Tint Removal from Rear Window

[Babcomdave]

Has anyone had their window tint removed from the rear window?

I purchased my mustang with the rear window already tinted by the previous owner and whomever applied the tint either didn't clean the glass well enough or just did lousy job since there are some noticeable bubbles in the tint. I would like to have the rear window properly re-tinted.

I am concerned at having someone remove the old tint and risking damage to the rear defrost bars (you have to sign a waiver for damage responsibility with every company I have spoken with).

Has anyone had this done and did any of the bars get damaged?

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[BlueThunder]

If it's a professional shop with a good record, they'll be able to get it off without scraping the whole thing. Just cover the back area with a bag and sheet, heat the hell out of a corner with a heat gun and start peeling it. I've seen folks use a trash bag cut to size with a heavy-duty cleaner like 409 or just ammonia, cover the tint with it, then put the bag up against it and leave it in the sun for a few hours.

If it's a good shop, they won't even use a blade. They'll get the sheet off with a similar method and then just chemically clean the glue residue from the window. I'd ask them and if they use a blade at all, find somebody else.

 

[dogiebitt]

I used Simple Green and black trash bag + sun method. Worked well to remove tint without damaging defroster lines. A lot of glue was left over, so I went at it with a Scotch Brite Non-Scatching Dish Pads and dish soap and/or more simple green. Took a good hour and a half of scrubbing in the 100 degree heat. Just be careful to not scrub the lines themselves too hard. Most of the glue dissolves under light scrubbing with the cleaners.

Black bag method:
1. Get black garbage bags (non-scented).
2. Wait until hot day (preferred) or you will have to use your heater to raise interior temp pretty high.
3. Cut bag open at seams
4. Spray down back window on OUTSIDE with water
5. Lay bag onto back window from outside. Trim bag to size (don't cut your paint or rubber gaskets)
6. Lay towel on back decklid/seatback (Simple green damages leather)
7. Spray inside of back window with Simple Green
8. Lay bag onto inside of the rear window so it sticks to simple green. Spray more as needed.
9. Close all doors/windows and let it bake in the sun for an hour, checking on it half way thru to add more simple green if needed.
10. Start peeling the tint from one corner and go slow. Tint should come off with the bag to prevent it from breaking into strips.

Search youtube for some videos if you need visual instructions.

 

[frank s]

WRT removing the glue after the tint sheet has been removed: I have had good results from using Spray 'n' Wash or whatever it is called now (Resolve?). It works by enzyme action, so if the glue is biologically based, a spray and a few minutes will let it dissolve the glue. It usually comes off with a soft wipe.

 

[RichBrew]

i needed to remove tint from 5 windows on my wifes mazda 6 in the middle of winter. it was a couple years old and starting to come off in a couple places. i bought a cheap steamer and used it to heat the tint a little at a time to remove it. i heated some from the outside, and some from the inside. in spots where the adhesive was still on the window, it helped remove that too. it took us 2-3 hours to do the whole car.

 

[turbosteam15]

There are several ways to remove water spots from glass windows. First is to wash the glass with soapy water and rinse and dry quickly. If you have hard water spots you can try a spray window cleaner. If that doesn’t work get some 4X steel wool and try rubbing the glass clean with that. Don’t worry, it won’t scratch the glass. Then there is using a paint rubbing compound. Just put some on the spots and rub with a clean soft cloth until the spots go away. Once they do rinse with clean water and dry.

I do have some other ways but they are more for the professional who knows how to work with cars. But these should take care of 99% of the water spot problems!

 

[FruityJudy]

Straight ammonia, cover with plastic bag after spraying and let sit in hot sun. Peel after it has set and spray any remaining glue with ammonia and set again

 

[RugbyRef]

This forum and folks in it ROCK!

 

[Cobra Jet]

I used Simple Green and black trash bag + sun method. Worked well to remove tint without damaging defroster lines. A lot of glue was left over, so I went at it with a Scotch Brite Non-Scatching Dish Pads and dish soap and/or more simple green. Took a good hour and a half of scrubbing in the 100 degree heat. Just be careful to not scrub the lines themselves too hard. Most of the glue dissolves under light scrubbing with the cleaners.

Black bag method:
1. Get black garbage bags (non-scented).
2. Wait until hot day (preferred) or you will have to use your heater to raise interior temp pretty high.
3. Cut bag open at seams
4. Spray down back window on OUTSIDE with water
5. Lay bag onto back window from outside. Trim bag to size (don't cut your paint or rubber gaskets)
6. Lay towel on back decklid/seatback (Simple green damages leather)
7. Spray inside of back window with Simple Green
8. Lay bag onto inside of the rear window so it sticks to simple green. Spray more as needed.
9. Close all doors/windows and let it bake in the sun for an hour, checking on it half way thru to add more simple green if needed.
10. Start peeling the tint from one corner and go slow. Tint should come off with the bag to prevent it from breaking into strips.

Search youtube for some videos if you need visual instructions.

Dogiebitt hit it right on the head - and it’s the best way of removing rear window tint from ANY vehicle, not just an S550. I belong to many auto forums and have seen this method WORK for years; as he has stated, when removing the glue, you want a type of pad that won’t scratch the glass and won’t wear through the copper grid lines.

Just words of recommendation that I haven’t seen mentioned:

Cover the rear carpeted deck and seats with something that will not allow any type of liquid cleaner to seep through to those surfaces. The last thing you want to do is start removing tint and then come to find out that the liquid you’re using has now discolored or stained those areas.

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