Scratched Tint and cracked door panels

**GottaHaveLS1** · 12-01-2006, 09:17 AM

When i bought my car, i noticed the door panel on the drivers side was cracked. No big deal, i knew the interior in these cars is cheap. Then i got my windows tinted and gradually over the past year, something on the inside of the door has scratched the shit out of the tint on both windows. And now the door panel on the passenger side is starting to crack. The car's off the road now, so i figure i'd take the doors apart and see what the fuck is goin on. I know a lot of f bodies get cracked door panels, but have any of you guys taken it apart and fixed it?

**98Camarod** · 12-01-2006, 09:36 AM

My door panels arent cracked, but I do have the tint scratched on my drivers side.

**YoMommasTA** · 12-01-2006, 02:12 PM

nothing in the door panel to fix.the plastic is cracks and there is nothing you can do about it.I'll bet your car either sits outside in the cold or is in a cold garage.

**GottaHaveLS1** · 12-01-2006, 03:56 PM

It does sit in a cold garage. But don't you think its weird that my tints are scratched in a straight line all the way up the window from where the crack is?

**YoMommasTA** · 12-02-2006, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by GottaHaveLS1

It does sit in a cold garage. But don't you think its weird that my tints are scratched in a straight line all the way up the window from where the crack is?

nope,the crack is probably causing the edge of the door panel to twist.That might explain the tint problem.I've had my door panels off a few times to replace window motors.There aint nuttin in there to "FIX" for the crack,the door panels are so poorly made without any ribbing or supports in the plastic that in the cold when the door panel shrinks it cracks because nothing is there to support it.I personally think they add to the cheapness and trailer trashiness of any TA.Like hey look at me,they dressed me up like this for the 4th generation but deep inside i';m still just a BASTARD!

**GottaHaveLS1** · 12-02-2006, 07:56 AM

It's too bad... any of the f body's rival in this year don't have quality problems like this, such as the mustang, supra, 3000gt vr-4, etc.

**Orcus79** · 12-02-2006, 09:52 AM

who really cares about the what the in side looks like when all they see is taillights. Its not whats out side that counts but whats under the hood.

**Banshee1967** · 12-02-2006, 10:08 AM

There are two stabilizer backings which press against the glass and are coated with a felt-like material and are 2" long. If these pads break off, a (or two) metal edges are exposed to the glass and window tint causing the straight line film damage.

If you measure from the flat edge of the door glass, the damage will be at 9-10" (due to curvature of glass) and the other is at 26".

Replace the stabilizers and will cure the problem.

This has nothing to do with the door panels.

**Banshee1967** · 12-02-2006, 10:10 AM

The damage is due to the weight of door, size of glass, material of door and how you close the door. If you slam the door shut with the windows all the way up, you are looking for problems with the regulators and stabilizers. As well, if you use the glass to close the door (instead of the door) You will cause stress on the glass, regulator and stabilizers.

**gnomee** · 12-02-2006, 10:30 AM

My door panels on both my cars are fine. Ones a 96 and the other a 98 No cracks at all. The 98 does have the scratches you are talking about but they are on the outside of the drivers side window so it does not affect my tint. I believe it is the gides there are talking about above.

The main reason the door panels crack is people shutting / slamming the doors with the window. ONLY open and close your door with the door, don't use the window as a handle and remind your passengers not too and your door panels will not crack. If you look at the door and move it with the window you will see how it flex's into the door panel and that is what cracks it. Use the door handles or the side of the door and there will be no problems.

**YoMommasTA** · 12-02-2006, 12:02 PM

both my door panels cracked after sitting outside in 10 degree weather.

**99_natural_beauty** · 12-02-2006, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Banshee1967

There are two stabilizer backings which press against the glass and are coated with a felt-like material and are 2" long. If these pads break off, a (or two) metal edges are exposed to the glass and window tint causing the straight line film damage.

If you measure from the flat edge of the door glass, the damage will be at 9-10" (due to curvature of glass) and the other is at 26".

Replace the stabilizers and will cure the problem.

This has nothing to do with the door panels.

Had the same problem with mine. I can't remember how much replacements were, but they weren't that expensive from the dealer.

**Hurley711** · 12-02-2006, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Banshee1967

There are two stabilizer backings which press against the glass and are coated with a felt-like material and are 2" long. If these pads break off, a (or two) metal edges are exposed to the glass and window tint causing the straight line film damage.

If you measure from the flat edge of the door glass, the damage will be at 9-10" (due to curvature of glass) and the other is at 26".

Replace the stabilizers and will cure the problem.

This has nothing to do with the door panels.

+1 this is most likely your problem, it is what caused mine. The stabilizer with the cushion on it broke leaving a jagged piece of metal to scrape up my tint.

**Banshee1967** · 12-03-2006, 05:33 PM

I paid $17 and change each for the stabilizers..

Next is replace the tint and the regulator in the drivers door that "I" screwed up by not paying enough freaking attention to my baby in the first palce.

NB. you give me the willies...

**99_natural_beauty** · 12-03-2006, 08:48 PM

Willies... the good kind or the bad kind..

**BlackLT1Z28** · 12-03-2006, 08:58 PM

Hey, great thread. The windows on my Z are all scratched to hell for some reason too. I'll have to check it out.

**Banshee1967** · 12-04-2006, 07:08 AM

My mother said if you have nothing nice to say...don't say it...so it must be good.

**YoMommasTA** · 12-04-2006, 07:15 AM

the belt moulding on the door collects dirt,then as the windows goes up and down its scratches the glass and tint.We had bad storms here fri night,tonado went by near here with damagimg winds.Something hit the windshield on the TA and back glass scratching both.

**GottaHaveLS1** · 12-04-2006, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by YoMommasTA

the belt moulding on the door collects dirt,then as the windows goes up and down its scratches the glass and tint.We had bad storms here fri night,tonado went by near here with damagimg winds.Something hit the windshield on the TA and back glass scratching both.

This could not be done from dirt. It's gotta be a piece of metal inside the door to make centimeter wide scratches. It's scratching it from the inside of the window where the tint is.