Removing tints

[cookieguy]

The small windows next to the engine bay, have at some point, been removed and tinted on my '86.

Not only does it look poop, it affects 3/4 vision.

Anyone any suggestions how to go about removing the tint? Does it mean removingthe glass entirely?

Cheers

Adam

[red vtec]

get a hair dryer in there, warm the film up and get something like a scalpel on one edge to lift the film, it should then pull off as you warm it.

[matk]

My first question is why do you think the window has been removed to be tinted? Most tints are done by applying a sticky back film. It's actually a lot more bother to remove the window to do that, so it's normally done with the window in place. If it is the film, as said above, a hair dryer will allow you to warm the plastic and peel it off.

However there are two types of glass available for the Esprit, clear and tinted. If the tint isn't too heavy and you think it's the whole glass, then it could be that someone has replaced the glass with the wrong type. If this is the case then you'll need new windows.

[cookieguy]

Errrm, this may sound dumb....but which side of the window should I use the hairdryer on?? The inside or outside (don't laugh)

Adam

[Bibs]

On the actual tint material, the heat is to degrade the adhesive enough so that you can peel it off. It is applied to the inside of the glass

[cookieguy]

On the actual tint material, the heat is to degrade the adhesive enough so that you can peel it off. It is applied to the inside of the glass

I sound so thick don't I !! LOl

Cheers for the advice

[cookieguy]

$50 bucks later and the pros did a great job!!!!

Why would someone tint the engine bay windows anyway???????

[wookiecj]

Why would someone tint the engine bay windows anyway???????

Presumably because they thought that it was much cooler than you (or I) do.

[tirpsesutol]

These are Instructions from a window tinter: Just did my 85TE a month ago and also a previous car (HCI). Purchase a one sided razor blade at a hardware store etc. Prepare some soapy hot water and rub the film. This warms up the glue which holds the film in place. Depending on the age of the film it should peel easily and hopefully in large sections by finding or making an edge and pulling. The final stage is removing the glue by again wetting it with soapy water and then with the blade carefully scrape the glue off in about a 45 degree angles. You dont want to scratch the surface so go slowly and keeping the area wet. It will come off like putty. Rinse with a damp cloth of clean water and to end use a window cleaner to finish the job.

[freshcut]

The engine bay windows on my '02 were tinted at some point by one of the PO's, along with the doors. Personally I prefer the tinting as it helps to reduce the heat during the summer months which can become quite brutal here in central cali. Of course having black interior doesn't help matters, but the tinting certainly does make a difference. It's also nice that it's not too terribly dark to hinder night time vision. In referrence to the above comment by Marco, I have had a vehicle that needed the tint removed and that was the exact process that the tinting shop used to remove the film. If I recall, it took about 15 minutes to do one side.