De-'tint'ing windows - anyone with 1st-hand experience
Discussion
Hi.
I'm looking at buying a new shed, but one I've got my eye on has a factory tint which I really don't like / want. Otherwise it's ideal and a good price so I was wondering whether it's easy to de-'tint' windows, and whether the fact that it's a factory tint makes any difference.
Anyone here had experience of doing this?
Thanks very much.
I'm looking at buying a new shed, but one I've got my eye on has a factory tint which I really don't like / want. Otherwise it's ideal and a good price so I was wondering whether it's easy to de-'tint' windows, and whether the fact that it's a factory tint makes any difference.
Anyone here had experience of doing this?
Thanks very much.
If it is actual factory tinted glass, it can't be removed without changing the windows for ones without tint
If it was done aftermarket there will be a film applied to the glass that can be removed relatively cheaply by a local window tinter to save the hassle or by DIY but it can be a PITA if you've never done it before as it leaves a glue on the window that needs to be completely removed
If it was done aftermarket there will be a film applied to the glass that can be removed relatively cheaply by a local window tinter to save the hassle or by DIY but it can be a PITA if you've never done it before as it leaves a glue on the window that needs to be completely removed
I've just had to do some of the windows on the recent acquisition winter shed Shogun. If you've got a hot-air gun (or even a hairdryer), use it. Liberally. The pimptint film will come off without, but it'll leave far more glue residue behind. Keep the "hinge" of the film hot as you pull. I used a petrol-soaked J-cloth to clean the residue off, with a bit of help from a paint scraper. The scraper was useful to get an edge raised to start with, too.
(I used this type of scraper - http://www.tooled-up.com/product/faithfull-wood-sc... )
I don't know what harm's been done to the heated rear screen elements - didn't go near them with the scraper, but some of the "cover" print did come off on the film, leaving brighter copper on the glass.
The drop glass'd obviously been done out of the doors, because the film went right up into the seals. I didn't bother removing them to strip the film off, and - because I did one door "cold", then couldn't get the residue off, that one has stuck closed a few times. The one I did "hot" is fine so far.
Peeling the rear screen film off was the least pleasant part, largely due to a thick layer of crusty dried dog slobber flaking off the film as I went...
(I used this type of scraper - http://www.tooled-up.com/product/faithfull-wood-sc... )
I don't know what harm's been done to the heated rear screen elements - didn't go near them with the scraper, but some of the "cover" print did come off on the film, leaving brighter copper on the glass.
The drop glass'd obviously been done out of the doors, because the film went right up into the seals. I didn't bother removing them to strip the film off, and - because I did one door "cold", then couldn't get the residue off, that one has stuck closed a few times. The one I did "hot" is fine so far.
jamieduff1981 said:
(FWIW I think cars look stupid with darker rear windows than front, and I'd be put off buying a car like that)
It was the rear screen (bubble-fest, to the point of opacity) and the front door windows I had to do... Frankly, I CBA to do the rear door windows & rear body glass, not least because on this that's another four panes a side...Peeling the rear screen film off was the least pleasant part, largely due to a thick layer of crusty dried dog slobber flaking off the film as I went...
jamieduff1981 said:
I removed film by peeling it off and cleaning the glue off with acetone and kitchen roll. If it's a factory tint it's probably the above Autoglass suggestion!
(FWIW I think cars look stupid with darker rear windows than front, and I'd be put off buying a car like that)
Depends on the car. On something like a decent estate like a 3-series, a4 or whatever it looks fine. Looks fine on a discovery too.(FWIW I think cars look stupid with darker rear windows than front, and I'd be put off buying a car like that)
Looks f
king stupid on a fiesta or corsa.fjord said:
jamieduff1981 said:
I removed film by peeling it off and cleaning the glue off with acetone and kitchen roll. If it's a factory tint it's probably the above Autoglass suggestion!
(FWIW I think cars look stupid with darker rear windows than front, and I'd be put off buying a car like that)
Depends on the car. On something like a decent estate like a 3-series, a4 or whatever it looks fine. Looks fine on a discovery too.(FWIW I think cars look stupid with darker rear windows than front, and I'd be put off buying a car like that)
Nothing wrong with this, to my eye:
Lawbags said:
Don't use any kind of meths/petrol. It'll only leave the gluey residue smeared all over the windows.
Use a cup ofcold water with a couple of drops of washing up liquid and a glass scrapper. Dip the scrapper in the cup and get scrapping!
I think I used cellulose thinners and a scrapper to remove the glue, then white spirit and a scrapper to remove the mess that made, then washing up liquid and a scrapper to remove that mess. All in all it was a pain in the backside and took ages to do the front two windows. However I don't mind looking like I'm driving round in a van so I left all the rears as it also helps hide stuff that's left in the back.Use a cup ofcold water with a couple of drops of washing up liquid and a glass scrapper. Dip the scrapper in the cup and get scrapping!
Haha - Yes that's cleared it up nicely! 
'Specially in the context of the first line of the first reply....
Thanks for the replies, though - I guess people have had different experiences with different products, so it's all good feedback (basically, be cautions)!
Time to check what my windscreen insurance covers.
'Specially in the context of the first line of the first reply....Thanks for the replies, though - I guess people have had different experiences with different products, so it's all good feedback (basically, be cautions)!
Time to check what my windscreen insurance covers.
aeropilot said:
monthefish said:
Nothing wrong with this, to my eye:
If you like driving around in a van...... 
I'm looking for a new family car, and the one thing that will strike an instant no is rear tints.
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