It may be necessary to remove tint from car windows for various reasons. One of them is to increase the level of light transmission in accordance with legal requirements.
In order to remove coatings from glass, various methods can be used, including heating and exposure to chemical reagents.
We'll tell you how to remove tinting from car windows in this article.
A quick and easy way to remove old tint
To remove tint film from car windows yourself, you can use several proven methods.
The most common are:
- Using a steam generator or a special hair dryer. When heated, the adhesive base separates evenly;
- Use of a sharp cutting object. It is necessary to work with the tool with special care;
- Preparation of soap solution. In this case, it is necessary to maintain proportions and use a sharp blade.
Uniform heating of the adhesive surface of the tinting film is accompanied by uniform detachment of the dark coating. During the heating process, the device must be moved slowly from side to side. For quick removal, it is better to work with a tool that can maintain a temperature of more than 60 degrees.
- This way the film will gradually move away from the glass. At this point, the tint is carefully lowered down to the very base. Traces of glue can be removed using a soap solution or glass surface cleaner.
- Another proven option is the use of a sharp blade or knife. To remove the tinting film, just carefully pry up one of the corners at the top. With slow and smooth movements they lower it to the very end.
- Using a soap solution and a sharp blade is also considered a good technique to get rid of tint. For this you will need a soap base. To prepare it, you can use liquid soap. To do this you will need a deep container, 3 liters of water and 50 g of soap emulsion.
The finished solution is evenly distributed over the inside of the glass. After getting wet, numerous air bubbles form on the tint. If you pry one of them with a sharp blade, you will be able to break the integrity of the dark film.
Application of ammonia
Even in school, we learn that this substance poses a great danger to humans and the environment, but experienced auto mechanics know how to remove tinting from the rear window without creating a threat. The aggressive chemical compound is incapable of harming the glass or its heating system, but easily dissolves both new and old tinting and dissolves glue. This method involves the following procedure:
- the surface is wetted with a soap solution;
- Ammonia is applied to the prepared surface;
- a correspondingly sized fragment from a plastic garbage bag is placed on top, followed by ammonia being applied on top of it;
- the second fragment is applied from the inside;
- in this form, the glass is left in direct sun (in winter, you can use an infrared heater) provided that the glass does not heat up to more than 40 degrees
- After a few hours, the plastic films are removed and the surface is cleaned.
Before removing tint from a heated rear window using this method, wear a reliable respirator and use chemical-resistant gloves. In most cases, the glue remains, so then you need to use a regular soap solution.
How to remove tint from rear window
Getting rid of tinting on the rear window is not difficult. To do this, it is important to be careful and show a little patience. Most cars have heating threads on the rear. They allow you to get rid of ice in the cold winter.
It is recommended to carry out manipulations in comfortable conditions. The temperature should not be higher than 10 degrees. Thus, during the process of removing the tint coating, the risk of damage to the heating elements is reduced.
Why is tint removed?
There are many reasons why the tint film will need to be replaced or completely removed.
These include:
- Damage to dark coating. The pasted film begins to peel off at the edges over time. As a result, air bubbles will appear on the surface, which spoil the appearance of the decorative coating;
- Non-compliance with GOST requirements. The rear and passenger windows can be tinted with a dark film. The windshield and two front side windows must be transparent. If you do not comply with the requirements, then traffic police officers have every right to remove the tinting film;
- Technical requirements. The appearance of chips and scratches on the surface of the windshield requires expensive repairs or complete replacement. In this case, to carry out installation, you will need to remove the adhesive backing;
- Personal preferences. Not all drivers like tinting. Some motorists prefer to remove it immediately after purchasing a car on the secondary market.
What not to do
Many car enthusiasts do not consider it necessary to read how to remove old tint. They immediately get down to business, making serious mistakes. This negatively affects not only the appearance of the car, but also harms the glass.
Let's look at what not to do when removing tint:
Remove the film using available tools. There is a risk of scratching the glass. Then the driver will have to change it to a new one, spending a decent amount of money. Windshields are especially expensive. Thus, it is prohibited to use a knife, screwdrivers, scissors or other sharp objects to remove the coating.
The use of aggressive “chemistry” is another driver mistake. Such substances will not only “stick” the film to the glass even more strongly, but will also deform the window seal. Strong chemicals can also damage body paint.
Drivers believe that a sharp tug of the film will remove the coating from the glass in a couple of seconds. Firstly, the film may tear and it will be difficult to hook the corner. Secondly, improper removal guarantees the presence of a sticky layer on the glass.
The effectiveness of film removal depends on its properties and characteristics. For example, there is a mirror tint that contains a metal oxide. It is this that makes the film pliable. It is much easier to remove than a regular one.
Methods for removing old glue
To completely remove any adhesive residue from tinting, you will need to use a scraper, detergent, or solvent.
The pre-dark coating on the glass surface is moistened with soapy water for 30 minutes.
- Surfactants included in the soap base dissolve glue particles.
- Thanks to this, the tint comes off the glass quickly and evenly.
- Use a plastic scraper to remove traces of glue.
To avoid scratches and chips, it is better to use a tool with a silicone base.
Errors during withdrawal
The work at first glance seems simple if you look at the actions of the masters. Many drivers think that they can remove the film by lifting it by the edge and sharply tearing it off. The operation is actually simple, but it requires skills. After all, the darkening must be removed completely so that no pieces of material or adhesive stains remain. There are several subtleties in this work, and incorrect actions can lead to replacement of glass and waste of money.
- Using sharp, hard objects: knives, scissors, which can scratch the glass.
- Use of acetone and chemicals containing it. This will cause the coating material to stick, dissolving the tinting layer. Aggressive liquids can damage rubber seals and body coating.
Removing tint yourself is a simple procedure if you prepare everything you need and follow the recommendations described.
Why should you remove tint?
Dark windows in a car are considered a convenient option. In hot weather, the interior will not heat up quickly. In addition, the inside of the car will be reliably protected from the prying eyes of passersby.
In addition, there are main reasons why dark film removal will be required. These include:
- Rapid wear of the protective coating. Over time, with regular use, deep scratches and chips appear on the surface;
- Numerous air bubbles form on the windshield. They reduce visibility and interfere with the process of driving;
- Low light transmittance. Poor quality material improves visibility. High-quality tinting film does not affect the driving process in any way. It protects the inside of the car from overheating and does not affect the light transmittance of the protective coating.
How to remove film without heating
The adhesive mass that covers the bottom layer of tint is tightly fixed to the glass surface. Silicone components are used for this. Upon contact with the soap base, the glue particles are quickly destroyed.
To work, use a spray bottle, thanks to which the soap mass can be evenly distributed on the glass. It is recommended to apply the solution several times. Experts recommend using a newspaper.
The paper base is fixed on the surface of the darkened glass. The newspaper will prevent the soap liquid from quickly draining after application. After just 40 minutes you can proceed to removing the protective coating.
Safety precautions
Most glass cleaning compounds are flammable, have a strong, pungent odor, some are quite toxic and can even cause poisoning and damage to the nervous system if their fumes are inhaled. If they come into contact with the skin, they can cause a burn and penetrate the bloodstream. Therefore, when working with solutions, you must observe safety precautions:
- do not clean glass near an open fire, any heat sources, including hot objects; with an increased concentration of vapors in the air, a fire can break out even from a spark,
- work in protective clothing and rubber gloves so that the products do not come into contact with the skin,
- To protect against harmful fumes, wear a respirator and goggles.
Removing tint can be quite a labor-intensive process, especially if there is a lot of adhesive residue left on the glass. But if you purchase one of the described products, you can still give your car its original appearance, and without serious costs.
