Professor Wizard

I see a lot of posts now and again about problems with Window Tints Scratching.

THIS problem is very common with our S197 Mustangs because of the materials Ford used to construct the seals on our windows.

This thread is to discuss those problems and some resolutions.

PLEASE keep the posts specificaly to this topic, and keep the banter to a minimum as this is a TECH thread.

THANKS!

BlackPhantomGT

IMO, it seems the scratches are more apparent in dusty climates. The members who said they have had no scratches seem to mostly be from states that get rain. I live in Phoenix, AZ. It's very hot and dusty here. I had a severe case of scratched tint. I found no help from the dealer or the tint shops here.

There have been a number of fixes mentioned by members here on the forums, felt strips, velcro loops, moleskin. I searched for the felt strips and could only find a 12" sheets where I would have to cut strips and piece it together I really wanted something that was one long piece without seams. So I tried a self adhesive foam pipe insulation tape rated for 180 degrees, it seemed to be working until the glue smeared all over the window in the heat when the window went up and down. Had to use de-solv-it to get the glue off.

Someone has mentioned using the soft side of velcro, but I think it's too knappy and will trap large particles eventually and scratch the tint. Plus, the self adhesive type is too likely to fail in the heat. I used to make velcro speaker cable ties with it by sticking it back to back and it always smeared all over the cables from being stored in a box in the heat.

I currently have resolved my tint scratches (and have new tint) by using the automoleskin.com product. The glue has held up in the heat with only one minor slippage occurance on the drivers side. This happened a couple days after I installed it, but it has set in and hasn't moved since. I also have a friend who installed it a few weeks ago also and has had no problems with it. This is a very easy do-it-yourself fix and only takes about 15 minutes a side with most of that time spent carefully attaching the moleskin. The moleskin comes with instructions.

However, time will tell......

Airborneflyguy

WE SHOULD ALL CALL THIS NUMBER!!!

Have your vin number ready, that way they can see if it is a problem with all s197's or just certain batches.

The whole point of this thread is to make ford aware of this problem, or atleast to make them admit what they probably already know. Let's see if we can't get this put in a TSB so future mustangs don't have the same problem, and ours can be fixed under warranty...as it should be.

The best fix is the moleskin mentioned above. It runs about 30 bux, which isn't as cheap as the velcro or felt but you do get what you pay for...and of course you will have to re-tint.

Derf00

OEMs don't make TSB for aftermarket issues.

If the car didn't come equipped with factory tint, how is that fords problem? If you had it tinted at the dealer that would be the dealers problem or whomever tinted the glass for you.

Airborneflyguy

IT SCRATCHES THE GLASS ON SOME CARS WITHOUT TINT TOO!

Besides it is ford certified tint put on by the ford dealership. I can see that it is partially dealer responsibility but have you ever seen a car that scratches properly installed, manufacturer certified tint like this. How can that not be a flaw in design or material?

chrisc65

Dead link - this one works - http://www.automoleskin.com/ford.htm

Rrruss

I have some small scratches in the glass on the inside of my passenger side window.

You can feel the grooves with your fingernail as you run across them, they seem to be right where the door handle is.

TempleOfDog

I just ordered the moleskin online. They ship out their orders on mondays. Total with tax was 34.90

LAK3RS

I think It's Gay. I have an 06 S197 and I have 5% ALL THE WAY AROUND. My Back, and Quarter Windows are perfect, but my front two or Scratching BAD, and I also have a Conv. and the Driver window is having trouble coming up sometimes. I took it to my dealer and he said they would take a look at it on tomorrow. And more in likely It was Dirt getting in there. But I told him straight up that I didn't wanna have to get my mom involved with this (I'm 17), But they wouldnt really take me serious, and the car is only 3 months old. I was acting very polite and nice to him but he kept on saying it was my FAULT, because of dirt. O yeah I also told him bout the Molding kit thing but well see what happens. So I'll post tommorow To let yall all know whats up.

- LAK3RS

mongrull006

just remember, if they dont find anything that would be covered under warrenty then you will have to pay the labor for them to take your door panels off.

anyway, i really hope this gets resolved soon because i dont know how long i can deal with my tint scratched as badly as it is.

Ty