How To Remove Tint From A Rear Window

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Removing an old tint from a back window is one of the most demanding jobs you'll encounter. However, you will likely end up with a sticky mess on the glass that will take several hours to remove, If you try to remove the window tint simply by removing. The hinder the defroster may or may not survive the process, and surely you'll spend a great deal of time and elbow grease in the process.

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You may run a high danger of damaging or and losing your back window defroster. You see, a back defroster is a small grid made of a combination of metal and the resin that's too attached to the glass with a glue. Sometimes the old window film will attach itself so well, that when you remove it, you also remove the defroster. This might be a good enough reason to leave this job to the professionals. Though even professional window tinters can not guarantee that your back defroster will stay whole during the process. Well here are some tips:

These are the household items you will need when removing window tint:

1. Black Trash Bags
2. Ammonia (undiluted)
3. Super-Fine Steel Wool
4. Razor Blade or Sharp Knife
5. Windex Glass Cleaner
6. 3 hours of time
7. Nice hot sunny day

Sun & Ammonia technique 

This method requires a sunny day. However, consider compulsory methods, If you live in an area where it's too cloudy to heat the rear window.

• Cut two black trash bags in roughly the shape of the window. The spray soapy water on the outside of the window and cover it with one of the black trash bags. Smooth the plastic flat. 
• Keep all inside surfaces near the window with tarp speakers, the backlight, and upholstered surfaces, and wear a face mask. Mix an a50/50 mixture of ammonia and water in a spray bottle. Ammonia fumes can be dangerous and different things will respond differently to the exposure to the fumes.
• While the ammonia is still wet, the trap the ammonia against the window film with one of the cut trash bags, while leaving the remaining the trash bag on the outside of the glass. When left under the hot sun, the trash bags will absorb heat, helping the film peel away in one piece.
• Start removing the window film. Use your fingernail or a razor blade to lift the window film in a corner of the window, and try to peel the film off in one entire piece. Be careful not to cut the defroster lines. Keep the tint damping with ammonia as you strip. Use a razor blade to the scrape off any tint that didn't remove.
• Remove any residual glue with ammonia and actually fine steel wool, besides wipe the surface with a paper towel before it dries. Remove the surface trash bag, and clean the window through and through with the glass cleaner.

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