How to Remove Tinted Glass on Car Windows
If you have window tinting that is turning purple in color or starting to bubble, it is time to replace it. The condition of the tinting will most likely only continue to deteriorate, so it must be removed. While the process of peeling off the tint can be difficult, if you have the right materials and some basic guidelines, you can do the job yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Black plastic trash bags
- Spray bottles (2)
- Household dish soap
- Water
- Undiluted ammonia
- Steel wool, super fine
- Razor blade scraper
- Paper towels
- Glass cleaner
Instructions
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1
Do the tint removal on a hot, sunny day, and park the car facing the sun. This is important so that you can get the multiple layers of tint warm enough to peel off as a single piece. Attempting to take off the tint in colder temperatures will probably result in it flaking and peeling off in tiny pieces, and only one layer at a time.
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2
Take one (or more if needed) of the black plastic trash bags and cut them roughly to size in the shape of the outside of the window from which you are removing tint. Fill a spray bottle with hot soapy water all over the outside of the window, then cover the window with the black trash bag(s). Smooth out all the wrinkles in the bag(s) so that they are laying flat on the window.
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3
Cut trash bags to fit the inside window now, and set aside. Lay out more plastic bags as a protective cover over all the inside surfaces near the window. Put on the protective breathing mask, and fill the other spray bottle with undiluted ammonia. Spray the ammonia onto the window tint on the inside of the window, saturating it thoroughly.
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4
Place the trash bags you just cut up against the interior window, trapping the ammonia before it can evaporate. Leave the car parked with the window facing the sun for one hour.
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5
Begin to peel the tint off in one corner by using your finger and then the razor scraper. Once you get enough lifted to get a hold of, grasp it with your fingers and try to peel the film off in one entire piece. Spray the tint frequently with the ammonia as you are stripping.
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Scrape off any tint that does not come off by peeling with the razor scraper. Clean off the adhesive that remains on the window using ammonia and the steel wool. Finish by removing the bags and cleaning the window with paper towels and window cleaner.
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Tips & Warnings
Be careful not to cut or damage the defroster or antenna wires in the windshield when scraping with the razor.
