Remove Window Tint Non-Toxically, Easily. Let the Sunshine In!
The window tint on my 2007 hatchback was peeling. I wanted to remove it myself without using toxic chemicals. So as we do, I went online to find a quick answer. An hour later, after watching countless youtube videos of old guys telling slow stories, I had a few methods to work with, but nothing that was non-toxic. My boyfriend suggested vinegar, so I combined his vinegar method with one of the old guy methods. The marriage worked like a charm!
*PLEASE NOTE that for the two windows I worked on, there was a "wrapper" layer over the tint that peeled off very easily. It was already coming up. The method below is for removing the actual tint that is stubbornly adhered to the glass under the plastic wrapper layer.*
Supplies:
- Vinegar, in a spray bottle
- Paper towels
- Soapy water and a rag to apply it
- Razorblade
Step 1: Spray a workable area with vinegar, apply paper towel, spray again to soak it.
Leave this on to soak for at least a few minutes. The longer the better, but don't let it dry out! If it dried while you went away, then spray it again. It worked for me even after soaking for only 3 minutes.
Step 2: Remove the towel, apply soapy water, scrape.
Remove the paper towel. See how the tint is now a little cloudy? That's from the vinegar softening it. Now wash your area with soapy water so the razorblade can easily slide across the glass. Once you get some glass exposed, apply more soapy water to keep it slidey. The scrape doesn't work without the soapy slide! Press hard and make long strokes.
Step 3: Apply soapy water to all of the glass, scrape everywhere to remove any remaining bits of glue.
Then clean the glass as you normally would, and you have a crystal-clear window!
Enjoy the new sunshine in your ride!
*If you have knowledge about how to remove the outer wrapper layer when it's not already peeling, please let us know in the comments below.* Thanks!!