After years of exposure to sunlight, your car’s window tint will probably look a little dingy. Even if you keep your car under cover most of the time, the rays of the sun can still damage your car’s exterior over time.
Once you notice a few small cracks, bubbles or signs of discoloration appearing along with spots where the tint is beginning to lift at the edges, it might be time to take action. If you don’t remove old car window tint safely and regularly, it can start to look worse and worse over time.
This article explains how to safely remove old car window tint so that you can easily clean your windows and restore visibility.
How to Remove Old Tint Film Safely
Before you begin the process, make sure to follow all of the steps in this old window tint removal guide. You’ll want to remove any loose or damaged tint from your car’s window. You can use a scraper, a credit card, or a knife to gently peel away any tint that’s clinging to the window.
Once you’ve removed the loose bits, you can use a clean rag, a lint-free towel, or a piece of cloth to wipe away any remaining tint residue.
Safety First: When removing old window tint, be sure to wear a mask and gloves!
Removing old tinted film might seem pretty easy, but it does contain some very harmful substances. If you remove it using improper techniques, these substances could get into your body and cause serious damage.
For this reason, it’s important to protect yourself from harm while removing window tint. When removing it, you should wear safety goggles or safety glasses, a disposable respirator mask, and gloves. You should also make sure to protect your skin.
Remove old car window tint film with a rag or cloth, not with your bare hands. It’s best to remove the tint from the inside of the car first, then put the tint remnants inside a plastic bag to avoid getting any of the material on your clothes.
Step by step tint removal guide
We asked professionals, and came up with this 8 step tint removal process that will ensure a successful result every time. Arm yourself with time, patience, and follow these simple steps to easily remove your window tint.
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
Before you begin, make sure you have the following tools ready:
- Heat gun or hairdryer
- Razor blade or utility knife with fresh blades
- Ammonia-based window cleaner or soapy water
- Plastic or rubber gloves
- Cleaning cloths or paper towels
- Plastic trash bags
- Plastic wrap
Step 2: Prepare the Area
Choose a well-ventilated area to work in, preferably outdoors. Lay plastic trash bags or plastic wrap on the interior of your car to protect it from moisture and debris during the removal process.
Step 3: Heat the Tint
Use a heat gun or hairdryer to heat the old tint. Start at a corner or edge of the window. Hold the heat gun about 2-3 inches away from the tint, and move it back and forth to warm the adhesive.
Step 4: Peel Off the Tint
Once the tint is warm and the adhesive starts to soften, gently lift the edge with a razor blade or utility knife. Be cautious not to scratch the glass. Pull the tint away from the glass, keeping it at a low angle to minimize the chance of tearing it. If it tears, you’ll need to work on removing the remaining pieces.
Step 5: Scrape Off Residue
After you’ve removed the tint, there may still be adhesive residue on the glass. Scrape off this residue with the razor blade or utility knife. Be very careful not to scratch the glass. You can use ammonia-based window cleaner or soapy water to help lubricate and loosen the adhesive as you scrape.
Step 6: Clean the Glass
Wipe the window clean with a cloth or paper towels and ammonia-based window cleaner or soapy water. Ensure that you remove all the adhesive residue and any remaining bits of the old tint.
Step 7: Final Cleaning
After you’ve removed the tint and adhesive residue, clean the window again with a glass cleaner to make sure it’s spotless.
Step 8: Dispose of the Old Tint
Dispose of the old tint and any debris properly. Check your local regulations for disposal guidelines, as some areas may have specific rules regarding window tint disposal.
Remember that removing window tint can be time-consuming, and you’ll need to exercise patience, especially if the tint has been on the windows for a long time.
Final Words
If your car’s windows appear to be a little discolored, bubbly, clouded or hazy, there may be old window tint on the windows. In some cases, this clouded tint might look like it’s been scratched or marred. If this appears on your car’s windows, it might be time to remove the tint and replace it with newly installed foil.
Whether you leave installation of window tint to professionals or do it yourself is up to you. But removing your old window tint is very easy, and you can save some time and money by doing it yourself.
