Let's remove the tint film...

[Rogo]

Hi, a lil DIY for tint removal

for some of us we are unlucky and live in a province or state that plain hates cars and car owners. I recently moved to New Brunswick...well last year and after being hit with a ticket for not having my car displaying the annual safety test sticker on my window I went to get it done. But they won't because of my tint (none allowed on front or front side windows).

So off it comes, did some research and found that a steamer would work well.

Tools needed:
-steamer rental (clothes steamer recommended...I used a Home depot wallpaper removal steamer 30$ for 24hrs)
-gloves (not necessary but I use them for most car work)
-razor blade or pocket knife (to start the corner)
-key in car(music on makes it all seem more fun)


Prep
1. Allow the steam machine to heat up, mine sputtered more water at the beginning and much less as time went on.

2. I taped with painters tape at the inside edge of the window to minimize water from getting down there. Probably harmless but why not.

Start
1. Heat the outside corner for 15-30 seconds with the steamer and scrape lightly underneath with a razor blade or pocket knife. You just need to do this enough for you to grab the tint film with your fingers.

2. Gradually but firmly pull the tint away from the glass, heating up the area with steam just before pulling through.

3. As you pull the film down and away, fold it back over itself so that if you let go it doesn't re-stick to the window as it will want to retain its shape.

4. Continue to peel until near the bottom.
**Now on the first window I peeled from back/top corner towards the mirror. This made getting the low bits a small pain since we have frame-less doors and the window is retracted door open. On the second window I worked back to mirror only for the top part and once it was done I went straight down. Then the last inch or so was done from within the car door closed...easy as pie.

After/Lessons Learned

1. If you have any glue residue you will want goo gone or something like dish soap to help loosen it and a razor blade (

) to gently scrape it off. I didn't find any residue with mine so I didn't bother.

2. The film is quite durable, my first window took me half an hour, the second took less than half that. Just be sure to steam the area well and be firm but smooth in pulling.

3. The second window film tore when I first started to get a purchase on it with my fingers, no matter. Just do what you do when a roll of tape tears mid-pull, pull both sides until the rip stops and go from there.

4. Folding it over itself is makes it go so much faster...do it.

5. Ensure steam machine is fully warmed up, avoids extra water pouring out the hose.


I hope that helps anyone who wants or has to remove aftermarket tint film from their windows. I am sad to see it go and now must be cognizant that my radar detector is visible from the windows, though driving at night will be a hell of a lot easier.

Rogo

[darkrom]

Your tint looks f----ing pitch black, no kidding they didn't like it lol. My state limits it to 35% which is decent. I'd like to go to maybe 25% but nothing darker. I drove a car with 5% tint at night and it was nerve wracking.

[AGAV13]

Originally Posted by darkrom

Your tint looks f----ing pitch black, no kidding they didn't like it lol. My state limits it to 35% which is decent. I'd like to go to maybe 25% but nothing darker. I drove a car with 5% tint at night and it was nerve wracking.

My thoughts exactly, damn.

[Rogo]

I assumed it was 20%, but could have been less. It was only bad at night but you got used to it. I feel so naked now. I used to be able to leave valuables in the car cabin...now I don't feel like I want to because anyone can see in.

[TheSt|G]

Yeah, not sure I'm offended your state made you remove it. Especially when you say yourself it was worse at night.

Either way, if you are looking for sun protection 3M makes a product called Crystalline that is a clear tint. Provides all the normal tint protection without the darkening.

[Rogo]

Shouldn't feel offended...I am not at war with the cops. I just liked not having to squint or worry about valuables left in the car.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Yeah, not sure I'm offended your state made you remove it. Especially when you say yourself it was worse at night.

Either way, if you are looking for sun protection 3M makes a product called Crystalline that is a clear tint. Provides all the normal tint protection without the darkening.

After years of getting ticketed with 35% on previous cars (NJ no front tints are allowed), I went lighter on my BMW's. My Z4 has 50% but it still obvious that it's tinted on a cloudy day. But on the 1-er I went Winco IR 60% front and 45% rear and I'm really happy with how it turned out. It actually has a bluish hue which matches the color nicely but can easily pass for OEM while keeping the heat out. But darker tint doesn't necessarily translate to better resistance. I've heard good things about Crystalline, Suntek and Winco -- all of which are good at keeping the heat out.

Sunny day


Cloudy

[Adam135]

Was that 5% (limo) tint?

[Rogo]

Might have been, having never had a tinted car before and it being done with the previous owner (I got the car 1year old CPO), I honestly don't know. But it was dark.