How to remove the factory tint on the rear hatch glass

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citadel

citadel

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guys,

Does anyone know what we can use to remove the factory tint on the rear hatch glass?

First off....Yes I have used search and yes I have read the thread below:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/there-might-be-a-way-to-remove-that-factory-tint.839853/page-4

I have also chatted with AMMO and he doesnt remember the acid chrome wheel cleaner that he used to remove the factory tint on the rear hatch.

Anyone else successfully do it?

FYI---I am not asking about the embedded tint in the passenger door glass or the embedded tint in the sliding cargo area as I will just buy new clear glass for those locations. I am just asking about the factory tint on the rear hatch glass.

thanks!
 
Something MUST work, as my rear hatch glass has a "spray" pattern that is very clear over about 1/4 of the glass. It is at a diagonal from the upper drivers corner. I have never tried removing the rest to even it out, as everything that has been suggested may also affect/remove the defroster grid. John
 
John,

You glass sounds exactly like the glass I found at a pick n pull... As mentioned above I used wheel acid to remove. Can't tell ya the name as it was in a generic spray bottle, poured from a master container...

I think it was pink in color? Maybe?...

Sorry I'm not much help beyond that.

-A
 
I'll let you know. The shop is going to try the acid chrome wheel cleaner this week and I will report back on if it works!
 
If that doesn't work you can try this. DON'T KNOW IF IT'LL FOG THE GLASS THOUGH!!! I've used it on a bunch of wheels and works awesome.

3711_Mar-Hyde-Tal-Strip-II-Aircraft-Coating-Remover-Aerosol.jpg
 
Take the glass out and try Xylene and a blue (no scratch ) scrubby...
 
Golgo13 said:
Take the glass out and try Xylene and a blue (no scratch ) scrubby...
Click to expand...

Tried that... No dice in my case. The acid did the trick.
 
AMMO said:
Tried that... No dice in my case. The acid did the trick.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info AMMO. Gives me some hope of restoring the back window. The defroster lines on mine seemed to have burned off some of the tint.

I caught some of the before pictures in your other thread. I didn't see any of the after before you applied the black tint. Did the tint come completely off leaving an even finish? Did it affect your defroster lines?

Lastly, did you use something like this?:

http://www.amazon.com/Detail-Supply-Warehouse-Action-Cleaner/dp/B00MXCN5JG/?tag=ihco-20
 
Moved into my house, it had similar "mirrored" style privacy tint on the windows. It took me about 40 hrs to be emove it on my 21 panes of glass, and window film remover from home depot. It didn't work all that well, as the film came off in layers, and smelled horrible too. It was 8 bucks for the bottle, spray it on and cover with saran wrap to sit for a while, repeat if necessary. I repeated, a bunch...

All in all, not too bad a job, just time consuming. I didn't have a defroster to deal with either.
 
Moog said:
Thanks for the info AMMO. Gives me some hope of restoring the back window. The defroster lines on mine seemed to have burned off some of the tint.

I caught some of the before pictures in your other thread. I didn't see any of the after before you applied the black tint. Did the tint come completely off leaving an even finish? Did it affect your defroster lines?

Lastly, did you use something like this?:

http://www.amazon.com/Detail-Supply-Warehouse-Action-Cleaner/dp/B00MXCN5JG/?tag=ihco-20
Click to expand...

You know I have to be honest not sure...

Again a buddy owned a detail / tint shop when we lived in Eugene. He said here try this and gave me an in marked bottle of pink solution and told me it was wheel acid. Said be careful, it's not good stuff to be around..

I sprayed it on, used a soft scrub in light circular motions and made a mess...

With a hose in one hand, thick mill gloves and a soft scrub the tint seems to dissolve and wash away.

This was not a film tint.

It was a soft coat sprayed application.

When it was done I had perfectly clear back hatch glass...

The defrost may have been scratched from the soft scrub, and I can't tell you if they still work. I suppose I could toss a volt meter on it to check.

Hope that helps.

-A
 
Phildoh said:
Moved into my house, it had similar "mirrored" style privacy tint on the windows. It took me about 40 hrs to be emove it on my 21 panes of glass, and window film remover from home depot. It didn't work all that well, as the film came off in layers, and smelled horrible too. It was 8 bucks for the bottle, spray it on and cover with saran wrap to sit for a while, repeat if necessary. I repeated, a bunch...

All in all, not too bad a job, just time consuming. I didn't have a defroster to deal with either.
Click to expand...

Totally different process.

I worked in the residential / commercial window and glass business for over 13yrs previously for one of the largest window manufactured in the U.S.

This is not a film tint as you describe above.

It's similar to a soft coat LowE. Sprayed on application durning the glass manufacturing process.

Now the side glass seems to be more of a hard coat application where the tint is actually in the glass, and tinted through the float process.

-A
 
@ AMMO-- you wouldnt happen to have your friends phone number or contact info in Eugene so we can ask what he uses would you?

thanks!!
 
@S.CarolinaFZJ80 --- are you selling it? What condition? I am in Texas.
 
@AMMO thanks for the check on that. I couldn't remember what all was tried from the other thread. I had thought the window with the defrost

The strongest, most readily available acidic wheel cleaner i know of is the stuff from Eagle One. IIRC, it contains some hydrofluoric acid. Maybe try a small area first so you know if it will frost the glass.
OR get a used clear window. That is safe and easy...
 
citadel said:
@ AMMO-- you wouldnt happen to have your friends phone number or contact info in Eugene so we can ask what he uses would you?

thanks!!
Click to expand...

Just shot him a text, I'll report back.
 
Golgo13 said:
@AMMO thanks for the check on that. I couldn't remember what all was tried from the other thread. I had thought the window with the defrost

The strongest, most readily available acidic wheel cleaner i know of is the stuff from Eagle One. IIRC, it contains some hydrofluoric acid. Maybe try a small area first so you know if it will frost the glass.
OR get a used clear window. That is safe and easy...
Click to expand...

The frosting on the side glass wasn't from the acid on the glass, it was the tint reaction to the acid I believe...

Hydrofluoric acid was the key ingredient.
 
Thanks, that helps. I'll try it when I have backup funds for clear glass if things go south!

EDIT: For those that are trying it, be careful with hydrofluoric acid as it can eat away at glass (and most other things like your skin).
 
Last edited:
ok....

We have my rear hatch back glass removed and I also bought the Eagle One Chrome Wheel Cleaner with the acid in it.
As a back up, we also just ordered a clear rear hatch back glass from Cruiser Parts... in case the acid doesnt work.

I will report back with pictures.....
 
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