Easy Tint Removal

[TimmyTXJ]

Do you have old, bubbled up tint on your Jeep? Well, this thread is for you! A professional tint shop could charge you upwards of 60 to remove tint but your can do it at home with just a few simple supplies and a little bit of time.

First thing you'll need to do is gather your tools. The key to this method is a cheap portable clothes steamer. These can be found for 10 to 20 pretty easily. You'll also need a sharp razor blade, water, a clean towel, and a bottle of window cleaner.


Here's the window with the offending tint.


Take the steamer and aim it somewhere near the top middle of the window. If you're doing one of the roll down windows, roll the window down first. After about 30 seconds of steam, take the razorblade and carefully cut a slit so you can grab the tint. Continue steaming the window and pull down... VERY SLOWLY. The heat will reactivate the tint and allow you to remove the tint.


Now, move back up to the top and steam the newly exposed edge of tint. Use the edge of the blade to begin pulling the tint. Steam and pull. Steam and pull. It takes very little force to remove the tint, do not pull too hard or you'll rip the tint.


Be very careful around the edges, this is where the tint is most likely to rip. It's also the hardest place to grab the tint. If you feel the tint start to rip, manipulate it so it rips perpendicular to the edge. This will ensure that you always have a big piece to grab on to. After all the tint is off, you'll notice some hazy glue residue (not pictured), liberally spray with window cleaner and use a clean towel to wipe it off. You'll need to use a little pressure here but it comes off really easy.

The tint-less window.


A few tips:
1. NEVER forget you are working with what is essentially an enclosed pot of boiling water. If you get careless, you will get burned!
2. You will always run out of water at the worst possible time.
3. Get a feel for how much steam to use, and how fast/hard to pull near the middle of the window. That way, when you rip the tint you won't be near an edge.
4. Keep a clean edge, they're easier to start pulling from.
5. Fold the first bit of tint back over on itself so it won't reattach itself to the window.

Enjoy!

[cantab27]

good stuff my man ...thankyou

[XJ Wheeler]

Yes, great work. This will be very helpful with mine. I've had this UGLY piece on my rear window but wasn't sure how to remove it without damaging the defroster. Thank you.

[nickxj94]

Cool! I always used ammonia and a razor blade.