window tint

[JesseH]

does anyone know the best technique for removing window tint is? Its been on my car ever since I've owned it, and was put on really well but its getting so old its been starting to fade and scratch. I know using a razorblade works but what about using something along the lines of fingernail polish remover, acetone, or PVC cleaner??

 

[GotTurbos?]

Id just have it professionally done, I'm assuming that you are going to want to put tint on in the future, so just have them remove the old and put on the new

but... if I had to try and remove it on my own, id probably use simple green, just because that stuff seems magical and I have tons of it here.

Non

 

[JENNY!]

^^^ thats what i did. but it cost me 300 bucks!
i read that the best way to do it is to cover interior with garbage bags, spray amonia on window, cover window with bag so it doesnt drip and so it can like, "bake"? let sit for an hour then try to scrape it off.

 

[Fuzz420]

steamer, or you could possibly use a humidifier but it may require some trickery to get to "steam" directly on the windows

 

[Allan_MA70]

yep what Jenny! said, did it on my hatch glass of my old car the tint fell off when left out on a 40degC day with the windex and garbage bags (the garbage bag stops the windex drying off (make sure you get the air bubbles out)

 

[JENNY!]

^^^ yeah! one if thooose clothing steamers would work!

 

[werewolves182]

Honestly, try removing it on a cool morning, cant be humid at all. Might sound weird but I had to do the same and it all just peeled off with no fuss and no residue on the windows.

 

[johnathan1]

There is this stuff made by Gila, called window tint remover...worked fine for me .

 

[JesseH]

^^^ thats what i did. but it cost me 300 bucks!
i read that the best way to do it is to cover interior with garbage bags, spray amonia on window, cover window with bag so it doesnt drip and so it can like, "bake"? let sit for an hour then try to scrape it off.

yea thats what I was reading about, but it said you have to be really carefull not to hit the defrosters when scraping, it also said it has to be on a warm day but since everyone on here says it works better on cooler days ill try that because the temp here is anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees right now. thanks for the help. oh and I dont think Ill be puttng new on, i think I like it better with none

 

[boost PSSH boost]

Try a heat gun, or hair dryer if you don't have a heat gun. It will heat the adhesive and allow the film to come off. 3m wax and adhesive remover works well to remove the remaining adhesive.

 

[YFZracer32]

I used a heat gun and razor blade on all of my windows. The back window kept flaking and i didnt want to wreck the heater lines, so i put glass insurance on my car, got pissed off and broke the back window out. Now i got a brand new shiny one:naughty:

 

[born2drv]

i used to work at a auto glass place for a summer job back when i was a teenager, i hated that job LOL i had to remove tint all the time.

anyhow all they really did was use an assload of window cleaner and a razor blade, the window cleaner would help keep it moist and let the razor glide easily. i don't think a heat gun or anything would really help. some tint came off very easily, other products were a nightmare... usually the cheap discolored stuff was a real pain in the ass. if you're lucky you can use the razor to lift up a little bit of tint then pull large sections of it off. if you're not lucky, well you'll be using the razor a lot.

just be very careful when you're doing your rear hatch glass, because there is very small lines that you can cut easily with the razor breaking the circuit, or if you make it too thin won't heat up to defrost your windows as good as new. and the hatch glass is a fortune to replace. you can repair it i think by soldering new lead in place or something if you break the lines, but that's a real pain in the ass as well, so again just be careful.

get yourself one of those blade holders from lowes or home depot or something that hold like a 3" long blade with a nice handle, it will make it go much faster.

 

[JesseH]

Ok, so Ive gotten all the windows off except the hatch, I tried the Ammonia and the garbage bags but its just real flakie (almost like glitter) this stuff is pretty old and assuming its been on there for a long time. Is there anyway I can "scrub" it with anything and just keep flaking it off or would that take ages? ..this is really becoming a pain in the a$$.:icon_conf

 

[born2drv]

the hatch is the worst.... all you can really do is spray it really well with window cleaner and take a razor to it, being very careful around the heater lines.

 

[JesseH]

the hatch is the worst.... all you can really do is spray it really well with window cleaner and take a razor to it, being very careful around the heater lines.

wow, this is going to take awhile....:nono: thanks though

 

[JENNY!]

its not easy. thats why they charge you an arm and a leg at tinting shops

 

[Allan_MA70]

Ok, so Ive gotten all the windows off except the hatch, I tried the Ammonia and the garbage bags but its just real flakie (almost like glitter) this stuff is pretty old and assuming its been on there for a long time. Is there anyway I can "scrub" it with anything and just keep flaking it off or would that take ages? ..this is really becoming a pain in the a$$.:icon_conf

tryed a stiff brush with some soapy water?

 

[JesseH]

tryed a stiff brush with some soapy water?

No, but thats a good idea im going to try that one because after putting the ammonia on it last night the crap even flakes off when Im driving with the windows down so that might work.