Tint shop suggests removing lower gasket instead of adding felt?

DigiSage · 09-22-2009, 02:03 PM

I just spoke to a local tint shop and asked if their installation includes adding felt to the window gaskets, to avoid scratching, and they said that (for my car anyway) they suggest removing the lower gasket completely instead of adding felt to it, because the felt can come off and cause problems and that the lower gasket isn't really needed anyway.

My question for you guys is, if the lower gasket isn't really needed, why did BMW bother putting it in in the first place? What do you think? Should I go along with what they say?

shark330i · 09-22-2009, 02:20 PM

many, many posts on this. search it and you'll find your answers,,,,and then some!

DigiSage · 09-22-2009, 02:30 PM

Believe me, I tried, a lot. I didn't find a direct answer to the above question, however. If you manage to, I would be happy to read it.

DigiSage · 09-22-2009, 03:25 PM

I'll rephrase my question: has anyone had any problems caused by removing the lower window gasket, as opposed to simply putting Tint Protector on it or something like that?

MuchMoore · 09-22-2009, 04:16 PM

My local tint shop said the same thing...just to cut it off.

Rosetta Stoned · 09-22-2009, 04:29 PM

So I thought the front door has 2 pieces where the top is felted and bottom can be cutoff. The rear door however has no felt (my understanding) so would have to be felted or cutoff the whole gasket? Just curious.... I'll be applying tintprotector to mine this weekend and be able to verify.

DigiSage · 09-22-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosetta Stoned

So I thought the front door has 2 pieces where the top is felted and bottom can be cutoff. The rear door however has no felt (my understanding) so would have to be felted or cutoff the whole gasket? Just curious.... I'll be applying tintprotector to mine this weekend and be able to verify.

Excellent question - I'd love to know

VTECaddict · 09-22-2009, 04:53 PM

BMW like to switch up parts just for the hell of it. My front doors had felt on both the upper and lower gaskets. My rear doors had felt on the upper but not on the lower.

If you have felt on the upper, then you can just cut off the lower one. If you have felt on both, then leave it alone obviously. If you DON'T have felt on both, then you should add felt or jusr have the tinter pull the whole gasket out and leave it out.

VanM3Lover · 09-22-2009, 08:48 PM

What's the consequence of removing the gaskets?

Rosetta Stoned · 09-24-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanM3Lover

What's the consequence of removing the gaskets?

Some say extra wind noise. I don't know personally if it would make any difference.

DigiSage · 09-24-2009, 11:33 PM

Well, it's been about 24 hours since I had llumar air blue 80 installed on every piece of glass except the windshield. They removed the lower gaskets and so far I haven't noticed any increase in wind noise or any other problems. So far so good!

npinibir2 · 09-24-2009, 11:47 PM

I had windows scratches on all for windows. BMW's fix, removed the window seal. WHAT? are you kidding me? when the windows are rolled down, you can see inside the door. Not only it looks like crap, now there is a good chance that something falls in there. I have kids and it won't take long before they drop a piece of lego or a penny in there. Also, dust can build up in there and possibly cause problems later on.

Needless to say, that seal is there for a reason and not just for looks. It shouldn't damage the tint if the seal is not faulty. I filed a complaint about the dealership for falsifying the work order. They stated that they removed the window seal and modified the window seal. Why modify when you're not gonna put it back on.

Craig@SupremePower · 09-25-2009, 12:51 AM

hmmmmm

Legato2057 · 09-25-2009, 08:57 AM

I never had this problem when I got my tint installed...

npinibir2 · 09-25-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legato2057

I never had this problem when I installed my tint installed...

I also have an 07 335 and the tint is scratch free from day one. Yes, I roll down the windows.

Also, I think this only happens with the 328 model

npinibir2 · 09-26-2009, 01:16 PM

Well, just got back from the dealer to show them what crappy job they did with the scratching repair. I am posting 2 more pics that we discovered today. I am so fckn done with this people. Already consulted with a lawyer. I just can't believe they gave me the car back looking like this.

outofmoney · 09-26-2009, 08:08 PM

I am with you. That looks like crap.
Good luck.

VTECaddict · 09-26-2009, 09:12 PM

A lawyer? Seriously?

I'm not saying that it's acceptable for them to hand over your car like that, but that can be easily fixed in 5 minutes or less.

npinibir2 · 09-27-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

A lawyer? Seriously?

I'm not saying that it's acceptable for them to hand over your car like that, but that can be easily fixed in 5 minutes or less.

well, that is just one of the problems. bought this car brand new certainly didn't expect to go back and forth the dealership about 7 times now.

The vibration and droning is still a problem.
AC already had to be recharged.
Lifters needs to be replaced.
window scratching and the crappy service was just the icing on the cake. When they tell you that they removed and installed the window seal and found out that all they did was remove it, you might be able to relate to what is going through my head. This is on top of the other BS that they have been feeding me and the problem is still not resolved. When is enough, I bought a freaking brand spankin new car, I should get a brand new car. Trouble free for a few years. If I had known, I would have bought a used car and pay less. You get what you pay for.

The magnusson-moss warranty act is there to protect consumer. One of the reason you buy a brand new vehicle is for safety, dependability and reliability. Not only it is a brand new car, it is a pretty pricey car and you should get nothing but the ultimate.

My visit to the dealership is not even done yet. The problem still exist.

I forgot to mention, they didn't fix this in 5 minutes, it still looks like this because the door panel won't snap back in, they have to order parts.

FastLane · 09-27-2009, 12:10 PM

Removing any gasket or containment material (felt) may and most likely will cause an increase in wind noise. In the removed direction, you will hear turbulence or a flutter of some sort, at worst a high frequency whistle, and possible only at certain speed/directions. Can be annoying.

If your vehicles is tinted by a professional and they did not use tintfoil, err tin-foil, you will be fine.

DigiSage · 09-27-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastLane

Removing any gasket or containment material (felt) may and most likely will cause an increase in wind noise. In the removed direction, you will hear turbulence or a flutter of some sort, at worst a high frequency whistle, and possible only at certain speed/directions. Can be annoying.

If your vehicles is tinted by a professional and they did not use tintfoil, err tin-foil, you will be fine.

Wrong.

As I posted earlier, I had the lower gaskets removed. at 5MPH up to 130MPH and every speed in between, there has been absolutely ZERO difference in wind noise, vibration, whistling, whatever. As in: there was none of this before, and there is none now.

I've had quite enough of people speculating about what will happen. Can we hear only from people who have ACTUALLY had it done?

Rosetta Stoned · 09-28-2009, 05:14 PM

Update to my previous post: I installed tintprotector moleskin yesterday. Had to remove the door panels but it wasn't very hard. I found that my 2007 335i front door gaskets already had factory felt on both upper and lower parts! The rears had only the top part factory felt so had to apply moleskin to the larger bottom part.

Notes from installation that may help others:
- Use a plastic tool to remove panels to avoid scratches.
- Remove the wood trim piece first, then the handle trim.
- After the door panel is off, gather up all the thin black o-rings from the door and put them on the panel clips so they won't fall off when you're trying to position the panel back on.
- Use scotch tape when done applying tintprotector to clean up the felts prior to reinstalling

09-22-2009, 02:03 PM	#1
DigiSage First Lieutenant 143 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albany, New York Metropolitan Area iTrader: (0)	Tint shop suggests removing lower gasket instead of adding felt? I just spoke to a local tint shop and asked if their installation includes adding felt to the window gaskets, to avoid scratching, and they said that (for my car anyway) they suggest removing the lower gasket completely instead of adding felt to it, because the felt can come off and cause problems and that the lower gasket isn't really needed anyway. My question for you guys is, if the lower gasket isn't really needed, why did BMW bother putting it in in the first place? What do you think? Should I go along with what they say?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-22-2009, 02:20 PM	#2
shark330i Private First Class 4 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 2008 335i; Jet Black Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: bradenton, fl iTrader: (1)	many, many posts on this. search it and you'll find your answers,,,,and then some!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-22-2009, 02:30 PM	#3
DigiSage First Lieutenant 143 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albany, New York Metropolitan Area iTrader: (0)	Believe me, I tried, a lot. I didn't find a direct answer to the above question, however. If you manage to, I would be happy to read it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-22-2009, 03:25 PM	#4
DigiSage First Lieutenant 143 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albany, New York Metropolitan Area iTrader: (0)	I'll rephrase my question: has anyone had any problems caused by removing the lower window gasket, as opposed to simply putting Tint Protector on it or something like that?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-22-2009, 04:16 PM	#5
MuchMoore Colonel 82 Rep 2,325 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CenFla iTrader: (28)	My local tint shop said the same thing...just to cut it off. __________________ \| Andrew \| M Technik \| BMW Performance \| BBS \| Forge \| V1 \| LUX \| Bilstein \| Precision-Sport \|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-22-2009, 04:29 PM	#6
Rosetta Stoned Second Lieutenant 99 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 2022 M3, 2023 X3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (2) Garage List 2023 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00]	So I thought the front door has 2 pieces where the top is felted and bottom can be cutoff. The rear door however has no felt (my understanding) so would have to be felted or cutoff the whole gasket? Just curious.... I'll be applying tintprotector to mine this weekend and be able to verify.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-22-2009, 04:53 PM	#8
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	BMW like to switch up parts just for the hell of it. My front doors had felt on both the upper and lower gaskets. My rear doors had felt on the upper but not on the lower. If you have felt on the upper, then you can just cut off the lower one. If you have felt on both, then leave it alone obviously. If you DON'T have felt on both, then you should add felt or jusr have the tinter pull the whole gasket out and leave it out. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-22-2009, 08:48 PM	#9
VanM3Lover First Lieutenant 20 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 4.0 V8 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Van iTrader: (0)	What's the consequence of removing the gaskets?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2009, 11:33 PM	#11
DigiSage First Lieutenant 143 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albany, New York Metropolitan Area iTrader: (0)	Well, it's been about 24 hours since I had llumar air blue 80 installed on every piece of glass except the windshield. They removed the lower gaskets and so far I haven't noticed any increase in wind noise or any other problems. So far so good!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2009, 11:47 PM	#12
npinibir2 Private First Class 6 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Henderson, NV iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	I had windows scratches on all for windows. BMW's fix, removed the window seal. WHAT? are you kidding me? when the windows are rolled down, you can see inside the door. Not only it looks like crap, now there is a good chance that something falls in there. I have kids and it won't take long before they drop a piece of lego or a penny in there. Also, dust can build up in there and possibly cause problems later on. Needless to say, that seal is there for a reason and not just for looks. It shouldn't damage the tint if the seal is not faulty. I filed a complaint about the dealership for falsifying the work order. They stated that they removed the window seal and modified the window seal. Why modify when you're not gonna put it back on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-25-2009, 12:51 AM	#13
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1001 Rep 74,998 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	hmmmmm
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-25-2009, 08:57 AM	#14
Legato2057 First Lieutenant 14 Rep 394 Posts Drives: 2008 monaco blue e90 335i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	I never had this problem when I got my tint installed... __________________ 2008 Monaco Blue/Tan interior 335i sedan. Mods: AFE intake w/ scoops, AFE Exhaust, ER FMIC, Koni FSD/Eibcach Pro-Kit, Breyton Race GTS wheels w/ Continental ExtremeContact DW tires, Cusco OS strut bar. BavAuto Black/Beige seat covers w/ black floor mats, M3 rep trunk lip, eBay front splitters. Last edited by Legato2057; 09-27-2009 at 12:33 AM.. Reason: clarity
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-26-2009, 01:16 PM	#16
npinibir2 Private First Class 6 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Henderson, NV iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Well, just got back from the dealer to show them what crappy job they did with the scratching repair. I am posting 2 more pics that we discovered today. I am so fckn done with this people. Already consulted with a lawyer. I just can't believe they gave me the car back looking like this. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-26-2009, 08:08 PM	#17
outofmoney New Member 7 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 335d on order Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	I am with you. That looks like crap. Good luck. __________________ 2009 335d Space Grey/Chestnut Brown
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-26-2009, 09:12 PM	#18
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	A lawyer? Seriously? I'm not saying that it's acceptable for them to hand over your car like that, but that can be easily fixed in 5 minutes or less. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-27-2009, 12:10 PM	#20
FastLane Live life in this lane.... 13 Rep 327 Posts Drives: E92 335xi Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chi-Town, USA iTrader: (0)	Removing any gasket or containment material (felt) may and most likely will cause an increase in wind noise. In the removed direction, you will hear turbulence or a flutter of some sort, at worst a high frequency whistle, and possible only at certain speed/directions. Can be annoying. If your vehicles is tinted by a professional and they did not use tintfoil, err tin-foil, you will be fine. __________________ '08 E92 335xi: the girlfriend '04 Yamaha R6: the mistress '99 Mustang Cobra: the wife
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-28-2009, 05:14 PM	#22
Rosetta Stoned Second Lieutenant 99 Rep 254 Posts Drives: 2022 M3, 2023 X3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (2) Garage List 2023 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2022 BMW M3 Competi ... [0.00]	Update to my previous post: I installed tintprotector moleskin yesterday. Had to remove the door panels but it wasn't very hard. I found that my 2007 335i front door gaskets already had factory felt on both upper and lower parts! The rears had only the top part factory felt so had to apply moleskin to the larger bottom part. Notes from installation that may help others: - Use a plastic tool to remove panels to avoid scratches. - Remove the wood trim piece first, then the handle trim. - After the door panel is off, gather up all the thin black o-rings from the door and put them on the panel clips so they won't fall off when you're trying to position the panel back on. - Use scotch tape when done applying tintprotector to clean up the felts prior to reinstalling
	Appreciate 0 Quote