The hot Las Vegas sun can be unkind to anything made out of plastic, and your tint is no exception. After years of sun exposure, the layers of plastic that compose tint film start to break down and distort. Once this begins, it is time to remove and replace the tint. By this time, the adhesive used will be crystallized and hardened, which makes removal difficult. While the majority of tint film is removable, there are many different films used and the time and effort it takes to remove each will vary.
We initially take a look at the vehicle to make sure we have access to any windows that have tint installed. Then, we determine how best to remove all glue and tint safely. If necessary, we will remove interior trim panels to access parts of the window that are harder to reach so we can completely remove all glue and tint. This process usually includes door panels, deck lid, interior trim, etc.
We then use a razor blade to carefully lift a corner of the tint away from the window. We then use a special steamer to superheat the glue and film, which is softened enough to be removed from the window. We then slowly pull the film from the window, using the steam to cook off any residual film or glue.
Once this process is complete, we check the glass for any glue residue. If we find anything, we remove it using glass cleaner and razor blades. The only is when we clean residue from back windows with heaters or antennas. These must be scrubbed gently with steel wool and a mild cleansing agent.
In extreme cases, the glue will become embedded in the pores of the glass itself. In these cases, replacing the glass is usually the only option. There are other circumstances where removing the tint damages the attached electronics or pulls off the embedded wiring.
Removing the glue is the hardest part. Every corner, edge, and crevice including under the brake lights and panels must be free of glue residue. If any glue is left behind, every speck will be visible and cause the new tint film to fail.
Because of the stripping process, retint jobs will not usually come out as clean as a new car or first-time tint job. However, it is still a vast improvement over the older stuff.
Tint removal is a car specific endeavor. We won’t know how difficult a job will be until we begin. We do our best to make sure we treat each customer fairly, so we usually charge an hourly rate with a cap. We will agree upon a cap before we start on the removal. The cost generally falls in the $50-$150 range as long as no window replacements are necessary.
If you are looking for help removing or replacing your tint, let our trained professionals at Team Acme help. Contact us here on our contact form so we can get started today!
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