Best Way To Remove Window Tinting?
 

Hi All,

What's the best way to remove window tinting from the rear hatch? Can I just peel it off? Do I need to worry about the defog elements? Which direction is best to peel it, with or against the defog element wires?

Art.

I recently removed the tint on my rear windshield this summer, and let me tell you what a pain in the ass it was. I started off by peeling the actual tint off, then with a razor blade and "tint-off" solution i started to scrape the glue off the window. (note: don't cut the windshield defroster lines, they dont work after you do) After what seemed an eternity I had almost nothing off. I then used an industrial degreaser which was awesome, the glue wiped right off with it.

razor blade and a hanlde to use with it.....and a spray bottle of water

Heat also works well from a hair blower, a heat gun might be to much on your hands when peeling. Peel slowly and work from one corner and be gentle. Also to clean it I've used windex and even got desperate and put a small amount of brake cleaner on a cheap rag and it lifted the glue right off.

3M general purpose adhesive remover to clean up the glue. they have repair kits if you break a defogger line. be careful

If the 2 layers didn't seperate from each other, I would wait for summer and do it this way.... http://www.tintdude.com/remove.html

Scraping it is a pain in the ass. ANd it will destroy the defog grid. I've done the scrape it method ... it sucks.

Well that sucks!

I have the same problem lol the tint on my window is so f*****g dark that I cant see out of it at night, not at all.......

Amen, I need to get mine off at some point. Not only can I not see out of it at night but I don't see all that sharp through it during the day. Nothing like Factory tint, that's for sure!

The best and easiest way to remove tint is a Steamer.. Like a clothes Steamer. I have one, it works GREAT for removing tint. will remove the tint in like 5 minutes, then just use an all purpose cleaner to remove the rest of the glue.

Are you using the steamer on the outside of the tinting like to heat it up with the steam or using it as you are peeling it back? Meaning the steam is used as you are peeling it back?

Ever try WD-40 to get the glue off?

Thanks for the help.

Art.

Art,

Goo Gone works well for getting the glue-y stuff off.

Have you asked Artie how to do it yet?

maybe its the tint I had put on my car but when I had to take off my tint for inspection my tint just literally peeled off leaving no residue. If it took me over 4 minutes for both windows combined that would be an over estimate :lol:

Both.. first use the steam to loosen the tint so you can pull it up, then use the steam as you are pulling it up. The steam melts the glue (while keeping it moist) and makes the tint just slide right off the window.

Also, I have never tried the WD-40, but that might work, just might be a pain to clean up. I just used a good all purpose cleaner and a brillow pad, no damage to defrosters.

Thanks everyone, this was all very helpful!