Window Tint Removal

M

MNRXguy

New member
Hello all. I wasn't sure where to post this, but this was my best guess. I have a 87 Corvette on which the previous owner installed window tint on the back hatch window. The tint is starting to show it age. I tried the black plastic bag trick with ammonia, but the tint delaminated and the base layer is extremely difficult to get off. Unfortunately the car has window defrost so I can't use a razor blade. Anyone have any ideas? I've heard steam will remove the tint and adhesive.
 
I agree that steam may be the way to go. Isn't the defroster wire embedded in the glass? If not, you are right about the razor blade.



BTW, I use Plastic Razor Blades a lot for jobs like this. Never the metal ones.
 
Your best option is steel wool at this point. Saturate the window with foaming window cleaner numerous times to help break down the adhesive and start having your way with the steel wool, going in uniform short strokes (very tedious) to ensure you get full coverage.



If you have a steamer, it will speed up the process, but steel wool will still be needed.



PM for more questions, I'd be happy to help.



-Kody-
 
One way I've always done it is to first cut out a piece of trash bag that will fit your window(s), then spray Simple Green on the window, make sure the window is well saturated with the simple green, then place the trash bag on the inside of the window the simple green will hold it on the window. Then let the car sit outside for a few hours in the direct sunlight and let the sun do all the work. When you take off the trash bag you can either take your nail or plastic razor and lift up a corner and then just pull away. The window will be left with no adhesive. Enjoy!
 
Detail Meister said:
One way I've always done it is to first cut out a piece of trash bag that will fit your window(s), then spray Simple Green on the window, make sure the window is well saturated with the simple green, then place the trash bag on the inside of the window the simple green will hold it on the window. Then let the car sit outside for a few hours in the direct sunlight and let the sun do all the work. When you take off the trash bag you can either take your nail or plastic razor and lift up a corner and then just pull away. The window will be left with no adhesive. Enjoy!
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Excellent trick, may have to keep that one in mind. I'm pretty sure there is a special product that is intended to soak through the tint and remove it. I had a buddy a while back work for a company that did vinyl stickers for businesses and what-not and they had a special solution that was meant to soak through the vinyl to help break up the adhesive. If you can't get your hands on any of that, I've always heard of the steel wool trick (even though it sucks to do).
 
Hmm, I tried the trick with the plastic bag using ammonia. I let it sit outside for 2-3 hours. The glass got super hot, but it didn't seem to work that great. Maybe I didn't use enough solution.
 
MNRXguy said:
Hmm, I tried the trick with the plastic bag using ammonia. I let it sit outside for 2-3 hours. The glass got super hot, but it didn't seem to work that great. Maybe I didn't use enough solution.
Click to expand...



great method, but got to keep it wet and work quick once you start to peel of the tint.
 
Just took the tint off of my 02' Trans Am, tint was put on by a shop, and showed no signs of decay. I bought a $30 steamer from Walmart and went to town. I was ready for a battle with 9 year old tint. It took about 20 minutes total for both side windows, and maybe a half an hour for the back window, it could not have been easier!

Keep the steamer about an inch from the glass and keep it moving, it not only melts the adhesive, but introduces moisture in behind the tint. My tint peeled off in whole sheets with only trace amounts of residue left behind, which were easily cleaned up with normal glass cleaner.

I'm sure some tints come off easier than others, but if you can take it off yourself without chemicals and without a big mess, it's worth trying.
 
I borrowed a steamer and it worked great. It took 2-3 hours to do. I'm guessing the tint was from the early 90s. The steam gun had a little plastic brush on the end. I held the gun pretty mush directly on the glass and used the brush to loosen the tint. It was pretty messy, but it got the job done. Thanks for all your info.
 
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