Removing window tint
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
Removing window tint
Does anyone know the procedure for removing aftermarket window tint film? What's involved in removing it from the rear window without damaging the electronic strip for the defroster? This on my Grand Prix GTP daily driver not on the Vette, It been on there for 8 yrs. now and the rear window is starting to bubble up and it really looks like crap. It is also a real pain in the a$$ to clean so it time for it to go.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
I found a tint removal kit at the parts store (autozone). It's a spray you apply liberally to the tint. Cover it with a garbage bag to prevent it from evaporating. Heat it with a heatgun or hair dryer and let sit for about an hour. The tint just pulled off after that. It left a few spots with a milky goo (remains of the glue). Sprayed some more of the spray and then I could just wipe it off. The whole process was very painless.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: SAN DIEGO(SANTEE) CA.
super,
the way to do it is to use Ammonia in a spray bottle, sparay it on heavy and allow to soak a while then start a corner with a single edge razor blade and slowly peel it off. if doesa not all come off at one time, then repeat. after it is off clean left over glue with ammonia, it mite take 2 or 3 times. it is a b---tch to get off, but it can be done.
the way to do it is to use Ammonia in a spray bottle, sparay it on heavy and allow to soak a while then start a corner with a single edge razor blade and slowly peel it off. if doesa not all come off at one time, then repeat. after it is off clean left over glue with ammonia, it mite take 2 or 3 times. it is a b---tch to get off, but it can be done.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
From: Algonquin, IL
http://www.tintdude.com/remove.html
Time: 1-3 hours
Materials:
Warm sunny day
Tarp
Large plastic garbage bag
Undiluted Ammonia
Windex (a glass cleaner)
Paper towels
Fine steel wool
Razor blades
Tools:
Slotted Screwdrivers
Phillips Screwdrivers
Tips: The difficult thing about removing tint is that most film is constructed of two layers of tinted polyester. When you try to peel the film off the glass, the top layer will usually pull right off leaving the second layer behind. This second layer will not peel off, it will just flake and tear like a price tag.
Step 1:
To over come separation between layers you must soften the adhesive so that both layers peel at the same time. This is very important, if you peel the just the top layer, you may as well just use razor blades as there is no way to peel the second layer off without picking at it for a few hours. You MUST try to peel both layers at once.
NOTE: You are more than likely to damage one or more of your defroster lines, when this happens, the cut line will not work anymore. Some cars have radio antennas mounted alongside the defrosters made of the same material. If you damage these, your radio antenna will not work! Be careful! Taking it to a tint shop to be done greatly increases the odds of saving the lines, but even a tint shop can not promise to save your lines, sometimes the film is just to far gone.
Step 2:
First, clear the window of any obstructions, like the brake light, speaker covers etc.
Step 3:
Next cut open the garbage bag so that it will be big enough to cover the entire window. Spray some water on the outside of the back window and the lay plastic bag over the glass. Cut away excess plastic so that it is now roughly the same shape as the glass.
Step 4:
Next, lay a tarp over rear deck and seat, spray ammonia liberally on the inside of the back window. (Ammonia is very strong, I suggest you hold your breath during this step) and cover ammonia soaked tint with the plastic bag so that it won't evaporate.
Step 5:
Park the car with rear window facing the sun for about an hour. The film should now be ready to peel.
Step 6:
When you are ready to start peeling, leave the plastic in place so the ammonia wont dry. Get the peeling started with a razor blade in a corner where there are no defroster lines. Try to peel film off in one piece. If the ammonia dries as you peel, the glue will get hard again, so spray a bit of ammonia on the area as you peel.
Step 7:
Once the film is peeled you will need to scrub the adhesive off with ammonia and fine 0000 steel wool.
Mop up scrubbed areas with paper towels before they dry. Finish up with window cleaner and paper towels.
Removing tint from side windows
Soaking is not nessesary here. You may want to use a simple razorblade holder. Cut a notch onto the upper area of the film so that you have a piece to pull. Try to peel the film, it will probably come off in two or three pieces.
Spray the remaining adhesive with soapy water, and scrape the adhesive off with a razor blade, avoiding the edges of the glass until last to keep the blade sharp. You may need to use a few blades as they dull quickly. Finish up with window cleaner and paper towels. Inspect for missed glue (its clear and hard to see)
Another way to strip using steam
If you have access to a Jiffy steamer or similar steam machine, you can make quick work of stripping. Apply the steam to a small spot for a few moments and use a blade or the spout of the steamer to peel the area just steamed, when you have enough to hold, just peel slowly as you steam just ahead of the area you are peeling.
This will bring both layers of tint off and sometimes the adhesive too, without presoaking for an hour.
Time: 1-3 hours
Materials:
Warm sunny day
Tarp
Large plastic garbage bag
Undiluted Ammonia
Windex (a glass cleaner)
Paper towels
Fine steel wool
Razor blades
Tools:
Slotted Screwdrivers
Phillips Screwdrivers
Tips: The difficult thing about removing tint is that most film is constructed of two layers of tinted polyester. When you try to peel the film off the glass, the top layer will usually pull right off leaving the second layer behind. This second layer will not peel off, it will just flake and tear like a price tag.
Step 1:
To over come separation between layers you must soften the adhesive so that both layers peel at the same time. This is very important, if you peel the just the top layer, you may as well just use razor blades as there is no way to peel the second layer off without picking at it for a few hours. You MUST try to peel both layers at once.
NOTE: You are more than likely to damage one or more of your defroster lines, when this happens, the cut line will not work anymore. Some cars have radio antennas mounted alongside the defrosters made of the same material. If you damage these, your radio antenna will not work! Be careful! Taking it to a tint shop to be done greatly increases the odds of saving the lines, but even a tint shop can not promise to save your lines, sometimes the film is just to far gone.
Step 2:
First, clear the window of any obstructions, like the brake light, speaker covers etc.
Step 3:
Next cut open the garbage bag so that it will be big enough to cover the entire window. Spray some water on the outside of the back window and the lay plastic bag over the glass. Cut away excess plastic so that it is now roughly the same shape as the glass.
Step 4:
Next, lay a tarp over rear deck and seat, spray ammonia liberally on the inside of the back window. (Ammonia is very strong, I suggest you hold your breath during this step) and cover ammonia soaked tint with the plastic bag so that it won't evaporate.
Step 5:
Park the car with rear window facing the sun for about an hour. The film should now be ready to peel.
Step 6:
When you are ready to start peeling, leave the plastic in place so the ammonia wont dry. Get the peeling started with a razor blade in a corner where there are no defroster lines. Try to peel film off in one piece. If the ammonia dries as you peel, the glue will get hard again, so spray a bit of ammonia on the area as you peel.
Step 7:
Once the film is peeled you will need to scrub the adhesive off with ammonia and fine 0000 steel wool.
Mop up scrubbed areas with paper towels before they dry. Finish up with window cleaner and paper towels.
Removing tint from side windows
Soaking is not nessesary here. You may want to use a simple razorblade holder. Cut a notch onto the upper area of the film so that you have a piece to pull. Try to peel the film, it will probably come off in two or three pieces.
Spray the remaining adhesive with soapy water, and scrape the adhesive off with a razor blade, avoiding the edges of the glass until last to keep the blade sharp. You may need to use a few blades as they dull quickly. Finish up with window cleaner and paper towels. Inspect for missed glue (its clear and hard to see)
Another way to strip using steam
If you have access to a Jiffy steamer or similar steam machine, you can make quick work of stripping. Apply the steam to a small spot for a few moments and use a blade or the spout of the steamer to peel the area just steamed, when you have enough to hold, just peel slowly as you steam just ahead of the area you are peeling.
This will bring both layers of tint off and sometimes the adhesive too, without presoaking for an hour.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Ammonia or some good glass cleaner and a razor blade. No special crap, waiting, or anything. Grab a corner with the blade and rip it off slow and even. I don't put anything on first as it makes a mess. Go slow and spray between the tint and glass as you go. It will probably leave chunks, but no biggie. Just do the same. Then clean off any little pieces by applying cleaner and scraping with the blade.
It should only take a few minutes with a small window like that, and there is no need to make a huge deal out of it. I did this a million times as I used to always tint my front side windows in high school and had to take them off when I got pulled over.
It should only take a few minutes with a small window like that, and there is no need to make a huge deal out of it. I did this a million times as I used to always tint my front side windows in high school and had to take them off when I got pulled over.
