Getting rid of tints - is sticking new windows in an easier option?
 

Right I have a classic with tints on the back passenger windows and on the rear screen.
One they are badly done. Two they are so dark I cant see a thing at night.
So I want them gone and then a proper job done using a far lighter tint.

Now given that it is a classic and a lot of cars are being broken at the mo. Am I just better off fitting two new rear side windows as tints apparently are a bitch to get off.

Also the back heated screen - again is it better just to get a new back screen off a breaker? or have the tints removed?

What do you think?

Cheers
Steve

They just peel off mate

use a hot air gun and genly heat the tints up, get a stanley knife blade so you can catch one corner to peel, then as your peeling them get a friend to keep gently heating the window so the tints come off and remove the glue, if you dont heat them you'll be left with the glue still on the window which comes off with a stanley knife blade but takes ages... just be gentle with the heat gun and it'll be off in 10 mins for the lot... if you dont have a hot air gun a hairdrier would do the same idea

The worse thing about removing tints is the glue residue it leaves behind, my advise wud be rip them off put loads of soapy water on the windows after and get a stanley blade and scrape the remainder of the glue off.

A professional tint company wud remove the old tints for you at a small charge and put the new tints on.

I know a a good tinting company in West Yorkshire if your local?

Hope this helps;)

Kev

Kev, is that Cappacino? Heard others recommend them too

White spirit does the trick too. The rear window is a complete pain in the harris!

Thanks guys
I have just heard it is a total bitch of a job.
But it sounds like it could be a touch easier than I thought :)

would never normaly consider replacing windows. But with all the classics breakers about at the moment I guessed I could pick up new windows cheapish.

Given your replies
The windows stay in and the tints are removed
Cheers
steve

replacin the windows can be a bitch of a job resulting in cut fingers etc

peel em off and thinners on a rag to remove sticky residue , its easy m8

i used petrol to get glue off mine, came off easy.

DONT SMOKE WHEN YOU DO IT!

if you use a hot air gun/hairdrier 99% of the glue will come off with the tint really quick honestly mate, let us know how you get on

depends on the quality of the tinting film used. but either way easier to remove than fiddle about replacing the glass as suggested by OP

i had a problem with one of my rear passenger tints a few months back (small amount of peeling from edge.) they had it off and re-done in about 20 mins!!! all with no probs since, so as people have said it should be no problem to do yourself, even easier if someone can give you a touch with heat gun.

Sticky stuff remover FTW! :)

use wire wool rather than a stanley blade less likely to stratch the window.

No its a Company in Bradford called Xtreme tints, they have a Unit and not mobile, really good guys and know there stuff.

They have started vehcile wrapping too :thumb:

Kev

The best place by far is Pentagon Glass in Essex...They don't do a micky mouse job i.e. leaving the glass in, fitting the tint and leaving a 5mm gap around the edge/bubbling on the black-bubble window surround...They actually remove the glass and file the edge down so it goes to the very edge of the glass and fits perfectly...

:thumb:

Agreed about the residue! Took some tints off my last scoob, the stuff was a right pain to get off. Ended up using some Acetone and a cloth, but had to be so careful not to waste it on the door cards!!

Lat time I took tints off it was a night mare;

It was security tints which prevent the glass being broken through.

Hot air gun made it worse, and it left glue all over the glass, which I had to use cellulose thinners and a scraper to remove, and even then it took forever.

I didn't do the rear screen in fear of damaging the heated screen elements.

With that in mind, if you can get some windows for a few notes, then I'd be inclined to do that instead (just make sure its the right colour glass).

Ive done a lot tinting over the years and do so daily. These guys are right, you should be able to remove the film with little hassle. Gently heat the glass from the outside whilst pulling the film down slowly. Ensure that between the glass and the film is kept wet, with some sort of squirty bottle and soapy water(technical term i know). We use plant spayers.
A flat stanley blade is ok for the side if used with caution to avoid scratching.
DO NOT however use a blade on the rear screen if you want the heater bars to ever work again.