How and how to remove the old tint from the glass in the car
Content
A certain category of drivers is literally obsessed with the desire to minimize the transparency of their car windows, namely, to perform tinting. There is some reason in this lesson, but it will not be about the causes of the phenomenon. Often you have to do the opposite, tint the glass, that is, sometimes remove a very well-fixed film.
In what cases it is necessary to remove the tint
The reason for this work can be different situations. From legal requirements to practical necessity:
- when performing registration actions in the traffic police, a car with a tinted front hemisphere of vision will be rejected with one hundred percent probability;
- in general, any contact with employees will lead to about the same, but for obvious reasons, the percentage is somewhat lower;
- the new driver does not want to drive with poor visibility, especially at night;
- the film has lost its decorative effect and already worsens the appearance of the car;
- the owner has finally lost his common sense and is going to roll the car into an even more gloomy "roofing material".
Sometimes glasses are tinted not with a film, but by spraying, or they generally put glasses tinted in bulk, but these are relatively rare cases. First of all, due to the price of the issue, even sticking a high-quality film is much cheaper, and the result is not much different.
As for the permitted percentages of light transmission, we can say that although in 2020 the requirements are somewhat relaxed, but if the tinting is not factory-made, but with a film, then it will definitely not work to meet the legal 70%, not for that the film is developed and sold. It is for the rear windows, which can even be painted with car enamel, the law does not mind.
Motorist mistakes
Often, in a hurry, due to a conflict with the inspector, the driver begins to commit rash acts.
There are things that cannot be done even in anger and time pressure:
- scratch or scrape glass with a knife or other hard objects;
- use strong solvents and auto washes, they will dissolve everything around the glass;
- heat the film with an open flame, the glass will certainly be damaged;
- breaking one's own glass in a circle to spite the employee, this happens.
Incorrect or inaccurate actions are quite possible in a calm environment, a few tips will help to avoid them.
How to remove tint from car glass
The elimination of the consequences of excessive dimming of the car is carried out a little less often than sticking coatings on glass, so several methods have already been well developed among motorists. Everyone can choose what he likes best.
Chemicals
Manufacturers of auto chemical goods have long taken care of the availability of specialized products for removing films from glass and other coatings. Not necessarily in terms of improving visibility, it can be a fight against carelessly used tape, stickers, stickers and other similar decorations.
Detailed instructions are always on the label, but the general principle is to apply the substance to the glass outside the darkening and a certain exposure in time so that the composition penetrates through the pores of the film and works on its adhesive base.
For this, rags moistened with the preparation or even just newsprint are used. After that, the film is separated from the glass much easier, and it itself acquires elasticity, that is, it breaks less.
To reduce the evaporation of the composition, you can use a polyethylene film that covers the wetted surface. So it is possible to use less sophisticated household chemicals, for example, ammonia, sold as ammonia.
After some exposure in a sandwich between the tinting and technological polyethylene films, it will significantly weaken the adhesive grip.
Instead of these relatively caustic substances, one can try to use a more humane weapon in the form of detergents. Sometimes their activity is enough in the fight against some not very tenacious films. The technology is the same, application, exposure and removal.
Removal with heat
The coating softens not only from chemically active substances, but also from high temperature. It will create an ordinary hair dryer, you can also use an industrial one, but you need to work with them very carefully, starting with the minimum power. Such a device easily melts some metals, and glass and plastic will spoil instantly.
You can use a household steam generator, additional moisture will only make the film more pliable, but also carefully, the temperature of superheated steam is quite high.
The glass is heated as evenly as possible by a stream of warm air or steam, after which the film is carefully removed, starting from the edge. If it does not go away with the glue, it's okay, the glue is then removed separately.
It will be much worse if the glass is overheated and it cracks, or the film is melted, after which it can no longer be evenly removed in a single piece. The essence of the process is the softening of the glue and the loss of its properties, and not the destruction of the film on the spot.
How to peel off without heating
If you act carefully, and the film is of high quality and strength, then by slightly cutting the edge of the coating, you can gradually pull it off completely. It is only necessary to determine the speed and effort by trial, for each tinting there is its own mode of optimal removal. Some fly off like masking tape, others resist and tear.
Wetting the separation site with a simple soapy solution can help. Alkali weakens the adhesion of the adhesive. But the process will take a long time, the reactions cannot proceed instantly.
Features of removing tinting from the rear window
Fundamentally, the essence of the matter does not differ from the side windows, but on the surface of the rear window, and just under the tint, there are usually the thinnest heater threads, which are very undesirable to damage.
Therefore, there is no need to try to remove the coating in sharp jerks, without heating and additional processing. But untested chemistry is also not good, it is able to remove everything together with the heater.
It is necessary to work carefully, gradually, with minimal external heating and soapy water, and then check the integrity of the threads and, if necessary, correct them with a special conductive glue.
Some people remove the glass if it is on a rubber seal, and all operations are carried out in a hot water bath, this ensures uniform heating and minimal risk to the threads.
What is the best way to remove glue residue
Unfortunately, there are no single recipes for glue, so the recipe for the product will have to be selected in each case. But the variety is small, it's all the same alcohol solutions, household detergents, ammonia and special auto chemicals to remove traces of adhesive tape.
By trial method, you can choose the fastest remedy. The use of solvents is also acceptable, but only in the form of slightly moistened tampons; they cannot be poured onto paint and plastic. To loosen the glue, it is better to heat it up, and you should not do this in the winter.
If you have doubts about your abilities, it is better to turn to professionals who produce tinting. They have the same knowledge and skills to remove it as they do to apply it.
Replacing old films is a completely common thing, over time any coating begins to fade, scratch and bubble, requiring renewal.
