How does one remove window tint?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: colorado
How does one remove window tint?
Just bought a car and the window tint is horrible, it's all kinds of bubbled up and the worst of it is over the top of the rear defroster -can't scrape it with out taking out the defroster lines. Any ideas? I was thinking of experimenting with maybe a blow dryer, or heat gun, If not, I also was considering "Goof Off" or aresol paint remover. The last one sounds dangerous, I should video it so I have the exact moment it runs onto my paint job captured on film. 
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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take a single edge blade and score a bubble where its not on a defroster line. then rip it off for the glue prolly nail polilsh remover or something bitey but be careful no matter what you use except for mild soap and water will prolly mess up the defroster... goof off may do it
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From: Louisville,Ky.
It's gonna take a lot of elbow grease, BUT, use a stainless steel razor blade BETWEEN the lines, Start in the corner and work your way to peel off the film, once you got the tint loose, use windex to loosen the glue, Use the blade to scrape off the glue, Like I said, labor intense but worth it.
REMEMBER,,,,,
Scrape the corner, PEEL off what you can at a time. If you have a heat lamp, have someone stand outside to the area your working in to loosen up the glue, BUT!!!!! DO NOT HOLD IT ON THE SAME SPOT TOO LONG!!! TEMPERED GLASS WILL SHATTER OR EXPLODE!!!
REMEMBER,,,,,
Scrape the corner, PEEL off what you can at a time. If you have a heat lamp, have someone stand outside to the area your working in to loosen up the glue, BUT!!!!! DO NOT HOLD IT ON THE SAME SPOT TOO LONG!!! TEMPERED GLASS WILL SHATTER OR EXPLODE!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Southern Louisiana
Take the car to a tint shop and tell them you want the window retinted and let them worry about it. For $120 I got the back window and the four door windows as well as a strip across the top of the windsheild. The car does have defroster lines and it did have tint on all the mentioned windows.
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From: colorado
" DO NOT HOLD IT ON THE SAME SPOT TOO LONG!!! TEMPERED GLASS WILL SHATTER OR EXPLODE!!!"
There's always some good advice here on FTE!! tHANKS! (I like the bat idea too!) Doesn't sound like there's a real easy way about it, might have to call around tomarrow ant see what the shops would charge...
There's always some good advice here on FTE!! tHANKS! (I like the bat idea too!) Doesn't sound like there's a real easy way about it, might have to call around tomarrow ant see what the shops would charge...
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From: Coweta,GA, GO DAWGS!!!!!!
You could do like I did- wait seven years and the stuff will roll up, pick at it every day while your in traffic and eventually you will get it all off in one big roll. Yeah The guy who owned it before me installed the tint himself, crappy job. If you have the time and you keep the car that long.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Woodruff, SC
I installed window tint for awhile a couple years ago and what we used was pure amonia. If your nose can take it put a couple holes in the tint and spray the area good with amonia and cover with plastic and let it sit. Tint shops will tell you not to clean tint with anything with amonia in it as it will ruin the tint but it works for removal.
Be very very careful using a blade around the defroster lines, One slip and no more rear defroster.
Be very very careful using a blade around the defroster lines, One slip and no more rear defroster.
Last edited by TheWiz427; Mar 13, 2007 at 07:10 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lancaster County PA
Do you have comprehensive insurance coverage?
I hear there has been a rash of auto vandalism in your area where punks have been randomly breaking windows out of cars for kicks.
JUST KIDDING!!!! We all pay for insurance fraud. I can't help you out on that one-haven't had tinted glass in any vehicles.
I hear there has been a rash of auto vandalism in your area where punks have been randomly breaking windows out of cars for kicks.
JUST KIDDING!!!! We all pay for insurance fraud. I can't help you out on that one-haven't had tinted glass in any vehicles.
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by TheWiz427
I installed window tint for awhile a couple years ago and what we used was pure amonia.
If it's real tough, spray ammonia on it, tape a black plastic garbage bag to the inside of the window, and let it sit in the sun for a little bit. That'll soften that tint film and make it easier to get off. Ammonia disolves the adhesive.
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From: colorado
"I was thinkin bout doin that, then I had a cold one and got lazy" - wonderful quote!
I tried the ammonia, plastic bag deal and once I quit gagging and choking I gave up drove it to a pro auto tinter type guy...place. $40.00 for the rear only or $80.00 for whole car. Whata deal! Better you than me. "A man's gotta know his limitations" -Clint Eastwood
I tried the ammonia, plastic bag deal and once I quit gagging and choking I gave up drove it to a pro auto tinter type guy...place. $40.00 for the rear only or $80.00 for whole car. Whata deal! Better you than me. "A man's gotta know his limitations" -Clint Eastwood
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From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by smokestone52
A few bucks, and a baseball bat!
If you have neighborhood kids like I do, park your car on the street, then, make a 'fuss' with the kids on your block. Be sure to tell them that the car is new and to please not mess with it, or else!
Presto! The next day. . . your window tint (and the window) will be gone!
Just kidding.
Windex with amonia sprayed into slits in the film will help lift it.
I've done it once, but there was no defroster wires/filament on the glass.
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