Tint Removal

So I got my windows done a while back (summertime) and now realize that I can't see out of my car at night :( They're great when it's sunny out, but put me on a dark street looking for an address and I can't see a thing - pedestrians beware!

I figure that I'll remove the fronts, leave the back and maybe re-tint the fronts next spring with something lighter.

On that note, has anyone here PERSONALLY removed tint from car windows before? There seems to be a few ways of doing it according to google - is door panel removal necessary?

Thanks for the help,
W.

I don't think you need to remove the panel. Just roll your windows down a bit and pick at the top and peel. When you get towards the bottom, roll the windows back up and finish. Though depending on the quality/age of the film and if there are any scratches in it, the film might rip then you'll just have to find another place to peel it.

Use a heat gun.

Once the tint is removed their will be glue left behind to get that off you need to use a razor blade and window cleaner.

Spray the window with the window cleaner then use the razor blade to scrape the glue off.

(it's best to remove the door panel..that way all the glue that you scrap off don't go in the door panle modelings like it did for me when i removed my tint)

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Originally Posted by aris

Use a heat gun.

Once the tint is removed their will be glue left behind to get that off you need to use a razor blade and window cleaner.

Spray the window with the window cleaner then use the razor blade to scrape the glue off.

(it's best to remove the door panel..that way all the glue that you scrap off don't go in the door panle modelings like it did for me when i removed my tint)

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Wouldn't the heat gun cause the glue to soften and be pulled with the film?

Can you crack a window by heating too much?

I'm thinking of buying a steamer like some suggest (google) anyone have any experience here?

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Originally Posted by Pokey

Wouldn't the heat gun cause the glue to soften and be pulled with the film?

Can you crack a window by heating too much?

I'm thinking of buying a steamer like some suggest (google) anyone have any experience here?

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yes but their will still be some glue left behind

also you only heat it enough to warm the tint...don't use to much heat


If your ever in the belleville area i can remove the tint for you

The window shouldn't break if you heat it to much seeing as it is heat treated to begin with. ( to 700ish degrees I believe. )
If it does break it will not crack but shatter into a million pieces.

Either way. Heat the glass, but not enough to instantly burn yourself on it. Windex orginal is good for the glue But paint stripper and some other chems will be easier to get rid of the glue. Just be careful not to get any on anything else in your car.

What % is your tint anyways.

I know what you mean, I have problems seeing out my windows at night too. I'm at 20% tint all around. But I just roll down the window when I feel like I need to see. Dunno what it'll be like during winter yet though. let me know if you successfully remove the tint, I may want to remove the tint on my dad's van.

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Originally Posted by hgmahaha

I know what you mean, I have problems seeing out my windows at night too. I'm at 20% tint all around. But I just roll down the window when I feel like I need to see. Dunno what it'll be like during winter yet though. let me know if you successfully remove the tint, I may want to remove the tint on my dad's van.

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I believe I'm at 20% too - there was 35 IIRC but it seemed too light so I took the darker one :(.

I'll get a heatgun from work for the weekend and give it a try. Maybe borrow the googone too...

The winter driving is what I'm afraid of - in the summer you CAN roll down the window - in the winter it could be caked with slush/ice. Plus who wants to roll down the window at -20°?

Be careful with the heat gun as you could melt the interior if it gets too hot. The rubber seal and fabric will just melt/burn away.

AND DON'T SCRAPE THE EXCESS GLUE on the rear window.

IMHO - if you're unsure about doing this yourself - have a sponsor do it. I don't see it costing more than $50

Once I saw a video of guy removing tint by spraying it with soapy water solution (or maybe without soap; it has been a while) and leaving it baking on the sun. When the water evaporates it seeped through the tint and it came off very easily.

Like I said this has been very long time ago so don't quote me on that :P

just roll down your window...tinted cars are cool

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Originally Posted by r4BBiT

Once I saw a video of guy removing tint by spraying it with soapy water solution (or maybe without soap; it has been a while) and leaving it baking on the sun. When the water evaporates it seeped through the tint and it came off very easily.

Like I said this has been very long time ago so don't quote me on that :P

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I believe it's some sort of ammonia solution.

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Originally Posted by Default User

AND DON'T SCRAPE THE EXCESS GLUE on the rear window.

IMHO - if you're unsure about doing this yourself - have a sponsor do it. I don't see it costing more than $50

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He says he only wants to remove the front tint.. Not that back

But you are defentily right on not scraping the back window with the defrost

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Originally Posted by canada man

just roll down your window...tinted cars are cool

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+1

^^^ +2...lol....

As for taking off the glue once the tint is removed. The easiest way is to use some windex and a "blade" One of the hand held exacto blades (i hope you know what i mean...lol..)

And then some newspaper and windex to clean it up....:thumbsup

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Originally Posted by canada man

just roll down your window...tinted cars are cool

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The tint helps for sure - but I DO like to see where I'm going. This is where the dark tint does not help :(

I had it done yesterday by a shop and I watched them do it. Sprayed it with windex I think and let it sit and then they used a heat gun on the back side of the window and used a razor blade to cut a slit and then started to pull. If it didn't come, he would heat it some more and use spray again until it was all off. Then he used the razor to take the left over glue off which wasn't much.

^^ $$? ^^

Paid $50

mines 20% and i can see fine... but definetly get a pro to do it if your unsure

This is by far the best method to use , if u dont use the heat gun ur just gonna peel the tint it self and leave residue on ur window which will take a while to take off

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aris

Use a heat gun.

Once the tint is removed their will be glue left behind to get that off you need to use a razor blade and window cleaner.

Spray the window with the window cleaner then use the razor blade to scrape the glue off.

(it's best to remove the door panel..that way all the glue that you scrap off don't go in the door panle modelings like it did for me when i removed my tint)

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pokey

The tint helps for sure - but I DO like to see where I'm going. This is where the dark tint does not help :(

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I got 20% all the way around and i love it

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Originally Posted by 3GT12

I got 20% all the way around and i love it

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You can have mine ;)

I'm borrowing a heat gun and will be peeling tomorrow.

I had a moment yesterday where I couldn't see a guy on a bike speeding down the sidewalk towards the road I was turning to - saw him last minute :grr: this is why it's illegal to ride your bikes on sidewalks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pokey

The tint helps for sure - but I DO like to see where I'm going. This is where the dark tint does not help :(

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pokey

You can have mine ;)

I'm borrowing a heat gun and will be peeling tomorrow.

I had a moment yesterday where I couldn't see a guy on a bike speeding down the sidewalk towards the road I was turning to - saw him last minute :grr: this is why it's illegal to ride your bikes on sidewalks.

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Seeing whats around you while driving is a good practice to keep. I try to live by that rule. Ya, if the front tint is too dark peel it off. Not worth risking lives especially your own.

Well it's all done - no heat gun required.

I did the passenger side using the heat gun and peeling away from the window - got stuck with a whole bunch of glue :(

The drivers side I did with no heat gun, just started at the top corner and when peeling I folded the tint against itself (not away from the window but bent at 180° flat against the window and pulled) and have almost NO residue left on that window.

Nothing to it, would do it again, good seller, A+++ ;-)

i know a few ways, one including a garbage bag

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Originally Posted by bryansbestwax

i know a few ways, one including a garbage bag

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How do you do it with a garbage bag?

^^ that's for the back window according to mr. google.

The sides are easy - and as an update, the glue that gets left behind is EASILY removed using 99% isopropyl alcohol - any electronics place will have it.

(don't get the 70% drugstore stuff unless you like to work harder)

And goo-gone is crap for it too, the alcohol and a rag did wonders! :thumbsup