Removing old window tint by yourself is completely possible. However, it requires a whole lot of time, patience and detail. It’s much easier and quicker to contact a professional to remove your window tint.
What You Need to Remove Old Window Tint
There are many resources online to learn the skill of window tint removal.These resources detail various household items you can use to get that old tint off. The process, however, is a lot more complex than these online sources will have you believe.
To remove old tint, you’ll first need a lot of supplies. If choosing to go with the generic Soap and Scrape method to remove old tint, you’ll need:
- Glass cleaner
- Dish soap
- A spray bottle
- Paper towels or clean rags
- A razor knife or blade
- A bucket
- Newspaper
- A sponge
- Water
Prepare Your Windows Before Removing
After securing all your needed supplies, you’ll need to prepare your car windows before embarking on the process of taking off the old tint. If you have decals or stickers on your car, you need to make sure that you remove them before taking off the tint. If you happen to have these stickers or decals on the tint itself, the process becomes a whole lot trickier. It’s best to leave old tint removal to a professional, but it’s especially important to use a professional if the tint has stickers and decals on top of it.
You’ll also need to make sure you have a power source nearby. You may need to plug in a heater, hair dryer or a steamer during the process. Make sure your connection is long enough to reach the inside of your car, as you’ll have to work from the inside when removing the tint.
Removing the Tint
With the common Soap and Scrape method, you’ll first need to raise the corner of the tint film with a razor blade or knife. Make sure to be very gentle and precise while doing this. If not, you could seriously damage your car windows. This is just another reason why it’s in your best interest to use a professional to remove old window tint.
After you’ve lifted the edge of your tint film, you’ll simply need to peel it from the surface of the glass. You need to be extremely careful during this step also. If you make a mistake, you could tear the tint and have to repeat the peeling process all over again.
After Tint Removal
After you’ve properly removed the old tint, you need to make sure to clean the glass or your windows. Use a good quality glass cleaner and spray a generous amount on the surface of the window. Using a clean rag or paper towel, thoroughly wipe down the window so that the glass looks as good as new. Ensuring a clean finish is tricky if you don’t have the proper glass cleaner. A professional tinting company will have a higher quality glass cleaner to give your windows a streak-free finish.
Save Time and Money with a Pro
Many people are tempted to remove old tint film themselves. They believe it will save them money. However, the process is very delicate and a mistake could cost you more money in the long run. It also takes time to make sure you leave your windows looking clean after removing the tint. It’s better to use a professional windowtinting company so you can save yourself time and money.