is exactly why I won't tint my car.

[BKap08]

when i got my tint done i noticed the same thing, went back to the shop and they told me most BMWs have an issue with the control arm of the window scratching the window film. I got a moleskin put on the front windows considering i wont need to roll down my rear windows as much. The shop also redid the windows for no charge. From now on always get moleskin when you tint ur car

[gds52]

Originally Posted by slammiam

I need some advice. I have a 2011 335d. Had the windows tinted a couple of weeks ago, and now there are vertical scratches on every one. After some research, it appears the windows have two gaskets/squeegee's. One upper, one lower. Supposedly, the lower one ( inside the door ) has no felt and causes the scratches. I've been advised to install moleskin/felt, but was also told that it will eventually wear out. According to a couple of tint shops, they recommended completely removing the bottom gasket/squeegee. This seems like the best solution, however I'd like to know if there are any adverse effects related to the bottom gasket removal. Thanks for your input.

I don't see this issue in my car. Isn't your tint scratch proof?

[rogerdiaz]

Same issues, have to pay for redo, got used to it

[ChuckBMW3]

Originally Posted by rogerdiaz

Same issues, have to pay for redo, got used to it

Same here. My scratching began almost immediately after the tint installation, and while it initially did bother me for a couple of weeks, I got used to it and haven't worried about it in years.

[-Look Sharp-]

Originally Posted by chirp-1

Mine is removed. Nothing adverse noted.

How did you go about removing the lower gasket/squeegee?

[328i M-Sport]

Originally Posted by Sidney

I brought up this specific issue/concern with the guy who did my tint. He said "don't worry about it, you won't have a problem, and if you do, bring it back". I even had (have) the moleskin ready to go, just in case.

3 months later, he was right. Not a single scratch. Knock on wood.

Same here. The shop tints multiple 3-series each month. The tinter says it is just a matter of using the right film, and the only cars where he had to trim the seal were Porsche SUV and sedan.

Originally Posted by slammiam

According to a couple of tint shops, they recommended completely removing the bottom gasket/squeegee. This seems like the best solution, however I'd like to know if there are any adverse effects related to the bottom gasket removal.

I haven't tinted mine yet either, but do have a roll of felt ready for if/when I decide to rip the door panel apart and install it.

As for the gasket, while researching the idea of completely removing it I found at least 1 or 2 cases where owners said that after removing their bottom gasket water made it's way past the first gasket and started to puddle at the bottom of the door; which resulted in mold and other nasty stuff. For that reason, there's no way I'm even considering that as a valid solution anymore.

[E90Company]

This is a common poblem. Like people have said, it's a gasket

[gds52]

I posted earlier also in this thread.
I dont see this issue in my car. I think it depends on tint quality.
I heard similar issues in Mitsu Lancer, I bought mine in 2008 and got it tinted, it was perfectly fine for next 3-4 years. No removal, no moleskin.
Similarly no scratch on my convertible, in which there is more window up-down rolling cuz of the roof.
Some tints are scratch proof and some are not. So make sure you get the scratch proof ones !!!

[insane79]

is this a common problem with the e90?

[luv135i]

First time it was tinted every window eas scratched, on the redo its been perfect for the last year still with no moleskin. Dont know why

[imsoleful]

No wonder the guy that tinted my car charged me extra $10 each window to put something in the door to prevent it from scratching . And since i have a sedan i had to pay $40! I thought it was BS at first... Then i guess hes right then. No scratches on windows

[jakuum]

Yea the scratches are annoying. Previous owner had the car tinted and when I bought it the tint was scratched to hell. I installed moleskin (although the driver's side did come off) and had the car re-tinted on Monday. Gonna be installing the driver side moleskin again tomorrow or Saturday and hope it stays on.

[AaronD81]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

I haven't tinted mine yet either, but do have a roll of felt ready for if/when I decide to rip the door panel apart and install it.

As for the gasket, while researching the idea of completely removing it I found at least 1 or 2 cases where owners said that after removing their bottom gasket water made it's way past the first gasket and started to puddle at the bottom of the door; which resulted in mold and other nasty stuff. For that reason, there's no way I'm even considering that as a valid solution anymore.

Since the tint and squeegee is on the interior side of the door, why are they having a problem with water? doesn't make sense to me.

[GThex]

Just happened to my E90, all doors!!!
My tint shop doesn't remove panels. Wish I would have known prior to paying.

[Garik]

Most of my cars were done with SunTek film that a lot of shops use here, and I can say I never had scratched windows on any of the cars. I think it depends on the film quality or manufacturer. I know SunTek is not expensive brand, but i find it good enough for me.

[Down_Shift]

Luckily I searched before posting about this topic. Have a appt Monday. Guy said $20/window extra due to BMW scratching. When he said that I immediately thought to myself this guy is full of sh,!t. Tried to explain he had to trim and place some padding in each door. Guess they know what's up. Got worried it was BMW tax getting played lol. Well still tax from owning a BMW haha.