When a narrow strip along the top of a roll-down window looks darker than the tint below it, the exposed portion of the film may have faded while the section normally hidden inside the upper window gasket retained more of its original color.

We recently inspected this exact problem on a 2016 Dodge Charger. The tint was approximately two years old, had been installed by another shop and had severely faded across all four doors. Once the passenger window was lowered, a dark strip became clearly visible along the top edge.

On this Charger, the darker strip was not evidence of a second tint percentage. It was the portion of the existing film that had retained substantially more of its original dark appearance while the exposed section below it had severely faded.

When a roll-down window is fully closed, a small section of glass remains inside the upper window channel. On this Charger, that protected section was approximately half an inch or less.

Although that part of the window can be exposed whenever the glass is lowered, it normally spends considerably more time shielded inside the gasket. The remaining film stays exposed to sunlight and heat whenever the vehicle is outside.

Over time, the exposed section of this particular film lost much of its original dark color. The section normally protected inside the gasket retained a darker black appearance.

Rolling the window down revealed a sharp difference between the two sections:

• The top edge remained noticeably darker.
• The exposed film had developed a purple-blue color.
• Much of the original darkness had disappeared.
• There was no bubbling or peeling.

The straight line across the top of the glass corresponded with the section that normally rests inside the upper window gasket.

The customer told us that the tint was approximately two years old and had not been installed by Dope Tintings.

Although the photographs focus on the front passenger window, the same problem was visible on all four roll-down windows. The film on the rear window had faded almost completely clear.

This widespread deterioration indicated that the problem was not simply dirt, a reflection or an isolated defect on one window. The film had experienced substantial color loss throughout the vehicle.

The exposed portions faded from their original dark-black appearance toward purple and eventually nearly clear. The protected top edges provided a visible reference for how the film looked before that deterioration occurred.

Two years is also important context. We cannot identify the original film brand or determine every factor that contributed to the failure, but this was severe deterioration for film reported to be approximately two years old.

If your tint has also developed a purple color, our guide explaining <u>why automotive window tint turns purple</u> covers additional causes and warning signs.

Not necessarily.

On this Charger, the darker band did not mean another installer intentionally applied a second shade along the top. It was the portion of the existing film that retained more of its original color because it normally sat inside the upper window channel.

The faded section below it had become so much lighter that the protected edge looked like a different tint percentage when the window was lowered.

Lighting and reflections can also temporarily make one part of a window appear darker. However, a consistent horizontal strip that follows the depth of the upper gasket, especially when it appears across multiple roll-down windows, can be a strong sign of uneven fading.

If the tint is new, a darker-looking area may have a different explanation. New installations can temporarily show moisture, haze or other curing-related changes. Tint that has already changed from black to purple and nearly clear should be professionally inspected.

Once automotive window film has severely faded or changed color, its original appearance cannot be restored by cleaning or polishing it.

The failed film must be removed if the owner wants clear glass or plans to have the vehicle tinted again. New film should not simply be installed over severely faded tint.

This Charger’s owner was preparing to trade in the vehicle and chose to have all four door windows and the rear window removed without installing replacement film.

This customer traveled from nearby Gloucester City, New Jersey, to our Pennsauken shop for complete tint removal.

Removal pricing for four doors and a rear window currently starts at:

Because of the condition of the film, removing the tint from this Charger cost $174.99.

The starting price is not a guaranteed price for every vehicle. Tint-removal costs can vary depending on the film’s condition, deterioration, adhesive and the amount of labor required.

That is why Dope Tintings asks customers to bring the vehicle to our shop before we provide an exact removal quote. Seeing the tint in person allows us to evaluate what is happening and determine the work involved.

If your tint is fading, turning purple or leaving a dark strip along the top edge, Dope Tintings provides professional <u>Window Tint Removal in South Jersey</u> from our Pennsauken, NJ location.

Call 856-577-4119 with your vehicle’s year, make and model to arrange an in-person tint-removal evaluation.