General Maintenance - Remove Window Tint

All window film deteriorates with age and has to be removed. Two of the most common symptoms of dying film are the dreaded "purple film" and the "bubbling film". Purple film is caused by non-metallic dyes in the film breaking down and changing color. Bubbling film is a sign that the adhesive used to apply the tint to the window is failing. After a single bubble appears, many more will follow. If you attempt to remove the window tint simply by peeling, you'll probably end up with a sticky mess on the glass that will take several hours to scrape. Here is how to prevent this from happening.

Contents 1 Tools Needed 2 Supplies Needed 3 Instructions 3.1 Heat Gun Method 3.2 Sun and Ammonia Method 3.3 Soap, Newspaper and Easy Off BAM! Method 3.4 Heat Method 3.5 Soaking and Scraping Method 3.6 Duct tape method 4 Tips 5 Warnings 6 Videos 7 See Also 8 References

[edit] Tools Needed

• Very fine steel wool
• Razor blade or sharp knife
• Steamer or hair dryer (if using the steaming method)
• Face mask

[edit] Supplies Needed

• Black trash bags
• Ammonia (undiluted)
• Glass cleaner

[edit] Instructions

[edit] Heat Gun Method

This is the easiest and cleanest way to remove window tint. All you need is a heat gun (not a blow dryer) and a razor blade. Heat the outside of the glass at the corner of the tint. Use the razor to start the removal. Slowly peel back the tint and follow with the heat gun. Make 3" to 5" passes on the outside of the glass over still adhered tint. Simply peel tint as it is heated and follow up with a window cleaner to remove any fingerprints. Go slow and the result will be impeccable.

[edit] Sun and Ammonia Method

This technique requires a sunny day. If you live in an area where it's cloudy and you suspect there isn't sufficient sunlight to heat the rear window, consider alternative techniques below.

1. Cut two black garbage bags in roughly the shape of the window. Spray soapy water on the outside of the window and cover it with one of the black trash bags. Smooth the plastic flat.
   

   
2. Protect all inside surfaces near the window with a tarp: speakers, rear light, and upholstered surfaces, then spray the entire window film with undiluted ammonia. Undiluted ammonia has a strong smell. It is recommended that you wear a face mask. Ammonia fumes can be harmful and different individuals will respond differently to exposure to the fumes.
   

   
3. While the ammonia is still wet, trap the ammonia against the window film with another trash bag or plastic wrap. Park the car with the appropriate window facing the sun for an hour to soften the tint's adhesive. You may accelerate the process with a hair dryer set to high heat and high fan speed and eliminate the interior black plastic layer but it will require extra moisture due to the drying from the hair dryer. Most window tint is constructed of multiple layers of film. When left under the hot sun, the garbage bags will absorb heat, helping the film peel off in one piece.
   

   
4. Start peeling the window film. Use your fingernail or razor blade to lift the window film in a corner of the window, and try to peel the film off in one entire piece. Be careful not to cut the defroster lines. Keep the tint moist with ammonia as you strip. Use a razor blade to scrape off any tint that did not peel.
   

   
5. Remove any residual adhesive with ammonia and very fine steel wool, then wipe the surface with a paper towel before it dries. Remove the exterior trash bag, and clean the window thoroughly with glass cleaner.
   

   

[edit] Soap, Newspaper and Easy Off BAM! Method

1. Apply soapy detergent water to the window with a household sponge, and cover with newspaper. Leave for about an hour (whilst the paper is up, reapply the soapy water to the paper every 20 minutes or so to keep the moisture seeping through).
2. With a razor blade applicance from the hardware store, simply scrape off the top layer of the tint film with long strokes. Just simply reapply the soapy water and newspaper again and leave for about half an hour if the top layer doesn't come off in long strips.
3. This step is the most awesome bit that l discovered today after trying other things to remove the remaining fine tint.....Easy Off Bam! Seriously, you just spray it on AFTER taking off the first layer, and simply rub the razor blade over the tint. It just comes off without any effort at all......in fact, l think l saw, through the bubbles of 'Bam', that it came off as l sprayed it, without any scraping whatsoever from me (of course l still ran over it with the razor, but l don't think l needed to)!

[edit] Heat Method

If it's not sunny or warm enough, or you'd prefer not to mess with razor blades and ammonia, you can use a clothing steamer (approx. US$25) to "prep" the tint for peeling. You can also use a hair dryer or heat gun, but be conservative. It will produce more heat than the steamer.

1. Steam a corner of tint, holding the steamer 1/2-2" (1.25-5cm) away from it, until you can pick it off with your fingernail.
2. Peel and steam at the same time, loosening the glue with the steam right before you peel. Peel slowly. If you pull too hard, you may break the tint or worse, peel off the top layer of the tint, leaving the difficult and sticky adhesive layer behind.
3. Wipe off remaining glue with a towel. Press hard so that the glue sticks to the towel, rather than balling up or smearing. Steaming the glue before wiping can help.
4. Clean the window thoroughly with glass cleaner.

[edit] Soaking and Scraping Method

If you're unable to use the other methods, or if there is a small area of tint, this method can be used (although it is time-consuming).

1. Make a small cut in the film with a razor blade, creating a tab which you can pull.
2. Peel the tint. It won't come off neatly; you may find it tearing or separating into several pieces.
3. Spray the adhesive with soapy water.
4. Scrape the adhesive off with the razor blade. Be sure to get it all.
5. Clean the window thoroughly with glass cleaner.

[edit] Duct tape method

If the first layer comes off and leaves the second layer, use Duck Tape (name brand with strong adhesive) to remove the second layer.

1. Apply the tape in rows, overlapping by an inch or so over the purple film.
2. Leave the tape on the window in the sun for an hour or two so the tape adheres to the film
3. Remove the tape. The film should lift off with the tape. Try a small area to test the amount of time needed for the sun to heat up the tape.
4. If the test strip doesn't work the first time, leave tape on a little longer to allow the glue on the tape to adhere to the film.
5. Use ammonia or 409 and a dish scrubber to remove the glue.

[edit] Tips

• When scraping with the razor blade, you may find it becoming blunt. You'll probably need several to get the job done.
• When removing tint film that's near defroster (or antenna) lines, use duct tape to lift the film instead of scraping with the razor blade. If there's sticky residue, use ammonia or Windex to remove it with an old towel.
• Try a heat lamp or flood lamp (such as a 500W painter's lamp) for heat, instead. Keep the lamp about 12-18 inches from the outside of the glass. Keep the tint side wet with the ammonia and covered with the plastic sheet while heating it with the lamp. Heat it for 30-45 minutes and try to get the tint to come off in one piece. The residual glue can usually be scraped with a non-carbon steel razor blade while keeping it wet with warm, soapy water.

[edit] Warnings

• There is a chance you'll permanently damage defroster lines in the rear window (and perhaps the radio antenna, if it is made out of the same material).
• If you are not careful with the razor blade you can cut yourself or scratch the window.

[edit] Videos

[edit] See Also

[edit] References

• http://www.tintcenter.com/articles/bt_removal.html Remove Window Tint
• http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Window-Tint