How To Remove Window Tint & Get Rid Of Sticky Glue

When you notice that your vehicle’s window tint is not in good condition, you can always remove it by yourself.

This would be an excellent idea if you want to improve the value of the vehicle with an installation of a new window tint.

This article explains how you can remove old window tint quite easily by yourself.

You can follow the following steps below:

1. Prepare The Items That You Will Use For The Task
2. Ready The Vehicle And The Windows
3. Use The Chosen Method To Remove The Window Tint
4. Get Rid Of The Adhesive Residue That Is On The Glass Of The Vehicle’s Window
5. Do The Aftercare Activities

You do not have to pay professionals or take it to a vehicle auto shop for the window tint to be removed.

You can find that the above procedures are quite simple and you can perform the removal of the window tint on your own with the vehicle in the garage.

3 Reasons To Take The Tint Off The Car Window

Many reasons might drive you to remove the tint from the glass of your windows.

Some people may just want it removed so that they have a clear view of the outside while others would want the tint removed for other reasons.

Some of the main reasons that you should remove tint from your windows are:

1. For Aesthetic Reasons

Some drivers may just want the tint on their windows removed. This is even if they are in good condition.

Removing this type of tint from your windows can be quite difficult because the adhesives are still quite fresh and strong.

However, the use of heat will work to weaken the adhesive before you strip the tint from the glass.

2. Bubbling Of The Tint Between the Glass And The Tint

The bubbling of the tint is an ugly scene that makes the windows look unattractive. You should not jump to peeling the tint where the bubbles form. This might complicate the issue altogether.

However, if you use any of the methods discussed in this article you will have an easy time as the adhesives holding the tint are weak.

You can then peel off the tint easily until the whole tint is removed.

3. Discoloring Of The Tint

When the window tint loses its original color it will start fading and will look purplish.

You will have to take it for a replacement tint. Therefore, the old tint will have to come out before you have the new one.

UV rays from the sun cause the discoloration of the tint, and the change in color usually arises from the breaking down of non-metallic dyes used in the manufacture of the tint.

The use of heat methods to remove the tint from the glass would be effective in weakening the adhesives and then separating the glass from the tint.

Is Removing Window Tint Difficult?

Removing tint from your vehicle’s glass is not a difficult task. You should always go for the best possible solution if you want to have an easy time with the removal of the tint.

This will make the adhesive weak and then the process of the removal of the tint will be much easier for you.

Removal of the tint from the glass of your vehicle is only difficult if the adhesive used to attach the tint to the glass is strong.

This might make the heating of the corner of the tint so that it starts curling to be more difficult and will take more time than in a normal case.

You might also realize that the peeling of the tint might also not be as simple as you want it to be even if you use more heat to weaken the adhesive on the glass.

Window Tint Removal DIY Guide: 5 Steps To Follow!

As indicated above, removing the tint on your vehicle’s window is a simple task that you can work on by yourself.

The guide below can be used to explain the way that you can effectively remove car window tint at the comfort of your garage.

The steps to follow are explained below:

1. Prepare The Items That You Will Use For The Task

If you want to have an easy time removing window tint from your vehicle, then you will need to assemble all the required items.

This will make the work easier as they will be effective in getting the work done smoothly.

Preparing the tools will also aid the smooth completion of the task; it would be complicated if you realize that you lack a tool in the middle of the task. This might frustrate the whole task.

In the case that you will opt for the use of soap and newspaper to strip the tint from your vehicle windows, you will also need a bucket, newspaper, and a sponge.

This means that you will have to make some adjustments when it comes to the materials depending on the type of method that you will use to remove the vehicle window tint.

2. Ready The Vehicle And The Windows

After reading the materials that you are going to use, you will have to prepare for the working area.

The vehicle will need to be packed in a convenient spot before you start the process of removing the window tint.

For the window, any stickers or decals will have to be removed. This will make it much simpler for you to remove the window tints on your vehicle.

If you are going to use electrical appliances that use cords, then you will have to park the car close enough to a socket or any power sources.

If you are going to use a steamer, you can prepare so that it is hot when you start using it for the removal of the tint.

You will have to open other windows and even the sunroof if you are going to use ammonia or any other method that will use high temperatures.

This is because too much heat might make it uncomfortable for you to complete your work.

3. Use The Chosen Method To Remove The Window Tint

After the preparation part, you will need to select the most convenient method for you for the removal of the tint from the windows.

You should use a method that you can get all the required equipment to complete the task.

The methods that you can use include:

3-1. Using Soap And A Scraper

You can start using this method by slowly trying to lift the corner of the film of the tint by using a razor blade. You can then hold the part that has started coming off and peel it from the window.

You should be careful so that the peeling is continuous until the whole tint from the window is removed.

3-2. Using Soap And Newspaper

You can start by creating a soap solution for you to use this method.

You can then pour the solution into a spray bottle and then spray it onto the film of the tint on the window, you should then have it covered with a newspaper.

You should then wait for close to 60 minutes. You can check the surface of the newspaper and ensure that it does not go dry.

If it dries, you will have to soak it with the soap solution once again. After that, you can easily peel off the newspaper using a razor blade.

The tint will attach to the newspaper and you can easily remove it as you remove the newspaper. You should repeat the process if there is a tint that doesn’t come out.

3-3. Using The Ammonia And Sun Method

Prepare a soapy solution as you did for the newspaper technique. Get several pieces of the plastic garbage bag and cover the inner and outer parts of the glass of the window.

You can then fill a spray bottle with the soapy solution and then spray it onto the outside of the window. You should then have it covered with a plastic garbage bag.

For the inside of the glass, you should spray it with an ammonia solution and then have it covered with a plastic bag. Leave this for about an hour and then start peeling the plastic bag to come off.

You should notice that the tint also comes off. For sections of the tint that won’t come off, you can always try using a razor blade so that they are removed neatly.

3-4. Using A Hairdryer

Place the hairdryer on a high spot and direct the hot air to flow on the corner of the film of the tint.

The hair dryer should not be too close to the glass and instead should be 2 inches away. The heat from the hairdryer should enable the corner of the tint to start curling up.

You can then proceed to peel off the tint using your fingers. You can continue directing hot air from the hairdryer between the film and the glass as you continue to peel off the tint.

3-5. Using A Steamer

If you had a steamer working, it is now hot enough and should help you remove the tint from the vehicle quite easily.

The fabric steamer should be placed closed enough to the tint, much closer than the hairdryer. You should then be able to get rid of the tint from the entire surface of the glass window.

Any of the methods that you can use to remove tint from the vehicle will be effective if you can follow the described steps.

This will provide you with an easier time as you try to remove the tint from your windows by yourself.

4. Get Rid Of The Adhesive Residue That Is On The Glass Of The Vehicle’s Window

After removing tint from the glass of the window, you should notice that adhesive residue will be left behind on the surface of the glass.

You should remove this sticky substance either through:

• Spraying a solution of water and soap on the glass and then using a scraper to gently scrape off the residue formed on the glass.
  Razorblade would also help with this task. You should continue spraying the soapy solution until all the adhesives are removed.
• You can use ammonia spray onto the surface of the glass and then scrap with either a scraper or a razor blade until you are satisfied with the results that you get in the end after your efforts.
• Heating of the residues using your hair dryer will also be effective in getting rid of residues of adhesives on the glass.
• There are also commercial adhesive removers that will be effective and efficient in getting rid of adhesive residue that forms on your glass.

5. Do The Aftercare Activities

As you are completing the task, there is some activity that you can perform to improve the glass of the windows of your vehicle.

Glass cleaners would restore the condition of the vehicle and would get rid of any adhesive residues that are still left on them.

Wiping them with clean paper towels or even cloth microfiber towels will also work for them.

You can dispose of the removed tint and other pieces of items appropriately to avoid littering your working area.

I found this helpful video, watch this:

4 Ways To Remove Tint Glue From Windows

After removing tint from the windows of your vehicle, there is always tint glue that is left on the surface of the glass.

You will need to remove this too for the windows to be restored to their former condition. You do not want the glasses to remain sticky with the glue as this may make them soil up frequently.

The following are simple ways to get rid of the tinted glue:

1. Alcohol

This is an inexpensive way that you can use to remove tint glue that forms on the surface of your window’s glass.

It is highly effective due to the properties of the alcohol used. You can use alcohol by soaking it on a rag then using it to wipe off the tinted glue.

The area should be well ventilated as you should not inhale the fumes from the alcohol as it can be dangerous for your health.

2. Goo Gone

Goo glue is effective in getting rid of tint glue that is left behind after you have successfully removed the tint from the glass.

You should not use it for the removal of the tint as it won’t produce effective results in any way.

3. Nail Polish Remover

Nail polisher is a useful solution for removing paint or in this case tint glue after you have gotten rid of the tint.

You can soak it on a cloth or rag and then you can wipe the glass to remove the tinted glue. This will work to remove tint glue that forms on the removal of the tint on the glass.

4. Scrubbing

If it is a warm day, using a hot soap solution and a scrub will help to get rid of the not so attractive tint glue residue.

This is a safe method that will not damage any interior or exterior component of the vehicle.

Removing Tint From A Car Window In Cold Weather

You can always use a hairdryer or a steamer to remove the tint from the glass of your vehicle’s window in the winter.

This will help the corner of the tint start to curl and you can start to peel the tint from there.

This should be an easy task if you can work in front of the corners using the help of the heat from the steamer or the hairdryer.

When peeling the tint, you should peel it off continuously without breaking the strip. This will ensure that you can strip the whole tint that is on the window.

You can even use the hot air in the area between the glass and the tint as you continue to peel off the tint.

Using Vinegar To Get Rid Of Old Window Tint

Vinegar would be an excellent solution to go for to remove tint from the windows of your vehicle.

For this, you will need vinegar, a spray bottle, paper towels, soapy water, a rag, and a razor blade.

You will need to follow the following steps:

1. Fill the spray bottle with the vinegar and then spray it onto the glass of the window.
2. Apply a paper towel and spray again.
3. You should then leave the set up to settle for some minutes as soaking continues.
4. You should let it wait and prevent it from drying before the next step.
5. You can then remove the towel and then apply the soapy solution.
6. You can then use a scraper to scrap of the tint from the window.
7. You can add soapier water as you continue with the scrapping until the whole tint is removed from the vehicle’s glass.

FAQs

Now you know how to take off the window tint by following several methods above. I also provided some information below that is also looked for by people who found the main topic as you do. I suggest you continue to read the rest!

Q1. How Much Does It Cost To Remove Window Tint?

The charges that you will have to incur if you want professional service for the removal of tint from your windows will vary due to some factors.

The factors include the type of vehicle that you own and the work that will be done. You should be prepared to pay not less than $50 for the service.

Q2. How Long Does It Take To Remove Window Tint?

Removal of the tint on the windows of your vehicle may last for as long as one hour.

This is for all the windows of the vehicle that you have. The time also varies according to the method that will be used to strip off the tint from the windows.

Q3. Can I Use A Heat Gun To Take Off My Window Tint?

Yes, a heat gun can be used for the tint on your windows.

They work by warming the adhesive that holds the tint to the glass. This makes the adhesive weak and thus helps you remove the tint from the surface of the glass.

Q4. Can WD40 Get Rid Of Window Tint Glue?

Yes, WD40 can remove tint glue that is formed on the glass of your vehicle. You can use it after you have successfully removed the tint from the surface of the glass.

Q5. Can Acetone Get Rid Of Window Tint Glue?

Acetone is used together with a razor blade to get rid of tint glue that forms on the glass after the tint has been removed. This will be an effective alternative to go for.

Q6. What Is The Recommended Window Tint Removal Spray?

The GILA FR200 window film removal kit works well as an excellent tint remover.

This works well for removing the tint on your vehicle effectively. It is ready for use and works efficiently to remove the tint window film whenever you want to.

It comes as a sprayer together with a good scraper to get the task done. It has been tested by professionals and found to be the best option for tint removal.

Conclusion

Getting rid of the tint that is on your windows should be done whenever it is time to do so.

Sometimes an old tint can make the vehicle look less attractive and that is why you will need to remove it. You might also want it removed if you want to upgrade the tint on your windows.

Sources:

1. Car Bibles – https://www.carbibles.com/steps-to-remove-window-tint/
2. CarTreatments.com – https://cartreatments.com/how-to-remove-window-tint/