How to remove residue glue from car window?

I removed 5 years old window tint from back window of my car as it was bubbly. Now there is glue residue all over. How do I remove the glue? Which blade and chemical to use so I do not damage defroster lines of car. Car is HYUNDAI Elantra 2019 model

if that matters.

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Amrit1. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about removing window tint residue.

Since you're dealing with glue residue on your car window, I’d recommend reaching out to an automotive specialist or a professional who deals with window films for advice on how to safely remove the residue. My concern is that using cleaning products or tools that aren't specifically designed for this purpose could damage the window, particularly the defroster lines. For example, certain chemicals or abrasive tools might cause hazing or strip off the lines that are crucial for the defroster.

It’s always best to consult someone who has experience with automotive window treatments to ensure the right method and materials are used, preventing any potential damage to your vehicle.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Amrit1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/46402#Comment_46402

Actually I want to become a tinter. So trying to re tint my car first many times before taking any jobs. Front ones I cleaned with multi-purpose cleaner and razor stainless steel blade. But this back window is scaring me atm. Kindly recommend something if you can, will really appreciate!!

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/85270#Comment_85270

I totally understand your desire to re-tint your car and get some practice in before taking on jobs @Amrit1. However, my expertise is in the home improvement space, and I’m not as familiar with the specific products or techniques used for tinting and removing residue from car windows.

That being said, I strongly recommend reaching out to a professional window tinter who can provide you with the right advice on which products and tools would be safe to use, especially when it comes to protecting the defroster lines and the window surface. They’ll have the experience to guide you on the best methods for cleaning and re-tinting your car windows without causing any damage.

Let me tag some of our helpful members @dave1, @Nailbag and @Jewelleryrescue to see if they have any thoughts.

Mitchell

Amrit1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/107795#Comment_107795

Okay, Thankyou

Jewelleryrescue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121154#Comment_121154

Hi @Amrit1

Well the challenge to removing tint ad this applys to house hold tint too.

Is to heat it up in a uniform manner so when you start peeling the film is warmed and less prone to tearing apart.

How do you heat up the tint. Have you ever laid polypipe in the sun and it goes soft and flexable very similar principal at work here,

Well for un tint method No. 1

1 This seams a little strange at first but works. Get large black plastic bags and push one onto the watered sprayed tinted window from the outside of the car is easiest poking it into the corners just like as if you are tinting the window now cut the plastic bag about 30mm larger than the window with a razor blade . Now from the inisde of the window spritz it wet again so plastic sticks reapply plastic window shape you just cut and open the window and poke 30mm out side and close the window on it. Use plastic scraper or credit card to poke plastic tight into the corner. Side window panels just spritz and stick on the inside.

Now park the car in the sun 20-30 mins the black plastic heats up heating the film layers too. Tinted house window normally on the hot side of house in the sun already.

Start at the top leave plastic bag on and use a razor to start peeling the film glue layer and tint layer at the same way gently pull at a rough 45 degree angle. Take extreme care pulling slow and gentle.

2 Older tint use same a above with extra 5% soapy water in 95% water and use a credit card or plastic scraper to assist slide under the tint at the glass join.

3 7 year old tint (bubbly) use method one. May need to scrape window tint with razor blade combinded with a use of a steamer.

4 Untested - A warm hot air gun set to around 70 -80 degres temp my work the same preheat all of glass area first. one person now heats the other peels warmed tint?

If you want to remove old vinyl signage heat the car up in the sun and use a flexable soft scraper to minimise cuts and multiple stripe forming.

Take you time start smaller areas for practice.

Jewelleryrescue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/85270#Comment_85270

Hi @Amrit1

I wrote a book on window tint but failed to directly address your issue.

I would use a steamer on your rear window with a fine edged plastic scraper as it provides moisture and heat at the same time.

Steam / soak the window the day before may help pre soften the old glue layer.

But the other problem is the stuck-on demister tapes so you will need to walk a fine line here so they are not un stuck in this process.

Given you are learning here I would take it to a reputable pro and learn directly from them while they do the job and what gear they use.

Amrit1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129493#Comment_129493

Thanks mate, really appreciate your help!! Are you a tinter yourself? Can we connect?

Jewelleryrescue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134774#Comment_134774

all good @Amrit1

Thanks for invite I paid for my own car signage and learnt what the pros did.

Its amazing what we learn just listening and by letting them show us there techniques as they proud of there work

They hate taking vinyl and tint off and used to charge $250 so I took off for them and had some practice as I had some of the gear I use in hardware. My vinyl wasnt that old 5 years so wasnt too hard and came off in one piece mostly.

So I am glad I can help share the info with you, You should maybe work for some outfit and learn the ropes quicker for free or trade for some work for tint your can practice on friends cars?

huntrobyn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/46402#Comment_46402

Yes I have had a vandal

Pour apparantly epoxy resin down across my front windscreen on my car

A be Commodore Calais type

It was very thick on finding this the same night

It was vandalled

Upon going to Bunnings this store and reco the following day

In one day I was sold acidtone from Bunnings for this and from Repco I was sold stuff off on a can for this

Both I had specifically explained myself what I was needing to use to remove this to the rep workers

Firstly this day I get home and apply acidtone to windscreen as directed

Left for period of time. As directed wiped. Did some scraping

Etc.

Hours later after this

Yes it seemed to had thinned the apparant eprixy resin somewhat

The day after this as still was not removing this leftover. Epoxy resin substance

I tried the stuff off can. As reco suggested

This was again did as directed

This also did I'm unsure what. But. Made it appears slightly sticky

Tryed scraping etc. Wetting wiping

No it's still on windscreen

Hard to see driving

The oy thing I found myself is I bought a hand held steamer cleaner from Kmart 1 day ago. After the above methods have not worked

Also tryed with a heat gun removal but no

Not at all did nothing

Wuch the steamer. Yes started to. Completely remove on both sides of the entire windscreen downwards. Approx a foot on driver side and passenger side

Near completely removed this eproxy resin

substance but. Not still NOWARE near a clear windscreen. I'm wanting desperately some advice or how to remove this. Thankyou

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/90455#Comment_90455

Hello @huntrobyn

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us.

I suggest letting the epoxy dry to full strength. Once the epoxy is very hard, I propose testing a Trojan Safety Scraper With 5 Blades on the epoxy surface. Do not use any cleaning fluids on it, allow the epoxy to flake off the surface while using the scraper. Use a dry paper towel to remove any part of the epoxy that comes off. Do not use very heavy force on the scraper allow the scraper to glide over the surface to remove the epoxy.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Remarka6le for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @Amrit1

I would definitely not use a metal blade anywhere near your Dempster wires. I have found this product to be excellent and removing sticky residue from most surfaces.

Nailbag

Dave-1

Good morning @huntrobyn

That is a pain. 😕 Removing epoxy would be a hard path I am thinking. I would be tempted to weigh up the cost of a replacement screen verse trying to clean the window back to being clear. The amount of dollars you have spent on cleaning agents and potentially more dollars might tip the scales.

As something I would try, I would probarly have a go at the scrapers @EricL has suggested and follow his removal suggestion. Having the epoxy hard while scraping hopefully will create less mess. I would ballance that against scratches and also solvents destroying existing surfaces.

Dave

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