The Rear Screen Tinting Film is bubbling up

[FreddyB]

The film on my car's rear screen is bubbling up which is seriously obscuring the rear view.

I bought the car in 2017 second hand so unsure of any customer added options/changes to the standard spec.

Is the film part of the Standard build spec and is this a common issue please?

 

[zipdip]

Well best to just peel the film off and clean the rear screen,then buy some more and stick it on,I suggest that the car did not come with film.

 

[whitenemesis]

Is the film part of the Standard build spec and is this a common issue please?

Factory fitted tints would be glass not film, so previous owner had it applied. Be careful if you try and remove it as it may damage the screen heating elements. I would recommend getting a professional to do it.

 

[vijilants]

You cant just peel this stuff off and please don't try to just peel it off.....you need to apply heat to it. I suggest as per above, take it to a car window tint specialist and have it retinted. Plenty of them around.

 

[FreddyB]

Thanks for the advice guys - I'll find an 'expert' to take on the risk.

Out of interest - would the heating element be cast into the glass?

 

[whitenemesis]

The elements are 'printed' onto the surface of the glass, making it possible to break the circuit. One sometimes sees a strip of frosted/misted screen where this has happen. One can buy conductive paint to repair though

 

[Petrol Pete]

And don't forget on some MB cars what looks like heated window 'wire' is actually radio antennae.

 

[FreddyB]

The elements are 'printed' onto the surface of the glass, making it possible to break the circuit. One sometimes sees a strip of frosted/misted screen where this has happen. One can buy conductive paint to repair though

Understood - In days gone by I recall 'stick-on' heating elements being available - today's production techniques don't appear to have overcome the issue of elements being damaged by inadvertent surface scratches. I reasoned that mass production techniques could perhaps allow protection for the elements, if fused into the glass, without interfering with opacity. I'll have to run a finger nail over the film to feel if the element is raised and thus is, as you suggest, printed/applied to the surface.

Thx