Factory Coating on Front Windows
 

Hi all; new to the forums. I just took my brand new car in to get the front windows tinted to match the back and apparently there's some sort of factory coating on them that you can't tint? The place I took it to just called and said they messed the window up and are now ordering me a replacement window. I haven't seen it yet & am sitting here trying to calm down before I go over there because I'm so mad. Now I feel like the window will never be right. Has anybody else run into this issue in trying to tint their windows? I have a 2019 NX300 F-Sport. If nothing else, maybe it'll save somebody else from having to go through this.

There was someone who just posted this question a day or two ago, seems like this is the case with the 2019 + Lexus nx, can not tint the front windows.

If it's a hydrophobic coating, I imagine that's applied to the outside. Most installers install tint by creating a pattern by using a razor on the outside to trim the tint to shape. Nicer shops use a plotter to cut out a pattern via software so no cutting ON the actual car glass is required. So if this issue is due to CUTTING the outside of the glass, then I would talk to a tint shop that does pre-cut patterns. You can also buy the pattern on eBay for around $30 or less and bring it to a shop and they can install it.

I can't imagine the glass needing a coating on the inside to repel water as it doesn't rain on the inside of the car. So I suspect the problem is as I outlined above.

As far as your car not being the same... i wouldn't worry as long as they're using a Lexus replacement glass. make sure it has the Lexus logo on it. It's just glass... not a big deal.

Front windows seem to have coating apparently
 

There is a UV coating on the inside of the front windows on the 2019 NX300. My folks just picked one up and the tint place I use was able to tint over it with no problem.
They did mess up the driver side window by scratching the coating, so they replaced the window with OEM Lexus part at their cost and finished the job. Apparently they can mess it up if they try to clean the inside of window with a razor blade not knowing there is a coating there

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...9f79e223e.jpeg
My car came out perfectly. My tint guy knew. They used a plastic razor vs metal for decontamination removal. This is xpel XR plus on all glass. 70% front windshield, 20% on front windows and sunroof and 35% on all the factory tinted glass. The film is rated the highest in heat rejection, this tint wasn’t cheap. But it’s done perfectly!

So, they just tinted over what came on the windows from the factory? Apparently, I live in an area where the tint people don't have a clue.

I think the different shades look nice. When I first took my Lexus in I had them put a different sade on each window so I could see what looked best but then just ended up leaving like that. But I guess it depends on the car you have like I also have a cargo van and dark tints all the way around are a must. That and soundproofing!

I do tint for a living, and I myself messed mine up at first...started cleaning the window like normal and scratched right thru the coating. It is actually on the inside. Took it to dealer to see about replacing the glass. But I wasn't willing to pay the price. Did some research and read that the coating can be removed. But, you have to do it dry. So, I went to work and scraped off the factory coating. When it is removed it looks a lot like smoke, but it's just dust. You probably shouldn't be breathing it, but I was going to remedy it somehow. Removed the coating and tinted like normal.

I wouldn't say SunTek film is BS and a dime a dozen. You do know it is made in EXACTLY the same place that Llumar and Formula One is made right? They are owned by the same company and merged a year ago. We use SunTek exclusively in our shop and have never had any problems with it. Your cars look nice by the way!

I finally got the courage up to try again. The shop just tinted over the existing tint. They did not use a razor blade to clean it first. I even put sticky notes on the windows not to use a razor blade just in case! I was super nervous. They turned out amazing.

I just had my front windows tinted at the local Lexus dealer. I figured whoever does their tinting has been doing hundreds of Lexuses.

What about the front windshield?
 

I see most people mentioned about the front windows, but does anyone happen to know about the front windshield on 2019 Lexus nx300 has the same kind of coating that cannot be tinted? I called a car tinting place they told me the windshield already has special coating on, they fear the tint might damage the coating, but when I call Lexus dealership and corporate no one can really confirm if there s a special coating on the windshield or if it can be tinted, ps the tint I’m trying to get is just a clear heat deduction tint.

NO coating on the windshield. It is only on the 2 roll down front windows. I tinted my windshield on my 2019 when I had it with no problem.

Streaks on tinted front 2 windows on Lexus suv
 

can you send me the link so i can learn how to remove the coating?

there is no link, you can google about it. But basically you take a dry scraper and simply scape the coating off until the window is clean. The coating comes off in dust form, so probably not something that should be inhaled. just make sure you get it all off and you should be good.

Just ran into this on my CPO 2019. Very frustrated and disappointed with Lexus on this. I use an add on armrest and have for 20 years. Guess what - the plastic part that goes into the window channel immediately scratched the coating. Whomever thought this idea up needs to quit thinking. My other Toyotas all had UV built into the glass. This "coating" apparently is not durable at all and not what I would expect on a luxury vehicle. I went back an covered the plastic piece with moleskin so I guess it will work but this coating is not a better idea than what every other car manufacturer seems to use

I’m going through this right now. The shop didn’t know about the factory tint but they decided to finish the tint and have me come back when the window replacement comes in. So I’m driving around with scratches/swirl marks you can easily see on the driver side.

I’m easy going and I get mistakes happen but I’m definitely annoyed. The NX is a 2021… had it less than a week and something is already being replaced.

At least it’s the OEM glass and a Lexus tech will be the one to install it.

I had my tint put on by a contractor our Lexus dealer uses regularly. I'm not sure what prep was done, but he never mentioned removing the original coating.

And this "coating" can be chipped. Unclipped the seat belt in a hurry and the metal part hit the window - which produced a chip. Either the
coating or the glass itself. In either case this window and the coating is a very poor choice

IR/UV Coating on Glass
 

There is a coating on these newer lexus's. There are tint shops that will tint them, and others that won't. The ones that will are in it for a buck. The ones that won't are saving you(the customer) and them(the company) any time wasted, extra costs of purchasing a new window in the imediate future, or replacement if window needs removal down the road. I say this because the coating is on the inside surface, easy to damage, by a tinter, detailer, auto glass installer, you. The fact is this coating is a terrible design flaw by the manufacturer and should not be on a surface that touched. Most tint places have run into this. If they choose not to tint, it isn't because they haven't a clue, it's because they wish not to lose money. Places that are successful in tinting it, are risking damaging this surface, if this film ever need removal removal because of damage to, or failure of tint, down the road. It's not if they might damage, it's they will damage it. The glue on the tint is aggressive enough to pull the coating off, during the removal, if they use steamer, or heat gun this also is a risky move, if they are successful in pulling film, but leave glue.... any chemical they use to remove glue can cause damage to coating, and if they resort to using a razor blade.......... well you already know what happens. I've been in the industry for over 25 years and the coating has been around a long time, but most manufacturers either eliminated or or put the coating between the glass. I'm sorry you experienced this, and I hope this hasn't tainted your opinion of this industry. Hope this helped. Have a good day.

we have XPEL XR on our NX (2021) with zero issues.

Have you tried to do anything with the window? IIRC XPEL is a window tint. Did they apply it over the coating or scrape the coating off before applying. I have scratches from rolling mineup and down with an armrest and no tint. And again this is a totally BAD choice by a luxury car company. Someone seems to have saved a couple of bucks by choosing a really cheap and unexpected solution.

There is a special coating on the inside. you can not take a razor blade to it or scrubber. if you are going to tint it, then you can only squeegee it out. the issue is if you ever have to remove it. you definitely want to use a steamer and hope all the adhesive come off with the film (which it usually doesn't with most films). I have been tinting for 29 years, and i do not recommend tinting these front door windows because of this. Its like a hard laminate that is factory installed on only the front 2 doors on the 2019 NX300 and The ES 350F. there are probably other vehicles, but i am not aware of them at this time. i usually look at the bottom corner of the glass, and it will usually say something on there. good luck

i 100% agree with Tintbeast !!! i am a tinter of 29 years and echo the same words as my fellow tinter.