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View Full Version : DIY: De-tinting Windows


GrassyKnoll
05-08-2007, 04:05 PM
DISCLAIMER: Razor blades can scratch class. You are advised to use these carefully! You are also advised NOT to use this guide on the back window or any tint covering defroster strips. Defroster strips will lift off as the tint is removed.

Materials:

- 1 hot sunny day
- 1 can goo-gone adhesive removal spray
- 1 bottle Windex or similar glass cleaner
- 1 razor blade with holder (1 sharp blade should be enough)
- 2 old clean sox (or rag, but sox work well)
- 1 pair latex gloves
- 1 industrial or yard cleanup size trash bag

Procedure:

1: Park the car in the sun mid-day and let the windows heat up for about an hour. You might have to do this in two parts if you can't get all windows in the sun.

2: Remove the inside door panel on the door being detinted. This gives you better access to the tint that is applied below the rubber suction line on the window.

3: Cover the door panel with the trash bag (if it is not fully removed) this will prevent the interior leather / fabric from getting adhesive or chemicals on it.

4: Start at a top corner and gently scrape the razor blade on the inside of the window, sharp side facing toward the car. The tint will begin to peel up. Douse the area with the adhesive remover. Continue to use the razor blade until you have enough tint to grab onto. The tint is comprised of two layers, the tint and the adhesive that keeps it on. As you begin to pull the tint, make sure that you are removing both layers at once. You might need to apply more adhesive remover. It is alright if not all of it comes off at first, but the more the better (it is harder to remove later).

5: Place one of the socks over your right hand. Douse the sock in adhesive remover (I suggest you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands underneath). Use your left hand to peel the tint off in a steady motion. If you remove it at a medium CONSTANT speed, you are most likely to remove all of the adhesion. Use your right hand with the stock on it and constantly rub the line where the tint is being removed from the window. Follow the line as you remove more tint. This helps to continually remove the adhesion as the tint is removed.

6: After the tint is removed, throw it away and return to the window. Using the sock that is covered with adhesive remover, wipe the window down being sure that you remove all adhesive residue on the window. You will probably need to spray down the window a couple more times or spray more on the sock to get the rest of the adhesive off.

7: After you are sure all of the adhesive is off (be careful, it is hard to see) douse the other sock in windex. Scrub the window down to make sure all of the adhesive remover is cleaned off of the glass. I suggest you clean both sides of the window thoroughly as to avoid left-over adhesive remover. This chemical will not harm your class, but as you roll the window up and down it will get on the rubber suction lines on the inside and outside of the window. Over time it may eat at the rubber. This chemical may also cause your windows to fog up, so cleaning the glass is a good idea.

You're done! You may want to know why on earth anyone would want to take their expensive window tinting off!!! Some states don't allow window tinting so it is always a good idea to know how to take it off. For guaranteed results, take the car to a tint shop and they will de-tint. However, you are likely to get charged at least $40 a window, so why not do it yourself? I recommend taking the car to a tint shop if you want to de-tint any defroster lined windows as they are more professional about removing this tint. Most shops will not guarantee results but you are probably better off with someone else to blame when your defroster lines get torn off!

Bu11dogg2
05-08-2007, 06:31 PM
this sucks... I had to do my fronts to pass inspection.

Better plan out at least 3 hours if your doing the whole car.

GrassyKnoll
05-08-2007, 07:44 PM
it took me about an hour or so for the front 2

GrassyKnoll
05-09-2007, 05:35 PM
Here are some pictures of the finished job. Front window was de-tinted.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb175/XeroBoundaries/Window%20De-tint/DSC00592.jpg

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb175/XeroBoundaries/Window%20De-tint/DSC00594.jpg

banned4life
05-11-2007, 11:40 PM
#1 why would u do that
#2 why werent u at the meet

GrassyKnoll
05-11-2007, 11:51 PM
just got back from a show, i wanted to go but I had other plans. I saw plenty of all your subys around town though. I'll be at the next one for sure.

Bu11dogg2
10-14-2009, 04:39 PM
I also recommend putting tape or newspaper or something over the door trim.... the glue they use is nasty

Subygirl8330
10-14-2009, 05:12 PM
good write up! when we purchased our 2001 rs the pervious owner prolly used a brillo pad to get the tint off, one of the rear windows was all torn to hell. stupid people :p

Mustang
10-26-2009, 09:16 PM
Some simple dish soap and water, sprayed on with an empty spray bottle, works well to loosen/remove the glue too!

Aczwild
10-26-2009, 09:31 PM
Use a steamer, check the interwebs, its the best method

shtbxr22
10-26-2009, 11:33 PM
I have a method that takes about 5 minutes max per window. :D

pull up a corner w/ fresh razor blade, rip all tint film away, spray some foaming glass cleaner on remaining glue.............after about 15-20 sec, the glue should be good to remove. make a pattern with fresh razor blade going side to side, so you know where you've been. if it starts to dry, just re spray the glass cleaner. when each chunk of glue builds up on the blade, just flick it off after each pass. works very fast.

tC2WRX
10-27-2009, 12:03 AM
Will have to try this^^