I had the windows on my LS430 tinted. When I got the car back, I noticed a scratch about an inch long on the outside of my driver's window. I am sure that this scratch was not there before the tinting job.

Is it possible that the installer scratched the window during installation?

Is there anything I can do to reduce the visibility of the scratch? I know there is a special coating that was surely compromised by this scratch.

Please help! The scratch is right in my field of view and I see it every time I look out the window.

 

i am really sorry to hear this, i had the same problem when i tent mine too... i can't do anything about it. maybe if it's really anoy you try to treat it in some glass treating shop

 

If a tinter scratched your window like that, they were a terrible tinter and I'd wonder about the quality of the application and film.

Have you contacted them about this?

 

Yes, I contacted the tinter's manager. He is willing to replace the entire window eventhough the scratch is only about an inch long. I feel guilty having him replace the glass and wondered if there was a easier and cheap fix that would satisfy everyone.

 

You can go to the window replacement shop and ask them whether they can polish out the scratch. Usually they can do it if it weren't very deep of scratch.

 

What about the special coating that Lexus applies to the windows? Is there any aftermarket to reapply?

 

Ask the shop about the coating, IMO if the tint guy can scratch the window with just a razor blade, that does not say much about the coating at all. Then again, I do not know how deep/bad the scratch really is so I have no clue how it could have happened and if the coating did it's job of preventing a worse scratch.

 

Yes, a tinter CAN scratch a window. It's all about the type of metal blades they are using. If they are using a typical steel blade then it may (and sometimes does) scratch the glass when they do their cutout. If they are using a stainless blade it is rare that it will cut the glass.

It is there fault, however, it's not as difficut to do as some people may make it seam.

 

You shouldn't feel guilty about holding somebody accountable for a mistake they made. Take up the manager's offer to replace the window. You'll be happy when it's all done. Besides, if you don't do this, the tinter isn't taught that if he does scratch a window he has to pay for it.

Hold him accountable.