Window Tint

[jimlam56]

Has anyone taken it off?
I have a project car with purple tint, pulling away in places.
I researched the process a little, it seems a portable steamer is the tool to use.
Any comments?

[Grifter]

I just had my windows tinted, and i was talking to the tinter. he had a portable steamer just for removing the tint. said it softened up the adhesive in the tint so that it peeled off alot easier. then you need to remove the adhesive from the window. GooGone, or Aircraft Stripper works well, just try not to get it on other things..

[the_pack_rat]

Sometimes it will pull off in large pieces, but depending on age & original quality of the tint ... you may only get small chunks off at a time.

Regardless, if it comes off in complete sheets, or little pieces, there will some adhesive left behind.

You can scrape off the adhesive with a razor blade or use a mild solvent that will break down the adhesive. Probably best to have both on hand. Even with using the razor blade ..... there will be traces of adhesive left behind.(this is a messy task)

If working with a rear window w/a rear defroster grid ..... a solvent will be the better way to go. Take note tho ..... rubbing too hard with a powerful solvent, can damage(wear thru) the grid just the same as you would cut thru it with a razor blade.

Picking a warm day with the sun beating on the window for awhile + puting the defroster on for awhile ..... can help soften the adhesive as well.(good way to remove stickers from the rear window BTW).

Always be sure to pull on the film VERY slowly when working with a defroster grid too.

[the_pack_rat]

Aircraft Stripper works well, just try not to get it on other things..

That stuff will eat thru damn near anything. If you were to dump a 50 gal drum of it out of an airplane ... it would probably leave a crater large enough for its own zip code - lol.

I wouldn't get that stuff within 10 ft of anything your dont want to get messed up.

That stuff was the only thing I could find to strip the OEM clearcoat off some used 83/84 Hurst Olds 15x7 Super Stock wheels I bought a few years back.

Those wheels fool most people the same way our MM wheels often do.

When new ... they were often mistaken for chrome, but they were in fact clear-coated.

Fortunately when you strip off the clear coat ... you are greeted with a nice virgin chrome finish.

DISCLAIMER -

Don't anyone go trying this on a MM wheel !.

I have NOOOOOOO idea what you would be left with, once the clear coat was gone.

Just for gits & shiggles ....

Anyone know ?.

Might be an interesting experiment with a trashed wheel.

[Grifter]

well, its the Kleen Strip brand Aircraft Stripper. I dont know that its the same potency as the real deal, but its made for removing vinyl decals from automotive finishes. It also removes tape residue very well also.

[jimlam56]

So, Anybody use the steamer method?

[STLR FN]

So, Anybody use the steamer method?Not the steamer but a hair dryer. Works wonders as I just had to peel mine off my F-150 2 wks ago (I then used gas to remove what little glue residue was left). Also seen on one of the TV car shows, they used a propane torch on the outside of the window and the tint just came off. Either one will work.

*****DISCLAIMER***** I do not recommend using gas. Goo Gone wasn't working and I already had the glass outta the truck. If you use gas do so at your own risk. So do not flame me. Pun intended.*****END DISCLAIMER*****

[blackf0rk]

Materials needed:

1. 2-3 black garbage bags
2. ammonia and soapy water solution
3. plastic cling wrap
4. paper towels
5. razor blade

Now, this is what you need to do:

1. Cut out black garbage bags in the shape of the windows. Do this by spraying some soapy water on the outside of the glass, then lay the plastic over the glass. Run your hand over it to smoothen it out and remove excess water. Take your razor blade and trace out the shape of your window.

2. Leave that piece of black plastic on the outside of the window. The reason you do this is the black will absorb the heat from the sun and will loosen up the adhesive on the tint/glass.

3. Now, go inside the car. For small windows, use cling wrap and spray the solution of ammonia and soapy water to the glass. Apply the cling wrap when to the tint. Make sure there is enough solution to trap the cling wrap onto the tint. The objective is to have the ammonia solution trapped between the cling wrap and the tint. The ammonia will break down the adhesive. The sun on the outside will heat up the tint film and loosen up the adhesive.

** For larger windows, use the garbage bags and cut out the shape of the glass and use the cut-out on the inside.

4. Repeat this for all the windows with tint to be removed. Let sit in the sun for at least a half hour. Spray additional ammonia solution as needed. The hotter the day the better.

5. After allowing sufficient time for the heat to warm up the adhesive, remove the black plastic bags, as well as the cling wrap/plastic bag on the inside. Slowly, using your finger nail, pry at a corner. If you meet resistance, then you need to let the bags heat up the adhesive more, or spray more ammonia/soapy water solution. Otherwise, it should come off in one sheet.

** Note, the rear glass will have defroster lines. In some cases where the tint is stubborn and leaves adhesive, you need to use steel wool. Do not use brillo pads, or those metal mesh pads or sponges with those green scrubbing pads. Just use steel wool. Take your solution of ammonia and soapy water, spray onto glass, and rub out the remaining adhesive using the steel wool. No razor blade is necessary.

*** Patience is the key. If you find that the adhesive is hard, then you need to reheat the surface and adhesive using the sun and the black bags. This is the trick...don't use the razor blade to cut up your defroster lines!!

6. As a final step, once everything is cleaned, use a soapy water solution to clean the glass thoroughly.

I hope this helps.

[LCSO34]

I have sucessfully used the steamer before while removing tint from my dad's Caprice. After that put some ammonia in a spray bottle and that will take care of the glue, just spray a light mist so it won't run and give it a minute to soak into the adhesive, then scrape with a razor. Make sure the area is well ventilated.

[SideshowBob]

The guy who installed my tinting told me to never use window cleaner with ammonia in it, because ammonia is what they use to remove the tinting. So I'd have to believe the ammonia treatment mentioned previously would be the way to go.