where is the Tint?

[robert n]

I recently worked on 2 Honda Accords (1990 and 2009) with the "factory windshields" with the tint on the top of the windshield....is it called the Shade Band? Note: there is no tint film or any kind on the glass. Both breaks were Combination breaks which filled successfully. However, when viewing the breaks from the inside of the vehicle, the breaks were clear and no longer tinted. From the outside, it is hard to see the repair. Where is the tint? In the Glass (inside outside) or in the PVB? ...I did use heat from a torch on the inside during the repairs. Is this the results I should expect?

[Brent Deines]

The dark shade band at the top of the windshield is in the PVB.

[robert n]

The dark shade band at the top of the windshield is in the PVB.

Brent,
then after doing the repair...should the repaired area be still tinted?

Thanks in advance for your response.

-Robert

[screenman]

When a break occurs in the dark area or top tint as we know it over here the PVB will bleach back clear when air and moisture gets to it, I think on closer inspection you may have found the area was clear before you started the repair. We often do not spend enough time inspecting before carrying out repairs and find delamination afterward. I have also found dry out solutions can also effect the PVB which is why I stopped using them.

I sell repairs on the principal of returning the structual strength, the cosmetic improvement is a bonus, which of course must be there for it to be a strong repair.

Nothing to my knowledge that you could have done about it.

[CV Windshield Repair]

You will find that the longer the break has been there the greater chance that the shade will be bleached out for the reasons stated earlier. So if the break is fresh then chances are good that after the repair has been done there will be no fading of the tint.

[Brent Deines]

The dark shade band at the top of the windshield is in the PVB.

Brent,
then after doing the repair...should the repaired area be still tinted?

Thanks in advance for your response.

-Robert

It depends on the extent of the damage, but it's not unusual to have a lighter color in the repaired area of the shade band when looking from the inside out. Some technicians find that using a colored resin minimizes discoloration but again, because the dark color is in the PVB, how much improvement you will see depends on the severity of the damage. Personally I just explain to the customer that there will be some discoloration in that area as I've not found colored resins to be all that effective, but I do stock a few different colors of resin for those who prefer it. Regardless of your preference the important thing is to properly set the customers’ expectations "before" you start the repair, emphasizing the difference between cosmetic expectations and structural integrity expectations.

The good news is that from the outside the customer often can't find the repair.

screenman and CV have valid points as well.

[screenman]

Brents points help highlight the reason to carry out a full and proper inspection of the damage, prior to explaining to the customer what the likely outcome of the repair will be. Certainly I am guilty of the cursory glance and then open the tool box.

[robert n]

The dark shade band at the top of the windshield is in the PVB.

Brent,
then after doing the repair...should the repaired area be still tinted?

Thanks in advance for your response.

-Robert

It depends on the extent of the damage, but it's not unusual to have a lighter color in the repaired area of the shade band when looking from the inside out. Some technicians find that using a colored resin minimizes discoloration but again, because the dark color is in the PVB, how much improvement you will see depends on the severity of the damage. Personally I just explain to the customer that there will be some discoloration in that area as I've not found colored resins to be all that effective, but I do stock a few different colors of resin for those who prefer it. Regardless of your preference the important thing is to properly set the customers’ expectations "before" you start the repair, emphasizing the difference between cosmetic expectations and structural integrity expectations.

The good news is that from the outside the customer often can't find the repair.

screenman and CV have valid points as well.

thanks everyone for your responses as I now understand the windshield's "tint".

Follow up question: if the tint were bleached out (clear) when viewing from the inside of the vehicle..why is it still tinted when viewing from the outside?

[screenman]

There is less light inside the vehicle than outside, so even a slight bit of tint will look far darker and less noticeable in difference to the surrounding area when looking into the car. A proper inspection is one carried out from both outside and inside of the vehicle, in my opinion of course not that I always do it.