Alright so I had this bottle of Rain-X glass cleaner that said "Automotive Strength" and "Safe for tinted windows" right on the bottle. So I used it on my tinted windows, and it seems to have ruined the tint. At first I thought maybe it was cleaning off a layer of smoke haze or something but even after wiping it down with a water-moistened paper towel it still wouldn't come off. Now the entire window is smudgey, and I was wondering if there was a way to fix it? Is there some kind of tinted window treatment I can get, or will time make it go away? I was planning on getting new tint eventually but not this soon, I was hoping to save up for better things such as a FSTB and RSB and some other suspension related stuff.

Anyone ever have this happen to them, or have any tips?

 

Maybe use some product that you know works well to see if that takes some of it away?????
I really don't know for sure...

 

Well first off go back to the store you bought the bottle from and shove it up their aess and demand a re-fund! and second, do what he said^^^

 

Rain-x is basicall wax right? Try maybe washing it with Dawn.

 

well the original rain-x that u use on your windshield is probably like a wax, but I'm pretty sure what I was using was just a regular Windex-like glass cleaner. but I'll try the dawn thing, if not I'll hafta get some amonia-free Windex or something.

 

Next time, just use water and then wax the windows...yes wax...it turns out GREAT everytime i do it.

 

You mean like the Turtle variety?

 

Ok I just noticed on the bottle of Rain-x is has an expiration date. It's 2/14/05. First of all, I didn't know glass-cleaner could go bad. Secondly, would that even make a difference if it was that old?

 

There's a reason the mfg. puts an expiration date on it's product.
Perhaps you found out what the reason is.

Seriously, try to clean the windows with a good automotive window cleaner, safe for tint of course. Hopefully you just have a film, not damage.

 

I used to use windex sparingly on my tint and it never affected it.

 

was yours factory or after-market?
I'm pretty sure my tint on that one window is effectively ruined, I've tried a couple times just wiping it down with a damp paper towel and it seems to just make it worse. there's little flakes of film coming off the window now. Good thing the summer is over! I won't hafta worry too much about getting new tint till next spring. Guess I'll check the expiration date next time before I use anything on my car ..... stupid shelf life bein' all short and crappy lol

 

^^^^^^^You could always just tint that one window again. Even if you used cheap tint for a temporary thing. But I don't really know how hard or easy it is to take off tint and put new on. Something to look into...
LIke you said, you can always live with it until next spring...

 

I would call up Rain X and complain , and take come pics to show them,

maybe they will reimburse you for the tints, worth a try.

 

just curious, butwhy were you applying rain-x to the inside windows to begin with, being under the impression that the tint is on the interior glass....if i can help try some vinegar mixed with water...heard that its good for tints somewhere in a post

 

sorry, "glass cleaner", duh