how do I go about removing the tint film from windows?

[John Childs]

That’s an easy one.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

1 off Kettle
1 off Half brick
1 off Mobile phone.

METHOD

Put kettle on.
Throw brick through window.
Call Auto Windscreens.
Call insurance company for claim form.
Kettle should now be boiled, so make tea.

Seriously, I have no experience, but I would have thought that, as with normal vinyl, a bit of heat would do the trick. I suspect that, being thinner, window tint will be more difficult to remove, but the principle should be the same.

[David Rogers]

Ease of removal is dependent on the quality of the original film.

The good, thick film peels a lot easier than the ‘motor factor / Halfrauds’ stuff that is like sticky cling-film.

Warm it first – you might be lucky & it’ll peel…or out with the window scraper!

[John Childs]

Trust you to come up with a sensible answer Dave. 😀

As you know a bit more about it than me (not difficult), how would the front windows normally be done? Would they be taken out so that there is no visible edge? If so, would that not mean that they would need to come out again to remove the film?

[gordon bradshaw]

no theres no need to take them out , just start at the top with it down a little and work downwards , pretty much the same as applying vinyl , but buy a good one the thin stuff is a nightmare

[Chris Wool]

removing will probably leave a lot of glue behind but does clean up.
the side windows behind the driver unscrew quite easily needs two people. clean and fit new tint on the bench,
if you fit vinyl you can do them no problem.
the rear one is more difficult and my son cuts it in half and i cant see the join. you would do if i did it.

why have a noisy exhaust on a diesel automatic ?

chris

[NTC]

Thanks for the help guys, Chris it’s a V6 petrol

Cheers

[Chris Wool]

😳 thought they were all diesel just 2 or 4 wd.
my sons bongo is 2wd diesel automatic. he imported it himself saved a lot of dosh compared but was worrying.

chris

[Simon Mercer]

Best way to remove, is to make sure its nice and warm, and as other people have said start at the top and work your way down, any glue left on on can easily be scrapped off. When purchasing the film, DONT go for halfrauds or other cheap films, they will only discolour over time, A heat gun and a shampoo solution is what you need to fit the film, you wont need to do a 2 piece fit especially on the Bongo. All preperation with the film is done on the outside of the window!!!!!

Give me a shout if you need any more help.

[Stuart Miller]

As a professional tinter I usually remove old film by steaming. A heat gun on the outside of the glass may help but its far better if you have a steam gun or wall paper stripper. Steam directly onto the film just ahead of where you are pulling, glue should come off with film.
Hardest bit is getting an edge started. start at the top of the roll up. No need to remove trim or glass as the film will only be tucked a small amount out of sight so will pull out when steamed.
Do not steam between the glass and the film as this will separate the glue from the film.
Particularly stubborn tint can be loosened by spraying it with ammonia solution then sweating it by covering with a black bin liner and sealing the edges for a few hours.
It can be a real pain or easy, no way of knowing until you start.
Glue residue is best scraped off with a sharp scraper and can be loosened with Meths.

IMO window tinting is far more difficult than vinyl as there are a whole heap of things to get right to do a good job.

Cutting to right size,
Heat shrinking to shape
Cleaning the glass
Cleaning the edges
Getting the slip solution right
removing the liner
Getting film onto glass without touching it.
Getting all the solution out
finishing the edges
Getting rid of any stubborn fingers

At any stage it it easy to touch, crease, tear or spoil the film in some way.
I’m all for people having a go, but in tinting it usually goes wrong.

However plenty of hints on this site for advice, & good luck.
http://www.tintdude.com

Stuart