Removing Door Panels (at non-rover shop)

[toddjb122]

Finally got my front windows tinted (to match the rears) and what was supposed to be a quick 25 minute job has now involved 4 trips to the tint shop. Nice guys, but their attention to detail is lacking, unfortunately.

So, when they removed a poor tint job, to replace it, they cut up the interior weather stripping at the bottom of the window. (razor blades used to scrape off glue, hit the strip).

I commented about this and they offered to replace the weather stripping with genuine LR parts. I was a little skeptical to have them take off my door panels and muck up something else, but, they claim they work on all makes of cars (tint, stereos, alarms, etc.) and should have no problem reattaching them as good as the dealership would.

Should I worry?

According to the reply below from another thread, it seems there is some moisture barrier there to take into account as well. I want to make sure the door is sealed up to be as water tight and rattle free as it was from the factory.

What do you think? Any instructions I should give them or is it not worth having them do it?

...
The problem with fixing a door panel rattle -- every time the panel is removed, you run the risk of creating other rattles. They also disturb the moisture seal that needs to be re-attached. .....

 

[grommet]

toddjb122, that's on the brink of paranoia... door panels can be removed and replaced without impact. Personally, I've found 3rd party installers are generally more careful than the fine Land Rover techs.

 

[a990dna]

Well, since I made that statement I guess I should comment .. and yes, I would be concerned. I had the top techs working on my LC at the largest and highest ranked Toyota dealer in North America -- Penske to be exact. The workmanship was excellent only after they knew what I was, or wasn't going to tolerate as a customer.

Personally -- I would take it to a LR dealer and let them replace the molding and make the tint company pay for it. Note the hack job they did the first and second go-around .. why go back for more abuse?

You'll never know how they buttoned up those panels because you can't see what they did or didn't do.... who issued the factory warranty? If something goes wrong mechanically, let's say a year from now, who will pay for the service and internal parts due to the poor workmanship of the tint shop?

I would file a vandalism claim with your insurance company -- get it fixed at the dealer and let your insurance company go after the tint shop. I know, its a stretch, -- but it worked for me (AAA) after a tire company scored up four aluminum wheels due to poor workmanship. My position was the tire company did it intentionally through the use of improper equipment... they had the opportunity to turn down the job which meant losing the sale.. which can be interpreted as vandalism because it was wilful conduct.

Tell me the tint shop employee wasn't ****** off because you brought it back to do over.

Vandalism is the conspicuous defacement or destruction of a structure, a symbol or anything else that goes against the will of the owner/governing body, and usually constitutes a crime.

In the case of vandalism to private property, the owner — the victim, may feel that they were specifically targeted by the perpetrator(s) — this is not necessarily the case. An example of such a crime would be the wilful destruction of a car window for no obvious purpose to give the perpetrator(s) possibly a few seconds of entertainment, with no consideration, or empathy for the detriment to the state of mind or inconvenience of the victim.

 

[toddjb122]

oy. one vote for, one against. still paranoid.

if I do use the tint shop, are there any particular instructions to give them for a LR door, vs any other door?

1) I want to make sure everything is still water tight. (moisture barrier? what's that?)
2) I don't want any new speaker rattles.

thanks!

 

[davez26]

what was supposed to be a quick 25 minute job has now involved 4 trips to the tint shop. Nice guys, but their attention to detail is lacking, unfortunately.

Should I worry?

QUOTE]

I think you answered your own question. As much as you want to stay on their good side, you have passed that point and unless you have piles of free time and nothing else to worry about, it is time to step past them and get this thing done. If they couldn't handle the tint job, (their main occupation), I'm not sure I'd trust them with dissassembly of the door. It's time to negotiate what they are willing to do @ this point, because you are way past being nice.
Your dealer personnel will know where to pry, and not to pry to remove the panel, where the screws are, etc. The tint shop will be hit or miss.
Your other question: The moisture barrier in older cars was basically a sheet of plastic adhered to the door shell. The door shell was mostly open with components attatched to it and then the barrier over that to prevent moisture, temperature, noise ingress to the panel and interior. It really is not that technical, but it is very important. Now, moisture is controlled by seals on components mounted onto a nearly flat surface with holes punched only for component mounting. This reduces moisture,teperature and noise intrusion. Looking @ a car in the shop, the panel can be removed without removing components from the door shell and the strip is right there @ the top, so "moisture barrier" is not an issue.. As for the rattles, I'd mention it, and they should be extra careful, Again, they will know what to look for and avoid.

 

[nwoods]

Here's a cool thread on door speaker upgrades with good info on panel removal:
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=196829#196829