Window Tint Adhesive removal

S

San Antonio Sam

New member
I'm gonna do a anti-swirl/cleanup of my 5yr old Volvo paintwork.



Gonna use a Bosch Plex12 Random Orbital with:



1) 3M FI-2 (one pass)

2) 3M SMR (two passes)

3) Klasse AIO

4) Klasse SG (by hand, 3 layers over two days)

5) Blitz topper



Probably gonna clay before starting on the FI-2, I got 3 layers of KSG and 2 layers of Blitz wax on top now. Do I need to dawn wash or will the FI-2 strip everything off?



Cheers!
 
or game plan when removing swirls. You never know how easily or difficult they will be to get out.



Remember each time you use an abrasive product on your paint you are removing clearcoat. Today's clearcoats are VERY thin, and can be broken through quite easily if you use abrasive products often. The consensus is to use the least abrasive product for the job.



I would start with SMR, and see if that cuts it. If it does, then you are done. If not, then go to Finesse it II. If that cuts it and there is no marring then again, you are done. If there is some surface marring from the Finesse it II, then follow up with SMR till it is gone.



After that, using AIO is overkill. I would skip it and go right to SG once the surface is prepped......
 
Me and DetailKing go back and forth on this. I feel that All In One should be used, the paint feels smoother and looks cleaner (2 layers really makes a nice difference) and has a shine even before the Glaze is layered. Sure, it may be abrasive but to what extent, it is a very very weak cleaner, hardly hides swirls. The benefits outweigh the abrasives (if you even classify it as abrasive, considering it is so weak) 30 to 1 in my book.
 
For a car that has just been clayed and then given the FI-II treatment followed by 3M SMR, doing AIO is pretty much a waste of time...IMO. For a car with light swirls and stains, claying, then AIO is a good prep, but not necessary if you've just done FI-II and 3M SMR.
 
You don't need to dawn wash prior to claying, SMR'ing or FI-II'ing. However (and I assume this is obvious, but just in case) you SHOULD wash with SOMETHING, because dirt/dist particles are larger than the abrasive particles you're about to use and could cause severe scratching once you start rubbing.
 
carguy, do you mean to tell me that in a totally hypothetical situation, it is OK to start prepping your car without washing it as long as the dust particles are smaller than the abrasives in your polish?????



c'mon.. let's not put any wild ideas in any newbies' heads who happen upon this thread.... :)
 
Why not dawn wash before claying? It makes the clay last longer and work faster. If you're afraid of Dawn washing, spray the car down with Isopropyl alcohol or vinegar before washing and let it sit for a few minutes. This should strip the junk off of your car.
 
Thanks for all the tips! :D



I'll definitely wash my brick first but with car shampoo, cause I only can get the special care Dawn here in Singapore. So sticking with 3M shampoo and start off with Clay.



Probably start off with SMR and see the results before moving to FI-II if necessary.



Thanks again! :bounce
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Brad4rdHay [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>It prevents you from doing the dawn wash. [/b]</blockquote>Brad, IMO doing a Dawn wash between 3M SMR and Klasse SG is unnecessary. A regular wash is more than enough. The oils and fillers used in the SMR are similar to the oils used in pure polishes like 3M IHG which also cannot survive a single car wash. Any residual oil left over will be taken out by the solvents in KSG.
 
I actually had to dish soap (not Dawn) wash my car a couple of times to get rid of all of the fillers and oils that 3M SMR left behind, but then again my technique was way off, YMMV. I'd Dawn wash to be safe but that's just my preference.
 
A Dawn wash (or AIO) may or may not be necessary. I was going by Sal's recommendation because he's been using 3M SMR for many years and also by the fact that people like BradB. and DavidB go straight from PPCL (which also has oils and fillers) to KSG/ZSCP/BF protectant without using their cleaners or even a car wash. I've gone straight from PPCL to Z-5 as well without any bonding issues.



But as Puter said, your results may certainly vary.
 
Does anyone have any experience removing the window tint adhesive? I've already stripped the tint using a heat gun, but it didnt touch the adhesive...Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

Damon
 
I had a van where I messed up a applying the window tint film and had to take it off . The glue came off with laquer thinner but there may be a safer solvent that would work too. Thats what I had on hand.
 
How about calling a tint shop and ask them what they use, since they do this for a living? Or even a vinyl graphics installer will have a special liquid they use to remove the adhesive.
Either way you go, I am sure it is a very time consuming, annoying job; sorry you have to do this.

Good luck !
DanF
 
I tinted windows for years. Soapy water and a new razor blade is your best bet, not harsh chemicals. Saturate the window with the soapy water solution and take smooth straight vertical/horizontal strokes to remove the "booger like" material, it will literally take you a couple minutes per window (average side window size). However, do not use this same process on a rear window with defrost lines, if that is your question please let me know and I will explain the secret to cleaning that mess up without destroying the defrost lines.

Good luck and let us know how it comes out.

-Kody-
 
I have the same problem with one of my cars. I was able to take the film off in one piece, but the adhesive remained. My research indicated two methods to try. The first one said to spray the interior of the window with a soapy water solution and allowing a cut black garbage bag to stick to the window with the film of soapy water in between. You then close up all the windows and leave your car parked outside to bake in the sun. Afterwards, it's supposed to come off pretty easily. The other method involves using a steam gun and a can of beer while taking your time. I haven't tried either method yet, but the one involving the beer and steam gun sounds like a relaxing all day affair.:wink:
 

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