How to Remove Car Window Tint: the Not Messy, Cheap, Easy Way

Removing tint & stickers from car windows

So easy you'll slap yo' mamma!!!

This instructable covers removing tint (and stickers) from windows. It is specifically geared to removing tinting from 5th generation Honda Preludes from 1997 to 2001, but can be used on anything from Kias to Hummers, to house windows.

Background:

I recently bought a nice 5th generation Honda Prelude with tinted windows. I always liked the way that tinted cars looked, but didn't think it was practical because most of the driving I do is at late at night. The new car also had radio reception problems. The antenna in my car is a thin wire layer on the back window above the defroster lines. Asking around I learned that the tint in my rear window was likely causing my poor reception (it was). These two reasons drove me to removing the professionally installed tint the car came with.

After calling a tint shop and getting a quote of $140 to get the 5 window (2 doors, 2 rear quarters, and rear window) tint removed I decided there had to be a better way. I did some research online and prepared myself for a messy painful process. It turned out to be easy, so easy I figured I'd write it up for you.

The advantages of this method are that you do not need to cut the tint off at all (no razorblades = no mess) and so it is safe on your rear window without any fear of messing up your rear defroster or antenna lines. The method is also significantly faster, cleaner, greener, less messy, and less hazardous to your health.

General idea:

The goal here is to steam the window and tint so much that the glue releases itself from the window. Then all you have to do is slowly pull the tint off of the window (as you continue to steam) and the glue comes with it - no mess!

Disclaimer:

Steamers release extremely hot steam... which translates to hot condensate. When combined with tight spaces and or the use of beer as a motivational tool, injury can result. Use common sense, don't burn yourself with the steamer.

Tint will make your car look better to the opposite sex, protects from the UV rays, and wards off thieves. Removing it however, will make it easier to actually see while driving, sometimes important.

Thanks for all of the positive comments. If you liked this article, please rate it, and include your pre-tint-removal & post-tint-removal pictures! (if you didn't like it, let me know what is missing)

Keywords:

Window tinting,remove tinting, tinted, car tint, prelude, steamer, window steamer, remove tint, removing car tint, removing window tint, removing tinting, tint removal, bubbling tint, old tint, how to remove tint.

• Cheap clothing steamer (hey, it works on your clothes too!)
• Long extension cord
• Bottle or cup of water (so you don't have to go inside to refill the steamer every 10 min)
• Some rags
• Windex
• 6 pack of beer & a good CD (to keep you entertained while steaming the windows)

This step is required for removing tint from the front windows of a car (or any that roll down). The directions below are specific to 5th generation preludes, but will be similar for other cars.

If you want more information about removing your door pannels, look for directions on removing your door panel online. If you know a good site for directions, please post it in the comments. (thanks)

When you get to the side windows that roll down (drivers and passengers): (you should have practiced by doing the two small side windows first)

You will need to remove the door panel and any weather stripping until you can see the entire piece of tint on the inside of the glass (likely goes to about 1" above the bolts).

For instructions on how to remove a 5th gen prelude door panel see http://www.handaaccessories.com/prelude/preludeinteriortrim.pdf or follow these (copied from a bayarea prelude post by natcc99 post here)

1. Remove the screw that is hidden behind the cap located at the door handle.
2. Pull the door handle and tweeter unit out and disconnect all the wires.
3. Unhook the door handle metal rod with a flat head screw driver
4. Pull off the speaker cover. (There are hooks located closest to the door's edge. The other end are held by snaps.)
5. Once the speaker cover is off, remove the THREE screws located around the speaker.
6. Remove the screw that is hidden under the cap located inside the handle used for closing the door.
7. Remove the small plastic cap located at the upper corner near the door's hinge.
8. Lastly, grab the door panel from below and carefully pry the door loose.
9. Finish off by pulling up to unhook it from the window's edge and disconnect any remaining wires.
10. 
    

If you need to, you can completely remove the window from the car by doing the following:

1. Roll the window about 95% down.
2. Remove the plastic weather covering by using a heat gun to loosen up the glue. Once the area is warm, pull the covering to reveal the bolt as shown in the picture above.
3. Remove the bolts, BUT be careful not to drop the window!!!
4. Carefully lift the window upwards. When the window is half way up, tilt the back of the window up and pull it out of the rear tracks.
5. Continue to carefully pull the window up until it is off the car.
6. Lay the windows on some soft towels, as shown below.

Once you can access all of the tint on the window, you can go ahead and steam and remove the tint as you did before.

Tips:

1. DO NOT RUSH - it isn't worth it. If you pull the whole sheet off you will have to steam the glue separately and it makes a mess, is annoying, and makes hair grow on your palms.
2. Listen to music/talk on the phone/drink beer - why not?
3. If you do pull too fast or some glue remains steam the hell out of it (15-45 sec) and rub it with a clean towel. It will ball up into yellow balls that are not very sticky. Wipe them off by pushing on a towel and wiping it hard (otherwise you'll just smear the glue around). It isn't too hard, just use a clean towel & don't rush..... Have I mentioned not rushing yet?
4. Wipe off the condensation on the molding around the windows, but don't worry about it. It will be fine.
5. DO NOT USE RAZOR BLADES, if you have to use a razor you're not doing it right and are going to ruin your defrosters & antenna (not to mention make a mess)
6. 
   

Discussion

Using Ammonia and razor blades:

Many people use ammonia, soap, and razorblades, garbage bags, and sun heat to remove tint. This is definitely cheaper, and how most people online have recommended removing tint. (for more complete instructions just google "remove tint") This process works, however there are some major problems. Firstly, this method is messy and smelly. Secondly this method takes longer (steamer > sun). Thirdly, if you make a mistake you could ruin your rear defogger, antenna, or scratch your glass.

With the method described in this instructable, the only mess is steam on the inside of your car and possibly some small balls of non-sticky glue.

We are talking about the difference of $25-$30 for a clothes steamer that you can use and return if you want, or use later to clean your car (it works great at removing oil & dirt buildup on armrests etc.), and on your clothes versus a bunch of garbage bags, soap, & razor blades that cost a few bucks and the possibility of a huge mess & the risk of messing up your car.

Outside temperature:

When I did it we were having a cold spell and it was in the 50s or maybe even the 40s. If it is colder out then the steamer will have to heat the window more, but it should still work. I'd guess if you're not in the arctic (or Minnesota in the winter), you'll be fine.

Best of luck, feel free to post your questions or post your success stories.

Thanks for reading