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Removing old tint

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Old Jan 21, 2013 | 10:53 PM
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From: Vancouver
BC Removing old tint

I read in a magazine a while ago that we can use windex, some garbage bags and the power of the sun to easily remove those cheap purple tint.

Has anyone every tried it? And since it's winter and too cold for that method, any other tricks to remove tint?

Thanks!
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Old Jan 21, 2013 | 11:30 PM
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From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Regular tint?
Razor blade...spray bottle with soap and water.
....and beer.
When I cleaned shop windows a Nice little trick for doing window in winter is mixing in windshield wiper fluid with your cleaning solution so it wouldn't freeze on the windows.
So..soap and water/windshield fluid,razor..and Whiskey..(winter version!)

Last edited by misterstyx69; Jan 21, 2013 at 11:33 PM.
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Old Jan 21, 2013 | 11:34 PM
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Originally Posted by misterstyx69
Regular tint?
Razor blade...spray bottle with soap and water.
....and beer.
When I cleaned shop windows a Nice little trick for doing window in winter is mixing in windshield wiper fluid with your cleaning solution so it wouldn't freeze on the windows.
So..soap and water/windshield fluid,razor..and Whiskey..(winter version!)
Lol! I'll definitely give this a "shot"
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Also you can try a heat gun, and a razor blade. Clean it up with some soapy water, or window cleaner. I had to remove tint from some of the used cars I bought in the past and that method always worked best for me, but I hate removing old tint ha ha.
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 12:06 AM
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I have used the soap and water with a razor blade and with a heat gun. The way I got my crappy tint off was to get a corner started and work my way in with the heat gun and then once I have covered all the area with the heat gun I actually pulled the tint off with my hands slowly and it came off really well.
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 12:10 AM
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What do you use the whiskey for ? No just kidding. if you cover everything up real good paint remover will do the job in no time and you won't need to use the scratchy old razor blade . it will give you more time to work on the whiskey .it.s more or less just a clear coat with tint in it but you do need to be carefull and cover things good.
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 01:19 AM
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I've had pretty good luck with brake cleaner. It actually helped a lot with the factory tint adhesive.
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 04:57 AM
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Originally Posted by dwb87
I've had pretty good luck with brake cleaner. It actually helped a lot with the factory tint adhesive.
??????????????
I'm talking about merely being a alcoholic..and this guy here wants to start you into the "hard drugs"!
Pssh..sniff. (run away!you are young!.lol!)
But I guess that Brake cleaner has it's advantages.
If you use the Whiskey,you get mad,puke and clean yourself up with the soap and water.
With Brake cleaner,after you sniff it,your Car turns into a multi colored Pony!
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 10:01 AM
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I used a clothes steamer. Use it to get a corner started then use the steamer as you peel off more.
Perfect during winter and no permanent brain damage. Took about 15 minutes start to finish.
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 10:48 AM
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Thanks for the advice guys! I'll try all methods then give up with some whiskey and brake clean
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 11:37 AM
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What????
you are In BC!
you got better stuff than Brake Cleaner!..green leafy Vegetable..
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 07:27 PM
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ummm.....its the safe environmental type ones....yeah....why not.
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Old Jan 22, 2013 | 07:53 PM
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AL

If you are just doing the side windows, just scrape it off with a razor blade. If you are doing the rear with the defrost wires then that is different. Park it in the sun with black plastic on the outside to get it hot, lift a corner and peel it off. Use windex to get off the residual glue.

Doesn't work well in the winter though.
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by cafe-engineer
ummm.....its the safe environmental type ones....yeah....why not.
Bet you didn't think as a new member you would get so many high tec replies on your first post , What our members haven't tried isn't worth thinking about , welcome by the way. Gerald m.
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 03:29 PM
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Any suggestions for when the factory tint becomes so brittle it breaks at the slightest bend. I have tried heat gun, abd break clean. Its the rear hatch so i really don't feel like using the deforst in a magic bottle they sell
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by RXSpeed16
I used a clothes steamer. Use it to get a corner started then use the steamer as you peel off more.
Perfect during winter and no permanent brain damage. Took about 15 minutes start to finish.
^This!

I used a razor blade on the side windows, pretty easy. But for the rear hatch or any compound curved glass the steam is the way to go!
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 06:31 PM
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if you go on youtube and look up mightycarmods they have a episode of them on how to remove tint and how to put tint on.
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Old Jan 27, 2013 | 07:13 AM
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steam cleaner.the hand held ones, i think its called steam pot..it cost like less than 30$ from walmart. and you can even use it at home or in the future if you decided to remove your tint again.
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Old Jan 28, 2013 | 09:37 AM
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From beer to whiskey to brake cleaner and steam pots.... We need a support sub-forum...

Last edited by Schylor; Jan 28, 2013 at 09:42 AM.
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Old Jan 28, 2013 | 09:59 PM
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I'd suggest the steamer method I did the Windex and razor blade technique
.. it sucked.
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Old Jan 29, 2013 | 07:12 PM
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I usually peel as much as I can off and then tackle the goo with ammonia and a scrub brush. Probably not the best technique, but it works..
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Old Jan 30, 2013 | 10:34 PM
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Done it a few times this way and it's very very simple....

Mix up some amonia (sp?) with water in a spray bottle and covered the window I wanted the tint removed from ON THE INSIDE.
Placed a black garbage bag on the inside of it. The liquid will help it adhere to the window...
Let it sit in the sun for about 30minutes.
Remove bag, window tint will peal right off with no residue.

Done! Plus it doesn't mess-up your defrost.
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Old Feb 3, 2013 | 05:57 PM
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Yes, I had great luck with the Ammonia/Water trick. That is why all glass cleaner that you use on tinted windows has to be ammonia free. Anyway, it works great!
Good luck!
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 12:17 PM
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If the whiskey is good then any method should work
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Old Feb 8, 2013 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by motoratman
If the whiskey is good then any method should work
Who would give actually give a hoot about the tint then?.lol!
..I shouldn't have mentioned Booze!
..somehow advocating the use of a razor blade and some Alcohol doesn't quite sit right!
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