DETAIL: Best way to remove tint...

[PearlJammzz]

I have some old *** crappy tint that's half commin off in spots. What's the best way to get this off w/o ruining anything? Specially the back window, I don't want to ruin the defrost things....

[Ncturnal]

Originally Posted by Brad Bedell

For the rear window, take a black plastic trash bag, tape it up covering the window except for the very top of it. Then take formula 409 and spray it all over the tint (between the bag and tint). Then, park the car in the sun for about 45mins. Remove the bag, then peel the tint off in one piece.

After that, cleanup is pretty easy, using 409 and a chore-boy (found in the grocery store near the sponges) scrub the glue clean.

Anything else is just a waste of time. This is what professional window tinters do to remove old tint.

-Brad

[ween191]

I'm glad I didn't post before Ncturnal. I would have said a razor. My friend had to do that to his Mustang when the tint faded to purple. Took hella long and didn't look right after. This method seems much easier

[docneon]

Absolutely do not use a razor on the back window. it will scrape away the defroster lines. I have heard of tint remover, but have never used it. If you remove tint from the windows on the doors, be sure to get all of the adhesive off. I have heard of people who didn't and the window stuck to the inner trim piece and caused damage.

[PearlJammzz]

Oh, I'll scrub it for sure.....I'll try your way Ncturnal. My friend also has tiny remover so we'll see. I guess.

[PearlJammzz]

Your trick did absolutle nothin except for make the inside of my car smell, lol. Might just ahve to pay someone to do it?

[Ncturnal]

Look at my post. It's not "my way". That is how tinters remove it though.

[PearlJammzz]

Well by your way I meants your suggested way. Maybe the stuff I had wasn't the ultra powerful crap.

[Ncturnal]

The last time I removed tint, I used a lot of razorblades (make sure you have a metal blade holder and plenty of blades). I would not use that on the back window though.

[lbridges]

Sorry to bring up an old post - as I'm a noob, but I would like to offer a method that worked very well for me. Get a small steam machine (I think the brand I got was a "Shark"). Pick up a corner or edge using a single sided razor blade. Then while running the steam along the edge, gently pull the film. Keep the steam moving over whatever section of the film you're pulling. The job is easier if the steam is directed at the underside edge of film next to the glass but will work if you direct enough steam from the top to loosen up the adhesive. It will come off without damaging rear window defrosters, etc.

[PearlJammzz]

wow, migth have to give that a shot. That make water go everywhere?

[lbridges]

doesn't use ALL that much water - about a pint did all the side windows and rear glass on a 4-seat 2-dr sport coupe. But a couple of towels will be handy items anyway.

[PHOENIX]

thats a really good idea!

I have grime that i think was from a tint on my rear quarter window. I tried 409 and windex and all im doing is smearing it around. I might try that, my wife has a home steamer for her clothes that was 10 bucks from wallmart.

[Daryl]

Try using undiluted ammonia to remove the old adhesive.

[lbridges]

Phoenix,

I agree with Daryl.

The steamer softens the adhesive to allow the tint to be pulled easily. I don't know what it (the steam) would/could do to adhesive left behind after tint was removed some other way.

[carcrazyguy]

Originally Posted by Daryl

Try using undiluted ammonia to remove the old adhesive.

I realize this is an old thread, but you should avoid using Ammonia or a glass cleaner that contains any on car windows. Of course, this is what turns the tint purple prematurely in the first place...but even on untinted car glass it causes those dots that kinda look checkerboard that you can see certain times of the day or at cetain light angles. I am guessing this is the factory tint that is getting damaged by the Ammonia...I dunno.
Anyway, simply buy a non ammonia glass cleaner for your vehicles - I like the Eagle One clear stuff. BTW, Goo Gone (or a similar product) with the trash bag technique works fine and smells better...
Any way you slice it however, you will have a lot of work removing old tint (I have done this job over a dozen times). Even after you get the old tint off, you will need to repeat the trash bag trick to soften the adhesive that is stuck to the glass. I have never done better than 2 hours for the whole process and easily double that in some cases.

[vorgto]

Okay, Just much less skipped to the end. On my MR2 i took tint of w/ airplane paint stripper. It doesn't hard the glass at all but if you use it and any amount touches your dash or body or anything but glass your out of luck.

Dunno the stuff i had but it was eating through the towels i was using. Got the tint of the window and now the window looks EXTRMELY clean. Probly missing a layer of glass :P

[mr220v]

You could also use hydrochloric acid I suppose. I wouldn't be a fan of using anything that eats plastic.

The best way is with a razor. On the back window, just be carful not to cut the heating strips. Various cleaners tend to soften the glue, so letting it soak for a bit will make things easier and will tend to make it want to peal. 409 is one, I used to use castrol purple stuff. The chemicals will help, but won't make it a totally easy process.

Once the tint is off, windex will help remove a lot of the glue residue. If you have a lot of dried on glue, I like to use heavy rubbing compound to remove the more stubborn residue. The window usually looks perfect after this.

[carcrazyguy]

Originally Posted by vorgto

i took tint of w/ airplane paint stripper. It doesn't hard the glass at all but if you use it and any amount touches your dash or body or anything but glass your out of luck.

You could also use hydrochloric acid I suppose.

Are you guys serious?

I don't think either is worth the risk to your lungs, skin, and your car.
Just do it the old fashioned way. Sure it is lots of work, but you will not have to pay for it the rest of your life.

[vorgto]

I didnt think the airplane paint stripper was that bad. Just have to be carfull but i got a whole window clean in 10 min at a friends house. Perfectly clean.

Was very worth it cuz i had to remove the tint that day cuz of a tint ticket.