rear window tints

mimaaa · 12-04-2005, 08:40 PM

my uncle got a reallly crappy tint job awhile ago, now i have his car. i cant barely see out the rear window. how should i remove the tints without damaging the rear defroster?

RSL · 12-04-2005, 09:33 PM

AFAIK, the only thing that will kill the defroster is if you actually severe one of the lines and open the circuit, but I would try anything except scraping it off if at all possible.

You might be able to pull the tint off in one shot (if you're really lucky), but to get the adhesive (or any tint that sticks) off, you'll probably need to carefully scrape it off from in between the defroster rows with a razor. Once you get the tint off, GooGone and a stiff brush will make pretty short work of the adhesive left on the window.

Good luck with it...

mimaaa · 12-04-2005, 10:17 PM

thanks so much, ill give it a try tomorrow.

RSL · 12-04-2005, 10:29 PM

No problem. I actually just tinted mine myself this weekend with some pre-cut Ebay tint (15% Luminar)

Since I bought the car used and it was tinted before, when the dealer pulled the old tint off for recon (all but the rear, haha), some of the old tint glue was left over in between the black dots on all the side windows. GooGone + an old toothbrush took it off VERY easily.

Just try not to scrape any of the defroster lines with a razor/scraper and you should be just fine.

TroyvM3 · 12-05-2005, 12:26 AM

I have the same problem with tint that I dont want for the rear and rear side windows. How much does a shop usually charge to remove the tint?

01topaz330ci · 12-05-2005, 11:34 AM

i had the same problem the dealer took off the tint but the entire window had the glue on it, so when i went to get my new tints, 10% all around

they charged me 50 bucks to take the glue off of my windows. and they did a perfect job!

JTLaz · 12-05-2005, 02:13 PM

When I wanted to have mine removed, they told me that I would have to bring it in early in the morning so that they could spray something on the tint to loosen the bond and not mess with any defroster lines.

PYRITE · 12-05-2005, 02:35 PM

God Damnit Its Not Tints, Its Tint.

bigme · 12-05-2005, 06:59 PM

The best way to take old window tint off is to "sweat it" off. Get your hands on any steamer and steam the at one corner and work your way down. If you happen to leave some glue on the glass use a double sided dish sponge the one with the scrubber on one side. Wet the class with soap and water mix, you do not need a lot of soap. Use the scrubber side lightly on the glass and it will remove the glue. Do not apply a lot of pressure as you will scratch you window. This will remove the glue and not harm your rear defroster at all. This is how I would do it when I was in the window tinting business.

mimaaa · 12-05-2005, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSL

No problem. I actually just tinted mine myself this weekend with some pre-cut Ebay tint (15% Luminar)

Since I bought the car used and it was tinted before, when the dealer pulled the old tint off for recon (all but the rear, haha), some of the old tint glue was left over in between the black dots on all the side windows. GooGone + an old toothbrush took it off VERY easily.

Just try not to scrape any of the defroster lines with a razor/scraper and you should be just fine.

GooGone and an old toothbrush worked very well! thanks!

TC323i · 12-05-2005, 10:04 PM

use a blow dryer to get it off once you have started pulling it. heating it up makes it come off very easily.

RSL · 12-06-2005, 12:39 AM

Quote:

GooGone and an old toothbrush worked very well! thanks!

No problem

Lots of other good suggestions in this thread

PS323CI · 12-07-2005, 01:13 PM

Garbage bag and 409 but, i prefer steamer. Thats what we use at my shop

12-04-2005, 08:40 PM	#1
mimaaa Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: greenville, nc; torrington, ct Posts: 20 My Ride: 2001 bmw 330ci View My Garage	rear window tints my uncle got a reallly crappy tint job awhile ago, now i have his car. i cant barely see out the rear window. how should i remove the tints without damaging the rear defroster?

12-05-2005, 12:26 AM	#5
TroyvM3 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 39 My Ride: e46 M3 View My Garage	I have the same problem with tint that I dont want for the rear and rear side windows. How much does a shop usually charge to remove the tint? __________________ 2003 Jet Black M3

12-05-2005, 02:35 PM	#8
PYRITE Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Emeryville, CA Posts: 1,787 My Ride: 1965 Ford Mustang View My Garage	God Damnit Its Not Tints, Its Tint. __________________ PYRITE IS SOLD!! Welcome "KRYPTONITE"...

12-07-2005, 01:13 PM	#13
PS323CI Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: FULLERTON CA Posts: 2,037 My Ride: 2000 323CI View My Garage	Garbage bag and 409 but, i prefer steamer. Thats what we use at my shop __________________ AIM:PATSE46

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12-04-2005, 09:33 PM	#2
RSL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: TX Posts: 282 My Ride: 03 Evo VIII/02 325Ci View My Garage	AFAIK, the only thing that will kill the defroster is if you actually severe one of the lines and open the circuit, but I would try anything except scraping it off if at all possible. You might be able to pull the tint off in one shot (if you're really lucky), but to get the adhesive (or any tint that sticks) off, you'll probably need to carefully scrape it off from in between the defroster rows with a razor. Once you get the tint off, GooGone and a stiff brush will make pretty short work of the adhesive left on the window. Good luck with it...

12-04-2005, 10:17 PM	#3
mimaaa Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: greenville, nc; torrington, ct Posts: 20 My Ride: 2001 bmw 330ci View My Garage	thanks so much, ill give it a try tomorrow.

12-04-2005, 10:29 PM	#4
RSL Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: TX Posts: 282 My Ride: 03 Evo VIII/02 325Ci View My Garage	No problem. I actually just tinted mine myself this weekend with some pre-cut Ebay tint (15% Luminar) Since I bought the car used and it was tinted before, when the dealer pulled the old tint off for recon (all but the rear, haha), some of the old tint glue was left over in between the black dots on all the side windows. GooGone + an old toothbrush took it off VERY easily. Just try not to scrape any of the defroster lines with a razor/scraper and you should be just fine.

12-05-2005, 11:34 AM	#6
01topaz330ci Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: jersey Posts: 199 My Ride: S/C ///M3...01 330ci View My Garage	i had the same problem the dealer took off the tint but the entire window had the glue on it, so when i went to get my new tints, 10% all around they charged me 50 bucks to take the glue off of my windows. and they did a perfect job!

12-05-2005, 02:13 PM	#7
JTLaz Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaches are a plenty Posts: 306 My Ride: Can now offroad View My Garage	When I wanted to have mine removed, they told me that I would have to bring it in early in the morning so that they could spray something on the tint to loosen the bond and not mess with any defroster lines.

12-05-2005, 06:59 PM	#9
bigme Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 71 My Ride: three2fiveCI View My Garage	The best way to take old window tint off is to "sweat it" off. Get your hands on any steamer and steam the at one corner and work your way down. If you happen to leave some glue on the glass use a double sided dish sponge the one with the scrubber on one side. Wet the class with soap and water mix, you do not need a lot of soap. Use the scrubber side lightly on the glass and it will remove the glue. Do not apply a lot of pressure as you will scratch you window. This will remove the glue and not harm your rear defroster at all. This is how I would do it when I was in the window tinting business.

12-05-2005, 10:04 PM	#11
TC323i Sick///Bird Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 200 My Ride: 323i View My Garage	use a blow dryer to get it off once you have started pulling it. heating it up makes it come off very easily.