Best way to remove old window tinting?

**foghorn67** · #1 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 03:34 PM

A friend of mine is looking into getting a used truck, and was asking sorts of questions. One of them stumped me.
What is the best way to remove the tint?
Is there a solution for it?
thanks

12sec67 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 04:27 PM

razorblade

charlies · #3 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 04:57 PM

a rock!

of course it would be nice to have a back up window with this method.

**SnwMnkys** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 05:10 PM

A razorblade to scrape it off the majority of it, then we used steel wool and any type of good house hold cleaner to get the sticky stuff off. Had to do it on my Mustang and this was the best method we could come up with. Try using a heat gun too, that may work.

charlies · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 05:35 PM

**351LX** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 07:44 PM

I had a used window that was tinted and I took it off using compressed air from my air compressor and a blow tip.I peeled back a corner and once the air got underneath it came off in big pieces.I used lighter fluid to remove the residue.It might not work if it is cold or old and brittle.

**gp001** · #7 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 09:04 PM

Dawn dish soap and a razor blade. Mix it in a spray bottle. Try to peel back a corner at the top, or use the blade to get a section at the top to pull back, then spray the soapy mixtre in there and let it work. Slowly pull tint away and keep spraying the entire windows to let the soap mixture work.

I've also heard of using WD-40, ammonia, 409, or oven cleaner for tough cases

**xoxbxfx** · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 09:30 PM

my buddy does tint professionally and they use a steamer and a razorblade... the heat is supposed to help release the glue.

**67vert** · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 09:43 PM

hair drier, razor blade, soapy water

**foghorn67** · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 11:18 PM

sounds great. we'll give those ideas a shot.

**haskett** · #11 (**permalink**) 01-01-04, 11:35 PM

I tried all of the tricks a year ago, and ended up using a razor blade for most of it, and steel wool with soapy water for the residue.

HistoricMustang · #12 (**permalink**) 01-02-04, 04:50 AM

I just did this last weekend.

Best thing to use is Acetone and keep a razor blade handy. You will need a lot of clean rags (cut up towels work best).

Clean up with Windex.

Good Luck as it will test your patience.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

**Pakrat** · #13 (**permalink**) 01-02-04, 08:23 AM

Well, since all the proper methods have already been listed again and again, I'll offer two alternatives just because they are available, but any of the above combos will work.

The film can be scoured as opposed to heated to aid in a soapy residue penetrating the glue from behind (like the type you use for wallpaper) and if you want something less volatile or maybe more handy than acetone or lighter fluid to remove the left over tacky stuff, than regular corn or vegetable oil will also work fine. Peanut butter works also believe it or not but is messy.

**Clark** · #14 (**permalink**) 01-05-04, 01:16 PM

I have done this on several vehicles and I know this way works. This is not the best time of year because outside in the sun would help but start by soaking paper towels in amonia, get the lemon stuff because it helps with the odor, then stick them on the tint you want to remove. Get some plastic bags (grocery one's will work) and cut them so they will lay flat and stick them on the soaked paper towels on the windows. These will all stay stuck pretty good but if you need help around the edges use clothespins. Let this set at least an hour, the plastic will keep the moisture in, then use a razor blade and a little amonia and work it off, it usually will come off in one sheet. Even on tint that has been on +10 years.

66'Stanger · #15 (**permalink**) 01-05-04, 04:27 PM

I used a razrblade to get mine off.

**blksn955.o** · #16 (**permalink**) 01-05-04, 10:47 PM

Here is a diff. way

get a few black plastic trash bags and some spray bottle with water,glasscleaner, anything with a water base. and spray the window down and cut a section of the black bag to size and when the glass is wet enough the black plastic (only one layer thick you can cut it all up but dont need it doubled over) will stick to it. let it set in the sun for 15-45min. (depending on the heat and amount of sun) and then take off the plastic and the film peals off, now the glue will reset so you will have to re-wet the window and use the plastic agian but I did all back 3 windows of my 94gt in about 3-4hours (this is also counting the sitting in the sun time with me inside) and it was a piece of cake. GO over the window with some windex to get any glue off that might remain.

**foghorn67** · #17 (**permalink**) 01-06-04, 01:24 AM

cool. all sorts of ways now.
thanks again.