About to remove my window tint, need advice

January 6, 2008

Alright so heres the story. A few of my friends have window tint, most of them have 20% on all windows but the front windshield, and thought it was pretty cool. After I got my used Malibu, I thought the window tint might spruce it up and make it look a little better. Well I ended up getting the 20% tint in my car, despite Indiana law requiring 35%. And recently, one of my friends has gotten a ticket for the 20%, pretty big fine, etc etc.

So long story short, I'm a little paranoid now and I think I'm gonna have my tint stripped. Not only is it a little harder for me to see at night, which I didn't like, but some of the laws in surrounding states are strict too, and I don't want to get in trouble. I routinely travel to Chicago, and Illinois laws are a little more strict, etc etc.

So heres the catch, I've only had my tint on the windows for a couple months, and I guess tint is easier to take off if it hasn't been attached for long, right? So I was wondering if I should attempt to take the tint off myself. It doesn't seem too hard, the film doesn't have any bubbles or anything, etc etc. PLUS, I feel like an idiot putting this tint on and then stripping it, I don't really wanna waste any more money... :lol2

The only thing I'd see a problem with is the black dots at the edges of a window, that the window tinter just put tint over. If anyone has removed tint from this sort of surface, do you have any advice?

If you guys think this wouldn't be too hard, give me your opinions. I can change oil, I'm good with my hands, but I haven't ever done tint work before. So I might just take it to a tint shop... what do you guys think?

Thanks for your advice!

TintDude · January 6, 2008

This might help http://www.tintdude.com/remove.html

It shouldn't be too bad since the tint is fresh, it will probably come off without delaminating, but it will probably leave the glue behind depending on the brand of film.

Don't worry about the dot area, with fresh tint it should come off easily. If you want to save yourself the trouble, just call and get a quote to remove and retint legally from a reputable shop. Good luck. :lol2

January 6, 2008

thanks, I'll probably just get a quote from the tint shop and have them do it if its not too expensive.

January 6, 2008

that would be your best bet let the pros do it :lol2 :lol2

Ryker · January 6, 2008

you might get a break from the shop that tinted it originally. You won't have to worry about IL law as you are not registered in IL. Post where you are and you might find someone on here to help you out. I know that shwusyrtnts is up north in Crown Point IN...... He will give you a great tint job as would many others.

January 7, 2008

alright, cool. I've still got my receipt from the original tinting, so I'll probably go back to the original place I got it tinted. They were pretty professional about it and did a good job.

lol I still feel kinda dumb about getting it removed so soon after I got it put on, but oh well. I thought it would be cool, made night driving a little difficult, etc. I really only wanted it for looks, so getting it removed won't be a big deal to me, besides the cost of it all. :lol2

Oh and I've heard plenty of stories about state troopers ticketing out of state drivers for this sort of thing. Although I'd assume it would be a secondary thing (they pulled me over for speeding, added this on once they saw my windows).

Ryker · January 7, 2008

with Illinois law the IL troopers have NO place to write you a ticket for tinting if you are registered in another state. The code specifically states that.......

good luck with the change of film.