Tint removal
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
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Tint removal
I didn't want to hijack the current thread(s) on to-tint-or-not-to-tint.
My '98 coupe was already tinted when I got it. I find it too dark at night and would like to remove it (or reduce the amount of tint, which would still require removal of what I've got).
Is removing the tint something one can do themselves, or is it better to take it to a tinting shop and have them remove it. I'm particularly concerned about the back glass with the defrost wires.
Gonna try moving this to the top to get an answer to this second question...
I stopped by a window tinting place today just to see about perhaps getting a lighter tint put on. He looked at the back window and pointed out that the previous job had been done by painting over the dot matrix bits around the edge of the window. He made a comment that he wouldn't want to try to redo that window because it would be a mess.
Any suggestions how that might be taken off? I can provide pictures if that would help. Sorry, I have no idea what was used to do the painting. Is there any kind of standard "window paint" that would be used for something like that?
My '98 coupe was already tinted when I got it. I find it too dark at night and would like to remove it (or reduce the amount of tint, which would still require removal of what I've got).
Is removing the tint something one can do themselves, or is it better to take it to a tinting shop and have them remove it. I'm particularly concerned about the back glass with the defrost wires.
Gonna try moving this to the top to get an answer to this second question...
I stopped by a window tinting place today just to see about perhaps getting a lighter tint put on. He looked at the back window and pointed out that the previous job had been done by painting over the dot matrix bits around the edge of the window. He made a comment that he wouldn't want to try to redo that window because it would be a mess.
Any suggestions how that might be taken off? I can provide pictures if that would help. Sorry, I have no idea what was used to do the painting. Is there any kind of standard "window paint" that would be used for something like that?
Last edited by Craig Wagner; Jan 20, 2006 at 10:05 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
You should be easily able to remove it. Start at the corner, slide a straight razor blade between the film and the glass to get it started, then slowly start tearing it off. If it's good, quality tint, it should come off pretty much in one piece. I had to remove mine from my son's truck when he got pulled over leaving the high school parking lot several years ago. Ticked me off, too. I wound up putting more on a few months later. Doubtful I'll apply any to my 'Vette, though. The only reason would be to conceal the Eclipse AVN 5495 if I decide to install it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 35
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From: Dallas TEXAS
I used to tint windows during my college years, once you have the tint off there will be residue, we used a mixture of amonia and water.. to remove the glue.. if the tint on the rear glass is not bubbling or fading to purple, I suggest leaving it on.. with the defrost lines on the glass, once you remove the tint it will never work again.
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Originally Posted by black2K
if the tint on the rear glass is not bubbling or fading to purple, I suggest leaving it on.. with the defrost lines on the glass, once you remove the tint it will never work again.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 1
From: Monmouth County NJ
I just had to remove some tint from my Avalanche. Start at a corner. When it starts to come off, pull evenly. The outer plastic layer will probably come off in one sheet. This unless there was a nick in it and it tears. After the plastic is off, there will be the glue on the window. Windex/amonia type glass cleaner acually disolves and softens it. Soak it good and use a razor to scrape it. Keep the glue wet. Put some paper towels along the base of the window because it gets a little messy. They sell stuff to use, but don't waste your money. On the back window with with the defroster, do not scrape the conductors with a razor. If you scrape off the "wire" the defroster won't work as well in that area. If you do nick the conductor, they sell fix kits. So, yes, you can take it off yourself 
.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 70
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From: Bridge City TX
Try and not hit any of the lines. They will not work again, but the ones that you don't hit will still work. So you would be OK, if you accidently hit one or two. You can use 409 to clean the rest of the residue. Then use windex to clean after the residue is gone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,649
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From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
my c5 vert came with full tint.....even the complete windshield! the trick is to pull the tint away at the oppsite angle (bent back all the way) VERY,VERY slowly allowing the tint to keep the glue. trust me. if it is high quality tint most, if not all of the glue will come off with the tint. SLOW, SLOW. then just use a cloth with amonia to rub off the glue but get it wet first and let it soak (hold the saturated cloth against it for a minute or so).
good luck!
j.jam
good luck!
j.jam
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Get a spray bottle full of water and some black plastic trash bags. Spray tint with water and then cover the wet window with the trash bag. Put the car in the sun for a couple hours. Remove trash bag and EASILY pull the tint off. This WILL NOT DAMAGE ANYTHING. You can then clean the remaining residue off the window. I did this on my vette based off the info someone here gave me. Sounds easy and is. 
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Thanks for the hints and feedback.
I did stop by a window tinting place today just to see about perhaps getting a lighter tint put on. He looked at the back window and pointed out that the previous job had been done by painting over the dot matrix bits around the edge of the window. He made a comment that he wouldn't want to try to redo that window because it would be a mess.
Any thoughts on whether it would be possible to remove the paint around the outer edges of the window, and if so what the best way to tackle it would be?
16Again, I liked your idea. Unfortunately being in Oregon it means I wouldn't be able to remove the tint until July, because that's about the next time we'll see the sun for a couple of hours at a stretch.
I did stop by a window tinting place today just to see about perhaps getting a lighter tint put on. He looked at the back window and pointed out that the previous job had been done by painting over the dot matrix bits around the edge of the window. He made a comment that he wouldn't want to try to redo that window because it would be a mess.
Any thoughts on whether it would be possible to remove the paint around the outer edges of the window, and if so what the best way to tackle it would be?
16Again, I liked your idea. Unfortunately being in Oregon it means I wouldn't be able to remove the tint until July, because that's about the next time we'll see the sun for a couple of hours at a stretch.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,762
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From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Originally Posted by Craig Wagner
16Again, I liked your idea. Unfortunately being in Oregon it means I wouldn't be able to remove the tint until July, because that's about the next time we'll see the sun for a couple of hours at a stretch.
Good Luck with your project. 
