Yet another windshield tint issues post

[StellarWatt]

Hey guys, I need your input! I had XPEL tint installed on my windshield (new 2025 CT) by a highly recommended shop. I was upfront about wanting a clean, bubble-free install, and they assured me they’ve done tons of Cybertrucks with no issues. Unfortunately, it’s been reinstalled twice already due to defects, and I’m still seeing small lint bubbles on the sides and bottom, mostly visible from outside.


It’s bugging me, especially since I paid $800 for this. I get that the Cybertruck’s windshield is a pain the ar$e to tint perfectly, but I expected better for the price. I’m torn between asking for another redo, living with the minor bubbles, or having them remove it entirely (and maybe going elsewhere). I don’t want to be that client, but I’m not thrilled with the result.


What do you all think? Has anyone dealt with similar tint issues? Did you push for another redo or settle? I don’t wanna burn any bridges as the shop went above and beyond for me. Pics available if that’d help. Thanks for the advice!

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[hemiarch]

How long since the tint? It does tend to improve over the first week or so. I’d tell them exactly what you’re concerned about and tell them you’re going to wait a little while to see if the imperfections work themselves out and that you will bring it back if they don’t.

 

[StellarWatt]

It’s been one week.

 

[hemiarch]

It’s been one week.

I think anything that’s was going to resolve would probably have done that then.

 

[Dogger37]

My local shop is very well respected in the tint and wrap industry. They did my windshield three times due to a few very small imperfections with the first two installs. Each time they told me they were going to redo it because you paid for perfect. It’s the largest production windshield in a vehicle and very difficult to do. Nonetheless, if you’re not happy have them redo it. You paid to have your windshield tinted and it should be done perfectly.

 

[hemiarch]

My local shop is very well respected in the tint and wrap industry. They did my windshield three times due to a few very small imperfections with the first two installs. Each time they told me they were going to redo it because you paid for perfect. It’s the largest production windshield in a vehicle and very difficult to do. Nonetheless, if you’re not happy have them redo it. You paid to have your windshield tinted and it should be done perfectly.

Agree

 

[StellarWatt]

My local shop is very well respected in the tint and wrap industry. They did my windshield three times due to a few very small imperfections with the first two installs. Each time they told me they were going to redo it because you paid for perfect. It’s the largest production windshield in a vehicle and very difficult to do. Nonetheless, if you’re not happy have them redo it. You paid to have your windshield tinted and it should be done perfectly.

How did it come out the third time? I have sense majority of clients wouldn’t notice defects or won’t care enough to demand redo.

 

[Dogger37]

The third time it looks great. On the second removal they put a tiny scratch in the windshield removing the tint. They even offered to have a new windshield put in by Tesla. The scratch was so small even with tint over top of it you can barely see it. The last thing I wanted Tesla doing was cutting the windshield out of my brand new cyber truck. The shop refunded me the $1200 they charged for the tint along with putting the tint back down.

I would agree in most people these days wouldn’t notice and don’t care. If a fly shits on something I notice haha!

 

[RayzorBEV]

Hey guys, I need your input! I had XPEL tint installed on my windshield (new 2025 CT) by a highly recommended shop. I was upfront about wanting a clean, bubble-free install, and they assured me they’ve done tons of Cybertrucks with no issues. Unfortunately, it’s been reinstalled twice already due to defects, and I’m still seeing small lint bubbles on the sides and bottom, mostly visible from outside.


It’s bugging me, especially since I paid $800 for this. I get that the Cybertruck’s windshield is a pain the ar$e to tint perfectly, but I expected better for the price. I’m torn between asking for another redo, living with the minor bubbles, or having them remove it entirely (and maybe going elsewhere). I don’t want to be that client, but I’m not thrilled with the result.


What do you all think? Has anyone dealt with similar tint issues? Did you push for another redo or settle? I don’t wanna burn any bridges as the shop went above and beyond for me. Pics available if that’d help. Thanks for the advice!

Every one of my windshield (5 total, 6th being done as I write this; $1000 for STEK NEX+ on my Beast's windshield) tinting suffers from similar defects from various reputable installers. It is nearly impossible to be 100 defect free. I just live with them.

 

[JUSTICEQD]

Hey guys, I need your input! I had XPEL tint installed on my windshield (new 2025 CT) by a highly recommended shop. I was upfront about wanting a clean, bubble-free install, and they assured me they’ve done tons of Cybertrucks with no issues. Unfortunately, it’s been reinstalled twice already due to defects, and I’m still seeing small lint bubbles on the sides and bottom, mostly visible from outside.


It’s bugging me, especially since I paid $800 for this. I get that the Cybertruck’s windshield is a pain the ar$e to tint perfectly, but I expected better for the price. I’m torn between asking for another redo, living with the minor bubbles, or having them remove it entirely (and maybe going elsewhere). I don’t want to be that client, but I’m not thrilled with the result.


What do you all think? Has anyone dealt with similar tint issues? Did you push for another redo or settle? I don’t wanna burn any bridges as the shop went above and beyond for me. Pics available if that’d help. Thanks for the advice!

If they're professional, they wouldn't be happy with the result either. They wouldn't make you feel like "that client". I'd bring it in and have them take a look considering the number of imperfections. They should offer to re-do. I'd just be accommodating with the reschedule.

When I had my FSCB wrapped in PPF, there was some misalignment with the "foundation" lettering. I stopped in and whilst there, the wrap manager came back to me and asked if he could keep it for a few days to re-wrap the left and front completely. Apparently, he wasn't happy with a few things. I was shocked - i thought other than the lettering it was perfect.

 

[REM]

personally, I would be ok with imperfections so long as it isn't directly in the primary view of the driver. I'd be willing to say that it's virtually impossible to tint this huge windshield without some sort of flaw somewhere.

When you buy TVs or monitors, their warranty only covers a threshold of dead pixels. Same thing applies here I think. Give yourself a little while longer to simmer on it, and I think over a little more time you will get over the "pristine new tint" sensation.

p.s. - I definitely understand the wanting for perfection when you spend 1K on something.

 

[hemiarch]

Went back and looked at your pics closely again. I changed my mind. I think if you redo it you’ll likely end up with different imperfections.
What I’d do is tell them you understand it’s never going to be perfect and ask if they’d be willing to let one of their most experienced people spend a little time seeing if there is anything that can be done to improve it.
Sometimes I’ve seen them make pinholes and use heat sparingly to address small defects like this. If they genuinely go after the imperfections like it’s a car that belongs to them, it will improve. I’d probably live with the rest.
if they are as good of a shop as reputation supports, they shouldn’t have any issue with that.

 

[MiamiPokerGuy]

I had mine done 2 weeks ago in a local Florida shop with good rep but not super high end cars/clients . LLumar CTX tint and don't see any imperfections. Only paid $715 for windshield and 4 side windows plus small triangles in front. At first there was some distortion but after a week in the Florida sun that seems to have gone or is no longer as noticeable.

 

[hemiarch]

Tough call. I see why you posted the question.

 

[Cybertruck Dude]

Hey guys, I need your input! I had XPEL tint installed on my windshield (new 2025 CT) by a highly recommended shop. I was upfront about wanting a clean, bubble-free install, and they assured me they’ve done tons of Cybertrucks with no issues. Unfortunately, it’s been reinstalled twice already due to defects, and I’m still seeing small lint bubbles on the sides and bottom, mostly visible from outside.


It’s bugging me, especially since I paid $800 for this. I get that the Cybertruck’s windshield is a pain the ar$e to tint perfectly, but I expected better for the price. I’m torn between asking for another redo, living with the minor bubbles, or having them remove it entirely (and maybe going elsewhere). I don’t want to be that client, but I’m not thrilled with the result.


What do you all think? Has anyone dealt with similar tint issues? Did you push for another redo or settle? I don’t wanna burn any bridges as the shop went above and beyond for me. Pics available if that’d help. Thanks for the advice!

Definitely take it back, any good Shop doesn’t want to have a customer that’s going to not recommend them. I have no bubbles, in any of my windows. They did an amazing job on my cyber truck. Also my shop has a lifetime warranty. They would fix anything at any time even five years later he fixed the window on one of my cars cause it started to peel. That’s exactly why I go back to him and recommend him to everybody I know.

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