Simviation Forum - Anyone know how to get window tint off?

Feb 24^th, 2008 at 3:01pm

Apex Offline
Colonel
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 732

Anyone know how to get window tint off, outside of scraping it off?

Went to have my windows re-tinted this morning. Side tint came off OK, real clean, but the guy couldn't get the rear window tint off, he said it looked like there was a double layer of tint (?), said it would have to be scraped, but that doing it like that might/would damage the defroster grill.

Right now it's a total mess, some tint on, some tint off, lots of glue smeared on the window. If I can't get another guy to finish the job, it may come to a complete replacement as a last resort.

He didn't charge me anything for his "efforts". This guy has been in business a long time, by the way.

Any ideas as to how to get the remaining tint off?

Thanks in advance.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #1 - Feb 24^th, 2008 at 3:27pm

ozzy72 Offline
Global Moderator
Pretty scary huh?
Madsville

Gender:
Posts: 37122

Try warming it up with a hair-dryer first. That normal weakens the glue a bit Wink

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #2 - Feb 24^th, 2008 at 3:31pm

C Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144

ozzy72 wrote on Feb 24^th, 2008 at 3:27pm:

Try warming it up with a hair-dryer first. That normal weakens the glue a bit Wink

Or, along the same lines, turn on the heated rear window for a few minutes beforehand?

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #3 - Feb 24^th, 2008 at 4:54pm

Apex Offline
Colonel
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 732

Thanks guys. The failed removal attempt was done in direct sunlight, almost 85 degrees out.

Tintdude.com. An interesting site with removal instructions, all of which add up to "Get a pro to do it."

So I'll have to look around for a pro that can tell me, "Yeah, I can get it all off and fix the mess." It's a process that's not for me.

According to tintdude.com, tint comes in double layers, hence the reason the guy this morning thought it had be double tinted. Well, it hadn't, why would someone do that? That was his mistake, he should have known that you need to get the bottom layer started before pulling it off.

So if anyone out there has a tint removal job to be done, check out that site first.

Live and learn the hard way.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #4 - Feb 24^th, 2008 at 5:05pm

Craig. Offline
Colonel
Birmingham

Gender:
Posts: 18590

try nail polish remover, that seems to get everything off.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #5 - Feb 25^th, 2008 at 5:30am

expat Offline
Colonel
Deep behind enemy lines!

Gender:
Posts: 8499

Craig. wrote on Feb 24^th, 2008 at 5:05pm:

try nail polish remover, that seems to get everything off.

Or any solvent. Try and get a corner or edge to lift. Soak a rag in solvent, place in at the lifted edge and wait. If it is warm, tape a some more rags over the soaked on to help slow down the evaporation process.

Matt

PETA People Eating Tasty Animals.

B1 Boeing 737-800 and Dash8 Q-400

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #6 - Feb 25^th, 2008 at 12:23pm

ozzy72 Offline
Global Moderator
Pretty scary huh?
Madsville

Gender:
Posts: 37122

Surgical alcohol is pretty good as well.
Personally for strong solvents I still rate the one made by Hammerite... it dissolves almost anything!!!!

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #7 - Feb 25^th, 2008 at 12:32pm

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

I've looked on a few websites & the "experts" recommend ammonia. Not sure I fancy working with that (or any other toxic substance) in a confined space.

Founder & Sole Member - Grumpy's Over the Hill Club for Veteran Virtual Aviators
Member of the Fox Four Group

Need help? Try Grumpy's Lair

My photo gallery

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #8 - Feb 25^th, 2008 at 1:53pm

Apex Offline
Colonel
I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 732

Thanks again guys. I'm off to a pro shop tomorrow, they tint everything, houses, autos, etc. and they've been around for a long time, if they can't remove it, no one can, then I'll just have it replaced. Too bad about the bucks. I've already assumed a worst case scenario. It's so difficult to get to the window, I gave it a quick look yesterday, cleaned the inside a bit with Windex, which I think has ammonia in it, but no way I can peel it off. Yeah, fumes, not good. I thought of alcohol, but didn't get around to trying it. Should have gone to this pro shop to begin with.

Back to top

IP Logged

Reply #9 - Feb 28^th, 2008 at 3:23pm

Ivan Offline
Colonel
No, I'm NOT Russian, I
only like Russian aircraft
The netherlands

Gender:
Posts: 6058

Quote:

Thanks again guys. I'm off to a pro shop tomorrow, they tint everything, houses, autos, etc. and they've been around for a long time, if they can't remove it, no one can, then I'll just have it replaced. Too bad about the bucks

Be sure that the window placer company doesnt put that job on your insurance list... will kill your no-claim and you still have to pay part of the price.
Any special stuff on the window (heating wires, antenna) will add more to the price... I've heard that a heated front windscreen for the Opel Astra has a price tag of 1200 euros not counting installation cost

Russian planes: IL-76 (all standard length ones), Tu-154 and Il-62, Tu-134 and An-24RV&&&&AI flightplans and repaints can be found here

Back to top

IP Logged

	Search the archive: