Tint film removal?

[AJLFJ80]

So the tint job the PO did on my rig is starting to bubble so much that it is seriously affecting my visibility out the windows (especially the rear one). What is the best way to remove tint film? I gave a crack at it with a credit card (no success) and then again with a kitchen knife (again, no success). The PO had this truck in the Sacramento area for the better part of 13 years so I'm sure it has seen more than it's fair share of 100+ degree days, and the stuff is probably pretty well glued on there. Any ideas or tips you guys have is much appreciated.

 

[nat88toy]

flat edge razor blade in holder will work, swap the blades often. After you remove the film acetone the window with a paper towel preferably a blue shop towel to remove any dried glue, may have to do this a few times to get off any of the dried glue

be careful not to go over the defrost grid on the lift gate window with the razor blade

 

[AJLFJ80]

flat edge razor blade in holder will work, swap the blades often. After you remove the film acetone the window with a paper towel preferably a blue shop towel to remove any dried glue, may have to do this a few times to get off any of the dried glue

Thanks. Using a razor won't screw up the defrosting mechanism?
Edit: Never mind, I'm not a good reader.

 

[fj80toyman]

Thanks. Using a razor won't screw up the defrosting mechanism?
Edit: Never mind, I'm not a good reader.

Yes it certainly will. Go get some "tint film remover" fluid at an auto parts store, pretty easy, follow the directions. Makes it much simpler than just razor blades.

I had to remove the film from the front windows because I got a 'fix-it' ticket that mandated removal because it was too dark.

Dan.

 

[orionkhan]

There's a faster way that tint shops use.

Get some ammonia and put it in a spray bottle.

You'll also need a large plastic trash bag (like a big ole Hefty). Then cut the plastic bag open so its like a sheet.

Spray the ammonia on the inside of the window (the side with the tint on it) real good. Lay the plastic against the window so it adheres to the glass because of the ammonia. Do this with the car parked in the sun. It works best in the summer time.

If its real hot, you may need to spray additional ammonia on the class if it dries out.

In about an 45 minutes or an hour, go out and use a razor blade to pull up a corner of the tint. The tint should just peel off from there. There will be minimal residual glue that should be easy to wipe away

Basically, the ammonia dissolves the glue on the tint. I tried it on my wife's car and my sister's after both of them got hit up out her in Cali for having tint on the front windows. Works great.

 

[tblume]

not sure how easy it would be to remove the glass or lift gate, but pulling the limo-tint off my drivers and passengers glass with the glass out was a ton easier.

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

I use a hand held travel steamer. Really easy. I've tried other methods and this is the one. Heat up the tint with the steam, start at one corner, then remove the tint and glue all at once.

 

[Pathfinder]

Yes it certainly will. Go get some "tint film remover" fluid at an auto parts store, pretty easy, follow the directions. Makes it much simpler than just razor blades.

I had to remove the film from the front windows because I got a 'fix-it' ticket that mandated removal because it was too dark.

Dan.

x2 tint film remover is the best way. It practically falls off.

 

[AJLFJ80]

Update: Bought the tint film adhesive removal stuff at Kragen; didn't even budge the stuff. Absolutely worthless, I think soap and water would have worked better. Either that, or the PO nuclear heat-treated the stuff onto there. Any more ideas?

 

[emblu.denslob]

'orionkhan' had it correct. - you need to heat the adhesive up. Ammonia is a serious degreaser and it should dilute the sticky. The other way to do it is to grab a heat gun and heat until the adhesive is boiling and you will have to peel it off. if that doesn't work - it's time for surgery with a razor blade.....you will have to delicately remove the film between each defroster as 'nat88toy' has described above.

 

[AJLFJ80]

Going over all of it with a heat gun and a razor blade eh...with 5 windows to do, guess I'd better set aside two full days to do this job...Fxxx me.

 

[lacruiser]

We used to use a razor to lift an edge, then carefully peel the tint away from the corner, trying to keep the sheet as large as possible (so it pulls off faster). Then I took a small pad of steel wool, dipped it in mineral spirits (much safer than acetone) and went over the adhesive with this. It softens and lifts the adhesive and then you can clean the whole thing up nicely and quickly with a razor blade. It took about 5 minutes to do each side window.

I think the steam idea may work, maybe a hair dryer also.

 

[jjfj80]

I used a cheap clothes steamer. If you're in a cooler climate,
you may want to wait until the weather warms up. I did the
lift-gate first. Single edge razor blade used in conjunction
w/steamer. Dropped the tailgate, lowered the lift-gate,
and sat inside to work. 1 cold bottle of water for me, and
a not as cold bottle for the steamer. (the steamer didn't
hold much water). AND my defroster still works!

JJ

 

[orionkhan]

'orionkhan' had it correct. - you need to heat the adhesive up. Ammonia is a serious degreaser and it should dilute the sticky. The other way to do it is to grab a heat gun and heat until the adhesive is boiling and you will have to peel it off. if that doesn't work - it's time for surgery with a razor blade.....you will have to delicately remove the film between each defroster as 'nat88toy' has described above.

The method I explained is what used by tint shops down here in SoCal. One problem might be that its not hot out. When I did mine it was in the 80's and the other the temp was in the 90's. The tint just peeled off in one piece. Didn't even need a razor blade. The ammonia did the trick. Took about a 45-60 minutes with the plastic clinging to the class for the glue to dissolve. It cleaned up real easy too with paper towels or a rag. Drove around the block with the windows down to air it out afterwards.

 

[AJLFJ80]

It was probably in the high 50's when I attempted this. I used a boxcutter blade and the aforementioned adhesive removal...stuff wouldn't even budge. The biggest piece I was able to tear off was about 1 cmx1/2 cm. I am really frustrated having so much difficulty with something that should be so easy. I am not sure that straightrazoring it in 90 degree heat would make two s***s difference at this point.

 

[MrOffshore]

My buddy used a Makita grinder...it pretty much messed up the window, he had to replace all the glass in the truck. LOL, just kidding. I've pulled tint off once, I used a heat gun and Goo Gone to clean up the residual glue. I would try one of the commercial products or ammonia though, sounds like that would be best.

 

[wakesetter]

do the ammonia and plastic bag thing and let it sit in the sun on a moderately warm day. you could also probably let the truck run for 30 minutes with the heater on to heat it up from the inside at the same time. I just saw the same method in a magazine write up.

 

[AJLFJ80]

do the ammonia and plastic bag thing and let it sit in the sun on a moderately warm day. you could also probably let the truck run for 30 minutes with the heater on to heat it up from the inside at the same time. I just saw the same method in a magazine write up.

I'm in Paso Robles...I won't see another moderately warm day until March

 

[wakesetter]

Funy, you again... I always seem to run into your threads accidentally. It was 78 down here in AG today. Come down here and do it. You can use my driveway. Sounds like a pain in the azz project. Why make it harder? you doing any local wheeling yet? I have been itching to get out. There have got to be some trails up in your area. We should be going up to the Pozo area soon, when my little bro in law finishes the engine swap in his SAS 85 4runner on 37's. lemme know if you are interested in joining us.

 

[AJLFJ80]

Funy, you again... I always seem to run into your threads accidentally. It was 78 down here in AG today. Come down here and do it. You can use my driveway. Sounds like a pain in the azz project. Why make it harder? you doing any local wheeling yet? I have been itching to get out. There have got to be some trails up in your area. We should be going up to the Pozo area soon, when my little bro in law finishes the engine swap in his SAS 85 4runner on 37's. lemme know if you are interested in joining us.

Seriously, 78!?!?!? You lucky 5-cities area bastardsNo local wheeling as of yet, had a busy December work-wise, although I, too, am itching to go somewhere. Pozo area, eh? That's quite a mission, don't you have to take the 229 to get there? I don't remember.