Window tint deteriorates as it ages and needs replacement. Bubbling and purple tint are two of the most common signs that the film requires replacement. The purple is due to the breaking down of the non-metallic dyes and change in color. The bubbling is a sign that the adhesive used in applying the film is fading. It starts with one bubble, and a lot more will follow.
If you try to remove the window tint by just feeling it, the process will be sticky and messy on the glass and will take several hours to remove. Below are cheap and easy methods on how to remove the car window tint glue.
Methods on Removing Window Tint Glue
1. Steamer Method – The Easiest Method
This process is the fastest and easiest method of removing the window tint glue. It involves four simple steps:
- Use a high-quality fabric steamer. The cost of the tool is around $20 to $30, but you will save a lot of time.
- Fill the device with water and turn on, then steam your window.
- After heating, you will notice that the glue melts and the tilt peel off quickly like cellophane.
- Once you remove old window tint, use goo-gone, goof-off, or other adhesive remover and use a soft cloth to wipe the window clean.
2. Soaking and Scraping Method
If you do not have a steamer, you can use other methods like the soak and scrape process. Also, if you have a small area of tint, this technique is recommended.
- Create a shortcut in the film using a razor blade. It will produce a tab that you can pull.
- Carefully peel the tint. It might not come off nicely. It tear-off or separates into many pieces.
- Place a soapy water on a sprayer and spray on the adhesive.
- Use a razor blade to scrape it off. Make sure to remove it all.
- Get a glass cleaner and clean the window thoroughly.
3. Sun and Ammonia Method
For this technique, you need to be in an area where the weather is sunny. It is not helpful when it is too cloudy to heat the back window. Consider using alternative methods.
- Get two black garbage bags. Cut it in shape like the window. Place the soapy water on a sprayer. Spray the soap solution outside the window and use the black trash bag to cover it. Smoothen the plastic flat.
- Use tarp to cover the areas near the window like the upholstered surfaces, rear light, and speakers, then spray the window inside again with soapy water. Do not forget to put on your face mask. The scent of ammonia can be very dangerous, and people respond to the fumes differently.
- Trap the ammonia in the window while it is still wet by placing another trash bag or with other plastic wrap made of multiple layers of film. Expose your car under the sun. The plastic will absorb the heat and helps take off window tint quickly.
- Use razor blade or fingernail to peel the window film. Start at the corner of the window, lift the film, and try to peel the entire piece of film off. Make sure not to cut the defroster lines. Continue moisten the tint with ammonia as you continue stripping it. Scrape the remaining film that did not feel off using a razor blade.
- Use ammonia to remove any residual adhesive and use a fine steel wool. Then use a paper towel to wipe the window before it dries up. Remove the black plastic bag that you placed outside the window, and use glass cleaner to clean it thoroughly.
4. Soap and Newspaper Method
Use a sponge to apply soapy detergent water in the window, and cover it with a newspaper. Allow it to stay for about an hour. Reapply the soapy water every 20 minutes.
- Use a razor blade to scrape off the top layer of the film with long strokes. Reapply the soapy solution after half an hour if the upper layer does not peel off in long strokes.
- Rub the razor blade over the film. It should peel off quickly. As you spray the solution, it should come off without the need of scraping it.
5. Heat
If the climate is not warm enough and you do not want to use razor blades or ammonia, you can use a fabric steamer to force the tint to peel. If you do not have the tool, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer, but you should be careful these tools produced more heat as compared to the steamer.
- Heat the corner of the clean tinted window, hold the device around 1/2 to 2 inches away, until it starts to peel off if you pick it off with your fingernail.
- Steam and peel at the same time, let the heat loosen the glue before you peel. Slowly peel. Pulling too hard is not a good idea, the tint might break or worse, remove the top layer of the film, leave the hard and sticky glue layer behind.
- Use a towel to remove the remaining glue. Press hard as you wipe to make the glue sticks to the cloth, instead of smearing or balling up. It is best to steam the glue before you clean.
- Use glass cleaner to clean the window.
Choose the best way on how to remove window tint glue based on your skills. If you want to use the sun and ammonia method, you should be able to stand the strong odor of ammonia. Also, you need to be in a place where there is enough sun. The sun and ammonia method is beneficial, but it is a bit messy and smelly. You will not have any problem with the glue that remains on your car windows if you follow the steps carefully.
