Removing Window Tint

[Hedgehog]

How to remove old bubbly window tint? Heat? Spray on stuff? I really don't know how, never done it before. I've scraped on it some and there MUST be a better way.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Heat gun and a scraper made from brass or copper sheet.
LG

 

[mtnwhlr]

You should be able to peal it off and all that will be left is the glue. I just spray it with glass cleaner and scrape it off with a razor blade. I've done it this way many times.

 

[Torxhead]

I have done it with a sharp single edge razor blade.

 

[Hedgehog]

peal it off, gosh I wish I thought of that .. (sorry couldn't help it).. wait I did think of that, the tint is so old it doesn't peal all that easily. last night it was pure work. Today it was warner outside, I was able to peal the film off, unfortunately it left ALL the rest of the film on the window including the tint itself and the glue. Fortunately at that point its easy enough to remove it with a safety razor blade. I do appreciate all the answers.

I find the use of some sort of liquid to be interesting. Some swear by ... 409 ... Windex ... water ... an ammonia/water mix ... Alcohol ... steam ... others. I believe the liquid really doesn't matter, it more than likely is used to hold the heat on the film.

 

[Captainlance]

3M makes a "Decal , Wood Grain, and Glue remover" spray. used by body shops everywhere, works like magic. Spray on, let dry, scrape off with an old credit card, will not scratch the glass.

 

[Hedgehog]

I wonder where to find it, there are plenty of windows left to go.

 

[Captainlance]

Ask a local auto body shop where they get their supplies from. 3M products are also sold online at vendors like "discount auto body supply"

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Acetone is a great glue/adhesive 'cutter'.
Be careful around paint etc.
LG

 

[ksouthw80]

Napa carries 3M adhesive remover. Its in a red and white can. Works very well. We use it all the time.

 

[BIG4D]

I've removed a lot of window tint in the following manner;

Do this out in the sun, so the window is just warm. Spray the window tint with warm, soapy water. Use a good scraper that uses single edge razor blades. Start scraping at an edge if you can get to one. If not, make a cut in the tint and start there. Spray the cut as you start scraping. Go gently and get the film off. Don't worry about any adhesive left behind. Once you get the film removed, soak the entire glass down again with the soapy water. Change to a new blade and start scraping the soaked adhesive off. The trick is to keep it wet and soapy. As the adhesive comes off remove it from the blade. Keep spraying and scraping till all of the adhesive is removed.
If there is some adhesive remaining, you can use an orange-oil based cleaner/degreaser. It will swell up the adhesive and all but destroy it's adhesive properties. It will turn to kind of a "snot" that can be removed. The orange oil based cleaner will not damage most plastic, rubber or paint like acetone will, so it's safe for your door panels and glass seals.
The orange oil is also great for cleaning road tar from body panels and wheels and if your wife/girlfried or daughters wax at home, it will desolve and remove the wax they spill all over everything! ;-) This stuff is great!

https://www.amazon.com/Eco-Orange-Concentrate-Allergy-Free-Eco-Friendly/dp/B01DL4AE1G