Removal of Sheet Window Tint.

[Cristobal]

The L/F window tint on The Beast is starting to peel. I will likely pull it off sooner or later. But I will then need to remove the glue.

What works best to get the old glue off the glass? Alcohol? Acetone? Gasoline? I once had to do this on a Camry 10 years ago but I forgot what I used, except for a razor blade and tons of elbow grease. I wat to make it easier this time.

 

[greystone]

Warm water .... It's water based glue

 

[meangreen01]

I've heard some have had success with a portable steamer. The type you'd use on your clothes. I did mine a year ago using a heat gun and still would up with some adhesive left over, which is the real PITA to remove. I used some of this stuff on the gunk leftover:

http://www.liftoffinc.com/product-tape-remover.php

Picked it up at Home Depot. Spray on(preferably on a warm day), and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Wipes off a lot easier than anything else I tried. Elbow grease still needed.

 

[meangreen01]

Originally Posted By: greystone
Warm water .... It's water based glue


Haha. I don't know what that adhesive is made of, but it isn't coming off with warm water.

 

[TMoto]

I've heard ammonia will do the trick, which is why window cleaners containing ammonia are not recommended for tinted windows.

 

[bluestream]

I had to use Acetone to get mine off

 

[harry j]

I had to use a razor blade, it came off fairly easy.

 

[raaizin]

I used this on a used car with tint I purchased:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Conair-Compact-Fabric-Steamer/11080499

It removed it very easily. Just take your time. I even removed it from rear window without damaging the grid for defroster

 

[scurvy]

Spray bottle of windex fortified with ammonia, a hot day with full sun on it and a razor scraper will do it.

 

[Stu_Rock]

It depends on the adhesive. There was tint film on my Peugeot's windows that was insoluble in aqueous solutions. Acetone and tetrachloroethylene were the only thing that softened it.

 

[fsdork]

Wurth W-Sol is amazing at getting residue off of glass. Just don't get it on anything else.

 

[97prizm]

wow everybody is giving odd recommendatuons. Go to target home depot or local store that carries tint. there is a solution called window tint remover for this very purpose.

 

[meangreen01]

Originally Posted By: 97prizm
wow everybody is giving odd recommendatuons. Go to target home depot or local store that carries tint. there is a solution called window tint remover for this very purpose.


I've seen it, but can you vouch for it's effectiveness? This is a job that seems to have easy solutions. But, often times the tint has been on for many years, which I think hardens the adhesive leading to difficult removal. A quick Google search would indicate an easy solution isn't simple. The tint shop that does my vehicles charges less for tint as it does for removal FWIW.

 

[The Critic]

You'll probably end up having to scrape it, regardless of the methods mentioned. I'm sure you can find a tint guy who will remove it for < $50 and not damage your window.

 

[paulo57509]

In my experience, there is no magical solution that you spray on and it peels off. What ever you use, plan on adding elbow grease.

You need to get under both layers to get to the adhesive.....the tint and the clear.

 

[rg200amp]

My friend owns a tinting company and I have done work with him during his busy times.

The only way to remove it quickly and 100% is to use a razor blade and scrape it off.

Get a water bottle, and add a little bit of car soap to it. Spray the window down and use the spray as a lube. Just take your time and scrape it off.

It's a pain, but fairly easy to do.

The back window is the hardest. You can't use a razor since you will cut the defroster lines. you have to use Fine steel wool and a LOT of time. lol