How to Remove the Rear Window Tint Film?
3 Answers
The method to remove the rear window tint film is as follows: 1. Use a utility knife to make a cut on the rear window tint film; 2. Peel off the rear window tint film with appropriate force to avoid breaking it; 3. Use adhesive remover, a scraper, and a cloth to clean the residual adhesive on the glass; 4. After removing the rear window tint film, ventilate and expose the area to sunlight to eliminate any odors. The functions of the rear window tint film are: 1. Heat insulation and sun protection—the film can effectively block a large amount of heat generated by infrared rays; 2. UV protection—medium and long waves of ultraviolet rays can penetrate thick glass, and applying a heat-insulating film can block most UV rays, protecting the skin from damage and slowing the aging of car interiors.
I recently removed the film from my old car and I'd like to share some tips. Use a hair dryer or heat gun to warm up the film, but don't set the temperature too high to avoid damaging the glass. Heat it back and forth for 2-3 minutes to soften the adhesive. Start peeling slowly from a corner - don't use your nails as it hurts, wear gloves and use a plastic scraper instead. Maintain a steady pulling speed without pauses, otherwise the film may break into small pieces making removal harder. After removal, spray adhesive residue with special adhesive remover, wait 10 minutes, then wipe in circular motions with a cloth - be extra patient on curved glass areas. Finally, thoroughly clean with glass cleaner, as any remaining residue will attract dust and look dirty later. The key is maintaining proper temperature - if the adhesive is too hard, you might damage the glass heating wires during removal, which would be counterproductive.
As someone who has repaired hundreds of cars, there are three key areas to pay special attention to when removing rear window film: temperature control, adhesive removal methods, and glass protection. First, use a heat gun to evenly warm the entire window for about five minutes to thoroughly soften the adhesive layer. Start from the upper right corner, use a utility knife to pry open a small gap, and then use a clip to pull it downward at a steady speed. If you encounter areas with significant resistance, apply localized heating again—never force it. For residual adhesive stains, use a scraper with WD-40 lubricant and repeatedly scrape in a grid pattern. Pay special attention to protecting the heating wires under the rear defroster; move the scraper parallel to avoid cutting the wires vertically. Finally, wipe the area three times with alcohol to ensure no oily film remains—skipping this step may cause bubbles in the new film later. The entire process is best done with two people working together, and standing outside the car to remove the film is more efficient and safer.
