Best way to remove old window tinting?

Discussion in 'Classic Mustangs' started by foghorn67, Jan 1, 2004.

  1. foghorn67 I'll save you the time and choke myself

    Member Since:
    Jan 10, 2002
    Message Count:
    2,179
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    46
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    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
  2. 12sec67 Active Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 7, 2003
    Message Count:
    1,357
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    San Diego, Ca
    razorblade
  3. charlies New Member

    Member Since:
    May 1, 2002
    Message Count:
    402
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    in front of computer
    a rock! :D

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

    Member Since:
    Apr 21, 2002
    Message Count:
    382
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Orem, Utah
    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.
  5. charlies New Member

    Member Since:
    May 1, 2002
    Message Count:
    402
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    in front of computer
  6. 351LX Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Jul 25, 2001
    Message Count:
    1,011
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Regina, Saskatchewan
    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.
  7. gp001 Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Jun 30, 2001
    Message Count:
    4,444
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Location:
    So. Cal.
    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
  8. xoxbxfx Founding Member

    Member Since:
    May 10, 2001
    Message Count:
    3,963
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Southlake, TX
    my buddy does tint professionally and they use a steamer and a razorblade... the heat is supposed to help release the glue.
  9. 67vert Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Jun 26, 2002
    Message Count:
    660
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    hair drier, razor blade, soapy water
  10. foghorn67 I'll save you the time and choke myself

    Member Since:
    Jan 10, 2002
    Message Count:
    2,179
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    46
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    sounds great. we'll give those ideas a shot. :nice:
  11. haskett Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Feb 4, 2002
    Message Count:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Tomball, Texas
    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.
  12. HistoricMustang Active Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 11, 2003
    Message Count:
    2,363
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    46
    Location:
    Confederate States of America
    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
  13. Pakrat Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Aug 6, 2000
    Message Count:
    3,856
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Location:
    Currently: NH Originally: Rhode Island (and all po
    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.
  14. Clark Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Aug 5, 1999
    Message Count:
    659
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Rowlett,Texas
    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.
  15. 66'Stanger New Member

    Member Since:
    Dec 1, 2002
    Message Count:
    87
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    I used a razrblade to get mine off.
  16. blksn955.o Founding Member

    Member Since:
    Mar 15, 2002
    Message Count:
    3,266
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    66
    Location:
    st.louis mo 314
    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.
  17. foghorn67 I'll save you the time and choke myself

    Member Since:
    Jan 10, 2002
    Message Count:
    2,179
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    46
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    cool. all sorts of ways now.
    thanks again.

Share This Page