hawk

Found here: http://www.tintdude.com/remove.html

In case anyone ever needed to remove their window tint for any reason.

Materials:
Warm sunny day
Tarp
Large plastic garbage bag
Undiluted Ammonia
Windex (a glass cleaner)
Paper towels
Fine steel wool
Razor blades

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)

WytchDctr

so, a match and a gallon of gasoline is not the proper way to do that? Damn. Thanks for the write up.

HyundaiKitCoupe

Anybody know if goof-off actually works? I'm trying to figure out how to remove the glue that's been left on the windows without damaging them or defroster.

pas1216

Goo Gone has worked GREAT for me. (that sounds kinda gross)

HyundaiKitCoupe

Really?! It removes the residue without messing things up? I've tried ammonia-based liquids and it would take forever plus 100 bottles of the stuff. I've read to use carb-cleaner but I would never do that.



Thanks for the knowledge! And yea it does have a sexual connotation lol.

tibbytib

I used a clothes steamer. Worked great. Had to go slowly. Residual glue left behind I took off with 3M adhesive removal. Its in a spray can and you WILL want a respirator. In fact, with the ammonia suggested above I would invest in a respirator as well. They are cheap enough at Harbour freight.

HyundaiKitCoupe

Thanks tibbytib. I ordered 24oz of Goo Gone. If that doesn't work then I'll order 3M adhesive removal. I've used 3M products before and you really do get your money's worth and guarantee.

HyundaiKitCoupe

Well Goo-Gone didn't do squaaaat. It's like Orange-Glo mixed with turpentine. All it did was grease over the glue.



I'm going to try the 3M. If that doesn't work, I'm just going to replace the glass altogether.

tibbytib

Trust me, the 3M will work, but definitely make sure you use a resperator or an extremely well ventilated area

FYI, I used it on my defrosters and they still work, so you should be safe to use on them. I tried goo gone as well. LOL! Did nothing!

HyundaiKitCoupe

Alright, I did it all! It's painstaking but all you need is some time.



I conservatively sprayed Windex over the entirety of the sticky window, let it soak for a few minutes, and then hacked at it with a plastic spatula (spackle knife) just like this here:







At first it might seem like it won't work, but if you keep rubbing it away it will eventually give. I did this inch-by-inch and it's all gone. My tip would be to clear one empty spot and work your way out from that spot. Then spray some more Windex when it evaporates but generally it comes off with only one coat of Windex.



Thanks for your help and confidence tibbytib!