Tinting your windows is always a good idea, until it comes to removing the tint. There are lots of reasons why you might find yourself stuck in this predicament. For example, your tint could become scratched or damaged, or you might find yourself wanting a darker tint than the one that is currently on your car.
No matter what reason you have for replacing your window tint, you will always have to take the window tint off, and this isn’t the most pleasant of jobs.
You can pay a professional to remove your window tint. But, if you want to save yourself some money, it is just as easy to do it yourself. So, yes, you can take window tint off yourself. There are lots of different methods that you can follow to do this, in this guide we’ll be taking you through them to help make this process as easy as possible.
Can you take window tint off yourself?
Yes, you absolutely can take window tint off yourself! This can seem like a daunting task, but it is actually pretty easy when you know what you are doing. You can pay for a professional to do this, and if you want a perfect job, it is best to do this. But, if you are ready for a challenge, then you can do it yourself.
The main reason why you may decide to remove the window tint yourself is because it will save you money. In particular, you might choose to do this if you have no intention of replacing the tint, as window tint removal alone can be expensive. But, if you plan on applying a new tint, then it might be best to get a professional to do the job.
There are lots of different methods that you can follow to remove your window tint yourself. Some of these methods are more effective than others, and others are more cost-effective. So no matter your skill set or budget, you will be able to take your window tint off yourself. You just need to find the method that works best for you.
The Best (and Easiest) Way to Remove Window Tint at Home
If you ask anyone who has ever removed window tint before what the best method to follow is, they will always suggest heat. Heat is excellent because it directly targets the adhesive that is holding the window tint material to your window.
This will cause the adhesive to break down, resulting in the window tint naturally peeling away from your window, making the entire job easier. The best way to get this heat is to use either a hairdryer or a steamer.
Both hair dryers and steamers are great because they produce air at very high temperatures. You can use this heat to target the corners of your window, and you should find that the tint quickly begins to peel.
Once the tint begins to peel, you can then work a knife or your fingernail beneath the film and begin to peel it back further yourself. To work the whole window tint off of your window, simply continue applying heat to the area and peeling at the same time.
Eventually, the whole film should peel away, leaving just some adhesive residue beneath. This will usually wipe away, leaving your windows as good as new.
Alternative Methods to Remove Window Tint at Home
If you don’t want to use heat to remove your window tint, there are some other methods that you can follow. These methods aren’t as effective as heat, and they will take longer to complete. But, if you do not have a hair dryer/steamer available, or simply do not want to follow this method, we would suggest following one of the following methods instead.
Another great way to remove your window tint is with ammonia. Ammonia is a very strong chemical, and it is great for removing stains, so it makes sense that it also works well for this job. To do this, you first need to apply a soapy water solution to the window before coating it with ammonia. Cover the window with black bags and leave for an hour.
When you return, the ammonia should have broken down the glue, allowing you to peel away the tint.
Finally, if you are a patient person, then you might instead choose to scrub your window tint away. The best way to do this is with hot soapy water, a scrubbing brush, and a window scraper. Coat the tint with the soapy water, then work at it with the scrubbing brush and scraper until it has all been removed.
Summary
In short, yes, you can take window tint off yourself. In fact, there are lots of different methods that you can follow to do this. We’ve outlined the best options above, so check them out if you want to remove your window tint yourself.