Help Removing Tint

[Kyle Hamelin]

Hey guys and girls. So I need to remove the tint on my two front windows so I have been looking up how to do so. I found a way that says all you need is a steam cleaner to heat up the window and melt the glue then just peel away after heated.

I have a question though. Do I need to remove my door panels before steaming the window on our cars? Also does this method work? Anyone have any experience in this feild?

Any help is great, thanks.

[pdq]

I've never done it, but be careful if you touch the back window because of the defrost lines.

You're on the right track: you need to melt the glue behind the tint and then slowly peel it away. Use a razor to prick the top corner first. I'm not sure about the steam cleaner, but the pros use those handheld heat guns to melt the glue (a hair dryer might work too). If you go that route, be careful as they get hot fast and can melt your hand or the gasket rubber.

Also, you don't need to remove the door panels, as they install the tint without touching the door panels. If you have residual glue left behind, try rubbing acetone to remove it.

[Kyle Hamelin]

That is strange because the guy that installed mine did take my panels off. Yea I have heard to be carefull on the back window. I am only doing the front two though because of legal issues. I use to live in Ontario which it was fine to have but I moved to NS and it's not legal here.. So annoying getting pulled over every other day. Thanks for the response and tips.

I am either going to remove it. Or buy two used non-tinted front windows, installed them and get it inspected. Then after it's approved just remove them and install my tinted ones. I am trying to see how hard it is to remove the tint without screwing it up first though. See if it's easy or not.

[pdq]

That's lame. Here in Texas it's almost anything goes on the tint (other than the windshield).

If it's just the fronts, I'd go with removing it -- much easier than swapping the window out. I bet you can heat it up with steam or a heat gun and then peel it away pretty quickly.

[Kyle Hamelin]

Lame is an understatment. It's such a stupid rule. So is the pricey 225$ ticket I just got the other day for going 15km over the speed limit... This province is very stupid in many ways.

Ya it seems like it would be less work. I just would have no tinted windows Can you get a heat gun at walmart that would work for this type of job for a good price though?

[pdq]

Home Depot and Lowes here both carry a cheapo Wagner brand gun for about 25 bucks. They might also be available at Radio Shack or Sears.

[Buurin]

Rincon posted a pretty effective method of tint removal here. Search for it.

Hint: Ammonia-based window cleaner, garbage bag, sun.

[1.8litrebeater]

Originally Posted by Buurin

Hint: Ammonia-based window cleaner, garbage bag, sun.

This is more common on the rear window only. I used a fabric steamer and some razor blades with soapy water to get any glue that remains.

[Kyle Hamelin]

Thanks little pig and literbeater. I will search that today and see what it says.