remove window tint

H

hardheaded

Joined
Nov 10, 2016
Messages
187
Location
Missouri
How can i remove the window tint from the rear glass of my 06 Monte Carlo with the defrost grid on it ?
Hell it just tough getting in the back seat for an old guy.
 
hardheaded said:
How can i remove the window tint from the rear glass of my 06 Monte Carlo with the defrost grid on it ?
Hell it just tough getting in the back seat for an old guy.
Click to expand...
honestly I would call around and explain that you just want to make sure no damage is done to the rear defrost grid, whoever you have the most confidence in, have them do it, just make sure they have some good reviews.

My 2018 Lexus came with tints that were hazy/blurry when looking through, especially for the rear tint, this was an issue because of the defrost grid.

I called around until I found someone I liked, I actually got all the tints removed in L.A. for $150, super nice guy who worked out of his home and had amazing reviews.

Here in Wyoming, it was hard to find someone and there was a 2 month long list for such a service, and what they wanted to charge, made no sense.
 
I know we all like to DIY, but in my experience, this is a job best left to guys and gals who do this all day for a living, assuming you want your rear defrost to continue working. I think I paid $180 to have my 535d rear glass re-tinted a couple years back.
 
hardheaded said:
How can i remove the window tint from the rear glass of my 06 Monte Carlo with the defrost grid on it ?
Click to expand...

hardheaded said:
Some say to just replace the rear glass. I would rather not have to do this.
Click to expand...
4 of the 5 windows on mine are in excellent condition, considering it's 15+ year old tint. The rear window ? It's pretty bad and I've always wanted to replace it.... Problem is, multiple shops have flat turned down the job, while I did find one that said they'll do it but I have to sign a waiver saying that if they damage the defrost wires, too bad. They won't be responsible for repairing it, let alone from what I've found, no one fixes these.

I even called a glass guy to get a price on a replacement rear window and he casually asked what was wrong (broken, etc) and I explained the window tint issue. Sure, he's in the business of selling replacement glass but he said "most tint shops won't touch it" and full glass replacement typically ends up being the only solution.

That said, check YouTube.... There are shops / people who have gotten experience with it and actually make it look easy. They've had to develop some trick processes that works. I don't dare tell a tint shop "watch this video" in order to do it.
 
I have a post around here explaining the process.

Keep in mind, it will vary as to how degraded the tint is. If it is severely degraded, you're in for a long haul as it will come off in tiny pieces, leave behind rock hard glue, and generally be a nightmare. There's not really a magic bullet that will handle it either.

This isn't the one I was thinking of, but it had options and ideas.

A

Thread '$200 to remove tint from back window?'

Shop want's $200 to remove the bubbling tint just from the back window of my 95 Buick Skylark coupe. No thanks. Even if it takes me 10 hours, that's like making $20 an hour tax free. I know it's a pain to do, but it worth a shot.

Did the trash bag method and all that did was get off the outer layer in a few big pieces. Not what I was hoping for, but better than it breaking apart. Now I have the tint layer and glue to deal with. Using a 1/2 inch blade to scrape between the defroster lines and a regular razor blade to lightly scrape over the defroster lines, I have 2/3 of the tint off...
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hardheaded said:
How can i remove the window tint from the rear glass of my 06 Monte Carlo with the defrost grid on it ?
Hell it just tough getting in the back seat for an old guy.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't do it on your own. I'd let an experienced tint shop do it. Even if an experienced shop does they might not be able to remove the tint without damaging the defroster lines.
 
I did the trash bag version on 2 cars. No issues. Defrosters work fine afterward, no scraping with razors. Gets most of the glue at the same time. Any glue left wiped off with rubbing alcohol. The flat black garbage bags work better than the flex one I tried.

Some use a clothes steamer, some heat gun, some hair dryer.

Trash bag removal 1 or Trash bag tint removal 2 - there are other videos. I think I used just plain water and smoothed the bag out well. I left the car running, heat on high and put the rear defroster on to help warm it. Not sure if that helped. Hardest part was getting my old fat a$$ back there to do it.

Shops by me wanted more to remove it than to install new.
 
Didn't realize this was so controversial. I de-tinted the side and rear windows on a W204 MB C Class - just went at it with a steam cleaner and the film came cleanly off without any drama
 
I've done it with great success. Watch some videos. It needs to be HOT inside. Like direct sunlight and run the heater. Then heat the glass with a hairdryer/heat gun. Grab a corner and peel while continuing to heat. Works surprisingly well. The back window you can cut a black trash bag to sort of fit, spray the glass with a lot of soapy water/windex so the bag will sit if you need to get more heat into it. Anyway you do it the rear defrost grid is usually damaged. Even when the pros do it.
 
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