Removing window tint from your car windows isn't all that hard to do should you choose to do it yourself. Window tint films can become deteriorated over the years and develop bubbles or hazing requiring removal of the window tint. You may want to replace your auto window tint with the best window tint available, but you also may want to do some research and compare window tint prices before proceeding to buy your next window tint film. There a host of window tint reviews on the internet that can help you choose which window tint is suitable for your tastes.
Removing Window Tint Film -
Most window tint film is composed of two layers. The top layer will most likely readily peel
off very easily, but this tutorial will help you understand how to get both layers to peel off
at the same time. This makes the job twice as easy as peeling the first layer and then trying to
remove the second layer of film afterwards.
First, remove anything that will be in the way of removing the window tint. If you have stereo speakers that are in the way, disconnect the wires from the back of the speaker and place aside. If you have a third brake light and the tint goes behind the brake light cover, remove the cover. Protect your car upholstery around the window areas with a tarp, old cover or plastic bags. Using large black plastic garbage bags, cut them to fit the size of each window you plan for removal of window tint film. Starting with the back window, spray water over the window area on the outside of the window and cover with the bag you cut to fit over the back window surface. On the inside, quickly spray the back window surface with ammonia and cover with another black trash bag to seal in the ammonia against the glass tint. Let the car sit in the sun for approximately 30 - 60 minutes. After that amount of time, the window tint should be ready to peel. As you are peeling the window tint, make sure that the inside surface of the window glass stays moist with ammonia. You don't want it to dry out. The window tint should peel off easily. Try to peel the window tint from the corners inwards. If you are having problems removing the window tint from any specific area, spray the area back down with the ammonia and give it a bit to soak back in to the adhesive.
Once you've removed all of the window tint from the rear window you can repeat the same procedure on the side windows. Most people don't use the ammonia method on the side windows, but I've always found this to make removal of window tint from side windows easier. Otherwise, a razor blade can just be used on the side windows. When you get finished with the initial removal of the window tint from all the windows, you'll need to go back over all of the windows with the ammonia and a rag or 0000 steel wool pad, which is a really fine steel wool pad that won't harm most glass surfaces. This will pick up any last bits and pieces of window tint adhesive that is left on the window glass. Then you can clean your windows with a normal glass cleaner to finish up the job. Now that you've learned how to remove window tint, try using some of our other how to guides.