Hi all,
I was wondering if anybody had tips on removing old window tinting. I had a bit of a go on one window, but found that the tint stayed and the plastic film came of in strips.
Any ideas?

if you remove the glass from the car i think it may wash of in Petrol

heat gun... it stinks, and takes ages!!!
thats the easiest way I have found. Start at one corner lifting it with a razor, and heat the film, and pull it off slowly.
It will still leave a slight sticky residue, that prep sol (wax and grease remover) will get off.

Hi

I removed it once, it was a bitch. Worst part was the glue, nothing would remove it cleanly, but I did have some success with some waterless car wash after trying everything in kitchen.

If its not a rare model, maybe consider buying 2nd hand glass to replace it.

Steve

Pick a warm day.

Squirt with Windex (it has amonia in it).

Cover with newspaper (keep wet).

Give it some time and it should be easier to lift.

Take real care not to scratch the window (especially on windows with demisters).

There is plenty on info on the net.

Newt

It looks as though I have a few methods to try!
Thanks for the tips, and when I've had a go at all of them I'll report on which was the best one.

I don't know if the Newer tints are any easier to get off...

but those old ones - if they were applied correctly...

come off in small strips... then the glue is still there..

as suggested prepsol - wax remover -

probably just as potent as petrol..

[I hope You don't smoke] lol

I just remembered i have some glue from a sticker still on My windscreen... will try prepsol tomorrow,,,
nothing else i tried would take it off - only moves it.. lol

Lee

If it was me I'd use a single edge razor blade. The other ways could end up being even messier, just be careful and you should be alright.

drop by any tint shop and sus em out as they do it all the time
im sure they'll steer you in the right direction
h

Guys, its your call.

Ive used a razor, Ive used a credit card and Ive used window cleaner.

For my money, window cleaner wins (amonia).

Try surfing the net for something like "removing car window tinting"


Newt

Hm, I wonder if Handy Andy would work? Its really good for degreasing.... (pink seems best).

We used a steam iron and a soft scraper.

With a little patience it was an easy job. Thanks for the tips, lads!

Sorry to bring this one up again... but it's my turn to try to remove window tinting. I have just received a 1990 Caravelle that my brother has been bringing back to life and it has crappy purple, bubbly tint on a couple of the windows (not sure why only a couple of them... judging by the sun damage to the seats it looks like the others were never tinted).

To take anything off glass I use the single sided blades...
You can get them in scrapers which are easier to use...
You won't scratch the glass unless You really try...

as the rear demister is usually stuck to the glass...
scraping it off wouldn't be an option...

unless the wires are in the glass then just be careful around the mounting terminal blocks at the top...

I found Prepsol or car paint thinners to be great at removing the glue...

I don't know why they used Purple tint are maybe all OLD tint goes purple... it was probably not as thick as todays tint...
and that is why it shreds...
and the glue stays...??

it was probably an aftermarket user applies tint...

LEE

a mate does window tinting n uses a heat gun to remove the old tint with plenty of colourful language

Rosco, do you know if the demister actually works in the first place?

Never tried it but someone once mentioned if you spray the tint with window cleaner, then spread cling wrap over it and wait a bit for it to dry it peels off with the cling wrap.

Sounds like a wives tale but may be worth a try.

Quote:

Originally posted by h a mate does window tinting n uses a heat gun to remove the old tint with plenty of colourful language

Quote:

[quote just have to find and purchase a steamer.... R

The steamers that are mentioned on other websites are the type you use on clothes and are apparently inexpensive...

I imagine that the wallpaper stripping version would work too... just faster

R

Well, I went through the motions and followed the information on the web-sites that I had read and I can only assume that the success of the published tinting removal methods must be related to the type, age and condition of the tint you are trying to remove.

The tint that was on my Caravelle was badly faded, blistered and there were also areas of the tint that were damaged (rips and gashes in the tint). I know that the van had been sitting outside for approx. 10 years before it came to live with us so everything is sun damaged.

I purchased a clothes steamer (turns out that my wife wanted one anyway) and spent the next 4.5 hours removing the tint from the back window. The plastic tint came off the window fairly quickly and easily without the use of any other tools, the the entire window was coated with the adhesive. When I realised that the adhesive was being left behind I tried a number of things to stop this from happening (pulling the tint off slower, using less heat/steam, using more heat/steam, etc) but nothing I did made any difference.

I then tried all the suggested methods for removing the adhesive but none of them made much difference. I then became more adventurous/desperate and tried amost every chemical I could think of that may have helped, including everything that was suggested in the thread above....

In the end, I found that the only way I could get the adhesive off was to use masses of steam and a razor blade/paint scraper - being very careful around the demister lines on the window. This process alone took almost 2 hours! I really don't know if the window demister has been damaged now - it doesn't look damaged but I suppose only time will tell...

On the positive side, I left the two tinted side windows for the guys at the tinting shop to sort out and they mentioned that this tint was amongst the hardest that they had removed... so I don't feel too bad! Oh, and of course the new tinting looks sooooo much better!

I really feel that the age and condition of the old tint plays a big part in how easily if can be removed.

R

metho

Someone said they used a credit card, I would like to add to that, yeah use a credit card and replace the bloody windows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hit them hard with a hammer, gets rid of tint every time without fail.

Anyone tried acetone? It normally rips through everything. I made up my own super degreaser one time with acetone, heavy duty engine degreaser concentrate and brake cleaner. Damn stuff bubbled the rubber gloves I was wearing in minutes. Got the socket set nice and shiny though!