Window tint film removal

[Greybeard]

My 75 has really old window tint that is wrinkled and faded and plain nasty looking. I sprayed window cleaner and obviously that didn't cut the adhesive. I've been working on it with a flat razor scraper but it is TIGHT! At least most of it. I'm thinking 3M adhesive remover but was wondering if it would penetrate the film to get to the adhesive? I really didn't need to buy a can of it to find out it doesn't work. The stuff is expensive. I haven't tried heat because well, when the truck sits in the full sun in 100* heat it gets pretty hot and film doesn't slide down the window. So I'm thinking this won't work either. I have paint thinner, acetone, brake cleaner, and carb cleaner on hand right now.

Any help would be appreciated. My arm is about worn out and I haven't finished the drivers window yet...the first one I started on.

[roundhouse]

On YouTube most everyone has good success with steaming it off

We have the same problem
Nasty tint on the windshield that absolutely won't come off even with a razor blade

I haven't bought a steamer yet.  But I can tell you that a regular clothes iron doesn't make enough steam to work fast enough
It works.   Just way too slow

[VileZambonie]

Use a heat gun and it will come right off

[Greybeard]

That solution is iffy isn't it? I broke a window once when I absentmindedly hung a drop light next it. I guess if the heat is spread out enough it won't break. I might try a hair dryer. Don't have a heat gun anymore and no steam making device either. It should soften it at least. I've broken three razor blades already and only have about ten square inches removed. UGH!!!

[Captkaos]

I used Gila/Window film removal solution and a black garbage bag around the glass in the hot sun.  Worked well for me.

[CipherLogic]

I used Gila/Window film removal solution and a black garbage bag around the glass in the hot sun.  Worked well for me.

I have seen the black garbage bag work great on some really damaged tints.

[VileZambonie]

That solution is iffy isn't it? I broke a window once when I absentmindedly hung a drop light next it. I guess if the heat is spread out enough it won't break. I might try a hair dryer. Don't have a heat gun anymore and no steam making device either. It should soften it at least. I've broken three razor blades already and only have about ten square inches removed. UGH!!!

Most tints are put on with a heat gun

[sphinx]

Lots of elbow grease and some good razorblades.  I used denatured alcohol to clean the glass to devolve the remaining glue. Now this was in the early eighty's the glue may have changed over the years. 

[Greybeard]

Sorry for the delay in responding, been busy with the acreage getting as much done as possible before the heat, humidity and flies take over.

VileZambonie
I've never used window tint before so I didn't know it was applied with heat. I thought it was all put on with water. I haven't had time to work on it recently for above reasons. Also getting my old Harley back in shape. I've put both these projects on hold for far too long.

sphinx,
That was my thought. And who knows when this tint was put on? I've owned the truck for about ten years I guess and I didn't put it on.


I'm not going to take the stuff off the rear window because I have a old slider I need to get in it. I looked long and hard to find what I thought was a good natural aluminum colored slider (I really don't like the black framed new style ones). I'm not too certain this one was as good as I first thought however. 

 

[roundhouse]

They use heat to shrink it in the curves

Hardest vehicle to do Is a new Beetle
The side glass is a compound curve and the rear hatch glass is really curved
You have to use two different sheets on the rear hatch because of the curve

90% of the places won't do a beetle

[Greybeard]

I decided to just use Armstrong window tint remover.  I got one done as of yesterday. Well, almost done anyway. I still need to wash the glass with denatured alcohol. Before I do that I need to remove the all the plastic. The window wipes are long gone due to rust so I'll need those, door seals and vinyl paint to complete the door. Otherwise the drivers door is in decent condition from just a visual. I haven't looked inside it in many years however. It could be scary in there after sitting under a mulberry tree for years. I've got too many irons in the fire and this truck is, unfortunately, low on the list. It getting close to haying time so the equipment needs a good looking over and greasing, I'm trying to get my Harley that I've also neglected over the last five or seven years due to work demands back on the road, (high priority), I'm getting ready to start school again to get a Master's degree and I'm starting a new part-time gig driving a school bus. Otherwise, I have all the time in the world, just no money. 

[sphinx]

Good luck with the Masters.  It can be a strain sometimes, but its worth it in the long run.  I know what you mean about time.  I been working on my truck now for three years, but life keeps getting in the way.  I get about one weekend every two months to work on it.  I wanted to finish it for its 40th birthday, its a 76 model, but it looks like that's not going to happen.

[Greybeard]

Thanks sphinx,
   If the Masters proves to be too problematic I might not complete it. heck I'm 57 years old, I surprised everybody by graduating with a BAS. I'm not saying 57 is necessarily old, but to change careers at this age and expect a good living don't seem to be going hand in hand. Here in corn country technology is few and far between.

I got mad at the Harley the other day because I dropped a acorn nut into it's inards between the tranny and engine and couldn't find it for the life of me. I stood up and looked all over. I reached the point I just needed to walk away so I started working on the passenger door. I went in and got a hair drier and it helped take the first layer of film off. But the hillbillies that put it on put two layers on. The hair dryer didn't phase the second layer. It's a 1600 watt (indicated) hair drier and it get's pretty hot when you restrict the airflow a little. Well, I got it done too. One of these days I'm going to get my wife to drag me around in it with the tractor so I can make varoom, varoom noises while letting the engine turn over the entire time to prime the fuel system and get some oil moving without it running or taking the distributor out. Yes it's been sitting that long. Fuel filter is dry. Might should take the front bowl of the 'new to the truck' T-Avenger (it was brand new when the truck was parked years ago) off and see how much white death is in it.   

[sphinx]

Your never too old to learn.  I'm just a few sun rises behind you and I don't know if I could do graduate school now or not. Anyway, glad you got a chance to work on the film.  I removed it off a 1974 Plymouth after I almost ran over another car one night.  I don't see that well at night being near sighted and the dark tint the PO installed was dangerous for me.  Lots of razor blades and Windex with elbow grease was used to get the stuff off.

[mike357]

I've always had good luck with a razor blade and lacquer thinner.