huck

iTrader: (25)

Anyone removed window tint off their rear window? Any pointers before I give it a go? Do I need to worry about damaging the defroster?

WRX Rush

iTrader: (7)

Warm water. . . .actually boiling hot water and some gloves. Keep applying on it and it will start to give (the adhesive)

Then get a razor, start in an open area to get the hang of it, be aware of where the defroster lines are. One cut and it will mess up the entire works.

From then on it should be a breeze.

By chance if you have a steam cleaning device (shark steam blaster) in my expierience helps a bunch

Good Luck
WRX Rush

luckistryke

it will work much better if you get your hands on a steamer. you will need a knife w/ breakoff tip, SimpleGreen, and Windex. lightly score lines along the defroster. cut film into 3 to 4 strips. peel one corner and steam away.....whats left is a bit of glue, thats where the simplegreen/windex come into play. spray on the simplegreen and let it sit for 5-10 min. wipe off w/ paper towels

call me if you want more details
-vincent
C. 510-421-8224

Danno_man

From www.tintdude.com:
(you can also use Simple Green instead of ammonia)

Time: Half a Day


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)