Removing window tint

[dgcantrell]

Well, I'm working on the 88 S today and have removed the rear hatch to remove a tint job that is peeling off. Personally, I never cared for the stuff but.. Anyway, what is the best stuff to use to get the tint off and not mess up the defroster elements.. I'm seeing heat gun, ammonia, and hot soapy water. And, yes, I do know not to use a razor blade anywhere around the element lines. LOL

[djnolan]

Wipe it down with a good solvent like paint thinner or carb cleaner to dissolve the adhesive. Once it has dried gently use a plastic scraper.

[dgcantrell]

I'll give that a try. I've been having some good luck with ammonia but it's taking a while. There are two layers of film on the glass....... grr.. I really hate this stuff.

[Litesonic]

Steamer... can't say this enough.

It is only water (so make sure to have plenty of towels nearby. But doing it this way on past cars made me consider doing it as a sideline to make cash.

If you can't find a friend that has a clothes (or drapery) steamer... buying one is not that pricey.

http://www.target.com/p/my-little-steamer-go-mini/-/A-50037116?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Appliances+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Appliances&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9028897&gclid=CjwKEAjwrvq9BRD5gLyrufTqg0YSJACcuF81FSpeBiHX 3aojKbo1MuQtLdZ36RKNoMiAQ0rk6d86SxoCZJrw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The obvious caution that steam can burn is in order (wear mittens, or some layer of protection).

[dgcantrell]

I might go this route if I have any difficulties. The first layer came off pretty easy. Got dark on me so I'll regroup tomorrow evening.

[Mike80911]

As already said steamer is the way to go. That is what the pros use when removing.

[mhariush]

Steamer sounds like a good way to go. I'll try that.

If you have the glass out, spraying it with paint stripper is very easy.

[Bukowski]

Science fact : steam - water that has reached 100degC and has entered the gas phase - is clear by eye. Water vapor - at a lower temperature than 100degC - is visible by eye. Clouds, fog, that wispy stuff above your food and coffee - water vapor, not steam... [checks Wikipedia article on steam]... ok maybe that stuff is called "wet steam".... but at any rate it is not above 100degC - if so, you'd get steam burns...

... anyways, the "steam cleaner" (BTW Harbor Freight has one for like $110 with the coupon) has specs with the temperature on it. Off the top of my head,theirs (McCullogh?) is like .. 135degF?... How's that compare with the others?

BTW thanks for this thread - always wondered how to get that stuff off...

[dgcantrell]

Wouldn't paint stripper bother the defroster element adhesive?

[mytrplseven]

When I removed my tint, I left the hatch on, mixed 409 and ammonia in a spray bottle, cut a lawn and leaf bag to the approximate dimensions of the overall glass. Spray the entire inside of the glass with the spray bottle and then using a small roller or a squeegee, press the lawn and leaf bag onto the wetted area so it makes thorough contact. Close the hatch (in the sun) for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how powerful the sun is in your area. Then open the hatch and pick a corner that you can start from and SLOWLY peel the tint off in a parallel direction to the glass. It will amaze you how easy and completely this works.

[mikepellegrini]

+1 on the steamer. We just did one of my son's cars and it was pretty easy. Steam and peel. I managed to get the rear hatch off in about 6 pieces. You just have to be gentle and persistent.

The adhesive was tough. We tried Goof Off, Windex and a bunch of other stuff, then finally happened onto SuperClean cleaner. The glue came right off.

[dgcantrell]

Actually water is working quite well at the moment. Since I have it out and laying upside down in the sun, the water can get nice and warm. I'm still having to scrape but it's coming off pretty well. I do have some Super Clean and though about breaking it out. I just might do that now. I'm going to pop the rear quarter windows out and strip those next. Those should be be a piece of cake. The messy ones are going to be the side windows...

Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be looking at a steamer for future projects though.

[mhariush]

Yes, water is probably the best way to go with the hatch. Steamer. Don't do paint stripper on it

Are you doing the full reseal while you're at it?

[dgcantrell]

Actually, this one has not separated from the frame.... yet.. Probably won't mess with until it does.

However, now that I have the tint stripped, the protected coating on the defroster elements has come off with it. They are nice shiny aluminum. What should I use to re-coat them so they don't corrode?

[mhariush]

there's an article out there about resealing the hatch and they talk about the coating for the defrost elements. But i'm sure a coat of Satin paint would do the trick.

[dgcantrell]

That would probably be easy for the sides but those tiny elements going across the glass might be a bit trickier to paint. I might need to break out a fine liner brush.. LOL I'm thinking something clear though. Much easier to hide any mistakes.