Any ideas how to remove horrific window tint film "residue"?
Discussion
Have started to remove the window tints from my car, only to find that beneath it is the stickiest f
king film residue ever!! I've so far tried white spirit, engine degreaser, petrol, paraffin, Windowlene, hot soapy water, t-cut, car wax, a window scraper (stanley blade type) and meths.
The only thing that seems to touch it is meths and a st load of effort! Does anyone have an idea of what else I could try, before I spend the next 5 days and 120,000 calories cleaning it from each window!!? God help me when I get to the back window!!
king film residue ever!! I've so far tried white spirit, engine degreaser, petrol, paraffin, Windowlene, hot soapy water, t-cut, car wax, a window scraper (stanley blade type) and meths.The only thing that seems to touch it is meths and a s
t load of effort! Does anyone have an idea of what else I could try, before I spend the next 5 days and 120,000 calories cleaning it from each window!!? God help me when I get to the back window!!Liquid Tuna said:
white spirit, engine degreaser, petrol, paraffin, Windowlene, t-cut, meths.
Can't offer any advice other than to suggest not smoking in the car while you're doing it
Can you not borrow a 5-year old off someone? My mate's 5-year old managed to remove it from his window no problem at all
It is a horrendous, soul destroying job.
If you have one, firstly use a wallpaper steamer. You need to hold it to the glass for a good 3-4 minutes. When the glue is soft, scrape it with an old credit card (the glass will be very hot).
For the edges and the residue I used Evo Stik adhesive remover (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evo-Stik-191-Adhesive-Cleaner/dp/B0001P03M4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361200649&sr=8-2 ), with some decent kitchen roll (tons of it) but make no mistake it will still take ages!
ETA - if you haven't yet taken the film off the rear windows, consider using the wallpaper steamer first. But don't rush it, wait until the film is literally falling off before teasing it away.
If you have one, firstly use a wallpaper steamer. You need to hold it to the glass for a good 3-4 minutes. When the glue is soft, scrape it with an old credit card (the glass will be very hot).
For the edges and the residue I used Evo Stik adhesive remover (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Evo-Stik-191-Adhesive-Cleaner/dp/B0001P03M4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361200649&sr=8-2 ), with some decent kitchen roll (tons of it) but make no mistake it will still take ages!
ETA - if you haven't yet taken the film off the rear windows, consider using the wallpaper steamer first. But don't rush it, wait until the film is literally falling off before teasing it away.
Edited by will_ on Monday 18th February 15:20
Wow, surprising how many different ideas there are here.
I used to actually do this for a living, well, as a by-product of being a window-tinter.
The best way is to either wait for a hot sunny day, or get the car up to temp and get the heaters on to warm the inside of the car. Then the very best way to remove the glue is with warm soapy water and scrubbing using a scrubbing pad (you'll need a few of these large green 3M scouring pads) and just gently scrub/rub at it.
It shouldn't be too hard a task and a side window should take no more than 15 minutes
I used to actually do this for a living, well, as a by-product of being a window-tinter.
The best way is to either wait for a hot sunny day, or get the car up to temp and get the heaters on to warm the inside of the car. Then the very best way to remove the glue is with warm soapy water and scrubbing using a scrubbing pad (you'll need a few of these large green 3M scouring pads) and just gently scrub/rub at it.
It shouldn't be too hard a task and a side window should take no more than 15 minutes
balls-out said:
Cellulose Thinners will do the trick. Use in a well ventilated area!
+1Surprised you didn't try, this considering you tried everything else!
It's the only thing that will work, but it's messy (the remnants of the film will melt into a sticky goo). Lots of kitchen towel required.
ikarl said:
Wow, surprising how many different ideas there are here.
I used to actually do this for a living, well, as a by-product of being a window-tinter.
The best way is to either wait for a hot sunny day, or get the car up to temp and get the heaters on to warm the inside of the car. Then the very best way to remove the glue is with warm soapy water and scrubbing using a scrubbing pad (you'll need a few of these large green 3M scouring pads) and just gently scrub/rub at it.
It shouldn't be too hard a task and a side window should take no more than 15 minutes
Thank you all for the ideas, much appreciated!! I'll give the idea above a go seeing as though you used to do it often enough. 15 minutes you say?I used to actually do this for a living, well, as a by-product of being a window-tinter.
The best way is to either wait for a hot sunny day, or get the car up to temp and get the heaters on to warm the inside of the car. Then the very best way to remove the glue is with warm soapy water and scrubbing using a scrubbing pad (you'll need a few of these large green 3M scouring pads) and just gently scrub/rub at it.
It shouldn't be too hard a task and a side window should take no more than 15 minutes
I honestly thought it would just peel off in one go, quick wipe over and that'd be it!!
markmullen said:
Brake cleaner and a razor blade.
I had to remove the crappy limo tints from my ZS180 and this worked as well as anything, in fact just a rag soaked in brake cleaner removed the vast majority of it.You do need all the doors open when doing the rear window however, or risk passing out from the fumes
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