Easy ways to remove window tints

The decision to tint car windows depends on several factors. The window tints protect car users from excessive glare, enhance privacy and improve the physical appearance. Car tints do not last long. They peel off after several months of use or due to heat. When this happens, the car window becomes dotted with badly-looking patches. Drivers struggle to remove the window tints. The entire process requires utmost care lest you mess up the valuable ride. 

Here is how to remove window tints and get rid of the ugly patches. The treatment methods are heating and scraping to remove the adhesives that hold the thin film onto the window. 

Why will one remove window tints?

Everyone has a reason why they fit window tints on their vehicles. They also have different reasons for removing the tints. Either way, each driver will have to remove window tints at least once in their lifetime. 

Bubbling on the tint

The adhesive holding the window tint weakens with time. When this happens, there is an appearance of bubbles all over the window. The bubbles leave behind ugly spots on your vehicle. Popping the bubbles leaves behind a worse physical appearance. The window features spots of glue and lose tint films.

The bubbles are a sign of a weakening adhesive. The film will peel off easily if the bubbles are evenly distributed on the vehicle’s window.

Enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle

Some drivers don’t like driving around with tinted windows. The driver can strip off the tint a few days after installation. In such situations, the driver has a lot of work to do. It will be easy to remove window tints if the adhesive has weakened significantly.

Discoloration of the window tint

Using the tint for an extended period causes it to lose its original color. Heat turns the tint to a purplish color making it less attractive. Color changes are a result of non-metallic dye breakdown caused by UV rays from the sun.

How to remove window tint using heat

Heat causes the tint film to loosen. The driver requires less effort to strip off the tint layer. Three heating techniques are vital for the removal of the damaged tint.

Using a heat gun or hairdryer

  • It is the easiest and simple way to remove the tint, even at home. 
  • Keep the hairdryer at a distance of about 2 inches from the window. Run it across the window until the adhesive melts
  • Slowly peel off the tint from the edges of the window
  • Use a towel or dry cloth to remove stubborn adhesives. Continue heating the window if the glue remains sticky.
  • Use a cleaner to remove any dirt.

Steam cleaning

Using a fabric steamer is a great way to remove old window tints. A few minutes of steaming weakens the adhesive glue and the driver can pull off the window film swiftly. The process does not require extensive cleaning after removing the tint film.

Solar peel

Drivers can utilize the sun’s warmth to remove damaged window tints. The process requires the use of ammonia spray and slight exposure of the window to the sun. The process takes between 20 and 30 minutes. Drivers must peel off the remaining adhesives using a cloth or a non-metallic scraper.

Removing window tint by scraping

Drivers can remove old window tints using a non-metallic scraper that cannot damage the window. Prick the tint at different locations and use a paper or soft cloth to scrap it off the window. It is a slow process but requires utmost care.

Removing stubborn window tint adhesive

After removing the tinted film, the driver must get rid of the glue that holds together the film and the glass window. Drivers can utilize alcohol, nail polish remover or Goo Gone to remove residues of adhesives from the window.

Conclusion

Using a window tint comes with several benefits. Equally, drivers have to remove window tints once they are old or when they are aiming to facelift their vehicles. There are several ways to remove the tint. Take precautions when removing the window tint to avoid damaging the glass window.