How to Remove Old Tint

Tint on a car can serve many functions, from the privacy and security of the inhabitants to UV protection from the sun. The tint eventually gets old, however, and its effectiveness is reduced. The only option at that point is to remove the tint since you cannot repair it. Taking your car to a garage to remove the tint costs time and money. It is possible to remove the old tint yourself if you have the right materials available.

Instructions

Remove the Tint From the Side Windows

1

Fill up the clothes steamer with water. Turn it on, and wait for it to heat up. Wind the car window a quarter of the way down.

2

Apply steam to a corner of the window. The steam will melt the glue holding the tint to the glass. After a few seconds, pull the tint directly from the window with your fingers. Peel the tint slowly, applying steam just before the area you are about to peel. Eventually you can remove all of the tint.

3

Remove any residual glue from the glass. Spray the window cleaner on the glass, and scrub the window with the fine steel wool to remove any glue. Wipe the glass down with paper towels to clean it. Repeat the entire process with the other windows.

Remove the Tint From Inside the Back Glass

4

Cut the large trash bag into the shape and size of the back glass.

5

Spray the outside of the back glass with soapy water. Cover the glass with the trash bag, and smooth it out against the glass. The bag will adhere to the glass because of the soapy water.

6

Cover the upholstery in the car with a tarp to protect it, and spray the inside of the back glass with ammonia. Press another piece of trash bag up against the glass, and smooth it out.

7

Park the car in a sunny area, and leave it for about an hour. The heat from the sun will get trapped between the two bags and soften the tint's adhesive. Remove the bags from both sides of the window, and use a razor to carefully peel a corner of the film away from the glass. The tint will come off in sections. Pay special attention not to strip the defroster lines.

8

Scrub away any leftover glue residue with the fine steel wool and ammonia. Spray both sides of the glass with glass cleaner, and wipe them clean with paper towels.