For Those Who Have Removed Tint - How Did It Go?

[regensburg94]

Need to get tint on 3 rear windows removed. Quite nervous about it given possibility of antenna or defroster damage apart from general interior wear and damage from the removal process. Also don't want residual, visible glue left behind.

I know most tint shops also don't enjoy the removal process. It is hard work.

For those that have done it before - how have your experiences been? Did your car come back as if the tint was never there, or did anything go wrong?

Thanks!

[Benjjman007]

Originally Posted by regensburg94

Need to get tint on 3 rear windows removed. Quite nervous about it given possibility of antenna or defroster damage apart from general interior wear and damage from the removal process. Also don't want residual, visible glue left behind.

I know most tint shops also don't enjoy the removal process. It is hard work.

For those that have done it before - how have your experiences been? Did your car come back as if the tint was never there, or did anything go wrong?

Thanks!

Shouldn't be 2 much of an issue if you take it to somebody who knows what they are doing. Why are you removing the tint? Also it isn't [I]that[I] hard to remove tint, just some patience. So don't let them BS you into it being "hard" to remove.

[regensburg94]

Originally Posted by Benjjman007

Shouldn't be 2 much of an issue if you take it to somebody who knows what they are doing. Why are you removing the tint? Also it isn't [I]that[I] hard to remove tint, just some patience. So don't let them BS you into it being "hard" to remove.

Well, one of the shops I spoke to indicated it would be straightforward; another said it would be hard to get the rear window to look "as new". Both are super reputable in the Bay Area.

Removing it because prior owner had no idea what he was doing and installed bad tint by a bad installer. Don't like the way tint looks, either. It just needs to go. Goal is to get factory look back.

[quality_sound]

Side windows are cake. Rear window, don't be surprised if you lose a defroster line or two. I pulled the tint on my old Passat wagon and I only barely nicked 2 lines.

[33zero]

I had tint removed from my VW and the shop I went to in SF did a very good job. None of my defrosters got damaged. The only thing I was unhappy about, was they left a tiny nick on my driver side door panel from the tool they were using to remove. The tint was on my car for 6 years! Which shop are you going to?

[1sikbmr]

I removed my tint myself... I took a spray bottle of soap water and a blow dryer and heated one edge so that i can easily peel it off then i took the spray bottle and soaked the area that i was pulling from... You must constantly wet it. I did not damage any defroster lines at all. The i took alcohol/soap water and cleaned off the remaining glue

[1sikbmr]

Originally Posted by regensburg94

Well, one of the shops I spoke to indicated it would be straightforward; another said it would be hard to get the rear window to look "as new". Both are super reputable in the Bay Area.

Removing it because prior owner had no idea what he was doing and installed bad tint by a bad installer. Don't like the way tint looks, either. It just needs to go. Goal is to get factory look back.

everyone wants business. They will tell you anything to get it no matter how reputable they are. Your best bet would be to take your time and remove it slowly. Anyone can tell you that it will be super hard to remove so that you get scared and pay them to do it. But if you are planning on taking it to get removed i say go to the guy that told you it would be straight forward. The hardest part of removing tints is cleaning off the goo that it leaves behind but keep at it and it will all come off

[wheeladdicts]

my suggestion based on regrets...take it to a tint shop to be done...it is a PIA and you will regret not spending the money to have it done vs doing it yourself

[Kyoshi71]

You should not lose ANY defroster lines if you deal with a pro. Here is my best advice from when I changed my tint. Go to the dealer and have their mechanics remove your rear deck. It makes the adhesive removal process much easier on the tint shop and allows the new tint to lay closer to the rear of the car.

[regensburg94]

Thanks for all the responses. I am not laying down new tint - in some ways that would make things look better, could hide the previous adhesive. I don't like the tinted look so am taking it off once and for all.

I have no intention of doing this myself. Am taking it to a pro, but wondering if I have any options. The tint guy who said it would be super hard actually suggested perhaps replacing the entire rear glass. I'd rather not do that - hate breaking factory seals - but am wondering if that might be better than having a guy spend a couple hours kneeing my interior and risking damage to the interior. Cost is not an issue here...just want a brand new OEM look.

For the record, the one who said it would be straightforward seems kinda gruff and am not sure he will put in all the time necessary.

The comment about having the dealership remove the rear decklid is not a bad one. I am honestly not thrilled about removing or disassembling anything on the car though.

[ceoiyc]

Side windows are very easy to remove. Leave your vehicle outside in the sun when it's really hot. PIA is when it's come to rear windshield. Either way, Replacing windows doesn't sound right even If cost isn't an issue.

[Krozi]

Pretty easy...did it myself...

[holt]

Seems like I remember when I got my tint installed the guy said they don't use adhesive anymore. just water. Could be wrong though.

[regensburg94]

Originally Posted by holt

Seems like I remember when I got my tint installed the guy said they don't use adhesive anymore. just water. Could be wrong though.

They didn't use adhesive to install tint?

I am sure they did. Perhaps the adhesive was pre-attached, but I am sure it was there.

I haven't heard any horror stories yet regarding removal. It sounds like it can be done, safely, but a PERFECT job seems hard to do.

[regensburg94]

Originally Posted by Krozi

Pretty easy...did it myself...

Krozi, what technique did you use and which car was this? Did you have to remove anything on the interior to get to the glass?

[Krozi]

Originally Posted by regensburg94

Krozi, what technique did you use and which car was this? Did you have to remove anything on the interior to get to the glass?

This was on a 2008 E92 M3. The secret is to go INSANELY slow...you can not even fathom the amount of non-fast-ness that is required

If you go real slow the glue will stick on the tint, and not the window. This is especially crucial for the rear window because you don't want to be scraping around the defroster with a razor blade...for the side windows its not a big deal, just spray with some alc and shave off the glue with a blade...

Didn't have to remove anything...

[regensburg94]

Originally Posted by Krozi

This was on a 2008 E92 M3. The secret is to go INSANELY slow...you can not even fathom the amount of non-fast-ness that is required

If you go real slow the glue will stick on the tint, and not the window. This is especially crucial for the rear window because you don't want to be scraping around the defroster with a razor blade...for the side windows its not a big deal, just spray with some alc and shave off the glue with a blade...

Didn't have to remove anything...

That is really helpful, thanks. Hmm. Sounds like I would have the patience to do it myself, perhaps more than the "pro" but he also has a nice shop, heat lamp, all the tools he needs, etc. I guess I will have to encourage him to take as much time as is necessary. Thanks!

[regensburg94]

Any other thoughts, anyone?

[revster]

OP, I get my tint done through Sidney Lee at Auto Mall Tint Specialist in Fremont. I think he's the best in the bay area at this, excellent attention to detail and absolutely stands by his work.

He'll likely tell you the same thing about the rear window--that's just how it is. But he's a perfectionist and he knows what he is doing.

Good luck.

[regensburg94]

Originally Posted by revster

OP, I get my tint done through Sidney Lee at Auto Mall Tint Specialist in Fremont. I think he's the best in the bay area at this, excellent attention to detail and absolutely stands by his work.

He'll likely tell you the same thing about the rear window--that's just how it is. But he's a perfectionist and he knows what he is doing.

Good luck.

Awesome, thank you. I think I'll pay Sidney a visit and see what he thinks.

My top priority is making sure that the job gets done right.

[beamerboyz]

Originally Posted by regensburg94

Need to get tint on 3 rear windows removed. Quite nervous about it given possibility of antenna or defroster damage apart from general interior wear and damage from the removal process. Also don't want residual, visible glue left behind.

I know most tint shops also don't enjoy the removal process. It is hard work.

For those that have done it before - how have your experiences been? Did your car come back as if the tint was never there, or did anything go wrong?

Thanks!

the best stuff to remove goo left behind from sloppy work, used it to remove the good left from the infiniti letters and badges.....everything comes off SMOOTHLY