Tinted windows offer protection from glare, privacy for your car, and a stylish appearance, but eventually the tint will expire. Removing the tint without proper methods will leave you with a big, sticky mess.
The best process of removal will depend on why you want to remove the window film to begin with. Both heat and scraping methods can be used successfully. Read on for the various processes for removing window tint from your car.
Window Tint Removal
We have provided simple step-by-step instructions that will help you feel assured in not only completing the task but also removing your window tint cleanly.
#1. Roll the Window Down.
The first part of the window tint removal process is to roll down the window a bit. It’s nice to expose the edges of the window tint so you can easily have access to pulling, peeling it off.
By rolling the window down, you can clear out the working area and should not have trouble removing the tint above. Before you start removing the window tint, kindly keep in mind this step, as often we only think of rolling the window up!
#2. Grab Your Steamer.
When it comes to removing window tint, a professional steamer is best, but a clothing steamer will work too. Lovingly heating up the window tint with the steamer will get the removal process started. Heating makes the window tint pliable so you can remove it easily.
As the steam works into the adhesive, the steam becomes moist and also allows you to loosen and take off the window tint.
Using the steamer process for your window tint removal is a significant step that will assist, unless you prefer to fluff your steamer, as this is a great option to remove window tint, if you do it correctly and it doesn’t leave any upset!
#3. Start Peeling (Be Careful).
To get started removing a window tint, use a razor blade to lift the corner and begin to peel it off the window. You will want to take your time walking around the edges and peeling the window tint from the window.
It’s very important to be careful in this step because you do not want to damage the window itself.
You will have more control and be able to remove the tint more easily by using a razor blade. Just be mindful that you are peeling off the window tint slowly to give you the best results.
#4. Slowly Start Pulling.
Once you have successfully peeled the corner of the window tint off, you can start to pull it off carefully. You will want to peel the tint off slowly and evenly so you do not risk tearing or damaging the window or the defroster.
Taking your time is key to this step. You want to peel the window tint off the window with time and care. If you spend a little extra time, you will be glad you did in the first place.
Be careful of the window and defroster while pulling it off.
#5. Remove Glue Residue.
To remove any leftover glue smear from removing the window tint, you will want to start using adhesive remover. You can either use a scraper or a cloth with adhesive remover on it.
This step is necessary after you remove the window tint so you can have a clean window, and it will be free from any sticky residue. You will be able to remove the glue residue with the adhesive without damaging the window or defroster.
Take your time and use gradual motions to remove the residue thoroughly.
How to Remove Window Tint with Heat (3 Methods)
Heat is a great way to loosen the intact film up, but some scraping may still be needed to completely remove the film. You’ll probably need very little, if any, use of a scraper for these processes.
1. Hairdryer or Heat Gun.
This is a simple method to help you remove tint or car decals, and it works just as well with a heat gun, but it may be a little messy. You’ll want to pick a corner to start with.
Hold the hairdryer about two inches from the window and run it on high until the glue has melted enough to pry up the edge with your fingernail.
Once you have the corner loose, you can angle the dryer to hit the edge where the film and window meet, and then slowly peel up the film as the glue becomes less and less tacky.
Then, using a clean towel, rub the adhesive away, using your hairdryer to soften the glue as needed.
After peeling all the glue off, wash your car windows with cleaner.
2. Steam Cleaning.
Perhaps the best method for removing window tint would be to get a fabric steamer. After steaming the window for several minutes, you will melt the glue to the point where the tint will come right off.
The great thing about this method is you can also use the excuse to steam clean your car’s upholstery, now all you have is a little glue to get off.
Here is a great video of removing vehicle window tint with the steam method:
#3. Solar Peel.
If the weather is warm and sunny, you can use this method to make your job easier. You will need two black plastic garbage bags cut to the size and shape of your window, a bottle of soapy water, a tarp to cover the interior (to protect from ammonia fumes), and a spray bottle of ammonia.
- Starting on the outside of the window, spray soapy water and cover with one bag, smoothing the bag flat.
- Cover all neighboring interior surfaces with a tarp.
- When ready, spray inside the window. Again, wear a protective mask. Cover with a second trash bag before the ammonia dries.
- Let it bake in the sun for at least 20 minutes before removing the bags.
- Once the bags are removed, dig a corner of the film and begin gently peeling the film away. If you find it sticking, it means it has dried out, so use the ammonia to keep it moist.
- To remove leftover tint, use a non-metal scraper, and use one of the cleanup methods below to remove adhesive residue.
How to Remove Window Tint Without Heat (Scraping Method)
These methods all involve removing car window tint and do not require high temperatures – they all primarily involve sharp objects. It’s important to note that all of the methods here work very well, but you must exercise caution not to scratch the glass with any kind of blade. If you’re scraping plastic windows, non-metallic scrapers work best.
Using Sharp Blades Note: We strongly recommend you take caution whenever you’re removing tint film from any kind of window – a metallic scraper will work for this job. There are some advantages of a knife or razor blade over a plastic blade, such as an ice scraper, but there is a much greater risk of damaging the glass.
If you do need to use a sharp blade, remember to always keep the blade at an angle to help avoid damaging the glass, and never use a scraping method if you are trying to remove tint from your rear window. If you do scrape your rear window very hard, you will damage the delicate window defroster lines, resulting in a rear defroster that will not work.
#4. Papers, Please.
Old newspapers can be used for many things, including removing window tint. Wet the tint film thoroughly with hot, soapy water and cover with a newspaper. Let the sun soak the window for at least one hour, reapplying more soapy water every 20 minutes.
You should now be able to scrape the tint off the window using long strokes and putting pressure on the tint. If you aren’t able to remove the tint film easily, let it soak for another half hour and try again.
#5. Peel’n’Soak.
Peeling and soaking is the slowest method, but it is the best option when you’re working on small areas or problem windows. Carefully cut an edge with a razor blade and peel the film off the window. Please don’t worry about messy edges.
Once the film is off, spray the area with soapy water and scrape the glue off the window. End with a nice blast of glass cleaner.
Removing Window Tint Adhesive
Finally, once you’ve cleaned off the tint, you’ll want to know how to remove any remaining tint adhesive. It doesn’t always happen as smoothly and easily as we hope, but all of the methods below work well against the lingering gunk.
Alcohol
One of the cheapest and easiest solvents on the market is a bottle of 90 percent isopropyl alcohol. It is fast and will do an excellent job of removing glue.
Use some on a rag for smaller spots, but you can use a spray bottle and a rag for bigger spots. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area and avoid inhaling the fumes.
Isopropyl Alcohol is also an excellent way to remove any oily residue from the inside of the windshield.
Goo Gone
Goo Gone is a well-known adhesive remover that is especially effective with leftover tint adhesive. Of course, it won’t help with removing tint.
Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover is probably one of the most useful solvents on the planet. Use some nail polish remover, a microfiber towel, and elbow grease to remove the adhesive.
This method requires a little more elbow grease, but the bonus is that you will buff your windows to a nice shine.
Scrubbing
On a warm day or in a heated garage, you can use hot soapy water (we like Dawn) and a car ice scraper to remove any glue residue. This is the safest method of all and could even make a case for cleaning your car’s interior.
Reasons to Remove Tint
There are three primary reasons to want to remove the tint from your car windows, each has its own set of challenges. The same challenges will apply to the old PPF as well when it is installed.
Aesthetic:
Sometimes you simply do not want tint, even though they are in perfect condition. This can be the most infuriating, since it is likely that the adhesive is still very strong. The good news is that heat methods are often effective against undamaged tint film.
Bubbling:
Bubbling film looks terrible, and there is no remedy. Your knee-jerk reaction would normally be to peel away the tint that is bubbling, but this is likely to result in even uglier remnants of glue and pieces of tint.
The good news here is that any visible bubbling is usually caused by a failed adhesive, which always makes removal a bit easier.
Discoloration:
That is, in time, window tint will fade to a purplish hue, and you will think about replacing it. Discoloration is more than just cosmetic when you consider the fact that as the tint discolors to purple, its ability to block UV rays through it diminishes.
Discoloration is caused by the breakdown of non-metallic dyes and is not fixable. Once again, heat is a good solution to this problem.
How much does window tint removal cost?
In general, the cost of professional window tint removal is usually in the $100 – $400 range for a standard car.
That’s a big range, right? It depends on many things, like the type of car you have, how many windows you’re having done, and if your tint is in good shape or a hot mess.
So, what are you looking at? Here’s a rough estimate by vehicle type:
- Compact Cars (such as a Honda Civic): $100 – $150
- Sedans (4-door cars): $150 – $250
- SUVs and trucks: $200 – $400
- Luxury or exotic vehicles: $300 – $500 or more.
These are for professional tint removal estimates (meaning it will be done correctly with no damage to your glass or defroster lines). Again, if your tint is a mess, that will impact the final cost.