Rear Window Tint - Headlights Reflecting off Defroster Lines?

[SabrToothSqrl]

I had my Model S rear windows and rear glass tinted.
It looked great, and I thought would help with bright lights behind me at night.
What actually happened was I'd get horrible reflections that almost amplified the problem.

So, before I consider tinting my 3.... is this 'normal'? can it be fixed?

The photo isn't mine, but it's the same issue.

thanks!


Alternatively, does anyone sell a cutout of tint that fits the rear view mirror? Or just hit up walmart and cut to size?

 

[Leeclanual]

Unfortunately can’t be fixed...

If the defroster elements were embedded within the glass (like a heated windshield on most high end vehicles) you wouldn’t see any distortion with tint. Unfortunately with raised heated elements like M3 the tint placed on top will cause some distortion (more pronounced at night).

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Fudge.

 

[EVS Motors]

Totally normal.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Double Fudge.

 

[Big Earl]

I have this issue in the 3 with no tint. In my experience, it always gets worse after adding tint.

 

[Glamisduner]

the tint goes over the defroster lines, and creates this reflection. Mine does the same thing.

 

[glide]

Totally normal.

...for Tesla. Not normal for any comparably priced vehicles.

 

[EVS Motors]

...for Tesla. Not normal for any comparably priced vehicles.

A few other factors come into play whether or not this "phenomenon" (as some people may call it) is more apparent than others. Angle of rear window, defroster lines (design, spacing, thickness), shape of the window, etc.

 

[Glamisduner]

A few other factors come into play whether or not this "phenomenon" (as some people may call it) is more apparent than others. Angle of rear window, defroster lines (design, spacing, thickness), shape of the window, etc.

tint shop told me defrost lines on 3's are not consistent either, some are thicker than others. Mine had thick defrost lines.

 

[ZERO260]

Purchase the rear window screen. It works really well diffusing light and glare.

 

[EVS Motors]

tint shop told me defrost lines on 3's are not consistent either, some are thicker than others. Mine had thick defrost lines.

I never measured the defroster lines, but I wouldn't be too surprised. The edges of the windows are ridiculously inconsistent. Some look like a beaver chewed them off.

 

[jkoya]

What actually happened was I'd get horrible reflections that almost amplified the problem.

I was planning on getting tint for my Model 3, but that would definitely be distracting to me. I've had about 9 cars tinted and I've never seen the reflection from defroster lines like in the attached pic.

 

[Glamisduner]

I was planning on getting tint for my Model 3, but that would definitely be distracting to me. I've had about 9 cars tinted and I've never seen the reflection from defroster lines like in the attached pic.

Yep it's a bit annoying Still prefer the tint though, cuts blinding headlights, keeps the car cool, and looks better too. Some people only tint the side windows though, so you could do that.

 

[jkoya]

Some people only tint the side windows though, so you could do that.

Cool - Thanks !! That would be a good solution for me, as I still want tint.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Purchase the rear window screen. It works really well diffusing light and glare.

I'm not familiar with this product. Link?

thanks

 

[YisSerL]

I'm not familiar with this product. Link?

thanks

I think he is referring to this:

Model 3 Glass Roof Sunshade

 

[YisSerL]

Cool - Thanks !! That would be a good solution for me, as I still want tint.

That is exactly what I did. I was debating to tint the rear window from a different shop (The one that tint my side window didn't have film large enough to do it in one piece)

Maybe I'll just leave it alone for now.

 

[Leeclanual]

I’d pass on any tiny shop that is unable to tint the rear window with one piece.

 

[YisSerL]

Purchase the rear window screen. It works really well diffusing light and glare.

Maybe a dumb question. You just leave the rear window screen installed all the time while driving? Or it is suppose to be installed only when parked?