Tint installer scratched my steering wheel. What should I do

SwiftTone

SwiftTone

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I had tints installed on my new lease with 1500 miles on Saturday. On my way home I kept feeling something on my steering wheel around the 9 o clock position. When I got home I took a look and saw 2 long scratches/scuffs on the steering wheel.

I'm very sure they scratches it while working on the windshield. I was taking photos while they were installing the tints (with permission) and saw in the photos that they had the the steering wheel turned to the left so the 9 o clock position was facing down. They had their tool apron with tools in it and probably was rubbing it against the steering wheel while maneuvering around. I am pretty sure it was the assistant that just started less than a week ago who had zero experience. The installer had a lot of experience, was meticulous, and have won several international competitions for tinting

This is my first lease so I'm also worried that I will be charged for this at lease turn in. I also feel it constantlyevery time I put my hand on the steering wheel.

They're a new shop that's been open for around a year. If it was a dealership I would bring it right back. What should I do?

I've attached photos. Please view it.

https://goo.gl/photos/UdZaFNUq9MUPXVWD8

https://goo.gl/photos/EjgiRDmCYWmbfH2R9

https://goo.gl/photos/obigJ3izyQjm8nSR7



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
 
I don't want to have to feel it every time I'm driving the car. Is this something that a detailing shop could fix? Should I have them attempt to fix it first and if they can't get a new wheel? Or just ask for a new wheel?

My pretty new car scratched! I can't believe it. I even washed the salt and dirt off (even though it wasn't dirty) so that they wouldn't rub it into the paint if they accidentally touched the paint!
 
Called and he said "I don't see how that could happen but bring it in"...

Going in after work. Hoping that this won't be an uphill battle to make it right.
 
SwiftTone said:
I had tints installed on my new lease
with 1500 miles on Saturday.

On my way home I kept feeling something on
my steering wheel around the 9 o clock position.

When I got home I took a look and saw
2 long scratches/scuffs on the steering wheel.

I'm very sure they scratches it while working on the windshield.

I am pretty sure it was the assistant that just started
less than a week ago who had zero experience.

The installer had a lot of experience, was meticulous, and
have won several international competitions for tinting

This is my first lease so I'm also worried that
I will be charged for this at lease turn in.

I also feel it constantly every time I put my
hand on the steering wheel.

They're a new shop that's been open for around a year.

What should I do?
SwiftTone said:
Called and he said "I don't see how that could happen but bring it in"...

Going in after work. Hoping that this won't be an uphill battle to make it right.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Hopefully the tint shop will make it right.
(And without too much "sanding-down")

***********************************

Here's a couple of "Besides the Point":
-Tinting the windows of a leased (and going
to be turning it in) vehicle?
-Tinting the windshield of a leased (or any) vehicle?
-Experienced Tint Tech (ETT) vs. a Zero ETT?


Bob
 
FUNX650 said:
Hopefully the tint shop will make it right.
(And without too much "sanding-down")

***********************************

Here's a couple of "Besides the Point":
-Tinting the windows of a leased (and going
to be turning it in) vehicle?
-Tinting the windshield of a leased (or any) vehicle?
-Experienced Tint Tech (ETT) vs. a Zero ETT?


Bob
Click to expand...

What would be the proper fix for this type of damage without replacing the steering wheel? I have seen techniques where you sand it down with really fine sandpaper, blot a dye in with an application pad, sanding that down again, blot clear on, then sand again. The video was quite amazing truth be told. But since this is a control surface I don't want to constantly feeling it with my hand.

Video of leather repair: https://youtu.be/9c8lPMxEe4A

-I intend to keep the lease if it proves to be reliable. My previous car had tints that was about 20% done by the previous owner. I felt naked with zero tint.
-The windshield is only tinted 5% on the top 6 inches.
-The ETT had 16 years of experience and the assistant had 4 days of experience. He basically put painters tape on the felt areas and cleaned the windows which he ended doing a poor job at and scratching up my steering wheel.

You guys think those scratches will be an issue when the time comes to turn in the lease?
 
this is why you take PICTURES and VIDEOS before you drop the car off and again while picking it up. Take it back immediately and tell them. The guy should have insurance, if not he is paying out of pocket...or you will when the lease is up!
 
Here's some SOUND advice from someone who works in the dealer world, MERCEDES...when you buy a car or lease or that matter...have the dealership set-up the tinting because they should have a shop they use regularly and that shop works on their cars a lot...so they know what to watch for and if there are any issues it will be handled IMMEDIATLY because there is no chance of YOU doing it, it happened prior to you taking delivery and go over the car like your life depended on it.
 
He just looked at the car and he doesn't admit fault but he offered to to do paint protection film from 1/3 of front of the hood down through the bumper, mirrors, and top of the rear bumper next to the hatch. Or he could get me a new steering wheel.

Thoughts?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
 
SwiftTone said:
I had tints installed on my new lease with 1500 miles on Saturday. On my way home I kept feeling something on my steering wheel around the 9 o clock position. When I got home I took a look and saw 2 long scratches/scuffs on the steering wheel.

I'm very sure they scratches it while working on the windshield. I was taking photos while they were installing the tints (with permission) and saw in the photos that they had the the steering wheel turned to the left so the 9 o clock position was facing down. They had their tool apron with tools in it and probably was rubbing it against the steering wheel while maneuvering around. I am pretty sure it was the assistant that just started less than a week ago who had zero experience. The installer had a lot of experience, was meticulous, and have won several international competitions for tinting

This is my first lease so I'm also worried that I will be charged for this at lease turn in. I also feel it constantlyevery time I put my hand on the steering wheel.

They're a new shop that's been open for around a year. If it was a dealership I would bring it right back. What should I do?

I've attached photos. Please view it.

https://goo.gl/photos/UdZaFNUq9MUPXVWD8

https://goo.gl/photos/EjgiRDmCYWmbfH2R9

https://goo.gl/photos/obigJ3izyQjm8nSR7



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
your not gonna be able to prove they did it.You got a better shot taking it back to the dealer,call your salesperson tell them see what can happen.
 
Id take the PPF if I owned the car. Since you leased, take the new steering wheel.
 
I would go for the paint protection. I have scratched my sterring wheel several times by accident. If you keep putting condition on it it will soften up and you won't even notice it. You said you want to buy the car at the end of the lease. Just think how much nicer the paint will be if it's yours at the end of 3 years. If its all chipped up all your getting is a 3 year old car with a bunch of chips.
 
So I brought the car to the dealer and showed the scratches on the steering wheel to the salesperson and sales manager separately. They both said that the scratch would be considered wear and tear and that I don't be charged extra at lease turn in.

So the thing is that when I got this lease, I intended to buy out the car when the lease ends as long as it's reliable. So before I make the decision I'm thinking of taking it down to the detailer to see if the scratch on the steering wheel can be repaired. If it can I'll likely go with the PPF, if it can't I'll likely go with a new steering wheel.

This tint installer uses Llumar tints, and I believe he also uses Llumar PPF. Any feedback on this stuff? I'll obviously confirm everything before I make any decisions.

Thanks all for the responses!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
 
Llumar is a good product,never the less you should get that in writing about the wear and tear scenario from the finance department.I think it should have been covered with 1500 hundred miles if you went in there very stern.chase bank will cover 1500 in wear and tear,but it's probably hidden in the cost of the vehicle or contract.Good luck tryin from the tint guy.
 
GSKR said:
Llumar is a good product,never the less you should get that in writing about the wear and tear scenario from the finance department.I think it should have been covered with 1500 hundred miles if you went in there very stern.chase bank will cover 1500 in wear and tear,but it's probably hidden in the cost of the vehicle or contract.Good luck tryin from the tint guy.
Click to expand...
I lost you at the 1500 miles and chase bank part. Care to elaborate?

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I leased a new ml merc from chase bank,there allowing 1500 dollars toward wear and tear at the end of lease,anything over I'm responsible.
 
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