With the right tools and cleaning agents, you will have your car windows looking new in no time. Here are some easy ways to remove old window tint.

Goo Gone

Goo Gone is a chemical product designed to weaken adhesive glue bonds and make it easy to wipe off. All you have to do is spray it on the window and leave it for a while for it to work. Then proceed to wipe off the glue.

Use alcohol, e.g., Rubbing alcohol/Acetone/ Nail Polish remover.

The high alcohol content in the rubbing alcohol, acetone, and polish remover will make the glue much easier to remover. Any other alcohol-based product will also weaken the adhesive and make it easier to remove the window tint glue.

What you will need:

• Scraper or razor blade
• Rubbing alcohol/ acetone/ polish remover
• A blow dryer or heat gun
• Hot soapy water
• Soft cloth
• Ammonia

Methods for window tint glue removal

Manual method

The most basic way of removing the window tint. Apply hot soapy water on the window and let it sit for a while. This will soften the glue and make it easier to remove it.

Ammonia method

Mix ammonia with warm water in a spray bottle and spray it on the window tint glue. Then proceed to scrape it off. Finally, clean the window using soapy water.

Check this too: How to Clean Tinted Windows

Solar peel

This solar heater cover uses heat energy from the sun to melt the window tint glue. It requires soaking your window in soapy water first before laying the solar peel on top so the sun’s heat can melt the glue. The soapy water further disintegrates the glue making it easier to remove.

Dry heat

This method can be done using a blow dryer, heat gun, or any other heat-producing gadget without a flame. The heat will help to melt the glue making the window ting easier to remove. Use the heat sparingly to prevent thermal shock that may cause your car windows to crack.

Steam it off

You can use this method to heat the glue before peeling the tint and scraping what’s left behind using a razor blade or a snow window scraper. Alternatively, you can use it to finish off any leftover glue using the manual window tint removal method.

Does WD 40 Remove Tint Glue?

Yes, it does. WD40 works by weakening the adhesive bond between the glue and the surface. But you have to finish the job with a cleaner such as a glass cleaner once the WD40 has acted on the window tint glue and made it easier to remove.

How to remove baked-on window film

You can use a blow dryer to melt the glue on the window film before scraping it off with a razor blade. Alternatively, you can spray an ammonia-based solution on the windows and wait for the film glue to disintegrate, then remove the film. The older the window film, the easier it will be to remove.

How much does it cost to remove old window tint?

Professional tinting service provider charges between $25 and $50 per windows. If you are getting your windows retinted afterward, you may get the service at a discount. High-end garages tend to charge a lot more for the service.

Will Rubbing Alcohol Remove Window Tint Glue?

Yes. But it should have a high alcohol content for it to break down the adhesive. Isopropyl alcohol with an alcohol percentage of 70% or higher will get the job done. Add the alcohol in a spray bottle, spray it liberally on the window tint, wait a few seconds, and then scrape the tinted window glue off.

When scraping the glue off the back window, be careful not to scrape off the defogging lines from your windows. Be careful not to crack the window glass or chip it while scraping the window glue off.

What to Do to Fix Scratches on Your Windshield

Before fixing scratches, it’s wise to determine the depth of the scratches. Run the fingers over the scratch; if your nail catches, the gash is deep. The significant damage is hard to fix, but smooth and shallow scratches are fixable. Deep scratches continue to enlarge until your windshield breaks. It’s therefore wise to ask a glass repair specialist for advice.

Using Cerium Oxide Polish

Put on rubber gloves and dust masks. Cerium oxide powder is a harsh irritant. Ensure you are very careful as the powder may fling into the air. Also, wear goggles to eliminate any possibility of polish splashing into your eyes. Make sure you work in a ventilated environment.

Preparation of Cerium Paste

• Estimate how much powder you will need to fill in the scratches on your windshield.
• You can start with two tablespoons.
• Combine the powder with warm water to form a paste. Put 1-part water for every two parts of powder you use.
• Mix them with a mixing stick to form a paste, ensure the paste consistency.
• Apply the polish with a buffing pad and an electric drill.
• Co the buffing pad to the end of the drill. Once the cloth is secure, dip into the paste and apply the scratched areas.
• Switch on the drill and run the edge of the pad back and forth along with the scratches.
• Mop away the excess paste with a microfiber cloth.

Acrylic Scratch Remover

An acrylic scratch remover is an easy solution for small damages. It fills scratches in and chemically reacts with glass to fix it.

• Apply a little amount of the remover on a cotton cloth
• Rub the cloth over the scratch for about a minute
• Let the remover sit for 20-30 minutes.
• Clean the glass with a soft cloth
• Gently buff out the remaining damage.

Use of Toothpaste

Toothpaste works, but it takes several applications to fill in scratches. Use a non-gel toothpaste with baking soda or mix white toothpaste with one teaspoon of baking soda. Later buff it into the scratches with a  microfiber cloth or buffing pad.

• Apply the toothpaste on the scratches and wipe off excess paste when done
• Toothpaste has an upper hand of being safer to use though it isn’t immediately effective.

Glass Scrub Compound

The product cleans stubborn dirt and grime off the glass. However, it can fix minor scratches on the car windshield glass. The scrub is unpleasant if rubbed on the mirror for a long time. It works similar to toothpaste by leveling the glass around the damage.

• Apply some of the compounds on a damp microfiber cloth
• Rub the cloth on the scratch with a rotational motion with even pressure
• In between every rotation, spray the area with a little distilled water. Ensure the site doesn’t dry while you are rubbing it, or it can cause other slight scratches
• Apply a little amount of the compound repeatedly
• Repeat the application regularly over several days until the scratch is no longer

Buffing Machine with Water Pump

A buffing machine with distilled water can also level out the area around the scratch and fix it. It’s only useful for small scratch as leveling out on a deep scratch would cause more damage.

• Clean the body of the car around the windshield
• Make a dam out of several layers of duct tape on the windshield to use water efficiently.
• Stick one strip of duct tape vertically on the surface, sticking another piece to its sticky side.
• Repeat the procedure, but now with the tape stuck horizontally.
• Pump the distilled water and buff the area until there is no more damage.
• Clean up the residue and remove the coverings from the car’s body

Can a Scratched Windshield Be Repaired?

The repair of a scratch depends on the depth and length; if it’s too deep, it’s impossible to fix. When the windshield experienced significant damage, the auto glass optics become uneven and cause eyestrain while driving. At this point, it’s worth replacing the windshield than repairing.

Check this too: How to Clean Tinted Windows

Can a Toothpaste Remove Scratches from the Windshield?

Toothpaste can fix small scratches on a windshield. Ensure you use the non-gel paste and apply it several times to be effective. Use a soft cloth and smear the toothpaste gently on the scratch.

Does WD 40 Remove Scratches from Glass?

WD 40 can remove scratches using a paper towel. Spray the right amount of WD 40 on the scratch, then give it some elbow grease. Wipe firmly until the scratches fade away.

Scratches on the windshield can occur due to ice scrapers, debris, defective wiper blade, and more. The hardened rubber or small debris caught in the blades will quickly scratch the windshield. It’s wise always to inspect your windshield for any damage to repair it before getting out of hand quickly. If the damage is immense, consult the glass experts.

First things First: Cleaning Tips

You should avoid products that can cause windows damage and follow the right procedure.

• Preparation: park your vehicle in the shade where it will dry slowly. The shade prevents your cleaning products from drying on the surface and forming a white film on tinted windows. Ensure you clean your windows as the last parts of your vehicle’s body.
• What to Avoid: be on the lookout for cleaning products that damage the tint and avoid them.
• Ammonia‘s products lighten the tint’s color and cause the film to become brittle and easily damaged.
• Abrasive Cleaning Materials: like the newspapers, scourers leave behind scratches on the surface of tinted windows.
• Sharp Objects: especially when removing air bubbles, avoid sharp tools like razors instead, use a credit card. Knife risks leaving scratches on the tint.
• Use Right Cleaning Products: the best thing to clean tinted windows is a cleaner with a microfiber towel. Use a separate cloth for inside and outside of the window. You may also use a window tint cleaner at-home

Make a solution with two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol with few baby soap drops, put them in a spray container, and then top up with distilled water.

• Wipe down, and buff dry your tinted windows. Spray some ammonia-free cleaner onto the tint before wiping away the dust or dirt. Gently clean with a cloth, then carefully dry the surface with a microfiber towel.
• Use a credit card in case bubbles appear between the tinted film and glass of your window. Use the short side of the credit card, wrapped with a soft cloth, push the bubbles to the edge of the window where they escape.

Window Tint Cleaner: Which Should I Use?

There are different products you can use to clean tinted windows but avoid Windex on tinted windows (unless it is Ammonia free Windex). Mostly the cleaner contains ammonia, which damages the film over time. Use the following;

• Dilute white vinegar solution made of equal parts of warm water and vinegar
• Vinyl window cleaner meant for vinyl windows and vinyl car tops. It’s a gentle formula than the ordinary brand of vinyl cleaner.

Check this too: How to Get Cigarette Smell Out of a Car

How Clean Tinted Windows Residues

1. Using Vinegar

• Dilute white vinegar, use equal parts of warm water and vinegar and place the mixture in a spray vessel.
• Spray the mixture on the tinted windows.
• Wipe the windows clean with a soft towel or cloth.
• Complete the cleaning on all windows. A second treatment may be necessary to remove large amounts of residues.

2. Using Vinyl Window Cleaner

Vinyl has a gentle formula than a typical window cleaner. Two popular varieties of vinyl window cleaner are RaggTopp and Bestop.

• Spray the cleaner on the tinted windows
• Using a moist cloth, wipe the cleaner from the windows
• Dry the windows with a dry, microfiber towel or rag to prevent water stains.
• Repeat the process on all of the windows.

3. Ammonia-Free Glass Window Cleaner

• Spray the ammonia-free glass window cleaner on the tinted windows. The ammonia-free glass cleaners include; Biokleen Ammonia Free Glass Cleaner, Armor All Auto Glass Cleaner.
• Wipe the cleaner away using a soft, dry cloth or rag.
• Repeat the process on all of the windows. You may require a second treatment for heavily soiled windows.

How to Fix Hazy Window Tint

• Soak a clean cloth in lukewarm, soapy water. Wipe coating with the towel to remove surface dirt and grime. Use a squeegee to dry excess water.
• Clean the exterior of the window with window cleaner.
• Peel the window coating if it’s reusable and still looks hazy.
• Clean the interior of the window with window cleaner and dry it.
• Wash the coating in lukewarm warm soapy water.
• Rinse off any dirt left to restore coatings’ appearance.
• Fix the window coating according to the set instructions.

How Long Do I Have to Wait Before Cleaning Tinted Windows?

Give your windows the appropriate time to dry, from a few days. This time depends on the climate during installation and the type of film applied. Some hazing and even water pockets may appear during this time and will disappear once the film dries.

Check this too: How to Remove Tire Marks from Concrete

Cleaning tinted windows require caution to avoid messing with the film. Please take note that regularly cleaning your windows can help prolong their lifespan. Again, ensure you use the right cleaning procedure and products too.