How to Remove Window Tint

Window tint does an excellent job of shielding your car’s cabin from the sun’s glare. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last forever — the tint may eventually start to bubble, or it may become discolored. The time will come when it needs to be retired. If you know how to remove window tint, you’ll be able to tackle this task yourself.
How to Remove Window Tint
There are many different ways to remove window tint from your vehicle. Some require the use of sharp objects to scrape away the tint, but if not handled carefully, this may scratch the glass. One of the easiest and safest methods of removal involves heat.
This process is simple to execute, and it can take less than two hours. You’ll need the following items:
- Handheld hair dryer.
- Clean cloth.
- Glass cleaner.
Step 1: Turn the hair dryer on the highest setting, and aim it at one corner of the car’s window. Keep it positioned about two or so inches from the window.
Step 2: Keep the hot air blasting on the window for a couple of minutes. Your goal here is to melt the glue that keeps the window tint in place.
Step 3: After a couple minutes, check to see if you can lift the tint at the edge of the glass with your fingernail. Once you’re able to raise the tint in this way, move on to the next step.
Step 4: Find the precise spot where the tint meets the window, and aim the hair dryer at this section of the glass. Slowly lift the tint from the window with one hand while keeping the hair dryer pointed at the glass with the other. Work your way around the edges of the glass until all the tint has been removed from that panel.
Step 5: Now that the tint is gone, there will likely be some gobs of glue remaining on the glass. Use a clean cloth to gently but firmly rub the glue away. If you encounter a stubborn patch of glue, blast it with hot air from the hair dryer. This will soften it and make it easier to remove.
Step 6: Repeat this process on all of the car’s panels of tinted glass until the window tint and glue have been cleared.
Step 7: Now that the tint and glue have been removed from the glass, it’s time to get your windows looking bright and sparkling. Wash the windows with the cloth and glass cleaner until all dirt and smudges have been removed.
Follow these steps to confidently remove your dingy, aging window tint with no hassles. Best of all, with this method, you’ll never have to worry about damaging the glass.
Check out all the glass cleaners available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on window tint, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
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Warren Clarke View All
I'm a writer and editor who's a regular contributor with the New York Daily News and Carfax, and my content has appeared in over 20 publications. I've written content that covers industries such as automotive, medical, insurance, healthcare, real estate, plumbing, pest control, dental and hospitality.