I am not going to say that one is better than the other. It all comes down to what the tint installer prefers and what you as the customer likes. Here are some pics of the dot matrix in the rear glass of my coupe. Some places have a problem w/ the dot matrix pushing the tint up giving it a bubbling effect. As you may notice, it's not the case for my car.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net


225590-105-0508_IMG.JPG

 

I have friends in the industry that have different opinions on this. I chose to go w/ tinting over the dot matrix bc it'll give it a cleaner look w/o taking away some of the visibility on the rear glass.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net


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Some of my friends charge $30 more for having the vinyl piece added to the top. On the flip side, I charge a little more to tint over the dot matrix.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net


225594-105-0515_IMG.JPG

 

If installed correctly, both methods should look very clean

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net


225595-105-0516_IMG.JPG

 

I've installed both vinyl & tint over the dot matrix and have to admit, tinting over the dot matrix is much more work.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net


225597-105-0517_IMG.JPG

 

....

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net


225598-105-0518_IMG.JPG

 

Hope, I cleared up on some of the distinctions between vinyl & tint. Do keep in mind, that not all shops could tint over the dot matrix and have it come out the way it has on my car. Make sure, you ask the installer if it'll come out w/o the dot matrix pushing the film up. Good luck guys!

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net