How to Remove Window Tint (4 Effective Ways)
You probably won’t find removing car tint on your list of fun things to do with a few hours of free time. The process has a reputation for being tedious and exhausting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Why should you remove window tint?
The better your window tint is, the longer it will last. Over time, most window tints and the adhesives that hold them in place will deteriorate. This is usually worse in climates where tinting is more necessary, such as: B. Where there is a lot of sunlight.
Tinting Causes Bubbles
When the adhesive that holds the tint in place gets old and damaged by the sun’s rays, air can get between the window and the tint, causing bubbles to form on the surface.
Tarnish
Both silver and greenish tints change color with more UV rays, usually becoming more purple. This chemical change in the material indicates that old and faded window tints can no longer protect the interior of your car from the sun.
Can I remove car window tint myself?
It’s important to note that in most cases, it’s only tint that was created later that can be removed. Factory tint is often added by mixing a dye into the glass itself. Therefore, the only way to remove this tint is to replace the entire glass.
It’s much cheaper to remove car tint yourself, but you should consider the value of your time. It can take several hours to remove old, faded window tint. However, how long it lasts will depend on the method you use and the adhesive’s adhesive strength.
Luckily, you don’t have to resort to the old “soap and scrub” method that you’ve probably already tried or heard about. To do this, you dampen the inside of the window with soapy water and laboriously remove the tint with a razor blade.
There are a few different ways to remove the tint that you can try out. For all of the methods, you’ll need to first remove the sticker that’s attached to the tint. If your vehicle has a defrost line on the rear window, be very careful not to damage it. Finally, think about safety.
Make sure the room is well ventilated, especially if you’re using harsh chemicals, and work with the doors and windows of your car open (only the doors and windows you’re not working on, of course). It doesn’t hurt to wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from splashes and spills.
The Easiest Way to Remove Window Tint
Probably the easiest way to remove tint from your car is with steam. It requires much less effort and time, and it also minimizes the amount of residue to remove later. If you don’t already have a steam cleaner, you can buy a relatively inexpensive steam cleaner online: B. Conair Steam Wand.
1. First, prepare your steam cleaner and preheat it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As you do this, lower each window about 1/4 inch down so that the top of the tint is exposed.
2. Begin steaming the inside of the window. Hold the steamer about 2 inches away to prevent the tint itself from touching the hot steam element and sticking to it. Try to heat the entire surface as evenly as possible.
3. If you have the time and patience, the removal process is most effective if you steam the outside of the window as well. The time it takes to clean the inside of a rear window usually takes about 7 minutes (some users recommend pointing the steam cleaner at the rear window in “on” mode and closing the car for 7 minutes while the steam blows through and does its job).
4. After steaming, if the corners of the tint haven’t yet started to curl, use a razor blade (at an angle to the window to avoid scratching the glass) to gently lift a corner of the tint. Then use your hands to peel off the rest.
5. Remove any remaining tint adhesive from the window. Next, wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth and glass cleaner. Be sure to wipe the door frames and any other areas where water from the steam room may have dripped.